Orthodontic Treatment - Lansdowne
Overview & Malocclusion
It is what people see first and what they always remember … your smile. A beautiful smile is also a sign of a healthy smile. Teeth in correct alignment function better, are easier to clean, are more resistant to decay and less susceptible to gum disease. Most importantly, an attractive smile is associated with increased self confidence and self-esteem.
Malocclusion (i.e. bad bite) is a technical term for crooked, crowded, spaced, or protruding teeth which do not fit together properly. Most malocclusions are genetic in origin. These include crowding of teeth, excess space between teeth, extra or missing teeth, cleft palate, and a variety of irregularities of the jaws and face. Some malocclusions are acquired. These can be caused by thumb or finger sucking habit, tongue thrusting habit, dental disease, premature loss of primary (i.e. baby) or permanent (i.e. adult) teeth, accidents (i.e. trauma), and/or certain medical conditions.
Malocclusions, if left untreated may worsen over time. For instance, crooked, crowded teeth are more difficult to clean and maintain. This situation may contribute to conditions that may cause carious lesions (i.e. cavities), periodontal disease (i.e. gum disease), halitosis (i.e. bad breath), and potential tooth loss.
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Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or acrylic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position.
This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wires in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.
The duration of treatment time may range from one to three years, depending on the growth of a patient’s mouth and face, as well as the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment.
A patient’s compliance with tooth brushing as well as appliance wear is an important factor in achieving the most efficient treatment time. Interceptive or early treatment procedures may take as few as six months.
Best Time for Treatment
Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid potential surgery, extractions of permanent teeth to correct the malocclusion, or other more serious complications.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the child's physician.
Early interceptive orthodontic treatment (PHASE I), is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. Expander, Headgear, or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of seven and eleven years. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of cross-bites, overbites, underbite, or harmful oral habits.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment (PHASE II) involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen. Often, most patients only need comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
Our practice provides orthodontic treatment for adults, adolescents, and children. We follow the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Orthodontists. The timing of orthodontic treatment is extremely important and greatly affects the treatment results. An early evaluation, by an orthodontist, can help determine the best time to begin any necessary treatment. Our goal is to reduce treatment time in full braces and to provide the best and most stable results.
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- Upper front teeth protrude excessively in front of the lower front teeth
- Upper front teeth overlap the majority of lower front teeth
- Upper front teeth behind lower front teeth (i.e. underbite)
- Upper back teeth begin overlapped by lower back teeth
- Upper and lower front teeth that do not touch when biting together (i.e. open bite)
- Crowded or overlapped teeth
- Spaces between teeth
- Thumb or finger sucking habits beyond the age of 6-7 years
- Uneven or excessive wear of teeth
- A more esthetic, attractive smile
- Improved function of the teeth
- Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
Improved ability to maintain clean, healthy teeth and gums
- Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
- Minimized risk of injury to incorrectly positioned teeth (i.e. protruded front teeth)
- Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
- Aid in optimizing other dental treatment (i.e. idealizing space for replacement of missing teeth)
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The timing of orthodontic treatment is extremely important and greatly affects the treatment results. An early evaluation by an orthodontist, can help determine the best time to begin any necessary treatment. Our goal is to reduce treatment time in full braces and to provide the best and most stable results.
Treatment for Children:
 The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the child's physician.
...Learn more
Treatment for Adults:
 A common misconception about orthodontics is that it is strictly for children. However, according to the AAO, nearly one million adults in the United States and Canada are receiving orthodontic treatment.
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