ORTHODONTICS

Today’s orthodontic treatment solutions are not just for kids.  Adults and children can enjoy the benefits of better function and aesthetics following orthodontic treatment. 

Orthodontic treatment planning is customized for each person.  The plan takes into account your concerns and long term goals as well as the results from a comprehensive diagnostic exam.  The exam consists of a “hands on” assessment, 2 radiographs, photographs, and diagnostic models.  It may also include a neuromuscular analysis to further idealize the muscles and TMJ (jaw joint). 

Modern orthodontic knowledge combined with up to date appliances and materials leads to more predictable, stable long term results.  The ideal treatment plan provides for the best, most stable results, in the shortest period of time.

The Importance of Early Treatment in the Mixed Dentition 

Mothers and fathers are approaching us daily about their children’s crowded teeth, protruding teeth and spaces between teeth.  Today’s parents do not accept the answers given by some dentists and orthodontists when observing that their son or daughter has a problem.  “No treatment is indicated at this time, the patient is too young, the malocclusion will be observed and treated when the permanent teeth erupt in.”  For practitioners, trained with a preventive philosophy, this approach seems completely illogical when statistics have proven that malocclusions when left untreated worsen over time.  The term “supervised neglect” seems very appropriate. 

One of the main reasons why your dentist should treat children during the mixed dentition stage of development is that there is such a high incidence of malocclusion in children.  This was quite evident from the Burlington Growth Study, Toronto, Canada, where it was revealed that 75% of children, age 12, have some form of malocclusion. 

Since 90% of the face is developed by age 12, practitioners must treat early if they want to guide and, in fact, modify the growth of younger patients.  In our office we emphasize a functional-orthopedic philosophy and favor a two-phase orthodontic treatment.  We recommend seeing children for an initial evaluation between age 9 and 10. 

Phase 1

                Mixed Dentition (Orthopedic Phase)

Thumb sucking, digital habits, anterior and lateral tongue thrusts, airway problems including mouth breathing and snoring and jaw joint (TMJ) problems must be corrected early with functional appliances.  Skeletal problems such as constricted maxillary or mandibular arches and prognathic or retrognathic mandibles are best treated as early as possible with functional appliances in the mixed dentition period of growth. 

Phase 2

                Permanent Dentition (Orthodontic Phase)

                Dental problems are solved with straight wire appliances (fixed) braces in permanent dentition.

 One of the main advantages of early treatment is the majority of malocclusions can be corrected without extraction of permanent teeth and non-surgically.  Parents favor the use of functional appliances to correct under-developed mandibles in the mixed dentition stage rather than delay treatment until all the permanent teeth erupt.  Dentists who are trained to use jaw repositioning appliances such as the Twin Block, Rick-A-Nator, and Schwartz appliances, find it ludicrous to wait when children can be treated in 7 to 12 months non-surgically using functional appliances.

 The Benefits of Early Treatment

For those patients who have clear indications for early intervention, early treatment presents the opportunity to:

 - Influence jaw growth in a positive manner                    - Simplify and/ or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics

- Harmonize width of the dental arches                           - Reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth

- Improve eruption patterns                                               - Improve some speech problems

- Lower risk of trauma to protruded upper incisors        - Preserve/ gain space for erupting permanent teeth

- Correct harmful oral habits                                              - Improved breathing / airway problems

- Improve aesthetics and self-esteem