FAQs
Q : Why is “early treatment” recommended for some children?
A : In some cases, preventive or interceptive care can guide the jaws and erupting teeth into more favorable positions, improve the growth and alignment of the jaws, preserve space for the permanent teeth, and/or reduce the likelihood of fracturing protruded front teeth.
Q : What s the psychological impact of orthodontic therapy?
A : Treatment may reduce appearance consciousness during the critical developmental years. Appearance can have an effect on popularity, social behaviors, self-expectation, personality style, and self-image. Also, orthodontic therapy may lessen the likelihood that a child will be picked on by other children.
Adult orthodontics may positively affect career patterns, social acceptance, and self-confidence.
Q : Why is the adolescent growth spurt so important in orthodontics?
A : This is a time when much of the growth of the face occurs. Treatment during this period provides and opportunity to favorably influence the facial profile in a growing child. Once growth of the facial bones is complete, correction of jaw discrepancies usually requires surgery. For this reason, early treatment may save considerable time and money.
Q : When is an adult too old for braces?
A : For those who can benefit from orthodontics, age is not a factor. Adults who have teeth and healthy supporting structures are never too old. Increasing numbers of adults are taking advantage of the lifelong benefits of orthodontics. These are people who’ve made the choice to spend of their lives with an attractive, healthy smile and the confidence that it brings.
Q : What can we expect from your practice?
A : You can expect a unique combination of art, science and experience. Our goal is to provide the highest level of orthodontics therapy possible in a caring, friendly environment. We intend to treat you so well personally and technically that you will feel comfortable in recommending us to your friends and family.
Q : Why are some children treated before all of the permanent teeth erupt?
A : In most cases where early orthodontic treatment is recommended, the immediate treatment objective will be one or more of the following:
- To correct jaw disproportions before aligning the teeth
- To prevent injury to protruded from teeth
- To manage crowding
- To eliminate damaging habits
With these problems, timely treatment may provide advantages that are not available later.
Q : How does the orthodontist decide whether early treatment is necessary?
A : After a thorough evaluation of the diagnostic records, your orthodontist will determine if early treatment will achieve any of the following:
- Reduce the need to remove permanent teeth
- Simplify or shorten the time for full braces
- Influence growth of the jaws and facial profile in a positive manner
- Eliminate a problem that may cause physical or psychological harm if left untreated
If the benefits and opportunities outweigh the time effort and expense involved, early treatment is the appropriate choice.
Q : If my child has early treatment, will additional treatment be necessary?
A : In most cases, yes. After the permanent teeth have erupted, treatment is usually necessary to complete the work that was started in the earlier phase. The objective of continued treatment is to place the permanent teeth in positions of optimal comfort, function, esthetics, and long-term stability.
Q : What will happen in the time between early treatment and full braces?
A : For most children, this growth-observation period will involve a combination of retaining the correction that’s been made and guiding the erupting permanent into favorable positions. Since the timing of treatment is critical, your child’s growth and development will be carefully monitored during this period.
Q : Why is early removal of certain teeth sometimes necessary?
A : Early removal of selected teeth may be necessary to guide the eruption of permanent teeth. Carefully-timed extractions may prevent a variety of problems, including:
- Impacted or unfavorably positioned permanent teeth
- Damage to the roots of permanent teeth
- Severe crowding in the permanent teeth requiring lengthy and complex treatment
Q : What can we expect from your practice?
A : You can expect a unique combination of art, science and experience. Our goal is to provide the highest level of orthodontic therapy possible in a caring, friendly environment. We intend to treat your child so well personally and technically that you will feel comfortable in recommending us to your friends and family.
Q : At what age should a child have an orthodontic examination?
A : Age 7, unless you or your dentist suspect a problem at an earlier age.
Q : How long does treatment take?
A : In general, active treatment time with orthodontic appliances ranges from one to three years. The actual time depends on the growth of the patient’s mouth and face, the cooperation of the patient and the severity of the problem.
Q : How does orthodontic care improve self-image?
A : Scientific research has repeatedly shown the mouth and face to be the focal points of communication and social interaction. Appearance has been related to interpersonal popularity, social behaviors, self-expectation, personality style, and self-image. There can be little doubt that an attractive facial appearance and smile can improve the quality in many dimensions. All factors of facial and dental appearance are considered by the orthodontist in planning individual treatment strategies. Additional benefits may include better function, improved cleanability and greater longevity of natural teeth.
Q: When will my appointments be scheduled?
A : We share your concern about missing school or work and schedule appointments so that each patient receives a fair proportion of late afternoon appointments. We try to minimize the number of appointments that are necessary in the morning and excuses are provided when needed. Your time and convenience are important to us.
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Q : What are orthodontic records and why are they necessary?
A : Orthodontics records usually include X-rays photographs of the teeth and face, and models of teeth. The records provide a wealth of information that is not always revealed by a visual examination. This may include missing teeth, extra teeth, the condition and development of tooth roots, growth patterns of the jaws and face, symmetry, and a host of other factors. Complete records form the basis for a thorough and accurate diagnosis and a sound treatment plan.
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