Treatment Information

While the most important reason for most people to see orthodontic care is cosmetic appearance, the most important reason for proper occlusion (the way teeth fit together) is dental health. Upper teeth that do not meet the lower teeth properly may continue to shift or lead to wear and tear of dental structures with time.

Orthodontic treatment can--and does, eliminate the possibility of embarrassment because of protruding and malpositioned teeth. As appearance improves, self confidence grows.

The first appointment at our office will consist of an examination and explanation of the problem. We have found that people want to know the answers to four basic questions:

• What is wrong?
  
• When should treatment start? (see Early Warning Signs)
  
• How long will it take?
  
• What is the approximate cost of the treatment?

We have allowed enough time at your appointment to answer these questions for you. If for some reason you are unable to keep this appointment, please call and we will try to make one that is mutually convenient.

The happiest patient is the cooperative one. He will have fewer problems in the mouth by following the instructions given him. He will have a maximum of progress within a minimum peroid of time. He will also have the satisfaction of knowing that he has done his part and he is the one who will reap the benefits.

An orthodontist is a highly qualified individual who is dedicated to a very limited field of dentistry which requires endless patience and gentle care as well as great skill. One of our great joys is a happy, cooperative patient and our deepest despair is the occasional one who "could care less" about the whole project.

Cooperation means keeping appointments as scheduled. This is very important. A patient will usually be visiting our office every four to eight weeks during active treatment. If a child fails to come in at the scheduled time for a long procedure, it will be difficult to find a place in our schedule to add an extra appointment into the day. Please call, write, or email our office as soon as you see the necessity of changing an appointment so we can reschedule without too much interruption in the treatment.

When removable appliances or elastics are prescribed, it is important for the patient to follow carefully the number of hours scheduled for daily wear. If instructions are not followed, treatment results and treatment time can be negatively affected.

Technically, there is no age limit for orthodontics although there is a tremendous advantage for change in young, growing patients. As long as the teeth and supporting structures are healthy, orthodontic change can readily occur. There may be more compromises due to wear and tear (those inevitable changes that affect us as we age in general). Almost always, the treatment result is a positive, rewarding experience.

Tooth movement is actually a normal response to light pressure. Pressure is applied by using a variety of orthodontic hardware (appliances), the most common being a brace or bracket attached to the teeth and connected by an archwire. Shaping or bending the archwire, when engaged into each individual brace, will cause the teeth to move in the direction of the bend.

Teeth are suspended in a membrane which in turn is surrounded by bone. When pressure is applied to a tooth, it causes this membrane to compress or stretch on either side. The bone then responds to this pressure by dissolving on one side and rebuilding to fill the empty space on the other side. Step by step, teeth are moved and your body rebuilds, but only as fast as nature will allow in its own time. Too fast or too much force can lead to undesirable consequences, so time is a function of each person's biology.

Discomfort may result whenever pressure on the teeth is applied. This is usually best handled by taking a non-narcotic, anti-inflammatory (NSAID) analgesic an hour before any visit where pressure will be adjusted (most visits). This usually lasts about 48 to 72 hours and the teeth are comfortable again. Each succeeding adjustment will mean some minor discomfort, although our patients report a reduction in discomfort as the treatment progresses.

Not necessarily. Orthodontic treatment is so common now, it is not something most people would notice as being unusual. Many kids consider braces as "cool" or the "in" thing to do. The old fashioned "train tracks" where full metal bands were once used are now tiny brackets that are bonded directly to the front of the teeth. Braces can come in silver, gold, clear, or tooth colored ceramic. The ceramic braces are almost invisible, showing only the small wire that connects each brace. A newer "invisible" brace system is now available that is applied on the inside surfaces of the teeth. They are a bit more of a problem with cleaning and tongue irritation in the beginning, but like most things, adaptation occurs with most people. They are a little more difficult to manage and may cost more, but they satisfy patients who want absolutely nothing to show. These are generally reserved for adult patients.

If you have any questions about treatment, please e-mail our office or call us at (843) 293-3522.

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