If Problems Need to Be Treated Before Braces—Phase One

Braces aren’t always used during Phase One. Phase One is typically the time to correct bites, make room for your child’s permanent teeth, and set up a healthy environment for the adult teeth to come in. Phase One treatment is used when your child still has most of his or her baby teeth. Phase One allows your orthodontist to maximize success for your child’s orthodontic treatment! This phase usually happens while your child is still young (around age 8 or 9) and will be followed by a “resting” period in which your child’s adult teeth will be allowed to come in.

Completing Treatment with Phase Two

Phase Two completes the treatment that was started in Phase One of your child’s orthodontic care. This treatment tends to be faster because much of the work will have already been completed in Phase One. Phase Two is usually competed using traditional braces on the top and bottom rows of teeth which help to guide the permanent adult teeth into their respected spaces and finish your child’s gorgeous smile. Treatment will vary for each child, but the average time is around two years to complete Phase Two.

Your Child May Need Two Phase Treatment

Each child is different and not every child will need Two Phase orthodontic treatment. It’s recommended that your child visit an orthodontist by age 7. This will allow your orthodontist to determine if Two Phase treatment is necessary. Two Phase treatment may be right for your child if you notice the following symptoms or signs:

– Complex bite issues, especially crossbite or a deep overbite

– Crowded teeth at an early age

– Protruding teeth

Depending on your child and their special smile, they may or may not need Two Phase orthodontic treatment. Phase One is intended to build a strong and successful foundation for your child’s adult teeth to come in, while Phase Two will provide the finishing touches and guide your child’s adult teeth into their permanent positions.

Two Phase orthodontic treatment won’t be necessary for every patient, however, it does have many advantages for patients for whom it is necessary. Your orthodontist can effectively prevent many problems from occurring, help boost your child’s self esteem, and complete Phase Two in a timely manner all by properly planning your child’s care. Seek a consultation for your child’s orthodontic treatment today!

The post Is Two Phase Orthodontic Treatment Right for My Child? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Chronic Pain or Jaw Issues

Usually any jaw issues people have relate to the structure of the jaw. This means the problem isn’t anything you did or didn’t do—it’s just the way your unique facial structure is. However, many people suffer from jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), which can cause chronic pain in your jaw as well as the joints that hold your jaw in place.

As a result of a misaligned jaw, your teeth may experience uneven wear. You may not even be able to close your mouth properly. These issues are cumbersome and warrant a visit to your dentist to discuss if oral surgery is right for you. Although oral surgery is a process that will likely involve orthodontic care before or after the surgery, it can correct your jaw and help you to remain pain-free and healthy for life.

Trouble Chewing, Breathing, and Swallowing

People who suffer from TMJ and other jaw alignment issues may also experience trouble chewing and swallowing, possibly even talking or breathing. These problems can hinder your daily living and even pose medical risks. This is when the misalignment of your jaw should be evaluated by an oral surgeon to see if orthognathic surgery is right for you. Your oral surgeon can reposition the bones and correct these problems along with orthodontic care to ensure your jaw and mouth don’t give you any more problems. If you experience pain while chewing, difficulty breathing, and trouble swallowing as a result of misalignment of your teeth or jaw, your dentist can help you determine if oral surgery would help. Your symptoms may also accompany an uneven facial appearance due to your jaw structure.

Imbalanced Facial Structure

Orthognathic surgery is normally not for purely atheistic reasons, although people who experience an imbalanced facial structure often have other misalignment issues that go along with a protruding or receding jaw. People who cannot properly close their mouth may have trouble not breathing through their mouth, which can create loud breathing and even dry mouth. Oral surgery can improve your appearance dramatically, but remember that this procedure is designed to correct the symptoms of your jaw or teeth misalignment. The improvement of your appearance will be a welcome result of the surgery along with the alleviation of your symptoms.

Talk with your dentist if oral surgery could be an option for you if you suffer from TMJ, chronic jaw pain, have problems chewing and speaking, or have an uneven facial appearance. Orthognathic surgery could help alleviate your symptoms and correct your jaw, therefore bringing you a safer and stunning smile for life!

The post When Is Oral Surgery the Right Option? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

By age 6, it is possible to tell if there is a discrepancy between the way the upper and lower parts of the jaw are developing. By age 8, the permanent front teeth are in, and crowding can be detected. These are all signs that phase one prep work will be of benefit.

How the First Phase Provides Benefits

The first phase sets your child’s jaw and teeth up to be as straight as possible and to accept braces later if needed. This prevents more drastic measures from being necessary later on. For example, some teens have to have permanent teeth in the back of the mouth removed to make room for getting rid of an overbite. Prepping the mouth ahead of time by controlling the way the jaw and teeth grow can have a tremendous effect on the result. This is due to there being room to correct an overbite without losing permanent teeth. Why choose between your child having straight teeth and having all of his or her teeth? Also, a jaw that develops incorrectly can require surgery to correct later on. Treating the condition as the jaw grows can avoid such a future event.

How the Proper Results Are Attained

Once the first phase is complete, it still takes time to see the results. The rest of the permanent teeth grow in, and the jaw develops fully. Sometimes the eruption of permanent teeth is obstructed by primary teeth. These “baby teeth” can be removed at the appropriate time to ensure that permanent teeth grow in easily and as straight as possible.

The Second Phase: Achieving the Desired Result

Now braces are used, if necessary, to align the teeth perfectly. A retainer can be developed to ensure that teeth remain in a straight position. The result is a smile that has been crafted from childhood to adulthood. A smile that will serve your child well throughout his or her adult years.

From never being ashamed to smile for the camera to making a good first impression on an interview, we can’t underestimate the benefits of a perfect smile. Two-phase orthodontic treatment removes the element of chance and produces a picture perfect smile.

The post Two-Phase Treatment: Orthodontics for Children appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

The primary advantage of Invisalign is that it is clear. This takes away the stigma of wearing braces. It’s great for kids who are embarrassed by the idea of braces, as well as adults who may not find the idea of traditional braces to be alluring. Invisalign is an effective, nearly invisible method of straightening your smile while continuing the activities of daily life.

They are also removable. This allows the wearer to keep their teeth clean with a regular program of brushing a flossing. You don’t have to worry about food getting caught in the device because you don’t wear it during meals. That also means you can eat whatever you want (within reason – you still want to stay healthy).

Finally, the wires that are tightened are often the most uncomfortable part of braces. There are no wires to tighten with Invisalign. You actually trade out the appliance for a new one at regular intervals throughout the process. This minimizes the discomfort.

But Does It Really Work?

The short answer is yes! Is Invisalign the right choice for your needs? Your dentist will be in the best position to address your specific needs. However, there are a few factors that are required for Invisalign to be a viable option.

Self-Discipline – You have to be willing to leave them in at all times. You won’t experience the same soreness as with braces, but there will be some. If you pull the aligner out every time you feel uncomfortable, the process won’t be effective.

Circumstances – There are certain types of alignments that Invisalign is better for and others that favor traditional braces. Do your teeth need to move horizontally? Vertically? Be rotated? Do you have bridgework? Your dentist will take all of this into consideration in making a decision.

Invisalign is a great way to improve the quality of your bite and your smile without the hassle of traditional braces. Be sure to ask if this is a good option for you.

The post Is Invisalign as Effective as Traditional Braces? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The Benefits of Damon Braces

Damon uses a revolutionary approach in the orthodontic scene. This is because they have done away with the elastics that plague wearers of traditional braces. These elastics have been replaced with a sliding mechanism. What benefits are achieved with this method?

– Tie-less braces do not require tightening throughout treatment. This is one of the most uncomfortable parts of standard orthodontics. Damon saves you the pain.

– Technologically advanced wires mean that it takes fewer adjustments to get your teeth back in line.

– Without being tied to each bracket, your teeth can move more freely. This also decreases the amount of time it takes to complete your orthodontic work.

– Traditional braces are often accompanied by palatal expanders or pulled teeth. This is rare with Damon braces.

– Damon braces are easier to keep clean and do not attract the plaque that elastic ties result in. Of course, your primary concern as an adult may be the stigma of having people see your braces. After all, the mouth and teeth are one of the first things a person notices about someone else. That is probably part of what you want your teeth fixed in the first place. Don’t worry. Damon has a solution for this concern as well.

Clear Damon Brackets Provide a Discreet Solution

Clear brackets provide you with the same great orthodontic treatment, simply without the stigma. What sets Damon apart from other clear orthodontic providers?

– Since there are no elastics, you do not have to worry about elastics that yellow and become visible.

– The brackets are specially designed to resist discoloration, so your braces remain discreet throughout your treatment.

– These work for individuals who may not qualify for treatment with invisible aligners. Plus, you don’t have to worry about losing an aligner or forgetting to put it in.

– The Damon System does not create speech issues that are caused by some invisible aligners. These are for people who believe that braces should be neither seen nor heard.

Comfort and Results: A Win-Win

The Damon System is designed to provide high-quality orthodontic treatment in the shortest amount of
time. All the while, the system keeps the patient as comfortable as possible. Plus, the clear option provides a discreet solution. This is the ultimate choice in orthodontics for adults.

The post Orthodontics for Adults: Spotlight on Damon Braces appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.