What is a Board Certified Orthodontist?
A Board Certified Orthodontist is a person who has completed a comprehensive written
examination covering all phases of orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic care.
They also demonstrate actual accomplishment in patient care, with detailed reports
on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems. A Board Certified
Orthodontist achieves the title of Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Why should I have my teeth straightened?
Orthodontic treatment improves your smile and your health. Your smile is the most
striking part of your face. Look in the mirror. Do you like your smile now? Can
your smile be improved? Think about how you react to someone with a pretty smile.
Do you find them more attractive? Will you be more attractive with an appealing
smile? Orthodontic treatment will make your smile look fabulous. The fabulous smile
can last for the rest of your life. Think about how a fabulous smile will improve
your life. Your health is also affected by poorly arranged teeth that break easily
and trap food particles that cause tooth decay and gum disease. They can also lead
to poor chewing and digestion which can be bad for your overall health such as:
Dental Problems: Crooked teeth are hard to clean so people with crooked teeth tend
to have more cavities and gum problems than people who have orthodontic treatment.
Crooked teeth wear in ways that they should not. This causes extra stress on your
teeth, gums and jaw which can lead to problems later on.
Breathing Problems: As you get older the roof of your mouth can sometimes partially
block the air passages in your nose. If you have orthodontic treatment you may avoid
this possibility.
Statistically, people who have had braces as children have lower incidence of cardiovascular
disease as adults. Children who get braces learn to take care of themselves, and
that translates into a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. There is also some
recent data which indicates that oral bacteria might play a direct role in cardiovascular
disease, by dissolving calcium in your mouth and depositing it into your arteries.
Orthodontics helps prevent oral infections which may have a direct effect on heart
disease.
How do braces straighten crooked teeth?
Braces use steady gentle pressure over time to move teeth into their proper positions.
They don’t look like they are doing much just sitting there. But in fact, every
moment of your orthodontic treatment, there’s something happening in your mouth.
The brackets we place on your teeth and the main wire that connects them are the
two main components. The bracket is a piece of specially shaped metal or ceramic
that we affix to each tooth. Then we bend the arch wire to reflect your ideal bite
- what we want you to look like after treatment. The wire threads through the brackets
and as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to actually
move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jawbone. With pressure on one
side from the arch wire, the bone on the other side gives way. The tooth moves.
New bone grows in behind. It may look like nothing is happening – but we are making
a new smile here. Thanks to new materials and procedures, all this happens much
quicker than ever before. It’s kind of an engineering feat.
What are the early symptoms of orthodontic problems and how can I look for them?
It is most important to examine your child’s teeth as the permanent teeth grow in.
Although children mature at different rates, there are some averages for permanent
tooth arrival. It is always better to consult a professional. Still, there are some
warning signs that you can look for to help evaluate whether your child needs orthodontic
treatment. First ask your child to open their mouth and let you look at their teeth.
Are all of the teeth straight? Do any of the teeth slant to the side? Are there
any gaps between your child’s teeth? Do any of your child’s teeth overlap? If you
see any signs of crooked teeth, gaps between your child’s teeth or overlapping teeth,
your child may need orthodontic treatment. Next ask your child to bite down. Does
the center of the front top teeth line up with the center of the front bottom teeth?
Do your child’s top teeth protrude out the front of their mouth? Does your child
have bucked teeth? Do the top front teeth cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth?
Are any of the top teeth behind the bottom teeth? Do the teeth come together smoothly,
or are there any gaps? If your child’s teeth do not come together smoothly, or if
any of your child’s teeth do not lineup properly your child may need orthodontic
treatment.
Now look at the alignment of your child’s jaw. Do all of the teeth come together
smoothly, or does your child’s jaw shift off center when your child clenches their
teeth together? If you see any misalignment or shifting of your child’s jaw, your
child may need orthodontic treatment. If you see any of the above symptoms, or if
you are not sure, bring your child in for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation.
It’s best not to wait hoping that the problems will go away.
Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth and sometimes faces are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment; therefore,
it is very important that treatment be done properly. A licensed orthodontic specialist
is a expert at moving teeth, helping jaws develop properly and working with you
to help make sure the teeth stay in their new positions. Some advanced techniques
such as Invisalign are only available through a specialist.
Can I get insurance to help pay for orthodontic treatment?
Many dental plans now include orthodontic treatment. Check with your provider before
seeking care to determine if orthodontic procedures are covered.
