PATIENT INFORMATION
Your Safety is Our Concern. Evans Orthodontics meets or exceeds all government-required standards for sterilization. Our commitment is to maintain the highest level of safety and well-being for our patients and staff. In addition, our practice meets or exceeds all of the requirements of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for infection control procedures in an orthodontic environment. This is another way we strive to assure your continued health.
What is Orthodontics? Orthodontics is a dental specialty. The purpose of orthodontics is to diagnose and treat irregularities of the teeth and jaws. The practice of orthodontics requires professional training and skill in the design, use, and control of appliances to bring the teeth, lips, and jaws into proper alignment and to achieve facial balance.
Why do Dental and Jaw Irregularities Occur? Most problems with crooked teeth and bad bites are inherited. Typical examples include: crowded teeth, spaces between teeth, missing teeth, and a mismatch in size between the upper and lower jaws.
Some orthodontic problems are acquired rather than genetic in origin. Examples of these include: finger or thumb habits, tongue thrusting and airway restriction due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Also, premature loss of primary teeth and weak enamel in permanent teeth may lead to problems that are best treated orthodontically.
Whether inherited or acquired, many of these conditions affect not only the alignment of the teeth, but facial appearance as well.
Why is Orthodontics Important? Everyone wants a beautiful smile – and everyone should have a healthy "bite" with properly functioning teeth. Our goal is to achieve both for every patient. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This may contribute to dental decay and eventual gum disease and tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can cause abnormal wear of enamel surfaces, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, or degeneration of the jaw joints. When left untreated, many orthodontic conditions become worse. Treatment to correct the original problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat complications that may occur later.
The importance of an attractive smile cannot be overestimated. A pleasing appearance is a vital asset to one’s self-confidence. Self-esteem often improves as treatment brings teeth, lips, and face into harmony. In this way, orthodontic treatment can be beneficial to one’s social and career success.
When Should Treatment Begin? The best time for a child's first visit to an orthodontist is between 5 and 7 years of age. This may seem quite young to many people because twenty years ago orthodontic treatment was associated with adolescence.
What should I do if I'm not sure about the need for orthodontic care for a child? If in doubt, seek out an orthodontist on your own. An early visit may reassure you that a problem doesn't exist; however, if the orthodontist does diagnose a problem, this early diagnosis can prevent more complex problems that may worsen with time. There is no charge for an initial examination with our office.
An early examination helps to determine when a child’s problem should be treated for maximum improvement with minimal time and expense. If no treatment is indicated at the time of the first examination, the child will simply be asked to return periodically to recheck growth and development.
For many patients, early treatment achieves results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. Another plus is that early intervention frequently makes treatment at a later age easier and less time consuming if a second phase is necessary. Some patients who are treated early will not require a second phase, and this often saves thousands of dollars. Finally, early correction of orthodontic problems yields a result that is more stable than if the treatment were delayed until an older age.
It is critical to correct skeletal discrepancies and habit problems early.
Skeletal problems:
- upper jaw forward and/or lower jaw back
- upper jaw back and/or lower jaw forward
- narrow jaws contributing to crowding
Habits include finger or thumb habits, and tongue habits.
What About Adult Treatment? Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age and about 25% of all patients today are adults. The biological process involved in tooth movement is the same in adults and children. At Evans Orthodontics we have treated people in their 60’s and 70’s successfully. Many times, our adult patients have watched their children go through treatment first and then decide that it is finally their turn.
Many adults are availing themselves of orthodontic treatments that were not available to them as children. They realize that improving the health of their mouths and the attractiveness of their smiles and facial appearance can result in changes for the better in their personal, social and professional lives. Technical advances have also had an impact on the success of adult therapy.
How is Treatment Accomplished? Orthodontic treatment can be broken down into two basic categories: dental and skeletal. Dental movement, which means the movement of individual teeth, is accomplished through the use of "braces." The images below show sample appliances (braces).
All orthodontic appliances have one goal – to use gentle pressure to move the teeth and jaws into their proper positions. Under this pressure the body remodels or builds new tissue to support the improved positions of the teeth and jaws.
There are a few inconveniences, but most patients adjust quickly and wear their appliances with pride. Certain foods such as taffy, peanut brittle, and bubble gum are off limits, and the teeth may be a little tender after major adjustments. The good news is that the new techniques and materials used by orthodontists today have not only greatly decreased the discomfort of wearing braces, but have also decreased the frequency of office visits and overall treatment time.
How Long Does Treatment Take? In general, active treatment time with orthodontic appliances ranges from one to three years. The actual time depends on the growth of the patient’s mouth and face, the cooperation of the patient, and the severity of the problem. Mild problems may require less time, and some individuals may respond faster than others.
After removing the braces, all patients are given retainers to wear to maintain the correction. Each patient is given specific instructions at the end of the active treatment. The images below show sample appliances (retainers and invisible braces).
Invisalign Braces may be recommended for minor tooth movement.
Retainers are the patient’s insurance policy to maintain straight teeth and a beautiful smile.
How Important is Cooperation? Successful orthodontic treatment requires a cooperative effort between the doctor and the patient (and the parent if the patient is younger). The doctor provides the expertise, the treatment plan, and the appliances to straighten the teeth and align the jaws. The patient must follow the instructions carefully so that the teeth move properly. Those patients who brush thoroughly, avoid hard or sticky foods, wear their rubber bands and appliances as instructed, and keep their appointments usually finish treatment on time.
Is orthodontic care expensive? Orthodontic therapy may eliminate the need for other medical and dental treatment. The physical and psychological benefits usually last a lifetime, which makes orthodontics one of the best investments in health care and quality of life. Most orthodontists offer multiple payment plans to make treatment more affordable. When you consider all the long- term benefits of orthodontics, it's very wise investment to make. See our Payment Arrangements webpage for more details on insurance benefits that may accommodate your needs.
