Q: What is orthodontics?
A: Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces are appliances normally used to correct these problems.
Q: Why is orthodontics important?
A: An attractive smile and improved self-image is the benefit of orthodontic treatment that is the easiest to see. Everyone loves to show off their new smile to family and friends! Having straight teeth can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease by making it easier for you and your dentist to keep your teeth clean. Having proper occlusion (the way teeth fit together) can prevent bone destruction, gum recession, chewing and digestive difficulties, speech impairments, tooth loss and other dental injuries.
Q: What are the benefits of braces?
A: Having straight teeth that fit together properly improves function and your teeth and jaw joints can work more effectively. Straight teeth makes it easier for you and your dental team to keep them clean. If you ever need a filling, crown or bridge, your dentist can usually do better restoration if the teeth are aligned properly. The appearance of teeth and face is improved. Having a pleasing smile improves self-esteem, confidence and a feeling of acceptance in our daily activities.
Q: At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?
A: Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct at a young age, while the patient is still growing. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist around age 7, although most people will not start orthodontic treatment until most of their permanent teeth have erupted. Your dentist can help guide you to determine what the best time to start is.
Q: What is a malocclusion?
A: Malocclusion literally means bad bite. Most malocclusions are inherited, however, it is possible to acquire a bad bite from habits such as tongue thrusting and thumb sucking. The premature loss of baby teeth or the extraction of adult teeth can also cause the development of malocclusion.
Q: What are some early warning signs of a bite problem?
A: Early or late loss of primary teeth, difficulty in chewing or biting, mouth breathing, finger sucking or other oral habits beyond age 5, overlapped, misplaced or blocked-out teeth, protruding teeth, biting into the roof of the mouth, teeth that meet in an abnormal manner or do not meet at all, jaws that shift or make sounds, jaws that protrude, retrude or contribute to facial imbalance, speech difficulty, spaces between the teeth, excessive wear of the teeth and unusually shaped teeth.
Q: Will braces hurt?
A: Most patients experience some discomfort for a few days after their braces are placed. The discomfort is on the same level as a headache, and ibuprophen or acetaminophen can be used to ease the discomfort.
Q: What can I eat with braces?
A: Most foods can be enjoyed just as before you got your braces. Hard, crunchy and sticky foods can damage braces and should be avoided.
Hard foods-
Anything that is hard cannot be chewed with braces on. Remember, braces are fragile, and strong forces from hard foods will break them off. Damaged appliances will extend treatment time. Extended treatment time will increase the risk of cavities and stains on your teeth.
Sticky foods-
Braces can be pulled apart with sticky foods. Again, this could extend your treatment time.
Anything high in sugar-
Braces make it harder to keep your teeth clean. Sugar will feed the bacteria that cause cavities. If you do eat any foods high in sugar, brush your teeth immediately.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT TO AVOID
Ice....Definitely NO!! It totally destroys braces.
Nuts
Hard pizza crust
Corn on the cob
Ribs
Doritos, corn chips, hard tacos, cheetos, and the like
Popcorn kernels
Very hard pretzels
Hard, crusty rolls and bagels
Raw carrots
Bubble gum
Carmel, Starburst, Skittles, many types of candy
This is just a small list. Remember, nothing hard, sticky, or sweet
Q: How long will I have to undergo orthodontic treatment?
A: It varies from patient to patient. It depends on the type of correction and the amount of correction needed. The average nationwide is about 24 months. The average in our office is slightly faster than that, about 18 months. Dr. Mullen can give you an idea of how long he thinks your treatment will take at your first appointment.
Q: Will I still be able to play sports?
A: Yes, you can play any sport. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns. We see the highest number of injuries in sports like basketball and soccer when people are not wearing mouthguards and get hit in the face. You can imagine that it can be pretty gruesome; be sure to wear your mouthguard!
Q: Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
A: No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers or wax can be provided to prevent irritation of rubbing the braces on the lips and cheeks.
Q: Can you be too old for braces?
A: No, age is not a factor; however, there are advantages to treating young people while they are still growing. About 25% of orthodontic patients in the United States are adults. If you are an adult considering orthodontic work, that treatment has changed a great deal in the last few years; braces are more comfortable, more effective, and less noticable today. In our office, most adults have the option of ceramic braces or Invisalign. The technique Dr. Mullen uses offers very low forces in conjunction with passive self-ligating brackets for remarkable advantages over traditional orthodontic approaches. Ceramic brackets are also highly aesthetic and virtually clear, although you can still see a thin wire connecting all the braces. Invisalign is an alternative to fixed braces that uses a series of
clear, removable aligners to straighten the teeth.
Q: Why are retainers needed after orthodontic treatment?
A: After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Your teeth are under almost constant pressure from chewing, grinding, and clenching your teeth. Even the pressure from your lips and tongue resting on your teeth can shift them around, but retainers provide that stabilization and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.
Q: Is orthodontic care expensive?
A: Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. When orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. After examining you or your child, we will review the costs involved with treatment. Financing is usually available and our office offers customized-flexible payment programs that will meet your needs. In addition, many insurance plans now include orthodontics.
Q: How often will I need office visits?
A: Once appliances are placed, routine office visits are usually in 6 week intervals. Periodically, we may need to see you sooner under some circumstances, especially towards the end of your treatment when we are doing smaller and smaller things to get your teeth right where they should be.
Q: Why do baby teeth sometimes need to be pulled?
A: Pulling baby teeth may be necessary to allow severely crowded permanent teeth to come in at a normal time in a normal location. If the teeth are severely crowded, some permanent teeth will either remain impacted (teeth that should have come in, but have not) or come in to an undesirable position. Removing baby teeth may allow severely crowded teeth to move in on their own in a normal sequence of time.
Q: What about the wisdom teeth (third molars), should they be removed?
A: Most people should have their wisdom teeth or third molars removed around the ages of 18-21 years old. Your dentist will recommend removal at the appropriate time.