Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced training program following dental school to obtain the knowledge and special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.
- A more attractive smile
- Improve appearance-consciousness during critical developmental years
- Better function of the teeth and jaws
- Typical improvement in self-confidence
- Improved force distribution and reduced wear of the teeth
- Better long-term health of teeth and gums
- Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
- Reduce skeletal discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws
- Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
- Aid in optimizing other dental treatment
- Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth (buck teeth)
- Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
- Upper front teeth are biting behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)
- The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
- Crowded or overlapped teeth
- The center of the upper arch and lower arch do not line up
- Finger- or thumb-sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old
- Difficulty chewing
- Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
- The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
- Spaces between the teeth
Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth is complete. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid more complicated treatment later. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the first visit should be around age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected or suspected by parents, the family dentist, or the child’s physician.
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age and crowding gets worse.
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Twenty percent of orthodontic patients today are adults. With the improvements in Invisalign, it is a great alternative to braces.
No you do not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, friends, or relatives. Many patients take the initiative to schedule an exam on their own.
If you or your child can benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail or fill out our appointment request form online. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you and then will be happy to set up your new patient exam.
Each patient and parent will be seen by Dr. Poremba, who will do a thorough evaluation.
There are four essential questions that we will answer during the initial examination:
- Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
- What must be done to correct the problem?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- How much will the treatment cost?
We can’t estimate a cost for treatment until we have an exam. We will cover the approximate cost and financial options during the exam. We have several fee arrangements available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also help you review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit.
Both braces and Invisalign use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. Braces are bonded to the teeth and an archwire is placed into the brackets, slowly aligning the teeth. Invisalign uses numerous removable aligners to gently align the teeth
Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires, you may feel some tenderness of your teeth for one or two days. Your lips and cheeks may need up to a week to get used to the braces on your teeth. The Invisalign aligners also create some mild discomfort which may last for a day or less.
Yes. There are two main types of braces, clear or tooth-colored and stainless steel or metal. The majority of patients choose metal braces because they are less costly, more comfortable, and generally work faster than the clear braces.
Phase I, or early treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Phase I treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, and underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted.
Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is from one to two years. Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the correction necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance.
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 3-6 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
We cannot schedule all appointments for students after school. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
Yes. There is usually no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment
Yes. You should continue to see your general dentist and hygienist every six months for cleanings and dental checkups.
No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity. We provide orthodontic mouthguards designed for braces and which come in a variety of colors.
No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment, especially with mouthpiece instruments. In addition, wax can be used to provide a cushion and prevent irritation.
Yes. When treatment begins, we will review instructions and provide suggestion as to what to avoid. Some common sense things to avoid include ice, hard candy, and very sticky foods. You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by being a little bit careful. With Invisalign, the aligners are removed for eating, so there are no restrictions.
Patients should brush their teeth 3 times each day – after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to brush and floss their teeth with braces.