FAQ

Why Braces?

Your family dentist may have discussed with you the benefits of having well-aligned teeth and jaws. Crowded or overlapping teeth are harder to clean and maintain. Over time, this could result in enamel discoloration, decay or periodontal disease. Other orthodontic problems such as overbites, crossbites, or underbites, to name a few, can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, excessive stress on the bone and gingival support structures of the teeth, inefficient chewing function, or the misalignment of the jaw joints. Chronic headaches, neck aches, limitation of jaw movements, and "clicking" are all symptoms of TMJ problems. Treatment by an orthodontist may prove less costly that the additional care required to treat dental problems arising from orthodontic problems. The most obvious benefit, however, is the gorgeous smile you will see in the mirror once the braces are removed.

At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?

Orthodontic treatment can be considered at any age; however, it's been considered prudent for children to be assessed by an orthodontist by the age of 7 so that any developmental growth imbalances, habits or abnormal eruption patterns of the teeth could be evaluated. Some problems could be intercepted early allowing for a more harmonious development of the jaws and face. Early treatment can help regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, lessen the likelihood of permanent tooth extractions, reduce the possibility of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb/finger sucking habits and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment may simplify later treatment.

What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?

Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is often recommended to make more space for the developing teeth, correction of cross bites, over bites, under bites, or harmful oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrust). Phase II treatment is also referred to as comprehensive treatment, because it involves full braces. Phase II is usually instituted once all of the permanent teeth have erupted, between the ages of eleven and thirteen. Often, Dr. Organ will only recommend comprehensive treatment if he feels Phase I treatment will not be necessary.

Growth of the Face

Growth of the face is critical to the orthodontist. It is a constant subject of study and analysis. Orthodontists try their best to evaluate the individual growing pattern of each young patient in order to plan treatment accordingly.

As teenagers grow, the greatest facial changes occur in the lower portion of the face. There is a notable increase in the distance from the nose to the chin. Jaw growth can have a tremendous impact on the progress and success of the treatment. This growth occurs independently from tooth movement and may alter direction in the middle of treatment resulting in an unexpected change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit. For this reason, it is often difficult to predict exactly how long a young person will be wearing braces. Cephalometric x-rays are a valuable tool used by orthodontists to evaluate growth, jaw size and relationships in addition to any asymmetries. Although these x-rays are always taken at the beginning of treatment, they are often taken during treatment if Dr. Organ feels the growth pattern may be changing.

Obviously, careful consideration of our patient's growth pattern will help achieve the desired treatment goals.

Is there ever a time when you are too old for braces?

As mentioned before, orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. Two of every five patients undergoing orthodontic treatment is over the age of 21. Crowded teeth, an improper bite, upper incisor protrusions and various other malocclusions are now being corrected in people of all ages.

Advanced dental technology has made the process easier and more effective than ever. Better bonding techniques, lighter, less conspicuous wires and miniaturized appliances all have encouraged adults to seek orthodontic treatment.

Simply put, it is one of the best investments you can make in your appearance and your oral health.

The major difference between adolescent and adult orthodontic treatment is that adult bones are no longer growing. As well, teeth tend to take a little longer to move into their corrected position due to increased bone density.

How does orthodontic treatment work?

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, plastic or a combination of both. They may be removable or they may be "brackets" attached directly to the teeth. By placing a constant gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to their corrected position. Technology has allowed for the miniaturization of orthodontic braces as never before, and has created "super elastic" wires which make tooth movement more predictable, more comfortable and often faster than ever before.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment times vary from person to person, but the average time for comprehensive treatment is from 18-30 months. Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the malocclusion. Treatment time is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene, keeping regular appointments, minimizing appliance breakages (more on that later) and, most importantly, following Dr. Organ's instructions regarding removable appliance and elastic wear are all important in keeping treatment time on schedule.

Do braces hurt?

The placement of "brackets" on your teeth does not hurt at all. Once your braces are connected with the arch wires, you may feel some soreness of your teeth from one to four days. Some patients say their "teeth feel a little bruised." Medication is seldom necessary. If required however, we recommend whatever analgesic you normally take for general aches and fever. As well, your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to "get used to" the braces on your teeth. Each succeeding adjustment will mean some minor discomfort, although most of our patients report a lessening of the pain as the treatment progresses.

Will braces interfere with playing sports?

Absolutely not! However, we strongly recommend that our patients protect their smiles and lips by wearing a special orthodontic mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity, especially contact sports. Complimentary mouthguards will be provided by our office and have proven to be comfortable and effective. Please avoid having custom-made or self-molded mouthguards made during treatment as these tend to cause appliance breakages.

Will braces interfere with playing a musical instrument?

No, however there may be an initial period of adjustment to the pressure of the braces on your lips and cheeks. We will show you how to mold soft wax on your braces to protect your lips.

Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?

Yes, you should absolutely continue to see your family dentist every six months or sooner for cleanings and checkups. Your family dentist and Dr. Organ are partners in the delivery of optimum oral health.

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