- A more attractive smile.
- Reduce appearance-consciousness during critical developmental years.
- Better function and the comfort of a proper bite.
- Possible increase in self-confidence and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Increased cleanability of the teeth.
- Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth.
- Guide facial growth for a more attractive profile.
- Better Iong-term health of teeth and gums.
- Reduce or eliminate the need for future jaw or facial surgery.
- Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions.
- Reduce the need to extract permanent teeth.
- Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth.
- Better lip closure.
- Improved speech / swallowing.
- Possibly shorten the treatment time required for comprehensive braces.
- Eliminate the need to replace missing teeth.
- Aid in optimizing other dental treatment.
- Less strain on the muscles and jaw joints.
"Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners that are custom-molded to fit you. The virtually invisible aligners gradually reposition your teeth into a smile you'll be proud of."
"The convenience and ease of use of the Invisalign system have made it the choice of over half a million people. In fact, Invisalign has been effective in giving hundreds of thousands of people amazing new smiles." Plus, they are removable and extremely comfortable to wear
To learn more about Invisalign contact our office for a free exam. You will be told if you are an Invisalign candidate and will be shown how the Invisalign system works.
Our commitment to alleviating discomfort, has led us to specialise in Speed Mini Braces. We are pleased to offer these esthetic, computer-like orthodontic braces that are as much as four times smaller than standard braces. Comparison of a standard brace ( left ) to a Mini SPEED Brace.
Below: Regular braces, left, vs. New SPEED Mini Braces
Benefits of SPEED Mini Braces [Show] [Hide]
COSMETICS - Mini Braces have a small sparkling jewel-like appearance. This eliminates the "railroad track" or metal look that many people considering orthodontic treatment find unacceptable.
COMFORT - Mini Braces are more comfortable. The brace's reduced overall size and height minimize lip and cheek irritation. In addition, springs apply continuous gentle force throughout treatment.
HYGIENE - The Mini Brace is more hygienic. Its small size and absence of "tie wings" (which often catch and trap food) make it easier to keep clean.
It is vitally important to maintain good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. It is much easier to brush and clean the miniaturized and rounded Mini Brace.
COMPUTER-LIKE Mini Brace Stores Energy
Recent improvements in manufacturing technology and orthodontic appliance design have resulted in
the development of a sophisticated, miniaturized spring loaded brace that
"stores" energy in three planes of space. This energy is activated only when the
tooth is not in its desired pre-programmed position which we determine during
your diagnosis and treatment planning.
[Hide] Benefits of Mini Speed Braces
This section is written for considering orthodontic treatment for your child. It is designed to give you general, yet factual, information about orthodontics.
Most parents consider having their child see an orthodontist for two reasons: (1) Their dentist has told them that their child's teeth are misaligned, a problem which will eventually affect their oral health; and/or (2) they are concerned about the appearance of their child's mouth. Large spaces between the teeth, crooked lower teeth, and a protruding over-bite or bucked teeth are a few of the most common complaints. The qualified orthodontist is trained to diagnose and correct such problems.
All of us approach any new project with some apprehension. We expect you will feel the same at this point. Review these frequently asked questions we hear from parents considering orthodontic treatment for their child. We hope the answers provided will help with your understanding of orthodontics and what it can accomplish.
- At what age should my child see an orthodontist?
- What causes crooked teeth?
- Why should I be concerned about my child's bite?
- What part does heredity play?
- How do orthodontists straighten teeth?
- Will it hurt?
- What about extra-curricular activities?
- Will my child look funny?
- How long will treatment take?
- How often will my child need office visits?
- How much will it cost?
- Will my dental insurance pay for it?
- Will the improvement be permanent?
- 1. At what age should my child see an orthodontist?
- 2. What causes crooked teeth?
- 3. Why should I be concerned about my child's bite?
- 4. What part does heredity play?
- 5. How do orthodontists straighten teeth?
- 6. Will it hurt?
- 7. What about extra-curricular activities?
- 8. Will my child look funny?
- 9. How long will treatment take?
- 10. How often will my child need office visits?
Most authorities agree that six or seven is a good age for your child's first orthodontic examination. Conditions may be found that can be corrected at this early age by interceptive measures. This often will lessen or eliminate the need for help at an older age. That in turn can be a savings in the total cost of your child's orthodontic correction.
Please don't wait until your child has lost all of his or her baby teeth. There are definite advantages to correcting many problems at an early age. Waiting until all baby teeth are lost can often complicate an otherwise fairly simple problem, Let your orthodontist decide the best time to intercept or correct your child's orthodontic problem.
Crowded teeth, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, premature loss of baby teeth, a poor breathing airway caused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils can all contribute to poor tooth positioning. And then there are the hereditary factors. Extra teeth, large teeth, missing teeth, wide spacing, small jaws -all can be causes of crowded teeth.
A bad bite can be detrimental to the future of your child's mouth. Restorations, crowns or bridges are often impossible for a dentist to perform without prior repositioning of the teeth by an orthodontist. Properly aligned and supported teeth are healthier, easier to clean, and therefore more likely to last throughout a patient's lifetime.
Heredity is a complicated combination of factors. Both parents may have perfectly aligned teeth. And the first child's teeth may erupt uneventfully. Then comes the second child and it is as if hereditary factors are working against each other. The child's teeth appear normal, but their alignment is going to cause problems in the future. So, assume neither the best nor the worst. Have your orthodontist evaluate your child's bite and proceed from there.
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. Periodic changing of these archwires puts pressure on the teeth. At different stages of treatment your child may wear a headgear, elastics, a positioner or a retainer.
Discomfort has to result when we loosen a tooth for movement. This usually lasts about 48 to 72 hours and then the teeth are comfortable again. Each succeeding adjustment will mean some minor discomfort, although our patients report a lessening of pain as the treatment progresses.
We heartily encourage your child to pursue extra-curricular interests. Athletics can be a regular part of this routine. Certain musical instruments can actually be helpful during treatment. Speech may at first be somewhat affected, but only for a day or two. So we tell our patients that othodontics is a normal part of this phase in their lives and that treatment should not preclude any activities they usually pursue within their school's programs.
Not necessarily. Braces on the teeth are required to move them to the desired positions. Braces are the handles used to move your teeth in a positive manner. They vary from the conventional steel bands cemented around the teeth to less obvious brackets bonded or cemented to the outer surfaces of the teeth. Plastic braces may be used for minor corrections. Ceramic brackets, which are similar in color to teeth, are less obvious to the casual observer and offer the versatility of regular stainless steel braces. The latest ones are translucent enough to actually allow the natural shading of the teeth to show through. In all cases, regardless of the braces used on your child's teeth, the activating part of your braces is the wire that goes from tooth to tooth. It is not uncommon to observe half of the children in a school class having some sort of braces. Many kids consider braces "neat" and the "in" thing.
Orthodontic correction can vary from the comparatively simple closing of front spaces in a few months, to the realignment of unsightly and disfiguring teeth. In the young child or the adolescent, treatment is as much a critical matter of timing and guidance as anything else. The normal treatment time varies from eighteen months to three years depending on the complexity of the problem.
Appointments can be scheduled from two to six-week intervals, depending on the stage of treatment. In the initial stage, the appointments are more frequent. Once the appliances (braces) are in place, appointments are scheduled at longer intervals. Every effort will be made to schedule appointments after school hours, but many times your child will have to come during school hours. School authorities are usually understanding.
Below are pictures and details of successful orthodontics in children.
When nature provides teeth that are very large and supporting bones that are too small, something has to give!
The lips develop unpleasant thickness and the muscles surrounding the mouth become heavy trying to cover the very large teeth.
After removing carefully selected teeth, aesthetic braces were placed. Two years of competent treatment by her orthodontist, coupled with a very motivated and cooperative patient, resulted in a beautiful facial change. You can easily see what this did for her self-image.
This young man had a severe mouth breathing condition due to enlarged adenoids and a retruded lower jaw.
This combination invariably results in poor lip posture and a toothy look.
After the removal of his Naso-Pharynx obstruction (adenoids), he could breathe much more easily. Following this, he had two years of braces and other orthodontic guidance. He now has a comfortable and competent smile and the bite or occlusion is normal.
This young man brought three problems to his orthodontist: very large teeth, a severe overbite, and an underdeveloped lower jaw.
Four carefully selected teeth were removed to provide room for the crowded teeth. Braces then rearranged the unsightly teeth. The protruding front teeth were brought back. At the same time the lower jaw was encouraged forward.
A severe overbite can result in a roll of the lower lip, making it difficult to close the lips together and nearly impossible to keep them closed when relaxed.
By wearing a restraining appliance, or headgear, growth was influenced in a positive way. Two years of braces plus conscientious headgear wear resulted in this pleasing, relaxed profile.
This facial pattern was ideal for a functional appliance.
These appliances are designed to control the effect that muscles and posture exert on growing bones, as well as on the developing teeth.
Over several months of wear, this dramatic and pleasant change occurred. A real commitment on the part of the child and parents is required, but is so rewarding to both.
- 11. How much will it cost?
- 12. Will my dental insurance pay for it?
- 13. Will the improvement be permanent?
Do not assume your treatment will cost the same as someone else's. Because no two problems are the same, treatment plans and accompanying costs will vary among patients. Those factors affecting the simplicity or complexity of your problem will be explained in detail by your orthodontist. All offices offer reasonable payment plans, conveniently spread over the estimated treatment period.
Today many dental policies include orthodontic benefits. For questions concerning eligibility, a pre-determination of available benefits can be requested from your insurance company representative. Some companies require submission of a diagnosis and treatment plan as well as a suggested payment schedule by your orthodontist before treatment begins. The percentage of reimbursement varies from plan to plan.
The combined experience of orthodontists across the country points to a 95% permanent improvement rate. Teeth, like all parts of the body, are constantly changing and adapting. Where growth guidance is accomplished, the results are usually permanent. Jaw relationships affecting facial contours can be expected to remain for life. However, there are certain types of facial patterns that continue to change even past adolescence. (Should this be the case with your child, of course it will be discussed thoroughly so you are made aware of any detrimental growth indications.) Conscientious retainer wear following treatment will minimize minor movement or relapse.
[Hide] Facts About Children Orthodontics
Below left:Example of the rapid tooth movement of an upper front tooth
Below right: After just seven weeks this upper front tooth is nearly straight. Notice how the orthodontic wire attached to this uppe front tooth was severely distorted in the before photo and nearly straight in the after photo.
Below left: Photo shows a rotated tooth, note how the wire running between the three teeth is distorted.
Below right:This rapid Correction of a rotated (crooked) tooth is made possible by the Combined action of "space aged" orthodontic wires and the mechanical abilities Of the SPEED mini-braces.
This is an example of an adult desiring to improve the appearance of his smile.
Before and After
Below left: One of the most common orthodontic problems is a deepbite. This patient's front teeth over lapped to the point that the lower front teeth were not visible when he smiled.
Below right: This is the same patient after successful orthodontic care. It was not necessary to remove permanent teeth, primarily because the patient was seen at an early age
The most common chief complaint patients give is the undesirable appearance caused by crowded (crooked) teeth. Whenever possible, we eliminate the crowding without removing permanent teeth.
Before and After
[Hide] Before and After Orthodontics Photos
A Special Kind of Dentistry
BEAUTIFUL SMILES ARE A TEAM EFFORT
Your family dentist and your orthodontist work together on your behalf. When you choose an orthodontist who displays this emblem, you are being treated by a professional who has completed advanced education required by the American Dental Association to permit announcement as 'specialist in orthodontics". Creating healthy miles at any age is what we do.
MORE THAN BEAUTIFUL SMILES
Although the importance of a nice smile should never be underestimated, the orthodontic specialist has another equally significant treatment goal-to improve the health of your teeth and gums. Did you know that crooked teeth and bad bites can seriously affect general oral health and sometimes jaw joints (TMJ problems)? Crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain and in time may contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Bad bites also can result in abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and damage to supporting bone and gum tissue jaw joint (TMJ) pain and associated headaches sometimes can be attributed to crooked teeth and incorrect bites.
When left untreated, many orthodontic problems become worse. Treatment by a specialist to correct the original problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.
NEVER TOO OLD TO BE YOUR BEST - Adult Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment is always a change for the better, regardless of your age. The biological process involved in tooth movement is the same in both adults and children. The health of your teeth, gums and supporting bone is the most important factor in determining the prospects for improving your smile and dental health.
Because an adult's facial bones are no longer growing, certain corrections cannot be accomplished with braces alone. But don't let that discourage you. Very dramatic facial changes are now being achieved with a combined approach of surgery and orthodontics. Should you require this type of treatment, your orthodontist will explain the procedures.
BRACES AND YOUR LIFESTYLE
You probably want to know if braces will interfere with your lifestyle. Absolutely not! You can do anything with braces--sing, play a musical instrument, dine out, kiss, and even have your picture taken.
There are, however, a few inconveniences, but you'll adjust quickly. Certain treats such as caramels and peanut brittle will be off limits. Also, your mouth and teeth may be a little tender after adjustments. And, of course, it will be especially important that you visit your family dentist for regular checkups. The good news is that the new You probably want to know if braces will interfere with your lifestyle. Absolutely not! You can do anything with braces; sing, play a musical instrument, dine out, kiss, and even have your picture taken.
There are, however, a few inconveniences, but you'll adjust quickly. Certain treats such as caramels and peanut brittle will be off limits. Also, your mouth and teeth may be a little tender after adjustments. And, of course, it will be especially important that you visit your family dentist for regular checkups.
DISCOVER HOW GREAT YOUR SMILE COULD BE
A consultation with an orthodontic specialist is the best way to determine if you can benefit from treatment. After an initial examination, your orthodontist usually will be able to tell you what the treatment will involve and the approximate cost. if you decide to proceed, complete diagnostic records of your mouth will be taken. These include molds of your teeth, special X-rays and photographs.
After carefully analyzing the extent of your problem, Dr. Wedell will recommend the best course of treatment for improving your smile.
AN IMPORTANT CHOICE
The decision for an adult to have his or her teeth straightened is a major one. Once you decide to have treatment, choosing who will provide it is very important because your teeth-and possibly your face-will be changed permanently.
Orthodontic specialists limit their practice to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics unless they also have qualified in another American Dental Association (ADA) recognized specialty. By completing an advanced education program following dental school, they have learned the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.
Specialists use the most advanced techniques available today, and because of their extensive knowledge, they can select cost-effective methods and materials for correcting individual problems.
A LIFELONG INVESTMENT IN YOURSELF
When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, also consider the lifelong benefits of a healthy, beautiful smile. Many former patients have said that it is the best investment they ever made-an investment in themselves.
The actual cost of treatment will, of course, depend on the severity of your problem. Your orthodontist will be glad to discuss fees with you before treatment begins. Convenient financing with an initial down payment and monthly installments usually can be arranged. Many employer-provided benefit plans now include orthodontics.
FINDING A SPECIALIST
All active members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) are orthodontic specialists. Each has met the exacting standards of education and experience required by the AA0 for membership. These educational requirements conform to those established by the American Dental Association.* it is to your advantage to seek your orthodontic treatment from an AAO member.
Upon request, the AA0 will furnish you with a fist of members in your area. Your family dentist also can refer you to an AAO member. Remember, AA0 members are the specialists who want you to have a lifetime of beautiful, healthy smiles.
*Advanced education programs in orthodontics must include two or more academic years of full-time formal training in a program sponsored by an institution properly chartered and licensed to operate and offer instruction leading to degrees, diplomas or certificates with recognized educational validity. (From: Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association, July 1992.)