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You might be wondering when would be a good time for you, as a parent, to start considering orthodontic treatment for your child. Because many orthodontic issues can be more easily fixed during childhood, the American Dental Association (ADA) advises that children are screened for such treatment by age 7; this approach is known as Early Intervention Orthodontics.
Early Intervention Orthodontics is the initial stage of orthodontic treatment and is usually followed by a second stage of treatment when the patient is older. Because of the earlier treatment however, the second stage is shorter and less complicated and less costly than if the child did not have the first stage of treatment.
Orthodontic intervention during the teenage years works to help treat orthodontic problems and to help boost a teenager’s self-esteem. Teenagers often feel self-conscious about their smile and orthodontic treatment is a great way to help assuage these feelings of insecurity and lack of confidence. Some of the issues that can be addressed with orthodontic treatment in the teenage years include problems with spacing, crowding and teeth protruding, as well as treatment planning for missing teeth or misshaped teeth.
It is a common misconception that “only teenagers” wear braces, but the reality is that approximately 1 out of 5 people have orthodontic treatment in adulthood. With new esthetic options that are less obvious than traditional metal braces, more adults are being treated today than ever before. One popular option is Invisalign, which is often not noticed at all!
Metal braces are the type of braces that most people think about when you bring up the subject of orthodontics. And while metal braces still use small metal brackets, improvements in technology have allowed orthodontists like Dr. David Markham to use the brackets and wires in a less obvious manner.
While the visibility of the brackets can still be a drawback for some patients, there are many benefits. Besides often being the least expensive of the bracketing options, treatment with metal braces does not require the discipline of having to wear and maintain an aligner as you would with the Invisalign treatment and may allow you to minimize potential tooth stripping (interproximal reduction) that can be needed with Sacramento Invisalign orthodontic treatment. In addition to these advantages, it can be easier to treat more complex orthodontic problems with metal braces and brackets vs. the other bracketing options.
Invisalign® clear aligners are an excellent alternative treatment if you want to get the beautiful straight smile you’ve been dreaming about. Make sure to our orthodontists, Dr. Markham and Dr. Scott, if you are a viable candidate for Invisalign.
When we say Invisalign, we refer to removable, comfortable, clear aligners you can use to straighten your teeth and align your jaws. We leverage digital imaging advancements to make models of your teeth and jaws’ current position when we want to determine your treatment plan. Over 70% of orthodontists here in the US and Canada offer this excellent alternative to traditional braces.
After orthodontic treatment is completed, it is very important for patients to wear a retainer to keep the teeth in their new position. Because teeth naturally shift with time, these appliances help prevent this “shifting back” from happening.
Clear retainers are clear trays, which look like Invisalign aligners. These retainers make sure that the teeth will stay in position because of the vacuum-formed hard plastic that accurately prevents shifting.
Like clear retainers, traditional retainers are worn after orthodontic treatment to help maintain the teeth’s new position in the mouth, and are removable. However, the similarities between the two types of retainers now end, because unlike clear retainers, traditional retainers are made acrylic or plastic and they have metal wires.
A fixed retainer is an appliance that is permanently placed in the mouth. It is usually bonded to the teeth, and as such does not need to be inserted or removed. A fixed retainer is great for patients who do not want to worry about removing and losing their retainers, and it helps to make sure that the teeth stay in their proper place and do not shift.
A night guard is a clear, tray-like appliance worn while a patient is sleeping. There are several reasons why a patient may need a night-guard and two of the most common reasons include protecting teeth from night-time grinding and/or clenching. This destructive activity (grinding and/ or clenching) is called “bruxism”. In patients with these conditions, unless a nightguard is worn, with time, the teeth can wear down, causing the patient’s bite to change, with such changes leading to possible chronic jaw joint problems and teeth problems such as sensitivity, severe wear, pain and, in extreme cases, tooth loss.
When a patient has braces, it is not possible to customize a night guard. Only after orthodontic treatment is completed can a special customizable night guard be made to go over the straightened teeth. It is made of acrylic material that will be able to mold around the teeth and it will be hard enough to protect the teeth when worn at night. Nightguards are very comfortable to wear. As a matter of fact, patients report after wearing the nightguard for a while, it is uncomfortable not to wear the nightguard during sleep.
Patients with an improper bite (a malocclusion) may suffer from jaw joint pain known as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder (also commonly referred to as “TMJ”). This situation happens when the jaws joints do not stay properly in the bony joint sockets, leading the joint complex to wear and causing the surrounding tissues and muscles to fatigue.
A bite splint helps to relieve the pain caused by TMD by allowing the joints to stay in their proper position, while deactivating or shutting down the muscles of the jaw. This stabilization allows the muscles to relax instead of being in a constant strained position – which can cause jaw pain.
Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them?
It’s important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.
Don’t worry, you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time!
However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.
When you have braces, it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment.
If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call our office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to solve many problems yourself temporarily until you can get to our office. If there is a loose piece that you can remove, put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment. If your braces are poking you, put soft wax on the piece that’s sticking out. If the wire has slid to one side, you can pull it back to the other side with needle-nosed pliers, replacing it in the tube on the back tooth.
After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment plan.
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