When is the best time to begin orthodontics? Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to begin treatment. An early examination allows the determination of how and when a child's particular problems should be treated for a maximum improvement with the least amount of time and expense. Early treatment may achieve results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. This treatment approach is considered interceptive or preventative. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation? Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.
Why is age 7 considered the optimal time for screening? By the age of 7, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the back bite. During this time, an orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. For example, the presence of erupting incisors can indicate possible overbite, open bite, crowding, or gummy smiles. Timely screening increases the chances for an incredible smile.
What are the advantages of interceptive treatment (Phase 1)? Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment are:
Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth
Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth in a positive manner
Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
Harmonize the width of the dental arches
Reducing the need for tooth removal
Simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
Correct/eliminate harmful oral habits
Improve esthetics and self-esteem
Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
Improve eruption patterns
Improve some speech problems
The first phase of treatment lasts approximately one year.
Resting/Observation period
After Phase I is completed, all appliances are removed and the eruption of your child's permanent teeth will be monitored at office visits about every four to six months. Retainers may or may not be recommended during this observation period.
Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment? Children sometimes exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper and lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough, or is too wide or too narrow, severe crowding, finger or tongue habits can be recognized at an early age. If children over age 6 have these jaw discrepancies, they are candidates for the first phase orthodontic treatment. Since children are growing rapidly, they can benefit enormously from the first phase of orthodontic treatment because specific appliances can be prescribed that direct the growth of their upper and lower jaws toward an ideal relationship.
Why should malocclusions be treated? According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusions can result in a variety of problems. Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease. Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping. Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear. Openbites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments. Ultimately, orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile—it creates a healthier you.
Second Phase Treatment
It is important to understand that at the end of the first phase of treatment, the teeth are not in their final position. This will be accomplished in the corrective, second phase of treatment.
Each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, jaw joints and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Here, they will remain healthy and look the most attractive. This is the goal of the second phase of treatment.
The second phase of treatment is initiated when most of the permanent teeth have erupted and usually requires braces on all teeth for approximately 18 months. In many cases, this is significantly less time that phase one treatment would have taken.
Limited Orthodontic Treatment
Short-term, limited orthodontic treatment is available in situations when a patient is unwilling to undergo comprehensive orthodontic treatment but wishes to have minor tooth movement to either enhance their smile or to position a certain tooth prior to the placement of an implant or bridge. Treatment of this nature may be performed with braces or removable appliances.
Braces aren’t just for kids anymore. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age if your gums and bone structure are healthy. We offer a variety of treatments that are designed for different age groups – including adults. A new smile can begin today.
Good news! The new techniques and appliances we use greatly reduce discomfort levels, decrease the frequency of visits, shorten treatment time and may allow you to choose from several options. Your options may include the metal braces, translucent braces or transparent aligners that can be worn at night to improve mild cases of misaligned teeth.
During the initial examination, we will be able to determine the best possible treatment for your individual needs. During this initial examination, we can outline the treatment plan, time of treatment expected and the approximate cost.
A large percentage of our patients are adults, and they agree that it’s never too late to improve their greatest asset - their smile. Most adults choose to use clear braces that are virtually invisible.
Invisalign — The Straightest Way to a Great Smile for Adults and Teens Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth.
Clearly Different
The Invisalign System combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology with 100-year-old science of orthodontics. Invisalign aligners are designed to move your teeth in small steps to the desired final position prescribed by your orthodontist. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of the treatment plan. Your first step is to visit our office and Dr. Walton will determine if Invisalign is right for you. After sending precise treatment instructions, Invisalign uses advanced computer technology to translate these instructions in a sequence of finely calibrated aligners -- as few as 12 or as many as 48.
Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only taken out to eat, brush and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will begin to move gradually -- week by week until the final alignment Dr. Walton prescribed is attained. Then you'll be smiling like you never have before!
Most commonly asked Invisalign questions:
How much does Invisalign cost?
Invisalign fees can range from $3,400 to $6,800 depending on treatment difficulty.
What do I need to do to get started?
Our initial exam is offered at no charge and is necessary to determine your treatment plan. Diagnostic records will then need to be taken, which include X-rays and photos so that a complete diagnosis can be made. If treatment is indicated, an appointment for the Invisalign impressions can be scheduled as soon as possible.
When do I get my aligners?
After the impressions are taken, they are sent to Invisalign where a 3D computer image is created. Together, Dr. Walton and Invisalign determine how your finished result will be accomplished. Once the treatment plan is finalized, the aligners are fabricated and shipped. The normal time frame is 5-7 weeks.
How often will I need to be seen for appointments?
Each aligner tray set is worn for approximately 2-3 weeks. Dr. Walton disperses 2-3 sets at one time, so generally appointments are every 5-7 weeks.
LIMITED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
Short-term, limited orthodontic treatment is available in situations when a patient is unwilling to undergo comprehensive orthodontic treatment but wishes to have minor tooth movement to either enhance their smile or to position a certain tooth prior to the placement of an implant or bridge. Treatment of this nature may be performed with braces or removable appliances.
Approximately 5% to 7% of the United States population is believed to have skeletal facial deformities resulting in jaw malrelationships. Often in these situations, orthodontic treatment alone may provide an unstable and unpredictable solution to a severe malocclusion (bad bite relationship) and the result may be significantly compromised. Therefore, orthodontia, in conjunction with jaw surgery, may be necessary to achieve a proper result. Following are different skeletal irregularities that orthodontics in conjunction with orthognathic surgery can address to improve the ability to chew, speak, breathe and, in many cases, enhance appearance:
Overbite (Class II malocclusion)
In this type of bite, the upper teeth and jaw occlude forward to the lower teeth and jaw. This pattern is often associated with "buck tooth" appearance or a receding lower jaw, often called a weak chin. An overbite can be caused from a forward overgrowth of the upper jaw, a receding lower jaw or both. This is the most common form of jaw dysplasia.
Extraction of teeth was the only solution used in the past to improve the teeth relationship in class II bites; but this was often done at the expense of arch form and facial esthetics, often resulting in a flattened facial appearance. Now braces are used in conjunction with oral surgery to provide the patient with the best overall combination of form and function.
Underbite (class III)
An underbite is when the lower teeth and jaw protrude forward to the upper teeth and jaw. Often this results in chipping or wear in the front teeth due to a "traumatic" bite. The facial profile is often "concave" in appearance due to the prominence of the chin. This is caused from an underdevelopment of the upper jaw and overdevelopment of the lower jaw, or a combination of both. The proper treatment is to correct the alignment of the teeth followed by the appropriate surgical procedures. New techniques in holding the surgical result has made this a predictable and stable procedure that can greatly improve function and facial esthetics.
Crossbite (Transverse discrepancy)
A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth bite inside of the lower teeth. Patients with crossbites often have a narrow high palate and often the smile appears too narrow in form. In a growing patient, this condition can usually be corrected orthopedically with a palatal expansion appliance. In patients whose growth is completed, surgical intervention may be necessary to address this condition.
Gummy Smile (maxillary vertical excess)
When the upper jaw grows down excessively, the patient may display extra gum tissue when smiling. In addition, the lips usually will not close when relaxed and the upper front teeth appear too full. Often this diagnosis is combined with other previously discussed problems. Such esthetic problems often are not completely treatable by orthodontic tooth movement alone and could require jaw surgery to correct and stabilize the result.
Open Bite (Apertognathia)
This skeletal deformity often results from downward growth of the back portion of the upper jaw. This condition can create muscle imbalance with subsequent deformities of the upper and lower jaw. Abnormal tongue habits, unusual speech patterns, thumb/finger sucking, poor lip musculature, and nasal passage pathology have all be implicated as possible causes or contributing factors. Often these patients have difficulty chewing food - specifically incising or cutting food when they initially bite. Another area of concern is the potential for these patients to have increased TMJ problems. Although there is little evidence that a dental malocclusion directly results in TMJ problems, there seems to be a higher correlation between jaw problems and skeletal deformities.
Asymmetry
Asymmetry usually develops from a discrepancy between the growth of the right and left sides of the upper or lower jaw structures. This can result from pathology, trauma, a birth defect, or even personal habits. Asymmetries are difficult to treat without a complete interdisciplinary analysis involving the oral surgeon and the orthodontist. Surgical correction to center and align the jaws typically creates a significant improvement in facial balance, function and esthetics.
TMJ Disorder and Orthognatic Surgery
There is a significant controversy about the relationship of TMJ disorders and dentofacial deformities. A true scientific relationship between the two does not exist; however, there seems to be a high correlation among malocclusion, skeletal deformities, and TMJ problems. Surgical treatment is directed at correcting the bite. TMJ symptoms may improve with the surgery or may need to be addressed with additional procedures and the enforcement of a thorough TMJ regimen involving consisting of a soft food diet, mild physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication to improve the TMJ symptoms.
Orthodontic and oral surgery team approach
Treatment is initiated by the orthodontist. Dr. Walton’s job is to properly align the teeth so that when the jaw is surgically moved, the teeth will fit together properly. After the surgery, further orthodontic tooth movement is necessary to finalize the result. Although for every patient the timing of treatment is different, a common scenario is as follows: 1. 6-12 months of presurgical orthodontic treatment; 2. Orthognathic surgery procedures; 3. 6-12 months of post-surgical orthodontic treatment.
Summary
Since the introduction of orthognathic surgery more than 30 years ago, there has been a continuous trend toward improvement in techniques and materials. If indicated, orthognathic surgery can be an optimal way to correct a specific dysfunction as well as give the patient an overall improvement in the quality of life.
Alpharetta Office
11585 Jones Bridge Road #710
Alpharetta, GA 30022 TEL: (770) 663-0955 FAX: (770) 663-3865
When is the best time to begin orthodontics?
Braces aren’t just for kids anymore. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age if your gums and bone structure are healthy. We offer a variety of treatments that are designed for different age groups – including adults. A new smile can begin today.
Approximately 5% to 7% of the United States population is believed to have skeletal facial deformities resulting in jaw malrelationships. Often in these situations, orthodontic treatment alone may provide an unstable and unpredictable solution to a severe malocclusion (bad bite relationship) and the result may be significantly compromised. Therefore, orthodontia, in conjunction with jaw surgery, may be necessary to achieve a proper result. Following are different skeletal irregularities that orthodontics in conjunction with orthognathic surgery can address to improve the ability to chew, speak, breathe and, in many cases, enhance appearance: