Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that treats malocclusion, a condition in which the teeth are not correctly positioned when the mouth is closed. This results in an improper bite. An orthodontist specializes in making the teeth straight. Treatment can be cosmetic, to improve a person’s appearance, but it often aims to improve oral function, too [hr height=”30″ style=”default” line=”default” themecolor=”1″]
An orthodontist can carry out work that aims to achieve the following:
Treatment can improve the appearance of the teeth, but it can also lead to better chewing and speech function and help protect teeth from damage or decay, in some cases. To achieve these goals, the orthodontist uses a range of medical dental devices, including headgear, plates, and braces.
These are the most common devices used in orthodontics. They are used when precision is important. A person can eat normally with fixed appliances, but some foods and drinks need to be avoided, such as carbonated drinks, hard candy, gum, and other sticky foods. People who participate in contact sports need to tell their orthodontist, as they may need special gum shields. Examples of fixed orthodontic appliances include:
Braces
These consist of brackets, wires, and bands. Bands are fixed firmly around the teeth and serve as anchors for the appliance, while brackets are usually connected to the front of the teeth. Wires in the shape of an arch pass through the brackets and are fixed to the bands. As the archwire is tightened, tension is applied to the teeth. Over time, this moves them into proper position. Follow-up involves monthly visits to adjust or tighten the braces. Treatment may last from several months to several years. Both clear and colored braces are available.
Fixed-space maintainers
If a child loses a baby tooth, a space maintainer will stop the two teeth at either side of the spaces from moving into it until the adult tooth comes through. A band is fixed to one of the teeth next to the space, and a wire goes from the band to the other tooth.
Removable space maintainers
These are an alternative to fixed-space maintainers.
Special fixed appliances
These can help control tongue thrusting or thumb sucking. They may be uncomfortable, especially when eating, and so they are only used if necessary.
Removable orthodontic appliances
These may be used to treat minor problems, such as preventing thumb sucking or correcting slightly crooked teeth. The appliance should only be taken out when cleaning, eating, or flossing. Sometimes, the orthodontist may advise the patient to remove them during certain activities, such as playing a wind instrument or cycling. Examples of removable appliances include:
Permanent retainers are glued, or bonded, to the back of the teeth. It is usually recommended for lower anterior teeth because of the high risk of reverting to their former position. In some cases, orthodontists recommend both a fixed permanent one on the lower anterior teeth and the clear plastic aligner-type which then would fit over the entire lower arch.
Splints, or jaw repositioning appliances
These are placed either in the top or lower jaw. They help the jaw close properly. Splints are commonly used for tempo mandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ is a condition that can cause pain and dysfunction in the muscles that are involved in the jaw movement. Whatever your device or treatment, it is important to follow both the health professional’s instructions and oral hygiene guidelines with care, to ensure the best outcome.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment.
For some children, the first visit to the dentist can be very intimidating due to a fear of the unknown. Sometimes, a parent can be nervous about a visit to the dentist based on their past experiences or concerns, and children become apprehensive if they see that their parent is anxious. A pediatric dentist has several years of additional training beyond dental school and has techniques to make the dental office a friendly setting for children. Their offices are geared to the pediatric population with child-friendly themes and decorations to help them feel more comfortable.
The best thing a parent can do to give their child a positive experience at the dentist is to come to the office with a positive attitude about the visit. Sometimes, because of their previous experiences or concerns, they may discuss their experiences in an unfavorable light. Sometimes, parents, unfortunately, use the dentist as a negative reinforcement to get their child to brush, etc. For example, “Johnny, if you don’t brush, the dentist is going to drill your teeth.” Every parent wants their child to have a great start in life and part of that is setting the stage for a great visit to the dentist by discussing the visit in a positive light. If parents are unsure how to discuss something, they can contact their pediatric dentist for tips on how to prepare for the visit in a child-friendly manner.
Dental cavities are the most common chronic disease of childhood — five times more common than asthma. By their eight ht birthday, 60 percent of children have had a cavity. Some of the most common causes of childhood cavities are diet and oral home care. Unfortunately, the common American diet includes frequently eaten snacks or treats that are high in carbohydrates and sugars which can make cavities grow. Your pediatric dentists are very happy to provide recommendations on healthy snacks and treats, as well as great tips on how to care for your child’s teeth and gums.
Every parent wants their child to get the greatest start in life and part of that is good oral health. It’s not uncommon for a parent to be concerned, especially if they have noticed stain or part of a tooth break. Regular visits to a pediatric dentist can help to keep a child in good oral health and if a cavity is present, catch it at an early point when it is easier to treat. My heart goes out to parents who think they have been doing everything correctly only to have a child with extensive cavities. Visits by a child’s first birthday can provide parents with information about proper diet, habits to avoid and oral care tips that can keep their child cavity-free.
I think all parents want the best for their children and are willing to make an effort to keep them cavity-free. It comes down to establishing a dental home with a pediatric dentist by their child’s first birthday, regular preventive visits, offering healthy meal and snack options and developing consistent home care routines. In our practices, we spend a great deal of time educating both parents and children on the best oral health practices. It’s a partnership with parents to identify what is possible and reinforcing positive behaviors in a culturally appropriate manner.
Dental cavities and ways to prevent them are always top of mind. Although there have been great innovations in materials and preventive products, one of the most promising recent products is silver diamine fluoride (SDF). Silver diamine fluoride is a quick, relatively inexpensive and painless medication that halts the decay process as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. SDF shows great promise with very young children, individuals with special health care needs and the other potentially difficult to treat populations. In the case of a very young child, silver diamine fluoride offers the promise of delaying treatment until they are mature enough to undergo dental treatment in a normal clinic setting. Although not a final fix, it is one more option for parents to discuss with their pediatric dentist.
Fluoride Protects Kids Teeth from the Inside
Fluoride is essential for cavity protection because it hardens tooth enamel and it remineralizes teeth, reversing the natural breakdown process caused by acid. Once your dentist recommends a fluoride toothpaste, usually around age 2, you can start brushing your child’s teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains this cavity-fighting mineral. The use of topical fluoride (from toothpaste, mouth rinses, and professional in-office treatments) is only one way to prevent tooth decay with this mineral. Swallowed fluoride can also help to strengthen teeth in children up to the age of 16. It enters the bloodstream where it can be used by developing teeth. Drinking water is fluoridated in some communities to help support good oral health. If your drinking water isn’t fluoridated, then your dentist may recommend supplements for your child.
having Healthy Kids Teeth Encourages Healthy Adult Teeth
Baby teeth start to fall out around the age of 6 or 7 and are then replaced by the permanent teeth. Even though your child will lose all of his primary teeth, it is still important to take good care of the first set of teeth. Untreated tooth decay in baby teeth can affect the adult teeth that are still under the gum line.
You can ensure that your kid’s teeth are healthy and cavity-free into adulthood. Start early with good daily oral hygiene habits and dental visits. Ask your dentist about optimal fluoride use. Your child will be grateful that he has a super parent to protect his smile.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment.
When should your child first see a dentist? You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking him or her within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.
At this time, the dentist can give you information on:
If possible, schedule morning appointments so young children are alert and fresh.
Prepare a preschooler or older child for the visit by giving him or her a general idea of what to expect. Explain why it is important to go to the dentist. Build excitement and understanding.
Discuss your questions and concerns with the dentist. Remember that your feeling toward dental visits can be quite different from your child’s. Be honest with your view of the dentist. If you have dental anxieties, be careful not to relate those fears or dislikes to your child. Parents need to give moral support by staying calm while in the dental exam room. Children can pick up parents’ anxieties and become anxious themselves.
At the first visit, give the dentist your child’s complete health history. For a restoration visit, such as getting a cavity filled, tell the dentist if your child tends to be stubborn, defiant, anxious, or fearful in other situations.
Watch how your child reacts. Many parents can guess how their child will respond and should tell the dentist. Certain behaviors may be linked to your child’s age:
Your child’s first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit often lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child’s age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains. The dentist may show you and your child proper home cleaning such as flossing, and advise you on the need for fluoride. Baby teeth fall out, so X-rays aren’t often done. But your child’s dentist may recommend X-rays to diagnose decay, depending on your child’s age. X-rays are also used to see if the root of a jammed baby tooth may be affecting an adult tooth. In general, it is best that young children not have dental X-rays unless needed.
Just like adults, children should see the dentist every 6 months. Some dentists may schedule visits more often, such as every 3 months. This can build comfort and confidence in the child. More frequent visits can also help keep an eye on a development problem.
Here are some tips to protect your children’s teeth:
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We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment.
Baby teeth play an important role in helping children develop healthy smiles that grow with them. Here are five important facts about baby teeth that parents need to know to help their children keep their baby teeth healthy and strong.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, yet it is always under constant attack by sugar, acid and external forces. You can help keep your child’s tooth enamel strong by giving them more water, which helps rinse teeth clean of harmful bacteria and acids. Additionally, limit sugar and sugary beverages in their diet to help give their enamel a break. Make sure to brush twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once a day.
Baby teeth play a critical role in developing a healthy and aligned adolescent and adult bite. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, it can lead to teeth crowding the vacant spot, which can cause bite alignment problems.
The proper diet can go a long way in helping your child maintain a healthy smile. When shopping for food, try to add more fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients and fiber. High fiber foods scrub teeth and keep them clean of food debris and damaging sugar, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Adding more magnesium and calcium to your child’s diet can strengthen their tooth enamel, and help prevent cavities.
Usually, natural tooth loss begins around age 6 and concludes around age 12. If your child loses a tooth before then, schedule a visit with our office so that we can take the appropriate actions for the health of their smile.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you establish a dental home for your children by their first birthday. This helps you get a dental health plan that works for their smiles and helps them get more comfortable with oral healthcare at an early age.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get appointment.