An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed extra study in how to straighten teeth by bringing the teeth, jaw bones and facial profile into proper alignment.
The best time for a child to visit an orthodontist is between the ages of five and seven.
They are already beginning to get permanent teeth and any problems from overbite and crowding will be noticeable.
As most growth happens before age 10, it is easier to achieve the desired outcome before that age.
Even in the teenage years, results may be less effective and sometimes teeth may even need to be removed.
Visiting an orthodontist when children are younger can therefore help to ensure any possible problems are dealt with early at minimum cost and inconvenience.
Orthodontic treatment can deliver results at any age but taking action early could save money while giving your child a better smile.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
What an orthodontist can do for you
Orthodontic treatment is about straightening out crooked and crowded teeth and may use special appliances such as braces.
While most dentists can deal with minor orthodontic problems, they will often refer patients to an orthodontist for more specialist care.
Orthodontists are dentists with additional training and they specialize in the treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
One of the key aspects of orthodontics is straightening teeth and correcting jaw alignment.
This can be done through braces, corrective procedures and other 'appliances'.
There are two types of braces:
- Removable: The patient can take these out of their mouth at any time
- Fixed Braces: These are worn all the time and have to be removed by a dentist
The length of time a person needs to wear braces varies depending on the condition but most people wear braces for between one and three years.
After the braces are no longer needed, the person usually need to wear a 'retainer' for some time that holds teeth in their new position.
Modern braces are much more comfortable than ever and usually require fewer adjustments than older apparatus.
While most dentists can deal with minor orthodontic problems, they will often refer patients to an orthodontist for more specialist care.
Orthodontists are dentists with additional training and they specialize in the treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
One of the key aspects of orthodontics is straightening teeth and correcting jaw alignment.
This can be done through braces, corrective procedures and other 'appliances'.
There are two types of braces:
- Removable: The patient can take these out of their mouth at any time
- Fixed Braces: These are worn all the time and have to be removed by a dentist
The length of time a person needs to wear braces varies depending on the condition but most people wear braces for between one and three years.
After the braces are no longer needed, the person usually need to wear a 'retainer' for some time that holds teeth in their new position.
Modern braces are much more comfortable than ever and usually require fewer adjustments than older apparatus.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Different Types Of Orthodontic Braces
Orthodontists use dental braces to help move your teeth into a better position in your mouth so that they look and function better.
There are now many different types of braces available.Here are some of the main types.
Traditional braces are where brackets are chemically bonded to each tooth.
The brackets may be metal or ceramic. Wire is run through the brackets to move the teeth.
Ligatures are then used to keep the wire in place.
Traditional braces are still one of the most recommended options by orthodontist and are very effective in moving teeth.
Self Ligating braces do not use ligatures and they are best known by the brand Damon Braces.
These braces can have a quicker treatment time and require fewer visits to your orthodontist.
Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces but the brackets go on the back of the tooth.
These are used when the cosmetic appearance is important.
Invisible braces have become very popular under the Invisalign brand because of their cosmetic benefits.
Patients are given plastic trays called aligners to move the teeth and these are swapped out about every 2 weeks.
The best choice for you will depend on your dental needs and personal preferences.
Your dentist or orthodontist will advise you on the best option for you.
There are now many different types of braces available.Here are some of the main types.
Traditional braces are where brackets are chemically bonded to each tooth.
The brackets may be metal or ceramic. Wire is run through the brackets to move the teeth.
Ligatures are then used to keep the wire in place.
Traditional braces are still one of the most recommended options by orthodontist and are very effective in moving teeth.
Self Ligating braces do not use ligatures and they are best known by the brand Damon Braces.
These braces can have a quicker treatment time and require fewer visits to your orthodontist.
Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces but the brackets go on the back of the tooth.
These are used when the cosmetic appearance is important.
Invisible braces have become very popular under the Invisalign brand because of their cosmetic benefits.
Patients are given plastic trays called aligners to move the teeth and these are swapped out about every 2 weeks.
The best choice for you will depend on your dental needs and personal preferences.
Your dentist or orthodontist will advise you on the best option for you.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Why Teenagers Need Braces
The idea of getting braces may at first be daunting to a teenager.
But the benefits definitely make it worthwhile.
It may be hard to believe at first but the long-term benefit is a better smile that makes you look great.
Truth is about 70% of US teenagers need braces so, if you look around your class, probably about two out of three of your friends have braces or will have them soon.
Just take a look in the mirror and decide if you like your smile.
Whatever you think now, your orthodontist will make your smile even better.
Think about how much that will boost your social life.
However, it's not just about your smile, there are many health benefits of braces:
- You will be able to chew your food better: When teeth are not straight, you can't chew your food correctly. This can cause an upset stomach.
- You will avoid dental problems: If you do not get orthodontic treatment when you need it, your teeth will be hard to clean and your gums will hurt.
- You may avoid developing a breathing problem: The roof of your mouth can sometimes partially block the air passages in your nose. This causes you to snore loudly and may contribute to a condition called "sleep apnea".
Therefore braces can make a big difference to your life both now and in the future.
But the benefits definitely make it worthwhile.
It may be hard to believe at first but the long-term benefit is a better smile that makes you look great.
Truth is about 70% of US teenagers need braces so, if you look around your class, probably about two out of three of your friends have braces or will have them soon.
Just take a look in the mirror and decide if you like your smile.
Whatever you think now, your orthodontist will make your smile even better.
Think about how much that will boost your social life.
However, it's not just about your smile, there are many health benefits of braces:
- You will be able to chew your food better: When teeth are not straight, you can't chew your food correctly. This can cause an upset stomach.
- You will avoid dental problems: If you do not get orthodontic treatment when you need it, your teeth will be hard to clean and your gums will hurt.
- You may avoid developing a breathing problem: The roof of your mouth can sometimes partially block the air passages in your nose. This causes you to snore loudly and may contribute to a condition called "sleep apnea".
Therefore braces can make a big difference to your life both now and in the future.
Monday, November 4, 2013
The Future of Orthodontics and Braces
While steps have been taken to straighten teeth for hundreds of years, the biggest steps forward have come in the last few years.
Dentists had known for many years that removable plastic appliances could move teeth.
Some even made simple plastic "aligner trays" for minor adjustments.
But a major step forward was the invention of Invisalign.
This was the brainchild of Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, graduate students in Stanford University's MBA program.
Wirth had traditional braces in high school and Chishti had adult treatment with traditional braces and now wore a clear plastic retainer.
Chishti noticed that if he didn't wear his retainer for a few days, his teeth shifted slightly - but that the plastic retainer soon moved his teeth back to the desired position.
In 1997, using 3-D computer imaging graphics, they created the Invisalign method.
The dental profession - perhaps understandably - was initially skeptical because of their lack of professional dental training.
But, when Invisalign braces became available to the public in 2000, they proved extremely popular with patients.
Technology continues to push forward the science of orthodontics and techniques such as digital computer imaging are being used to make orthodontic treatment more precise.
For example, one system takes a detailed 3-D model of a patient’s teeth to help the orthodontist develop a precise treatment plan for tooth movement.
As companies develop more precise, high-tech materials and methods, orthodontic treatment will become easier, faster and more comfortable.
Dentists had known for many years that removable plastic appliances could move teeth.
Some even made simple plastic "aligner trays" for minor adjustments.
But a major step forward was the invention of Invisalign.
This was the brainchild of Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, graduate students in Stanford University's MBA program.
Wirth had traditional braces in high school and Chishti had adult treatment with traditional braces and now wore a clear plastic retainer.
Chishti noticed that if he didn't wear his retainer for a few days, his teeth shifted slightly - but that the plastic retainer soon moved his teeth back to the desired position.
In 1997, using 3-D computer imaging graphics, they created the Invisalign method.
The dental profession - perhaps understandably - was initially skeptical because of their lack of professional dental training.
But, when Invisalign braces became available to the public in 2000, they proved extremely popular with patients.
Technology continues to push forward the science of orthodontics and techniques such as digital computer imaging are being used to make orthodontic treatment more precise.
For example, one system takes a detailed 3-D model of a patient’s teeth to help the orthodontist develop a precise treatment plan for tooth movement.
As companies develop more precise, high-tech materials and methods, orthodontic treatment will become easier, faster and more comfortable.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
How braces look good
Braces are orthodontic appliances that can help straighten out crooked and crowded teeth.
As well as making you look better, they can help improve your dental health.
Many people have been put off wearing them because of how they look but modern braces can be very inconspicuous.
One way of making them inconspicuous is by having the brackets - the part that attaches to each tooth - fixed to the back of the tooth.
The brackets can be also be made in many different materials such as metal, ceramic or plastic so they can be more attractive or less visible.
They can also be designed to appear less noticeable - say be being clear or tooth-colored.
You can also choose to have them in virtually any color. You can even have them gold-plated or glowing in the dark.
Some people like to have their braces shaped in as something distinctive such as a heart or a football.
As well as making you look better, they can help improve your dental health.
Many people have been put off wearing them because of how they look but modern braces can be very inconspicuous.
One way of making them inconspicuous is by having the brackets - the part that attaches to each tooth - fixed to the back of the tooth.
The brackets can be also be made in many different materials such as metal, ceramic or plastic so they can be more attractive or less visible.
They can also be designed to appear less noticeable - say be being clear or tooth-colored.
You can also choose to have them in virtually any color. You can even have them gold-plated or glowing in the dark.
Some people like to have their braces shaped in as something distinctive such as a heart or a football.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Mothers Like Braces Better
The vast majority of modern mothers believe braces today are much cooler than when they were young.
In a study for the American Association of Orthodontists, 86 percent of mothers said braces are cooler today than when they were kids and 69% said wearing braces makes their children feel cool.
The vast majority - 81 percent - said their children's experience with orthodontic treatment was either positive or extremely positive.
One of the factors making braces better today is the range of different color options available so that children can choose the look they want.
This makes the kids feel better about their orthodontic treatment.
Even though the mothers feel braces are cooler today, most - 78 percent - of those who had braces theselves as a child feel it was a great investment by their parents.
Most feel comfortable about visits to the orthodontist and 81 percent rated their child's experience of visiting the orthodontist as positive or extremely positive.
Entertaining video games and music help children enjoy their visits to the orthodontist while computer software that predicts how they will look after treatment keeps them motivated.
In a study for the American Association of Orthodontists, 86 percent of mothers said braces are cooler today than when they were kids and 69% said wearing braces makes their children feel cool.
The vast majority - 81 percent - said their children's experience with orthodontic treatment was either positive or extremely positive.
One of the factors making braces better today is the range of different color options available so that children can choose the look they want.
This makes the kids feel better about their orthodontic treatment.
Even though the mothers feel braces are cooler today, most - 78 percent - of those who had braces theselves as a child feel it was a great investment by their parents.
Most feel comfortable about visits to the orthodontist and 81 percent rated their child's experience of visiting the orthodontist as positive or extremely positive.
Entertaining video games and music help children enjoy their visits to the orthodontist while computer software that predicts how they will look after treatment keeps them motivated.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
How Dental Braces Work
Dental braces are orthodontic devices which help realign the position of your teeth.
They may be used if you have bite problems (also called malocclusions), crooked teeth, gaps or other problems with your teeth.
Although they are mainly used on children and teenagers - as treatment is easier when you are still growing - adults can also benefit from braces.
Braces are made up of three basic parts:
- Brackets
- Bonding (or band)
- Arch wire
The way braces work is that the teeth are moved through the use of force - the wires in the braces push the tooth in the desired direction.
When this happens, there is a biological response which leads to bone remodeling. Bone is created on one side and resorbed on the other side.
A tooth will usually move about a millimeter per month during orthodontic treatment but there are big variations depending on the individual and the exact treatment.
They may be used if you have bite problems (also called malocclusions), crooked teeth, gaps or other problems with your teeth.
Although they are mainly used on children and teenagers - as treatment is easier when you are still growing - adults can also benefit from braces.
Braces are made up of three basic parts:
- Brackets
- Bonding (or band)
- Arch wire
The way braces work is that the teeth are moved through the use of force - the wires in the braces push the tooth in the desired direction.
When this happens, there is a biological response which leads to bone remodeling. Bone is created on one side and resorbed on the other side.
A tooth will usually move about a millimeter per month during orthodontic treatment but there are big variations depending on the individual and the exact treatment.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
The Development of Orthodontics
Though various devices have been used to straighten teeth since the days of the Ancients Greeks and Romans, it was only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that orthodontics began to develop as separate science.
There is no one person who is universally seen as "The Father of Orthodontics" but several have a claim to the title.
One claim goes as far back as, 1728 when the French surgeon Pierre Fauchard published his book "The Surgeon Dentist", which included a whole chapter on ways to straighten teeth.
This certainly gave orthodontics a huge push forward - although that term was actually coined in 1841 by Joachim Lafoulon.
But the science was not really put on the map until more than 100 years later.
First, dentist and writer Norman W. Kingsley wrote the first article on orthodontics in 1858 and published his book "Treatise on Oral Deformities" in 1880.
Another major step forward was when dentist J. N. Farrar wrote "A Treatise on the Irregularities of the Teeth and Their Corrections".
Farrar was also very good at designing brace appliances and was the first to suggest using mild force at timed intervals to move teeth.
In the early 1900s, Edward H. Angle devised a classification system for malocclusions which is still used today.
This system was a way for dentists to describe how crooked teeth were and how they fitted together.
Angle contributed significantly to the design of orthodontic appliances and founded the first college of orthodontics in 1901.
Gradually the field of orthodontics became a respected dental specialty in its own right.
There is no one person who is universally seen as "The Father of Orthodontics" but several have a claim to the title.
One claim goes as far back as, 1728 when the French surgeon Pierre Fauchard published his book "The Surgeon Dentist", which included a whole chapter on ways to straighten teeth.
This certainly gave orthodontics a huge push forward - although that term was actually coined in 1841 by Joachim Lafoulon.
But the science was not really put on the map until more than 100 years later.
First, dentist and writer Norman W. Kingsley wrote the first article on orthodontics in 1858 and published his book "Treatise on Oral Deformities" in 1880.
Another major step forward was when dentist J. N. Farrar wrote "A Treatise on the Irregularities of the Teeth and Their Corrections".
Farrar was also very good at designing brace appliances and was the first to suggest using mild force at timed intervals to move teeth.
In the early 1900s, Edward H. Angle devised a classification system for malocclusions which is still used today.
This system was a way for dentists to describe how crooked teeth were and how they fitted together.
Angle contributed significantly to the design of orthodontic appliances and founded the first college of orthodontics in 1901.
Gradually the field of orthodontics became a respected dental specialty in its own right.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Mothers Like Braces Better
The vast majority of modern mothers believe braces today are much cooler than when they were young.
In a study for the American Association of Orthodontists, 86 percent of mothers said braces are cooler today than when they were kids and 69% said wearing braces makes their children feel cool.
The vast majority - 81 percent - said their children's experience with orthodontic treatment was either positive or extremely positive.
One of the factors making braces better today is the range of different color options available so that children can choose the look they want.
This makes the kids feel better about their orthodontic treatment.
Even though the mothers feel braces are cooler today, most - 78 percent - of those who had braces theselves as a child feel it was a great investment by their parents.
Most feel comfortable about visits to the orthodontist and 81 percent rated their child's experience of visiting the orthodontist as positive or extremely positive.
Entertaining video games and music help children enjoy their visits to the orthodontist while computer software that predicts how they will look after treatment keeps them motivated.
In a study for the American Association of Orthodontists, 86 percent of mothers said braces are cooler today than when they were kids and 69% said wearing braces makes their children feel cool.
The vast majority - 81 percent - said their children's experience with orthodontic treatment was either positive or extremely positive.
One of the factors making braces better today is the range of different color options available so that children can choose the look they want.
This makes the kids feel better about their orthodontic treatment.
Even though the mothers feel braces are cooler today, most - 78 percent - of those who had braces theselves as a child feel it was a great investment by their parents.
Most feel comfortable about visits to the orthodontist and 81 percent rated their child's experience of visiting the orthodontist as positive or extremely positive.
Entertaining video games and music help children enjoy their visits to the orthodontist while computer software that predicts how they will look after treatment keeps them motivated.
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