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Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontia
3. What does orthodontic treatment involve?
First and foremost, orthodontic treatment involves the patient. To achieve the desired results, the patient must diligently follow the orthodontist’s instructions about wearing orthodontic appliances and practice good dental hygiene. With braces, certain foods, like peanut brittle, caramels and bubble gum are off limits—as is chewing ice.
The orthodontist provides custom-made braces, retainers or other corrective appliances, according to the problem being treated. Whether they’re removable of “fixed” into the mouth, whether they’re made of metal, ceramic or plastic, all orthodontic appliances have a common purpose—to use gentle pressure to move teeth and jaws into their proper positions. Today’s patients benefit from techniques and materials that enhance the comfort of orthodontic treatment.
4. How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Although every case is different, generally speaking, patients wear braces from one to three years. Treatment times vary with factors that include the severity of the problem being corrected and how well the patient follows the orthodontist’s instructions.
Patients who brush and floss thoroughly and regularly; avoid hard and sticky foods; wear their rubber bands and/or headgear as instructed; and keep their appointments usually finish treatment on-time with good results.
After the braces are removed, most patients wear a retainer for some time to keep or “retain” the teeth in their new positions. The orthodontist will determine how long the retainer needs to be worn. Most patients remain under the orthodontist’s supervision during the retention phase to ensure that the teeth stay properly aligned.
5. At what age should I schedule my child’s first orthodontic appointment?
All children should get an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven. When most people think of orthodontics, they think of teenagers, and the fact is, most orthodontic treatment begins between the ages of nine and fourteen; however, most children have a mix of adult and baby teeth by age seven. Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. That’s important, because some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re found early.
In some cases, your orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing, and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Typically, early treatment involves the use of orthodontic appliances, which may be removable, to guide the growth of young bones and create a better environment for adult teeth as they emerge. In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that wouldn’t be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing. Early treatment gives your orthodontist the chance to:
- guide jaw growth
- lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- correct harmful oral habits
- improve appearance and self-esteem
- guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- improve the way lips meet
6. How can I tell if my child has an orthodontic problem?
It’s not always easy to tell when your child has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite, and that’s why it’s important to take your child for that first orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.
Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- early or late loss of baby teeth
- difficulty in chewing or biting
- breathing through the mouth
- thumb-sucking
- crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- jaws that are too far forward or back
- biting the check or biting into the roof of the mouth
- protruding teeth
- upper and lower teeth that don’t meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- grinding or clenching of the teeth
7. Can I receive orthodontic treatment as an adult?
Yes! Orthodontics is not just for children. Adults visit orthodontists for many of the same reasons as children because the same oral problems which affect children can plague adults as well. Some adults may have had orthodontic problems as children but are only now getting them corrected. Others who had treatment in childhood may need further treatment as adults because of regression. The loss of any number of teeth can cause the remaining teeth to shift. It therefore may be necessary for the adult to have an orthodontist reposition the teeth so a dentist can replace the missing teeth with bridgework. Finally, an orthodontist can help patients undergoing periodontal (gum) treatment by shifting the teeth to areas of healthy supporting bone.
The orthodontist can correct or improve most malocclusions by moving teeth to new positions, thus achieving a better tooth-to-tooth relationship (bite) and consequently a healthier mouth. This sometimes involves tooth removal. If so, the family dentist or an oral surgeon will handle this part of treatment. Some common conditions treated by orthodontists are: crowded and overlapping teeth, protruding upper teeth, protruding lower teeth, and irregular spaces between teeth. Also, where teeth have been lost, the orthodontist can position the remaining teeth so that the dentist can property fit the patient with replacement bridgework.
Some orthodontic problems are best treated by a combination surgical-orthodontic method. In these cases, an oral surgeon will work in conjunction with the orthodontist.
1. What does orthodontic treatment involve?
First and foremost, orthodontic treatment involves the patient. To achieve the desired results, the patient must diligently follow the orthodontist’s instructions about wearing orthodontic appliances and practice good dental hygiene. With braces, certain foods, like peanut brittle, caramels and bubble gum are off limits—as is chewing ice.
The orthodontist provides custom-made braces, retainers or other corrective appliances, according to the problem being treated. Today’s patients benefit from techniques and materials that enhance the comfort of orthodontic treatment.
2. What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of dentists are orthodontists. Admission to orthodontic programs is extremely competitive and selective.
It takes many years to become an orthodontist and the educational requirements are demanding.
An orthodontist must complete college requirements before starting a three- to five-year graduate program at a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). After dental school, at least two or three academic years of advanced specialty education in an ADA-accredited orthodontic program are required to be an orthodontist. The program includes advanced education in biomedical, behavioral and basic sciences. The orthodontic student learns the complex skills required to manage tooth movement (orthodontics) and guide facial development (dentofacial orthopedics).
Only dentists who have successfully completed these advanced specialty education programs may call themselves orthodontists.
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