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Orthodontic care can improve smiles at any age. While a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontic care, straight teeth are much easier to brush and floss, improving the health of both the teeth and the gums. Properly aligned teeth can reduce the chance of tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. A poor functioning bite can contribute to excessive wear of tooth surfaces that could result in restorations, crowns, or bridges. Orthodontic treatment not only improves your smile, it also improves the function and longevity of your teeth.
While orthodontic care can improve smiles at any age, your orthodontist can help determine the best time to start. For some the best time to start braces is in the mixed dentition. The mixed dentition is between 7 and 11 years of age when there is a "mix" of primary (baby) and permanent teeth. At this time we focus on improving the bite and create space for the permanent teeth that have not yet erupted. By intercepting certain problems early, before they become serious, we can achieve the maximum improvement with minimum discomfort time and expense. Mixed dentition therapy is the first phase of a two-phase treatment.
Phase one typically begins around age eight or nine and lasts approximately 12-24 months. Office visits are scheduled every 6-12 weeks and goals are very specific. We create space to reduce crowding, correct jaw imbalances, and eliminate finger-sucking habits. These goals are achieved with a few simple, comfortable appliances worn at a time when patients have more growth to aid in the correction of the bite. In addition, pre-teens are often more enthusiastic and cooperative. Once these goals are met, patients are seen periodically to ensure phase one results are maintained. Erupting teeth are monitored to determine the best time to complete this two-phase process. In some cases intercepting bite problems early can mean the difference between not extracting or extracting permanent teeth later.
Mixed dentition therapy is a great benefit for young patients with developing problems; however for most, the best time to start orthodontic care is still following the eruption of the permanent teeth. Braces are placed once the permanent teeth have erupted to align the teeth and improve the fit of the bite. The length of comprehensive orthodontic care varies based on several factors. The most important of which is the extent of the malocclusion. The second most important factor is our patient's compliance. Your orthodontic team will show you the most effective methods of brushing and flossing around your braces. We will also inform you about foods to avoid that might break your braces. Near the end of your orthodontic care we will show you how to wear elastics to make the fit of your bite better. If you do your part, you will get done sooner allowing us to remove your braces and to reveal your new beautiful smile. Most orthodontic care is completed between 18-36 months. Modern orthodontic appliances allow us to finish all but the most complicated treatments in 24 months or less.
Modern orthodontic care is high tech. Braces have come a long way from the days when orthodontists hammered bands on every tooth. Not long ago, heavy intermittent forces were used to force teeth into place. Today orthodontists have found that a light continuous force not only moves teeth faster but is also more comfortable. Additionally, we are able to offer patients a choice of several orthodontic appliance systems. We will take time to explain these new options in braces and help you select the base system that is best for you. An increasing number of patients are choosing the self-ligating bracket system. Self-ligating brackets do not need small elastics to hold the wire into place greatly reducing the friction between the wire and the brace. This sometimes results in faster tooth movement with the same gentle forces that we have always used to achieve our goals. No elastics to brush around and shorter potential treatment times mean decreased risk of cavities forming around your braces. Ask us how the new self-ligating brackets can help improve your smile.
Adults have even more options when it comes to orthodontic care; braces are not just for kids anymore. About 20% of our patients are adults. Adults are increasingly seeking orthodontic care for a variety of reasons, some had braces as a child and need a "tune up". Others come in after their children have grown, when they have decided it is their turn. We also see adults that require tooth movement prior to dental work to optimize the cosmetic and functional benefits. The esthetic and bite improvement that orthodontic care can achieve is definitely not kid stuff.
To accommodate our adults during orthodontic care we have separate treatment areas for adults who prefer privacy. We often use ceramic (glass) braces that are less noticeable, and when appropriate clear aligners (Invisalign®) present the ultimate in esthetics, as they are virtually undetectable.
As you can see braces can improve smiles at any age. Orthodontic care has much more to offer than beautiful smiles. A healthy confident smile will also improve the function, stability, and longevity of your teeth. In addition, there are many choices of orthodontic appliance systems. Braces today use light continuous forces to produce faster tooth movement enabling us to create the smile you desire sooner than you thought possible. Come in for a complimentary orthodontic exam and let us show you how orthodontic care can enhance your life.
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