What are the benefits of early treatment?

For those patients who have clear indications for early orthodontic
intervention,early treatment presents an opportunity to:

• guide the growth of the jaw,
• regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches (the
  arch-shaped jaw bone that supports the teeth),
• guide incoming permanent teeth into desirable positions,
• lower risk of trauma (accidents) to protruded upper incisors (front teeth),
• corret harmful oral habits such as thumb- or finger-sucking,
• reduce or eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems,
• improve personal appearance and self-esteem,
• potentially simplify and /or shorten treatment time for later corrective
  orthodontics,
• reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth (teeth that should have come
  in but have not), and
• preserve or gain space for permanent teeth that are coming in.

How can a child's growth affect orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment and a child's growth can complement each other. A
common orthodontic problem to treat is protrusion of the upper front teeth
ahead of the lower front teeth.Quite often this problem is due to the lower
jaw being shorter than the upper jaw. While the upper and lower jaws are still
growing orthodontic appliances can be used to help the growth of the lower jaw
catch up to the growth of the upper jaw.Abnormal swallowing may be eliminated.
A severe jaw length discrepancy which can be treated quite well in a growing
child,might very well require corrective surgery if left untreated until a
period of slow or no jaw growth.Children who may have problems with the width
or length of their jaws should he evaluated for treatment no later than age
10 for girls and age 12 for boys. The AAO (American Association of Orthodontists)
recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening no later than age
7 as growth-related problems may be identified at this time.

Can my child play sports while wearing braces?

Yes. Wearing a protective mouthguard is advised while playing any contact
sports. Your orthodontist can recommend a specific mouthguard.

Will my braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

Playing wind or brass instruments,such as the trumpet,will clearly require
some adaptation to braces.With practice and a period of adjustment, braces
typically do not interfere with the playing of musical instruments.

Why does orthodontic treatment time sometimes last longer than anticipated?

Estimates of treatment time can only be that- estimates. Patients grow at
different rates and will respond in their own ways to orthodontic treatment.
The orthodontist has specific treatment goals in mind, and will usually
continue treatment until these goals are achieved. Patient cooperation,
however, is the single best predictor of staying on time with treatment.

Why are retainers needed after orthodontic treatment?

After braces are removed, the teeth can shift out of position if they are not
stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold
teeth in their corrected,ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to
the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best
insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

What about the wisdom teeth (third molars), should they be removed?

In about three out of four cases where teeth have not been removed during
orthodontic treatment, there are good reasons to have the wisdom teeth
removed, usually when a person reaches his or her mid- to late-teen years.
Careful studies have shown,however, that wisdom teeth do not cause or
contribute to the progressive crowding of lower incisor teeth that can
develop in the late teen years and beyond.Your orthodontist,in
consultation with your family dentist,can determine what is right for you.

Adult side:

Can orthodontic treatment do for me what it does for children?

Healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. Many orthodontic problems
can be corrected as easily and as well for adults as children .Complicating
factors,such as lack of jaw growth, may create special treatment planning
needs for the adult.

How does adult treatment differ from that of children and adolescents?

Adults are not growing and may have experienced some breakdown or loss
of their teeth and bone that supports the teeth. Orthodontic treatment may
then be only a part of the patient's overall treatment plan. Close
coordination may be required between the orthodontist, oral surgeon,
periodontist, endodontist and family dentist to assure that a complicated
adult orthodontic problem is managed well and complements all other areas
of the patient's treatment needs. Below are the most common characteristics
that can cause adult treatment to differ from treatment for children.

No jaw growth.Jaw problems can usually he managed well in a growing child
with an orthopedic appliance. However, the same problem for an adult may
require jaw surgery.

Gum or bone loss (periodontal breakdown).Adults are more likely to have
experienced damage or loss of the gum and bone supporting their teeth
(periodontal disease). Special treatment by the patient's dentist or a
periodontist may he necessary before, during and or after orthodontic treatment.

Worn, damaged or missing teeth.Worn, damaged or missing teeth
can make orthodontic treatment more difficult, but more important for the
patient to have. Teeth may gradually' wear and move into positions where they
can be restored only after precise orthodontic movement. Damaged or broken
teeth may not look good or function well even after orthodontic treatment
unless they are carefully restored by the patient's dentist. Missing teeth
that are not replaced often cause progressive tipping and drifting of other
teeth, which worsens the bite, increases the potential for periodontal
problems and makes any treatment more difficult.

My teeth have been crooked for more than...years, why should I have
orthodontic treatment now?

Orthodontic treatment, when indicated, is a positive step especially for
adults who have endured a long-standing problem. Orthodontic treatment
can restore good function. Teeth that work better usually look better, too.
And a healthy,beautiful smile can improve self-esteem, no matter the age.