• WHAT IS EARLY TREATMENT?
• WHY ARE CHILDREN BEING TREATED AT AN EARLIER AGE?
• WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTERCEPTIVE TREATMENT (PHASE I)?
• HOW LONG DOES INTERCEPTIVE TREATMENT LAST (PHASE I)?
• WHAT IS PHASE II TREATMENT?
• WHAT IS RETENTION?
• WHAT IS LIMITED TREATMENT?
• WHAT IS FULL OR COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT?
• WHAT IS ADULT TREATMENT?
• WHAT IS TMJ/TMD? Temporomandibular Disorder
• WHAT IS TEETH WHITENING?
• WHAT IS SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS?
• WHO NEEDS SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS?

WHAT IS EARLY TREATMENT?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. By the age of 7, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the back bite. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.

WHY ARE CHILDREN BEING TREATED AT AN EARLIER AGE?

Early treatment, before the eruption of all the permanent teeth, can guide erupting teeth into more favorable positions, open and preserve space for permanent teeth, and avoid the fracture of vulnerable front teeth.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTERCEPTIVE TREATMENT (PHASE I)?

Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment are:

• Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
• Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
• Preserve space for unerupted teeth
• Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
• Improve esthetics and self-esteem
• Reduce the need for tooth removal
• Reduce treatment time with braces
• In some cases, less expensive

HOW LONG DOES INTERCEPTIVE TREATMENT LAST (PHASE I)?

The first phase of treatment lasts approximately one year.

WHAT IS PHASE II TREATMENT?

The second phase (Phase II) of treatment is the corrective phase. At the end of the first phase of treatment, the teeth are not in their final position and will be initiated when most of the permanent teeth have erupted. The second phase of treatment usually begins around age 12 and will require braces on all teeth. This phase takes approximately 18 to 24 months.

WHAT IS RETENTION?

After completing Phase II treatment or comprehensive treatment, retainers will be worn to ensure that you retain your beautiful smile. We will follow-up for a twelve month period to make sure the retainers fit properly. Retainers given after Phase I treatment are not meant to be lasting and will not fit properly once the permanent teeth start to come in.

WHAT IS LIMITED TREATMENT?

Short-term limited treatment is available in situations that don’t need comprehensive treatment and may be performed with braces or removable appliance. This will take approximately six months.

WHAT IS FULL OR COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT?

This is another name for orthodontic treatment in the permanent dentition at any age. It is more commonly used when a Phase I treatment was not performed. Comprehensive treatment can vary from 18 to 24 months.

WHAT IS ADULT TREATMENT?

Almost any adult at any age can benefit from orthodontic care. The major difference between child and adult orthodontic is that adult bones are no longer growing. Consequently, adult treatment may take a little longer and treatment may have to be combined with the efforts of an oral surgeon to achieve the final results.

WHAT IS TMJ/TMD?
Temporomandibular Disorder

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. As you may imagine, these joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement.

Symptoms of TMD include:

• Pain in the jaw area
• Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
• Frequent headaches or neck aches
• Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
• Swelling on the sides of the face
• Muscle spasms in the jaw area
• A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
• Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth

Should you notice any of these symptoms, let us know! We can help advise you as to whether they indicate the presence of TMD, and what sort of treatment is appropriate for you.

If you don’t have any of these symptoms, let’s keep it that way! There are some simple things you can do at home or work to prevent TMD from occurring in your jaw joints:

• Relax your face – remember the rule: "Lips together, teeth apart"
• Avoid grinding your teeth
• Avoid constant gum chewing
• Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder – either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear
• Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth
• Do not sit with your chin rested on your hand
• Practice good posture – keep your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared

WHAT IS TEETH WHITENING?

Whitening of the teeth is performed for patients who desire a brighter smile. Teeth whitening can be performed to reduce discoloration and staining, or simply to provide the patient with whiter, brighter teeth.

Our office currently offers two types of teeth whitening options; laser whitening through the Zoom system and bleaching trays.

Contact our office today to see which option is best for you.

WHAT IS SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS?

Just as orthodontics repositions teeth, surgical orthodontics (also known as orthognathic surgery) corrects jaw irregularities to improve the patients ability to chew, speak, and breathe and for improved facial appearances. In other words, surgical orthodontics straightens your jaw. Moving the jaws also moves the teeth, so braces are always performed in conjunction with jaw correction. This helps make sure teeth are in their proper positions after surgery.

WHO NEEDS SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS?

Your orthodontist will consider surgical orthodontic treatment for non-growing adult patients with improper bites and those with facial esthetic concerns. Jaw growth is usually completed by age 16 for girls and 18 for boys. All growth must be completed before jaw surgery can be performed. However the pre-surgical tooth movements can begin one to two years prior to these ages.

How does it work?

During your orthodontic treatment, which usually lasts 6-18 months, you wear braces and will visit your orthodontist for scheduled adjustments to your braces. As your teeth move with the braces, you may think that your bite is getting worse rather than better. However, when your jaws are placed into proper alignment during orthognathic surgery, the teeth will then fit into their proper positions.

Surgery is performed in the hospital with an oral surgeon, and can take several hours, depending on the amount and type of surgery needed. In lower jaw surgery, the jawbone behind the teeth is separated and the tooth-bearing portion is moved forward or backward, as needed. In upper jaw surgery, the jaw can be repositioned forward or backward, or the jaw can be raised or lowered. Certain movements may require the jaws to be separated, with bone added/removed to achieve the proper alignment and stability. Other facial bones that contribute to alignment may also be repositioned or augmented.

When you have completed surgery, you should be able to return to school or work within two weeks. After the necessary healing time (about 4-8 weeks), your orthodontist "fine-tunes" your bite. In most cases, braces are removed within 6 to 12 months following surgery. After your braces are removed, you will wear a retainer to maintain your beautiful new smile.

Top of Page^ / Home / FAQ / About Orthodontic Treatment