Faqs Archives - Elko Dental Specialists

Who Needs Orthodontic Treatment?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:16:05 +0000

At Elko Dental Specialists, we’re experts at giving people the smile they deserve, which provides them with confidence that will last a lifetime. Of course, we can enhance your smile at any age, but there is an optimal time to begin your orthodontic journey to achieve the most efficient results possible. Our office provides complimentary initial examinations to determine the best course of treatment. We know that every case is unique, and requires an individual approach, so that you’re calm and comfortable throughout the entire experience.

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When Should My Child Be Screened?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:16:56 +0000

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that parents schedule their child’s first examination no later than age 7, to screen for early orthodontic growth or development issues. At or around this age, most children have developed their first permanent incisors and back molars, which will allow Dr. Gardner to examine the front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. Then, x-rays and diagnostic photographs of your child’s mouth will be taken, in order to create a personalized plan for treatment.

For some treatment, early intervention isn’t necessary. Other children may require orthodontic appliances, to prepare their jaw, teeth, and mouth for upcoming treatment. There are physical and behavioral indicators that your child may require early intervention including:

Early or late loss of teeth
Difficulty chewing or eating
An unbalanced facial appearance, such as a misaligned jaw
Crowded, misplaced, or hidden teeth
Persistent breathing through the mouth
Thumb or finger sucking late in childhood
Getting an orthodontic screening can drastically improve the quality of your child’s life if they do require early intervention. If not, it still provides you with the peace of mind and knowledge you need moving forward.

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What are Advantages of Early Treatment?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:20:05 +0000

If your child has crooked teeth, a misaligned jaw, or another type of malocclusion, they are much more susceptible to unpleasant dental issues. An orthodontic consultation and subsequent treatment can reduce the risk of premature tooth loss, tooth decay, and gum disease. There are other benefits to starting treatment, such as:

Creating room for overcrowded teeth
Preserving room for unerupted teeth
Reducing the risk of trauma or chipping to protruding front teeth
Limiting treatment time with braces
Guiding jaw growth to create facial symmetry

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What are the Types of Braces?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:24:02 +0000

Metal Braces – When people think of orthodontic treatment, they typically picture someone with a big smile, full of metal. Metal braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment people choose to undergo, as it is both effective and economically friendly. One metal bracket is attached to each tooth and all are linked together with an arch wire. This arch wire is what helps move the teeth into their ideal position to help our patients achieve a straight smile.

Damon® Brackets – Damon® Braces is a self-ligating braces system. Unlike traditional braces, the Damon® System does not require elastics or metal ties to hold the arch wire in place, which eliminates the need for “tightening” and requires less adjustments. This system is designed to be comfortable, discreet and easy to clean. This self-ligating system allows teeth to move to their ideal positions faster, which may allow for a shorter treatment time when compared to other orthodontic treatments.

Ceramic Braces – Ceramic braces are made of a translucent, ceramic material that camouflages to the natural color of your teeth. They are designed to function like traditional metal braces, but since the brackets are able to blend in with the color of the teeth, this treatment is mostly invisible to the naked eye. Ceramic braces are very popular with adults since it is cosmetically appealing, however, can be used by teens as well.

Invisalign® – The Invisalign® is a clear alternative to traditional braces that is available for adults and some teenagers. It consists of a series of custom-made clear aligners that help move teeth into their ideal positions. The aligners are to be worn like a mouth guard and should only be taken off to eat, brush, and floss. Each aligner is worn for two weeks before moving onto the next aligner in the treatment plan. Treatment time for Invisalign is, on average, shorter than that of metal braces.

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How does orthodontic treatment help?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:27:04 +0000

Countless ways! While the most obvious benefit is a straighter, more beautiful smile, orthodontic treatment can also improve bite function, make oral hygiene easier, reduce tooth wear, and even improve your confidence and self-esteem.

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How do I know if I need braces?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:29:36 +0000

While only a trained dentist or orthodontist can determine if you need braces, there are a few warning signs to watch out for:

• Protruding upper or lower front teeth
• Upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth
• Crowded, misaligned, or overlapping teeth
• Problems chewing
• TMJ (jaw joint) pain
• Difficulty chewing
• Difficulty covering the teeth with the lips

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When should I get orthodontic treatment?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:31:50 +0000

This varies from patient to patient, but in keeping with the American Association of Orthodontists, we recommend patients have their initial screening by age 7. At this age, the back bite is established, so we can easily spot any current or developing problems and treat them before they become severe. It’s important to note that we may or may not begin treatment at this age – but screening early lets us monitor any problems and decide on the best time to start.

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Do I really need braces? Won’t my teeth get straighter over time?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:32:27 +0000

Trust us: orthodontic problems get worse with age, not better. Starting orthodontic treatment early is critical to ensuring a healthy, beautiful smile that’ll last the rest of your life.

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What is Two-Phase Treatment?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:34:10 +0000

Two-phase treatment refers to the practice of treating orthodontic problems in two distinct treatment phases. The first phase, Phase I, occurs before all permanent teeth have erupted and generally corrects problems like cross-bite, overbite, underbite, or severe crowding. We can even use a device called a palatal expander to widen the jaw during this phase and make more room for teeth. Phase II occurs during adolescence and is used to fine-tune the teeth into a beautiful smile.

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Can I get braces as an adult?

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:34:48 +0000

Of course! We can move healthy teeth at any age, and more and more adults are discovering the magic of orthodontic treatment. In fact, almost a quarter of our patients are adults!

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