How do I know if my child is in need of orthodontic treatment?
It is not usually difficult for you to determine if your child needs orthodontic treatment. Problems such as crowding, habits, overbite, protruding teeth, underbite etc., are relatively easy to identify. There are many problems that occur even though the front teeth look straight. Also, there are some problems that look intimidating and complex which will resolve on their own. Asking your general dentist is good reference, but we are your best resource since orthodontics is all we do. Our initial exam is complimentary and we would be more than happy to see your child and make any recommendations necessary.
What are the early symptoms of orthodontic problems?
As a parent, I believe this “age-old adage” is true for many things, including orthodontics. If you think your child needs treatment, he or she probably does. That said, the following symptoms may help in prompting you to seek our orthodontic advice. Ask your child to open their mouth, and let you look at their teeth. If you see any signs of crooked teeth, gaps between your child’s teeth or overlapping teeth, your child may need orthodontic treatment.
Ask your child to bite all the way down, but keeping their lips open so you can see their teeth. Do the front top teeth line up with the bottom? Do the top teeth protrude out away from the bottom teeth? Do the top front teeth cover more than 50% of the bottom teeth? Are the top teeth behind the bottom teeth? All these are indicators for potential orthodontic treatment. Look at the alignment of your child’s jaw. Does the jaw shift off center when your child bites down? If you see any misalignment or shifting of the jaw, your child may have a skeletal problem, which requires early orthodontic intervention. These are only some of the obvious symptoms of orthodontic problems.
What age should my child be seen by an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child be evaluated by age 7. Early detection of some orthodontic problems is important in order to take early corrective action and avoid more difficult treatment later. However, orthodontists can improve most malocclusions at any age. There is usually an optimum age in terms of the amount of improvement that can be achieved, the type of treatment employed, and cost incurred. That best age is different for every patient!
Is Age a Factor?
The earlier we see patients, the more options we have to correct problems. However, age is not a barrier. As long as the supporting structures (bone and soft tissue) are healthy, it is never too late to improve your orthodontics and/or cosmetic appearance. We have patients in our practice ranging in age from four to eighty!
What about Oral Hygene?
The correct alignment of teeth helps to prevent decay. Crowded and overlapping teeth tend to trap food and are extremely difficult to brush and floss. Improper “meshing” of upper and lower teeth (even though they are straight) will tend to cause wear and shifting teeth through the years.
Digestive disturbances, speech impediments, and psychological problems can all be associated with misaligned, “buck”, or crooked teeth. Obviously, orthodontic treatment is a great aid in the partial or total elimination of these problems.
Can you be too old for braces?
No, age is not a factor, only the health of your gums and bone which support your teeth. About 35% of our orthodontic patients are adults and that number is still growing!
Will it hurt?
Orthodontic treatment has improved dramatically. As a rule, braces make your teeth sore for a few days, but it is not painful. This annoyance can be relieved with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Today’s braces are smaller, more comfortable and use technology that reduces the discomfort. We use the latest in miniature braces and the highest quality of orthodontic materials in order to reduce discomfort and treatment time.
Can I still have braces if I have missing teeth?
Yes. When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth will drift into the empty space. This will cause a functional, esthetic or periodontal problem. Orthodontic treatment will correct and prevent these problems and will also provide proper alignment for your dentist to replace the missing teeth.
What about Crowns, Veneers, and implants?
Usually, dental restorations pose little or no problem to achieving successful results.
What is Early (Two-Phase) Treatment?
The AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS-as do I-believes that your child’s initial screening should be around age 7. This does not mean that all seven-year-olds need to be treated, but it does give the orthodontist the ability to intercept very difficult growth problems and treat them if necessary. Most children, if seen by the age of six or seven, can benefit from all of the advantages of early treatment. The ability to have the greatest degree of orthopedic control is the single greatest advantage of early treatment. Very simply this means that we, as an orthodontic team, can have the most effect on:
- Changing abnormal growth patterns
- Increasing the size of the jaws to accommodate all the permanent teeth
- Correcting the front-to-back relationship of the upper and lower jaws
- Correcting the side-to-side relationship of both jaws
- Producing wonderful facial profiles and esthetics as well as assisting in the development of exquisite smiles
1. Ideally we want to intercept problems while a large amount of facial development remains. By the age of twelve years, ninety percent of a child’s facial development is completed. For many problems this is too late to achieve the very best results. However good results can be still achieved.
2. The second advantage is that in most cases, early orthodontic treatment eliminates the need to remove permanent teeth. As the jaws slowly expand, room for the permanent teeth is made.
3. The third advantage of two-phase treatment is to provide a good “airway.” Mouth breathing can usually be eliminated with early orthodontics. This in turn can have a dramatic effect on lower jaw growth. Many mouth breathers develop a receding jaw.
4. The fourth advantage is the ability to place teeth and jaws in the most esthetic positions. We can eliminate, to a large degree, the unattractive “gummy” smile and the dark corners that appear at the sides of the mouth because the jaws are too narrow.
5. The fifth and last advantage that should be mentioned (though there are many more) is the wonderful degree of cooperation that young children exhibit. This cooperation factor should not be underestimated since successful orthodontic treatment depends in large measure on cooperation from the patient.
One thing is certain, a child who has crowding at age seven, eight, or nine years of age will have crowding at age twelve, thirteen, or forty-two. Lack of space for permanent teeth does not improve on its own.
What if my 7 year old doesn’t need early treatment?
Your child will be placed in our pre-orthodontic guidance (POG) program.
What is the Pre-Orthodontic Guidance Program? (POG)
Dr. Rosenberg has developed this unique, no cost program especially for children who are not-quite ready to begin orthodontic treatment. Dr. Rosenberg prefers to examine and closely monitor individual development, as growth and development varies greatly in children. Regular monitoring allows Dr. Rosenberg to determine the ideal time for your child to start orthodontic treatment and ensures optimum results. This complimentary program includes all pre-orthodontic visits and x-rays. We look forward to treating your child with the best orthodontic care possible!
Adolescent Treatment
Over the years the largest segment of society to benefit from orthodontic treatment has been children in the twelve to fourteen age bracket. This has been true for a number of reasons. Primarily, orthodontists did not know what was possible earlier in the growth cycle. Most orthodontists have in fact been taught just the opposite. That is, early treatment could not be successful.
What about alternatives to “traditional” metal braces?
Depending on your individual needs, there are three excellent alternatives to traditional metal braces.
Ceramic (clear) braces – can often be used to treat even the most challenging problems. They are far less visible than traditional metal braces.
Lingual (behind the teeth) braces are the only appliances on the market today that are truly invisible. They are very effective and fast in treating crooked front teeth, spacing and relapse problems. Since we are not generally correcting the bite in these cases treatment often takes 6 months or less. They are not used if a bite problem is to be corrected.
Invisalign : clear plastic aligners are a good alternative treatment for correcting crowded, crooked teeth or spacing. Dr. Rosenberg firmly believes that your treatments goals and the appliances used should be of major importance.
How long does treatment take?
Obviously this depends entirely on the kind of problems we are correcting. Full treatment – usually involving some degree of bite correction can range from one to two years. Minor problems such as alignment of the front teeth usually takes 6-12 months.
What is retention?
Retention is the period following active orthodontic treatment. Once your braces are removed you will receive both upper and lower retainers with a few hours or two to three days. Dr. Rosenberg has made it easy to keep your teeth looking beautiful for a lifetime. Your retainers will be worn at night only, and in most cases will be clear plastic. Ask us about “lifetime retention” – your insurance for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.
