|
|
- What is orthodontics?
- Are braces necessary?
- When should I look for the early warning signs of a bad bite?
- At what age should I take my child to an orthodontist for an orthodontic check-up?
- Will additional jaw growth allow self correction of crowded teeth?
- What causes crooked teeth?
- Why should I have my teeth straightened?
- How do braces straighten crooked teeth?
- Can it look worse before they will look better during orthodontic treatment?
- Can I have my teeth aligned without having braces bonded to my teeth?
- What do elastic bands do?
- Can I get colors on my braces?
- If I don't want to show colors on my braces, what can I do to play down the braces?
- How many people receive orthodontic care?
- Can you be too old for braces?
- Will orthodontics change my lifestyle?
- How long do you have to wear braces?
- Will you have any teeth pulled?
- How do orthodontists save room for the permanent teeth?
- How do orthodontists make more room for permanent teeth?
- When is the best time to schedule an initial consultation?
- Why should you choose Dr. Williams?
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces are appliances or devices used to make these corrections.
Are braces necessary?
No. However, they help slow down the aging process by positioning the teeth and jaws in the correct place. This in turn postpones premature wear of the teeth, the peridontium(or gums), and the temporomandibular joint(or jaw joint).
When should I look for the early warning signs of a bad bite?
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.
At what age should I take my child to an orthodontist for an orthodontic check-up?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a check-up no later than age 7.
Will additional jaw growth allow self correction of crowded teeth?
No. The space available for the front teeth does not increase after the permanent 6 year molars erupt. In most people, the space available for the front teeth decreases with increasing age.
What causes crooked teeth?
Just as we inherit eye color from our parents, mouth and jaw features are also inherited. Local factors such as finger sucking, high cavity rate, gum disease, trauma and premature loss of baby teeth can also contribute to a bad bite.
Why should I have my teeth straightened?
Poorly arranged teeth can break easily and can trap food particles that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Researchers at the Baylor College of Dentistry, found that malocclusions interfere with the chewing ability to break down foods which affects digestion and overall health. Orthodontic treatment helps slow down the aging process by positioning the teeth and jaws in the correct place. This in turn postpones premature wear of the teeth, peridontium(or gums) and the temporomandibular joint(or jaw joint). Finally, poorly arranged teeth detract from your smile which is one of the more important features of your face. You only have one chance to make that first impression!
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're doing much just sitting there. But in fact, every moment in your orthodontic treatment, there's always something happening in your mouth. Something good for you. The brackets we place on your teeth and the main arch wire that connects them, are the two main components. The bracket is a piece of specially shaped metal or ceramic that we attach 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 move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jaw bone. 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're making a new smile here. Thanks to new materials and procedures, all this happens much quicker than ever before.
Will things sometimes look worse before they will look better during orthodontic treatment?
Yes, the teeth will move in different directions as the teeth are straightening out. You may see a space between your two front teeth that was never there before or teeth that seemed perfectly straight before the braces were placed may not seem as straight. Be patient and things will start to improve. That space will close and those teeth will line up as treatment continues.
Can I have my teeth aligned without having brackets bonded to my teeth?
Yes, if you are an adult with only 1 - 6 millimeters of crowding or spacing of your front teeth and no missing or severely tipped teeth. A series of 3-D computer generated invisible aligners made by Invisalign may allow creation of a beautiful smile for you without brackets bonded to my teeth. This advanced technology is not for growing children and does not correct bites that are due to jaw bone malpositioning.
What do rubber bands do?
Rubber bands or elastics contribute a lot to straighten teeth. Attached to your braces, elastics exert the force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth in directions that the braces alone can't do. It's important to wear your elastics as prescribed and change them every day so the force is constant. It is like rolling a ball up hill, if you stop, the ball will roll back down the hill. The teeth are attatched to your jawbone with a ligament, which is like a rubber band. If you stop wearing your elastics, the teeth will go back toward their pretreated condition.
Can I get colors on my braces?
Colors have gone over very big with countless braces wearers. With colors, patients decide to become involved in their treatment and usually take better care of their braces. There are soft pastels that coordinate with wardrobe to bright hues for celebrating holidays or expressing team spirit. These colors can be changed when the wires are changed to add constant variety.
If I don't want to show colors on my braces, what can I do to play down braces?
If you have metal braces you can use clear, white, or popular smoke colors to down play your braces. You can also use clear brackets a try or if you use makeup, use it to draw attention away from your mouth. Stay away from lip gloss that makes the metal parts of braces more reflective.
How many people receive orthodontic care?
Approximately 4 million people are in braces in the US at any one time.
Can you be too old for braces?
No. If the bone and gum tissue around the teeth are healthy, age is not a factor. About 20% of our orthodontic patients are adults.
Will orthodontics change my lifestyle?
You'll have to give up extremely hard, sticky, and high sugar foods. These foods can get caught on the braces, bend wires, loosen cement and pull the braces off and/or cause cavities and permanent white marks. Try to eat soft food or cut food into small pieces. You'll have to spend a few extra minutes cleaning your braces after meals. But, for the most part, you'll find braces don't cramp your style. You'll still have fun. You'll still be able to sing, play your musical instrument, smile, and play sports. You can even make a fashion statement by having your orthodontist add color to your braces.
How long do you have to wear braces?
That depends on you and how bad your bite is to begin with. The better you are about wearing your elastics and taking care of your braces, the sooner your teeth will improve. Remember that no one else can wear your braces for you!
Will you have any teeth pulled?
Only if your orthodontist cannot save or make enough room for all your teeth to fit, or to improve your facial profile. Don't worry, if you have teeth pulled, the spaces will be closed in a short period of time.
How do orthodontists save room for the permanent teeth?
A lower lingual arch space maintainer can be placed when the primary canine and primary molars are coming loose. The space maintainer prevents the lower back permanent molar from slipping forward and prevents the lower front permanent incisors from tipping toward the tongue. This saves or preserves the maximum amount of space for the permanent teeth (canines and bicuspids) that grow between the permanent back molar and the permanent lower incisors.
How do orthodontists make more room for permanent teeth?
They use headgear/night brace, lip bumpers, expanders, springs, Herbst and sophisticated removable "retainer like" appliances.
When is the best time to schedule an initial consultation?
Every child should see an orthodontist at an early age. This could be as young as 2 or 3, but should be no later than age 7. Early consultation allows the orthodontist to determine the optimum time for treatment to begin. Many parents and some family dentists assume that they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth, only to find out that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Early treatment can eliminate the need for more drastic measures. In some cases, satisfactory results are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. With proper timing, children may not have to endure years of embarrassment. Adults can be treated at any age as long as the gums and bone holding the teeth are healthy.
Why should you choose Dr. Williams?
Teeth and sometimes faces are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment; therefore, it is very important that the 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. Dr. Williams was trained an additional three years after dental school as a facial orthodontist, not only was he trained to straighten teeth, but to do this in balance and harmony with the face. Remember that most orthodontic insurance plans pay for braces only once in a lifetime. Have Dr. Williams do it right that one time!
1431 N. Fillmore St. Suite 100 Twin Falls, ID 208-737-0006 Get Directions |
Call for an appointment today!
|
|
|
|
