What is orthodontics?

What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed a residency program lasting 24-36 months following dental school to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial growth.

What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?

• A more attractive smile
• Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years
• Better function of the teeth
• Possible increase in self-confidence
• Increased ability to clean the teeth
• Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
• Better long term health of teeth and gums
• Guides permanent teeth into more favorable positions
• Reduced risk of injury to protruded front teeth
• Helps provide proper spacing and alignment for those adults requiring dental implants or extensive restorative work

What are some signs that braces may be needed?

• Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or are bucked
• Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
• Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)
• The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
• Crowded or overlapped teeth
• The center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up
• Finger or thumb sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old
• Difficulty chewing
• Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
• The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
• Spaces between the teeth

At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?
Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist, or the child's physician.

What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?
Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, to correct severe crossbites, overbites and underbites, or to address harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Twenty to twenty five percent of orthodontic patients today are adults. Wenger Orthodontics offers the latest in comfortable and esthetic brackets for their adult patients; Braces 101 gives you a closer look at the latest in bracket technology.

How does orthodontic treatment work?
Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components. When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis but the average time is from one to two years. Actual treatment time can be affected by a patient’s growth rate and the severity of their malocclusion. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance, particularly in wearing elastics well. Maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding hard and sticky foods that loosen braces, and keeping regular appointments are all important in keeping treatment on schedule.

What are elastics and when are they worn?
Orthodontic elastics, or “rubber-bands” use gentle, constant force to pull top teeth into alignment with bottom teeth. Most patients wear braces for 4-6 months prior to starting their elastics. For elastics to be successful, they must be worn at all times except when brushing. Drs. Wenger will show you how to wear your elastics at the appropriate time during treatment.

Why are elastics so important?
Wearing elastics as instructed will dramatically shorten your overall treatment time. Brackets and wires produce a constant force to straighten teeth, but elastics provide the force necessary to achieve the best possible fit for your teeth. We bond your braces, but only you can wear your elastics. You are an important part of the “orthodontic team.” Initially your teeth may be sore from your elastics, so take Advil or Tylenol for 3-4 days as needed for this mild discomfort while your teeth adjust to elastics. Starting and stopping elastic wear actually creates more pain than “toughing out” the initial soreness and continuing your elastics.

Do braces hurt?
The placement of bonded brackets on the teeth is easy and pain-free. At Wenger Orthodontics, we use the most advanced orthodontic arch wires to impart gentle, continuous forces to move teeth efficiently and produce minimal patient discomfort. As teeth move, the periodontal ligament is stretched and the teeth become slightly mobile. The mild discomfort produced by tooth movement may require an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as Advil, for the first few days of treatment. Each patient is also given orthodontic wax to help the lips and cheeks adapt to the braces.

Will braces interfere with sports?
No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. As a courtesy, Drs. Wenger provide a comfortable mouth guard available in an assortment of colors to all patients who play sports.

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers can be provided to prevent discomfort.

Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?
Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleanings and dental checkups. In between checkups, patients are encouraged to brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. Proper home care combined with dental checkups prevents unaesthetic white marks on the teeth, visable only when the braces are removed.