What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that is officially known
as Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. The purpose of
orthodontics is to treat any type of malocclusion, or "bad
bite".
When you have a malocclusion, the teeth, lips, and/or jaws do
not line up as they should. As a result, the teeth may be crooked,
your bite may not function correctly, and your jaws may be
unbalanced.
To fix bad bites, specially-trained dentists called
orthodontists use braces or other special "appliances"
to achieve teeth and jaw alignment.
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 6% of dentists are
orthodontists. Admission to orthodontic programs is extremely
competitive and selective. It takes years to become an
orthodontist and the educational requirements are demanding. An
orthodontist must complete college requirements before starting a
3-4 year graduate program at a dental school accredited by the
American Dental Association. After dental school, at least 2-3
years of advanced specialty education at an ADA-accredited
orthodontic program are required to become an orthodontist. The
advanced training includes education in biomedical, behavioral,
and basic sciences. Many orthodontic programs now require students
to complete a Master's degree in Science or Master's in Dental
Science. Only dentists who have successfully completed these
advanced specialty education programs can call themselves
orthodontists. And only orthodontists can be affiliated with the
American Association of Orthodontists and the American Board of
Orthodontics, the only Nationally-recognized orthodontic specialty
groups.
What Causes Orthodontic Problems?
Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these
genetic problems include crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or
missing teeth, and some jaw growth problems. Other malocclusions
develop over time. They can be caused by finger or thumb sucking,
mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, early or
late loss of baby teeth, or permanent teeth, accidents and some
medical problems. No matter the cause, we are usually able to
treat most conditions successfully.
Why is Treatment So Important?
Crooked and crowded teeth can be hard to clean. Such problems
can lead to decay, gum disease and tooth loss. An abnormal bite
can also cause excessive wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in
chewing, and possible jaw joint problems.
Then there is the emotional side of an unattractive smile. Your
self-esteem can suffer when you are not confident in the way that
you look. When left untreated, a person can go through life hiding
their smile and feeling self-conscious.
When Should My Child First Have an
Orthodontic Check-up?
When most people think of orthodontics, they think of
teenagers, but most orthodontic treatment begins between the ages
of 9 and 14. However, by age 7, most children have a good mix of
adult and baby teeth. Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with
jaw growth and emerging teeth during this transitional time. This
is important because some orthodontic problems are easier to
correct when they are found early.
It is for this reason, that the American Association of
Orthodontists recommends that all children get an orthodontic
screening no later than age 7. While your child's teeth may
appear to be straight, there may be problems that only an
orthodontist can detect. Of course, this check-up may reveal that
your child's bite is fine.
Even if a problem is detected, we may not recommend immediate
treatment. Chances are we will take the "wait and see"
approach, periodically monitoring your child's jaw growth and
dental development. Dr. Lynskey will determine the right time for
treatment to begin in order to achieve the best results.
In some cases, Dr. Lynskey may find a problem that can benefit
from early treatment. Early treatment (also known as Phase I or
interceptive treatment) may prevent more serious problems from
developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less
complicated. Treatment typically involves braces, or appliances
that may be removable, to guide the growth of young bones and
create the optimum environment for the emerging permanent teeth.
In most Early Treatment cases, Dr. Lynskey will be able to achieve
results that wouldn't be possible once the face and jaws have
finished growing.
Can You Ever Be Too Old For Braces?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. In fact 30%
of Dr. Lynskey's patients are over the age of 18. Today' braces
are smaller, less visible, and more comfortable. The only
limitation to adult orthodontics is the health of the gums and
supporting bone. Healthy teeth, gums and bone respond well to
orthodontic treatment at any age.
How long Does Treatment Take?
Although every case is different, generally patients wear
braces from 1 to 3 years. Treatment times vary with the severity
of the problem and whether the patient follows our 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 and 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. Dr. Lynskey will determine the proper wear schedule for
your retainer and will monitor you for at least 2 years after your
braces have been removed. This will ensure that your teeth stay
properly aligned.
How Much Does Orthodontic Treatment Cost?
The cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors,
including the severity of the problem, it's complexity and the
length of treatment. Financial information will be discussed at
your initial orthodontic consultation so that you will be aware of the
cost prior to starting treatment.
Patients and their families are finding that braces are more
affordable than ever. We offer a variety of payment plans and
payment options. We also offer a plan for families with multiple
children requiring orthodontic care at the same time. In addition,
many insurance plans now include orthodontic benefits.
Dollar for dollar, braces are an investment in your future.
They offer the lifetime benefit of a beautiful smile making them a
great value.
 |
