Retainers and Sports Mouthguards
For many tweens and teenagers, summer means relaxation and fun. Activities such as swimming, eating ice cream, and sleeping late are top priorities. However, summer is also an ideal time to begin orthodontic treatment. In this article, we will look at why summertime is a great time to start orthodontic treatment. We will also share tips on caring for braces during summer. After all, no one wants to spend summer vacation getting a broken bracket fixed at the orthodontist! Three Reasons Why Summer Is Ideal for Starting Orthodontic Treatment At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, we know that our patients in…
What are the Benefits of a Palatal Expander? Why Do Young Children Need Orthodontic Treatment? The American Association of Orthodontics recommends children receive an orthodontic consultation starting at the age of 7. This is about the time the first adult molars have erupted into the mouth and established the back tooth bite relationship. Early evaluation is beneficial because a young child’s mouth is still forming and growing at this age. This presents orthodontists with a unique window of time to address issues with the jaw size and jaw structure in an easier, more comfortable, and more conservative way than if…
Reasons it May Be Time to Seek Orthodontic Treatment In many situations, people do not seek out orthodontic care on their own accord. Instead, the person’s primary dentist will refer them to see a qualified orthodontist for things such as spacing between teeth, a crooked smile, or an improper bite. Other people take the initiative themselves and seek out treatment from a local orthodontist. If not referred by their family dentist, children should see an orthodontist for an evaluation beginning at the age of 7 years old. This is done to determine if any issues are present or developing. It…
Orthodontist-Approved Tips for Teens in Braces Is it Normal to Feel Apprehensive About Getting Braces? Of course, each person is different, but some teens can be apprehensive about going to the orthodontist, which is completely normal. While some children and adults may feel hesitation about orthodontic treatment, children are usually too young to fully understand that the course of treatment is straightforward. Most adults often see it as nothing to worry over. However, for teenagers, getting braces is an unknown experience and they may worry about the social implications of undergoing orthodontic treatment. How Many Teens Get Braces Per Year?…
At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, it is a priority for our doctors to fully explain what to expect during treatment, and we also want to list the most common terms surrounding orthodontic care. This helps bring comfort and peace of mind to the patient, which is important to us. While the specific terms discussed below are not exhaustive, they are some of the most used in an orthodontist’s office. Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke are happy to explain any term a patient may be unfamiliar with during your consultation appointment or at any stage of treatment. Important Terms in Orthodontic…
When Should a Child First See an Orthodontist At 7 years old, orthodontic problems can be extremely hard to detect due to the mouth being in the early stages of growth. However, this does not mean oral issues and maladaptive habits are not already present or forming at this young age. At age 7, children are early in the process of losing their baby teeth, so many parents assume that seeing an orthodontist is years away. This is a commonly held, yet inaccurate belief. The major professional associations within orthodontics, such as the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), strongly encourage…
Common Signs and Orthodontic Treatment Recommendations How Do I Know if My Child Needs Braces? It can sometimes be difficult for parents to determine whether their own child needs braces. While most parents think of the tween and teen years as the prime time for orthodontics, there are many good reasons children should be seen even sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids be seen for an initial checkup with an orthodontic specialist at no later than age 7. Even if a young child’s teeth appear straight, there could be subtle problems with jaw growth or with the permanent…
Types of Teeth Conditions That Need Braces More people today, both young and old, are currently going through orthodontic treatment and wearing braces than ever before in US history. Each year, more than 4 million people in the United States alone receive orthodontic care for one reason or another. Out of this number, over a quarter of these people are adults. This is a new development, considering people who wore braces in the past were often older children and teenagers. Now, due to increased access, growing popularity, and advanced treatment techniques, adults are beginning to take their smile into consideration…
TADs Temporary anchorage devices, or TADs for short, were approved for use in orthodontics by the Food and Drug Administration in 2004. Since that time, they have been effectively used to treat patients with great success. Though the name “temporary anchorage device” may sound odd, this appliance is essentially a tiny mini screw, which is made of high-quality titanium. Titanium is used because of its bioinert nature. This means it will not leak harmful substances into the gums or trigger inflammation around the area into which it was inserted. Other names often used to describe TADs are orthodontic mini implants…
The Top Trends in Orthodontic Treatment Today While there are many different, innovative technologies being developed in the world of orthodontics, all these advances share a common theme. Every orthodontic advancement today is being designed to make patient treatment more efficient, less invasive, and with the least amount of discomfort possible. For instance, orthodontic treatment involving braces used to take several years to complete in some cases. Now, with the latest technologies, these types of cases can be completed in a much shorter period. In some cases, patients are finishing treatment in under a year! Given the value people place…