What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a dental specialty. You might say it relates to general dentistry as heart surgery does to general medicine. The specialty concerns itself not only with the proper alignment of teeth, but with the total facial structure focused in the area of the jaws and mouth.
-=TOP=-

Is there a maximum age for orthodontics?
In general, tooth positions can be improved at practically any age. While most people tend to associate orthodontic treatment with children and adolescents, age is not a limiting factor because the tissues involved in the movement of teeth are the same in both children and adults. Today, more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment.
-=TOP=-

What is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed the American Dental Association's required number of years of specialty training. Only after the satisfactory completion of this specialty training can dentists call themselves orthodontists or specialists in orthodontics.
-=TOP=-

Can any dentist call him or herself an orthodontist or specialist in orthodontics?
No. Only a dentist who has completed the required, minimum two years of postdoctoral training in orthodontics.
-=TOP=-

Why should an orthodontic evaluation be sought?
The opinion of an orthodontist should be sought when you have a concern, question, or doubt about a tooth eruption pattern or about jaw/facial growth and development.
-=TOP=-

Why is it so important to see an orthodontist for orthodontic care especially for children?
Some problems must be properly corrected the first time they appear. Orthodontic treatment will permanently change your child's teeth and possibly even his or her face. So you will want a well-qualified professional to treat your child. Orthodontic specialists limit their practices to orthodontic treatment only. By completing the extensive advance training program after dental school, they have learned the special skills required to manage tooth movement and to guide facial development. A specialist will treat your child using the most advanced techniques available. When you choose a specialist, you'll know your child is receiving quality care.
-=TOP=-

What if my general dentist isn't aware of whether a bad bite exists or if there is a growth problem?
If you feel that your general dentist is not aware of, or cannot handle, a growth problem that may exist, you should not hesitate to request the advice of an orthodontist. The caring, sophisticated general dentist will understand your needs and be more than willing to assist you in making the first appointment with an orthodontist. However, if you do not receive the desired assistance, you should feel free to contact an orthodontist on your own for he will welcome the opportunity to assist you and give you an orthodontic evaluation.
-=TOP=-

What if my general dentist does his own orthodontics?
Many general dentists are doing advanced orthodontic treatment without benefit of years of specialty training as required by the American Dental Association. Some general dentists do some limited aspects of orthodontic treatment in conjunction with an orthodontist. If you have any doubt that your case may require the expertise of a specialist, you should not hesitate to request an orthodontic evaluation.
-=TOP=-

Does the American Dental Association offer testing criteria to establish the ability of general dentists to perform orthodontics?
No. The American Dental Association establishes the requirements which are necessary to be an orthodontist, but there are no standards established to govern, qualify, or test general dentists' orthodontic abilities.
-=TOP=-

How can I avoid my confusion concerning a second opinion regarding my orthodontic treatment?
You should request an orthodontic evaluation from an orthodontic specialist.
-=TOP=-

If I want a second opinion , can my records be obtained from another office?
The orthodontist from which you wish to to have a second opinion given will request the records from the first dentist's office and avoid any resistance or hostility from the first doctor's office.
-=TOP=-

If I seek an orthodontic evaluation after my general dentist wanted to perform my orthodontic treatment, will this upset my general dentist?
The health care professionals exist to serve you. The truly concerned, conscientious general dentist will welcome this opportunity for you to fulfill your needs to have more advice and information regarding your health. Anything less than that should not be viewed as acceptable since that would interfere with you gaining the total understanding an orthodontic specialist can offer you of your orthodontic treatment needs.
-=TOP=-

Are there any benefits to early diagnosis and treatment?
Orthodontists can improve smiles at any age, but there is usually an optimum age for treatment to begin. An early examination allows the orthodontic specialist to determine how and when a child's particular problem should be treated for maximum improvement with the least time of treatment. Early orthopedic and orthodontic correction of certain growth problems can eliminate later orthognathic jaw surgery and/or the extraction of teeth.
-=TOP=-

Why should crooked teeth be straightened?
Straight teeth will certainly give you a nicer smile and greater self-esteem-but, just as important, evenly arranged teeth make it easier for you to properly chew all kinds of food. Crooked teeth are also harder to clean because they allow food, saliva, and bacteria (better known as Plaque) to build up in hidden areas. Since recent studies have shown plaque to be the main cause of dental decay and gum disease, it is imperative that teeth be straight for easier cleaning.
-=TOP=-

Can materials other than the metals be used for braces?
Clear braces can be used to reduce the amount of metal on the front teeth and enhance the appearance of the patient while he or she is wearing orthodontic appliances. The decision to use metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, etc. is a decision to be made by the patient in consultation with the orthodontist, and is discussed at the time of treatment
-=TOP=-

Do removable appliances take the place of braces?
No. Removable appliances are used primarily as functional appliances or retention appliances. The reason is simple: with removable appliances you can only push or pull a tooth; therefore you can only tip a tooth. Only braces can make bodily movements of the teeth.
-=TOP=-

What is a crossbite?
A crossbite occurs when you have improper occlusion of the upper and lower teeth. In other words, the upper teeth normally overlap the lower teeth. With a crossbite, the lower teeth are outside the upper teeth.
-=TOP=-

What is crowding?
Crooked teeth are often the result of an arch length discrepancy. What this means is that if the arch is crowded, there is too much tooth structure for jaw size. There are two causes for this problem: one is that the tooth size is too large for the jaw size; the other is that the jaw size is too small for the tooth size.
-=TOP=-

Can anything be done about crowding?
At an early age if the upper or lower arches are too small, they can be expanded to allow more room. In some situations, tooth extraction may be necessary to eliminate crowding. In some cases, the patient may wear a special appliance such as a headgear to move teeth back in the arches to create more space.
-=TOP=-

Why is it important to maintain baby teeth in their normal position?
Baby teeth maintain the normal arch form and arch length. If the baby teeth are lost early due to decay or extraction's, you should check with your general dentist or orthodontist about a space maintainer.
-=TOP=-

Is spacing between baby teeth a problem?
As a general rule, spacing between baby teeth is not a problem since the permanent teeth that replace them are much larger than the original baby teeth. However, if there isn't space, this will usually indicate a crowding situation exists in the permanent dentition that will be erupting.
-=TOP=-

What are impacted teeth?
Impacted teeth are teeth that have not erupted into the mouth for one of three reasons: first, because of severe crowding; secondly, because of a bony or hard tissue impaction or thirdly, because of a soft tissue impaction. Sometimes it is necessary to surgically uncover and actively pull the tooth into place. If this is necessary, the tooth is uncovered and a small button is cemented to the tooth; then the orthodontist guides the tooth to its proper position.
-=TOP=-

What is frenectomy?
Frenum attachments are the ligamentous attachment of a muscle that surrounds the mouth. Sometimes the ligaments or tendons are large and go in between the upper front teeth. This large frenum attachment does not allow the upper front teeth to close together Depending on the age and development of the patient, a frenectomy may need to be performed. A frenectomy is accomplished when the ligamentous attachment is removed so the orthodontist can close the space.
-=TOP=-

Are strong and weak lower jaws inherited?
The growth pattern of a child's jaw is definitely related to the genetic make-up of the parents. If either parent has a strong or weak lower jaw, the child should be observed by an orthodontist for growth guidance to redirect the growth pattern as much into a normal pattern as possible. However, if the patient is seen later in life, orthognathic surgical corrections may need to be considered to correct the supporting bone discrepancy.
-=TOP=-

Does my general dentist have to refer me to an orthodontist?
No. Your orthodontist is very aware of how often a patient desires to have an orthodontic opinion for a problem that may have been noticed by the patient. Therefore, referrals from our patients are becoming more and more common. The orthodontist is your specialist in growth and development as well as tooth positioning, and any time you have a question or a friend has a question, feel free to contact an orthodontist for an evaluation by this caring specialist.
-=TOP=-