Beyond providing a great smile, orthodontics also corrects “malocclusions” or bad bites. A malocclusion (the term for crooked, crowded or protruding teeth) occurs when the teeth are not lined up properly. Malocclusions can affect the way a person chews, talks, or smiles, and in some cases, can affect the jaws causing pain and discomfort. Below are some common conditions treated with orthodontics:

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE AN ORTHODONTIST?

In our office, seeing an orthodontist is not synonymous with beginning orthodontic treatment. We like to see our patients when any of the eight bit problems are recognized. At best, every child should have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. When early treatment is done in our office, it is usually done to correct problems that interfere with facial growth or proper tooth eruption. Such treatment is designed to be simple and interceptive in nature. We like to intercept crossbites and underbites that cause asymmetric or uneven facial growth. A holding wire might be used to prevent loss of space and later serious crowding. Harmful thumb or finger sucking habits can also be intercepted early to prevent open bites.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

Since we believe early treatment should be limited to specific problems and the treatment used should be limited as well, most 7-8 year old children we see require only our supervision of their dental and facial growth. During these observation recall visits, we can then determine the very best time for effective orthodontic treatment. By timing our treatment when most of the permanent teeth have erupted, we often eliminate the need for extracting permanent teeth, using palate expanders, head gears, and eliminate two full phases of orthodontic treatment. Most younger patients need two observation recall visits a year for us to supervise the growth development of their teeth and jaw bone structures. These visits are done at no charge and usually include one panoramic x-ray each year. We then advise you and your dentist of any developmental difficulties and the optimum, or “best time”, for effective orthodontic treatment.


WHEN IS IT TOO LATE TO BEGIN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

Almost any adult at any age can benefit from orthodontic care. Today, more than 30% of orthodontic patients are over age 18. The major difference between child and adult orthodontic is that adult bones are no longer growing. Consequently, adult treatment may take a little longer and may have some limitation in the amount of correction achieved. The Damon Appliance System with its light pressure and low friction levels is especially effective and cosmetically pleasing adult treatment method.