Treatments | Orthodontic Records | Treatment Results
The reasons for braces and orthodontic treatment vary from patient to patient. Approximately 3 million American teens have braces, with the number of adults beginning orthodontic treatment rising at a steady rate. Your dentist will typically be the first person to mention orthodontic treatment, and will likely send you or your loved one to see an orthodontist for a consultation. The AAO or American Association of Orthodontists suggests seeing children at the age of 7 to determine whether they could benefit from early orthodontic treatment or if they are developing normally. They will then be placed on recall and will be seen yearly or bi-yearly to make sure growth is continuing normally.
When an Orthodontist inititally examines a patient, there are two important aspects that are looked at. The skeletal development and the dental development. The skeletal development consists of the relationship between the upper and lower jaw and how the jaw and face relate to each other. If the orthodontist feels that the jaw growth may need assistance or manipulation, a cephalometric x-ray may be taken to determine this. There are specific marks on the jaw and head that are measured to determine the need for a skeletal correction. There are several different types of skeletal correction but one that most people recognize is the headgear.
If a patient does not require a skeletal correction, they may then be a candidate for a dental correction. Braces are the most common appliance used for a dental correction. Braces are offered in a clear material or metal.
Invisalign Treatment is another type of dental correction that can be used. Not all patients are candidates for Invisalign, your orthodontist will be able to determine if you are of if your case is too complex.
Invisalign® aligners - Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. And since your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your orthodontist, you know you'll end up with a smile that truly fits.
