Orthodontics
Providing Orthodontics and other Dental Services in Glen Mills, Pa
The Orthodontist at Brinton Lake has created an opportunity to have your Beautiful Smile created without hidden costs.
When you come to meet Dr J-R the consult - FREE
First Retainer- FREE
What is Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment straightens your teeth so they look and work better. It may even make your face look better, and help your jaw muscles function properly. Orthodontic treatment uses braces or other appliances to put gentle pressure on your teeth and eventually move them into the right position.
Your dentist may do basic orthodontic treatment or refer you to an orthodontist - a dental specialist with two to three years of extra university training in this area.
Why you may need orthodontics
A number of factors may affect the size and position of your teeth and jaws. Problems like crooked teeth may "run in your family." You may have a habit that affected your teeth, such as thumb-sucking. You may have lost a tooth (or teeth), and the teeth that are left may have moved or shifted.
No matter what the cause, your dentist or orthodontist can treat:
- crowded teeth;
- crooked teeth;
- an overbite, an underbite and an overjet;
- an openbite;
- too much space between teeth;
- the results of extra or missing teeth.
It's important to treat these problems because teeth that are crowded, crooked or protruding can make you unhappy with your appearance. You may be shy and unwilling to smile because of your teeth.
Teeth that are misaligned affect your bite. This misalignment can make it hard to chew some foods and may cause some teeth to wear down. It can also cause muscle tension and pain.
Crowded and crooked teeth are harder to clean. Cavities and gum disease may develop as a result. Teeth that stick out are more easily chipped or broken.
Some orthodontic problems should start to be treated before all the adult (or permanent) teeth come in. Your dentist or orthodontist can do a screening to find out if your child will have any orthodontic problems.
An orthodontic screening by the age of seven can help your dentist or orthodontist treat (or intercept) a problem as it is developing. This type of screening is called interceptive orthodontics.
How Orthodontics is Done
There are a number of methods for treating orthodontic problems. Dr. J-R will determine which method will work best for you.
1. Braces
There are four parts to braces:
- the bracket or band (the metal ring) that is attached to each tooth;
- the cement or bonding material that attaches the bracket or band to each tooth;
- the arch wire that fits into all the brackets;
- elastics or wire ties that hold the wire into the bracket or band.
Most of the time, brackets, bands and arch wires are made of metal, but brackets and elastics can also be clear, tooth-colored or multi-colored.
Dr J-R may suggest other treatments before, during or after braces are put on the teeth. Other ways to solve your orthodontic problem that do not include braces may be suggested.
2. Headgear
Headgear is used to guide the direction of tooth movement and/or jaw growth in someone who is still growing. Headgear may be worn before braces are applied, or during any part of orthodontic treatment. There are different types of headgear. The patient inserts the headgear and in most cases, wears it during the evening and at night. We will show you how to insert headgear, and tell you how long to wear it each day.
3. Removable appliances
Removable appliances are not as precise as braces, but they can move a tooth or a group of teeth.
They can be worn:
- before braces are put on;
- while braces are worn;
- on their own to treat specific orthodontic problems.
4. Retainers
Retainers keep teeth in the right place once braces have been removed. Retainers can be attached to the teeth or they may be removable. Your orthodontist or dentist will tell you if you have to wear your retainer all the time or for part of each day.
5. Oral surgery
Tooth removal may be needed if teeth are crowded, or if a tooth (or teeth) is badly out of position.
Jaw surgery (or Orthognathic surgery) may be needed when there are major differences in the size or position of the upper and lower jaws. It helps the upper and lower jaws line up. If your orthodontist thinks you will need jaw surgery, he or she will refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
1. Success
To help make sure your treatment is a success and lasts a lifetime, follow Dr J-R’s instructions
2. Discomfort
There are few risks or side effects to orthodontic treatment. The few problems that do occur are most often because the patient did not follow the advice of the dentist or orthodontist.
You may feel some discomfort for a while when your braces are first put on and when they are adjusted.
3. Time
Orthodontic treatment takes time. How much time depends on your age, the type of problem, how serious it is and what treatments are used. Treatment generally involves a visit every four to seven weeks over a period ranging from six months to two or three years.
In general, it takes longer to treat adults than children or teenagers.
4. Care
Special attention is given to all our Ortho patients. Our practice will provide an additional hygiene visit as a courtesy to our ortho patients. Please ask our office about this service.
Brushing and flossing take longer, and are even more important for people with braces, because food gets stuck around the brackets. Your dentist or orthodontist will give you tips on how to brush and floss (using floss threaders). Parents should supervise their children to make sure they do a good job cleaning their teeth and braces, and that they follow Dr J-R’s advice.
If you have braces, do not bite on hard things such as ice cubes, nuts or pencils. Do not eat sticky foods like gum (sugar or sugar-free) or toffee. They can loosen brackets and pull them off your teeth. Your treatment will take longer as a result.
5. Cost
Some dental benefit plans have coverage for orthodontic treatment. Check with your employer or insurance company.
Often, your insurance company will repay 50% of orthodontic treatment, until you reach your plan's orthodontic limit.
We will help make Orthodontics affordable with convenient payment plans for you individual needs.
What is the Best Time for Orthodontic Treatment?
Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Often, early steps can be taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.
Stage I – Early Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages 2 to 6 years. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger or thumb sucking. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and many times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
Stage II – Mixed Dentition: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12 years, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and 6 year molars. Treatment concerns deal with jaw malrelationships and dental realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to start treatment, when indicated, as your child’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
Stage III – Adolescent Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship.]