ORTHODONTIC PROCEDURES YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT...of the procedures that your orthodontist can do goes a long way in improving and ... most effective way to treat crooked teeth, misaligned

ORTHODONTIC PROCEDURES YOU DIDN’T

KNOW ABOUT

Prepared by:

http://www.k-orthodontics.com/

KAPADIA ORTHODONTICS 2

When we think of orthodontics we automatically think of braces. “Metal mouths” are so prevalent in our society, especially with youth, that it is easy to think that metal braces are the only offering orthodontists have. While metal braces are extremely common they are far from the only option that orthodontists provide their patients. Not only are there different types of braces — for adults and adolescents alike — but there are also preventative treatment options and surgical orthodontic procedures. A thorough understanding of the procedures that your orthodontist can do goes a long way in improving and maintaining your oral health. Know the treatments that are available to you — even those you might not have heard of — to make an informed decision about your mouth and teeth.

Three Orthodontic Procedures You Didn’t Know About

An estimated 50-70% of teenagers in the United States wear braces,1 and the majority of these are the traditional metal brackets and wires. This has historically been the easiest, most effective way to treat crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, and other oral problems in teens. The trope of the young teen with braces and no confidence is so pervasive in pop culture that many adults avoid having braces for fear of looking like a teenager. Little do they know that braces for adults are on the rise. About one million adults in the U.S. and Canada wear braces,2 and that number is growing as braces continue to change. Developments in braces technology have resulted in some truly remarkable

options for people who wish to straighten their teeth. Such developments have made braces more attractive, faster, and more comfortable. That’s not to say that there is anything wrong with traditional metal braces; they are still the fastest and most cost-effective option on the market. Still, knowing your options for braces is the best way to make an informed decision. Some of the developments in braces include: • Invisalign

• Self-ligating Braces

• Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device

• Temporary Anchorage Devices


Three Orthodontic Procedures You Didn’t Know About1OPTIONSFORBRACES

KAPADIA ORTHODONTICS

INVISALIGN Probably the most well-known non-traditional braces option, Invisalign revolutionized the industry for adult braces. Using a series of custom made plastic aligners, Invisalign straightens teeth without bulky brackets, still straightening teeth gradually. Because the aligners are removable, patients who choose Invisalign do not have the same food restrictions as those who have metal braces. Additionally, the obvious benefit is that Invisalign is practically invisible, so patients do not need to worry about the appearance of metal brackets and wires. CLEAR BRACES An option that works like metal braces but blends in with the teeth, clear braces are an excellent combination of appearance conscious design and effective treatment. The ceramic brackets that orthodontists use for clear braces are designed to

blend in with the teeth, making them an unobtrusive addition to the patient’s appearance. Clear braces work as well as metal braces as they are adjusted every few weeks by an orthodontist, so patients enjoy the relatively short amount of time that they wear them. SELF-LIGATING BRACES Between 2002 and 2008, the use of self-ligating braces went from less than 10% of cases to 42% of cases, making this the fastest growing type of braces. Self-ligating braces are quick, comfortable, hygienic, and effective, and their use benefits the orthodontist and patient alike. Self-ligating braces use brackets with a different design; rather than the standard bracket that is held on and adjusted with an elastic, self-ligating braces use

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“doors,” which open and shut to allow for quick adjustment. Some of the benefits of self-ligating braces include: • Shorter time in the chair

• More hygienic brackets

• Fewer “food traps”

• More comfortable shapes

• Fewer wires to poke the soft gums and lips

FORSUS FATIGUE RESISTANT DEVICE This incredibly important innovation in orthodontia is a replacement for traditional Class II bite correctors. Made by 3M Unitek, the Fatigue Resistant Device is made up of a metal rod and spring, both of which are directly attached to the patient’s braces. The Fatigue Resistant Device applies continuous, light pressure to fix the bite. This amazing innovation replaces bulky headgear and rubber bands, with which the patient must be compliant in order for them to be effective. Eliminating the patient’s responsibility means

that wear-time decreases and teeth move on a more efficient timeline. This device is an amazing innovation for three main reasons. First, orthodontists apply it in one visit, making adjustments as time goes on without having to remove it. Second, patients do not need to do any extra work or deal with the embarrassment that can come from wearing rubber bands or headgear. And third, parents appreciate that this device keeps continuous pressure, which keeps the braces timeline on track. TEMPORARY ANCHORAGE DEVICES In some cases when it is necessary to move some teeth without affecting others, the orthodontist will apply Temporary Anchorage Devices, or TADs. TADs are small, titanium plates or mini screws that the orthodontist inserts in bone surrounding teeth, anchoring it to the jawbone. These small insertions can speed up treatment time and improve results; then when treatment is finished, the orthodontist removes the TAD quickly and painlessly.

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6KAPADIA ORTHODONTICS

2GAIN CONFIDENCE IN YOUR SMILE

Good oral hygiene should be an integral part of every person’s health care regimen, and children are certainly no exception. It is recommended that children visit the dentist for the first time around the time they turn one.4 A visit

to the orthodontist does not need to happen at such a young age, but by the time a child is 7, he or she should be in to see an orthodontist. Age 7 is ideal because the teeth are in a state called mixed dentition, meaning there are both baby teeth and permanent teeth in the mouth. This is an ideal time for the orthodontist and parent to develop a plan to align the child’s teeth, including guiding the permanent teeth and taking preventative action when necessary. GUIDE THE GROWTH OF PERMANENT TEETH Permanent teeth do not always follow the path that temporary teeth, or baby teeth, take, which is why guiding them into place can be so important. Early intervention allows the orthodontist to make recommendations for how to prevent permanent teeth from coming in crooked. Additionally, as the jaw, teeth, and facial structure are forming during childhood, guiding permanent teeth can save time and money down the road. Fixing bite, jaw and tooth problems early can prevent such things as surgery, tooth extraction, and other long-term, painful orthodontic procedures.



TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Preventative orthodontics usually take the form of space maintainers. Decided by the orthodontist on a case by case basis, space maintainers can leave space for one or two teeth, keep the shape and size of the jaw, or expand the palate. Some young patients may get braces starting at a young age. Some bite problems, space issues, and other issues can be prevented or decreased by braces starting as young as 6 years old. Taking measures such as these can help with problems eating and speaking, as well as low self-esteem.

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WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR EARLY TREATMENT? Not all children need orthodontic intervention at a young age, but it is certainly worth getting each child examined. Some children are particularly prone to needing orthodontic treatment, including those who • Suck their thumbs

• Have trouble biting or chewing

• Notice shifting in their jaw

• Have crooked or cramped teeth

• Breathe through their mouths

• Have a crossbite or underbite


Bite problems — known by orthodontists as malocclusions — are sometimes severe enough that braces cannot fix them. In these cases, surgical orthodontics, or orthognathic surgery, is necessary. HOW IT WORKS Orthognathic surgery is done when the patient is finished growing — around age 16 for females and age 20 for males. In order for the jaw to reposition correctly, the patient’s teeth need to be prepared for the procedure by wearing braces for twelve to eighteen months before surgery, and an additional six to twelve months following surgery.

Surgery takes place in a hospital environment by an oral surgeon. The severity of the malocclusion dictates how much time surgery and recovery will take. Although braces are an important part of the field of orthodontics, straightening teeth is far from the only thing these doctors do. Innovations in braces technology, preventative measures, and surgical procedures are all key components of oral health and hygiene, which is why finding out how an orthodontist can help your mouth is a smart idea.

Three Orthodontic Procedures You Didn’t Know About3SURGICALORTHODONTICS

You Didn’t Know About

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT KAPADIA ORTHODONTICS TODAY.

WWW.K-ORTHODONTICS.COM(407) 366-3300






ORTHODONTIC PROCEDURES YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT...of the procedures that your orthodontist can do goes a long way in improving and ... most effective way to treat crooked teeth, misaligned

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