TREATMENT OPTIONS
In orthodontics, one size does NOT fit all! Each patient is special, and no two treatments are exactly alike. However, there are general treatment categories into which each custom plan may fall.
FIRST PHASE TREATMENT
In cases where early intervention is required, Dr. Jo offers first phase treatment to our younger patients. These smaller scale treatments may last anywhere from 6 to 15 months, and help correct such issues where the potential of lasting damage to permanent teeth is a threat, such as crossbite.
EARLY TREATMENT
The earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix. The results are often better than if we wait and will require significantly less work. We may not need to keep braces on your child for as long when they are younger, which means less expense for you.
ADULT TREATMENT
Here at INSERT PRACTICE NAME, we work hard to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. We offer several different treatments that can be effective no matter how old you are. More and more orthodontic treatments are becoming available to give adults the smile that they want.
BRACES FOR CHILDREN
It is very important to treat any problems with alignment, overcrowding, and other orthodontic problems early. If left untreated, your child may have more problems down the line. They will be more likely to have tooth decay, gum disease, and/or damage to the jaw joints.
Young children often have too many teeth coming in at once, which causes overcrowding, pain, and sometimes restricts the rest of their adult teeth from growing in properly. This also affects their bite and jaw alignment.
Normal jaws meet at the same point, allowing you to open and close your jaw evenly. A correct bite allows you to eat and speak normally. If your teeth or jaws do not have an even bite, you will have trouble with eating, speaking, and much more.
Ideally, orthodontists recommend starting treatment as early as possible. It’s recommended that children visit the orthodontist for the first time at age seven. At that time, we can monitor their mouths and growth, starting treatment at the first opportunity we see. To get the best results, the ideal age to wear braces is usually between seven and fourteen years old.
BRACES FOR TEENS
Braces are not as scary as most teens think. Technology has advanced a lot in recent years, providing us with newer styles of braces. The result is a faster, more comfortable, and more effective treatment. Braces come in different colors, styles, and materials, so your teen can customize their look and express their personality.
12-, 18-, AND 24-MONTH TREATMENTS
Most orthodontic treatments fall in these categories. The length of treatment depends entirely upon the issues that need to be addressed. Overcrowding, spacing between teeth, overbite, underbite, open bite, a mismatched midline, or periodontal problems all require special approaches. Consultation with a trained professional is required to estimate your length of treatment.
COMMON TREATMENTS
We can treat many problems such as overcrowding, spacing problems, and missing teeth. We also address overbites and underbites, even if they are pronounced. We have also helped patients who suffer from overjet or protrusion of the front teeth. Be sure to look at our before-and-after pictures to see how we have helped improve people’s smiles and get an idea of how we can help you with yours!
SURGICAL TREATMENT
Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, is used for severe cases of bad bites, jaw bone abnormalities, and malocclusions.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is considered a dental specialty and helps complex cases involving the mouth, jaw, face, and skull. If your case requires surgical orthodontics, your orthodontist will work with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to provide you with the best and most comprehensive care possible.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Not everyone who practices orthodontics has specialty training or board certification, which means that not all providers may be able to anticipate or react to treatment complications or to handle more complex cases. Our office recommends that if you decide to seek orthodontic treatment, that you choose the help of a qualified professional (like a board-certified orthodontist) who is knowledgeable and trained in the specifics related to your individual treatment.