Your
dentist may have discussed with you the benefits of having
healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded
teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This can result
in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth
loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal
wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function,
excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports
the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints.
These
can lead to chronic headaches and face or neck pain. Treatment
by an orthodontist can be less costly than the additional
care required to treat dental problems arising as a result
of orthodontic problems. For most people, a beautiful smile
is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces
come off, you'll feel more self-confident.
Orthodontic
treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially
appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. One of every
five patients in orthodontic treatment is over twenty-one.
Many of our adult patients choose Invisalign to improve their
smiles. You can learn more by exploring the Invisalign page
on our web site. In more complex cases, Dr.
Fried will work
closely with your dentist and other dental specialists to establish
a comprehensive treatment plan specifically tailor to give
you optimal results.
Kids
It's
best for the orthodontist to see children by age seven to
advise if orthodontic treatment is required and the best
time for that patient to be treated. The first permanent
molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and
cross bites, crowding and other problems can be evaluated.
When treatment is begun early, the orthodontist can guide
the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth.
Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper
and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth,
avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood
of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate
abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early
treatment can simplify later treatment.
How Orthodontic Treatment Works
Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic.
They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the
teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled
direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position.
This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when
a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. Wires
are also less noticeable than they used to be, and the latest
materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.
Duration of Treatment Treatment
Time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on
the growth of the patient's mouth and face and the severity
of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond
variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion
may differ from the original estimate. The patient's diligent
use of any prescribed rubber bands or headgear is an important
factor in achieving the most efficient treatment. Interceptive,
or early treatment procedures, may take as few as six months.
