Dental Services

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends screening all the children by age 7. Why screen by age 7? The posterior occlusion is established when the first molars erupt. At that time, one can evaluate the antero-posterior and transverse relationships of the occlusion, as well as discover any functional shifts.

Incisors have begun to erupt and problems can be detected such as crowding, habits, deep bites, open bites and some facial asymmetries.
For some, a timely screening will lead to significant treatment benefits; for most, the principal immediate benefit is a parent’s peace of mind.

Between the ages of 10 and 14 is the most common time for orthodontic treatment, and for good reasons. By 12, most if not all of the permanent teeth have erupted and are in place, and crooked teeth, gaps and bad bites can easily be detected. These problems will hardly ever correct themselves, so this is when most parents decide to seek orthodontic treatment. This is also a good time for orthodontic treatment because many negative associations of braces are not present. Many children in this age range undergo orthodontic treatment, and children are very often able to be convinced to wear braces because they see their friends wearing them, too, and want to fit in.

Besides the benefits of fitting in with their friends, children at this age are growing rapidly, and orthodontists can usually take advantage of these growth spurts to help shape the bite and teeth correctly. And children at this age have high metabolisms, which can help shorten overall treatment time and reduce the discomfort of orthodontic treatment. More and more adults today orthodontic treatment to improve their smile. In fact, about 25 percent of orthodontic patients are adults! Orthodontic treatment is not only designed to improve the appearance of your smile, but improve the health of your teeth and gums as well. By seeking orthodontic treatment as an adult you can possibly avoid severe tooth decay, gum and bone loss, irregular wear of the tooth enamel, and craniomandibular pain disorder.

The real orthodontist’s concern is not just for your teeth but also your entire mouth. That’s why smille analysis is one of the cornerstones of any modern orthodontic practice. In this analysis the practitioner will carefully assess lip-tooth relationship, tooth position, jaw alignment, signs of exposed gums, and more, plus take the necessary steps to correct them. Often times, because adults usually are more compliant in their orthodontic treatment, their results turn out far greater than with a child and/or teen. By following the instructions provided by your orthodontist, you not only increase your chances for amazing results, but could also shorten your treatment time as well.

There is a wide selection of braces to meet the individual needs and desires of each adult patients. From traditional metal braces and ceramic braces to lingual braces and clear aligners that can be worn for certain amount of time each day, there are plenty of options to help you achieve and maintain the beautiful, healthy smile you’ve always dreamed about.