Orthodontics
At SoCal Dental Specialists, we understand the importance of a straight and aesthetically pleasing smile. That’s why we’re proud to provide dependable orthodontics to Redlands families and those in its surrounding communities. Our talented team of orthodontists will work with you to determine the right orthodontic treatment for you, as we offer everything from traditional braces to invisible braces.
It’s important to note that we can adjust our services at any time to reflect changes to your orthodontic goals or financial situation. We can’t wait to meet you and help you take the first step toward the functional and beautiful smile you deserve. Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation appointment and learn more about our Redlands orthodontic offerings!
What is the Purpose of Orthodontics?
The purpose of orthodontic treatments, like braces and invisible braces, is to correct bite misalignments. Our friendly team can address mild to severe misalignments, and we welcome kids, teens, and adults. We carefully craft a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs, lifestyle, and smile goals. Our orthodontic services can treat the following bite misalignments:
- Crooked Teeth
- Gapped Teeth
- Crowded Teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
It’s no secret that a straight smile can improve your confidence and willingness to share your smile, but there are also oral health benefits to correcting the spacing of your teeth. When your teeth are in the optimal positions, it makes them easier to brush and floss, elevating the effectiveness of your daily oral hygiene routine and preventing cavities and gum disease.
Phase 1 Orthodontics
Phase 1 orthodontics include dental appliances and services that prepare your dental structures for braces or clear aligners. The treatments address developmental issues with your child’s jaw or alignment with appliances that expand the upper palate or spacers that maintain the proper position for your kid’s permanent teeth to erupt. Our compassionate team will sit down with you and your kid to explain which phase 1 orthodontic treatment they need and how it plays a vital role in their orthodontic journey to a straighter smile. We take the time to help your child build a strong foundation to take care of their smile for a lifetime.
Phase 2 Orthodontics
Phase 2 orthodontic treatments include braces or clear aligners, often called invisible braces. We perform a thorough exam to determine the severity of your bite misalignment, which plays an important role in deciding which orthodontic option will fit your dental needs best. Our team will provide helpful tips and instructions so you know how to maintain your braces and oral health.
Invisible Braces: Invisible braces consist of graduating, custom trays that apply pinpoint pressure. to gently shift your teeth into their new positions. The trays are completely removable, and the clear acrylic makes them discreet. Due to the nature of this offering, it’s required that you wear the aligners for 22 hours each day and graduate to the next set every two weeks to maintain your treatment timeline.
Braces: Traditional braces consist of metal wires and brackets that adhere to your teeth for the duration of your treatment. Braces can address an array of mild to severe misalignments. They guide your teeth into their ideal positions, and our orthodontist will make any necessary adjustments to help you achieve your dream smile.
Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth.
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is one of many dental specialties. The word “orthodontics†is derived from the Greek words orthos, meaning proper or straight and odons meaning teeth. Orthodontics is specifically concerned with diagnosing and treating tooth misalignment and irregularity in the jaw area. Initially, orthodontic treatments were geared toward the treatment of teens and pre-teens, but these days around 30 percent of orthodontic patients are adults.
There are many advantages to well-aligned teeth, including easier cleaning, better oral hygiene, clearer speech and a more pleasant smile. Though orthodontic treatment can be effective at any age, the American Dental Association suggests that an orthodontic assessment should be performed around the age of seven. The earlier orthodontic treatment begins, the more quickly the problem can be successfully resolved.
What problems can be treated with orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a versatile branch of dentistry that can be used alone, or in combination with maxillofacial or cosmetic dentistry.
Here are some of the common conditions treated with orthodontics:
- Anteroposterior deviations: The discrepancy between a pair of closed jaws is known as an anteroposterior discrepancy or deviation. An example of such a discrepancy would be an overbite (where the upper teeth are further forward than the lower teeth), or an underbite (where the lower teeth are further forward then the upper teeth).
- Overcrowding: Overcrowding is a common orthodontic problem. It occurs when there is an insufficient space for the normal growth and development of adult teeth.
- Aesthetic problems: A beautiful straight smile may be marred by a single misaligned tooth. This tooth can be realigned with ease and accuracy by the orthodontist. Alternatively, orthodontists can also work to reshape and restructure the lips, jaw or the face.
Orthodontic Solutions
Orthodontics is a technologically advanced field which offers many sophisticated solutions to malocclusions and other cosmetic problems. The orthodontist will generally perform a visual examination, panoramic X-rays, and study models (bite impressions) in order to assess the exact nature of the discrepancy.
When a diagnosis has been made, there are a variety of orthodontic treatment options available.
Here is an overview of some of the most common treatments:
- Fixed orthodontic braces: A metal or ceramic dental base is affixed to each tooth, and a dental wire is inserted through each base. The orthodontist is able to gradually train the teeth into proper alignment by regularly adjusting the wire. When the desired results are achieved, the fixed dental braces are completely removed.
- Removable appliances: There are a wide range of removable appliances commonly used in orthodontics, including headgear that correct overbites, Hawley retainers that improve the position of the teeth even as the jawbone reforms, and facemasks which are used to correct an underbite.
- Invisalign®:This is a newer, removable type of dental aligner that is completely transparent. Invisalign® does not interfere with eating because of its removable nature, and mechanically works in the same way as the traditional metal dental braces. Not all patients are candidates for Invisalign®.
Who Can Benefit From Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that is concerned with diagnosing, treating and preventing malocclusions (bad bites) and other irregularities in the jaw region and face. Orthodontists are specially trained to correct these problems and to restore health, functionality and a beautiful aesthetic appearance to the smile. Though orthodontics was originally aimed at treating children and teenagers, almost one third of orthodontic patients are now adults. A person of any age can be successfully treated by an orthodontist.
A malocclusion (improper bite) can affect anyone at any age, and can significantly impact the individual’s clarity of speech, chewing ability and facial symmetry. In addition, a severe malocclusion can also contribute to several serious dental and physical conditions such as digestive difficulties, TMJ, periodontal disease and severe tooth decay. It is important to seek orthodontic treatment early to avoid expensive restorative procedures in the future.
What problems can orthodontics treat?
Orthodontics can treat a wide range of dental problems and in most cases, completely realign the teeth. Orthodontists may work alone, or in combination with a maxillofacial surgeon.
The typical irregularities requiring orthodontic treatment are as follows:
- Overcrowding – An overcrowded mouth means there is insufficient space within the jaw for all of the adult teeth to fit naturally. Overcrowding may lead to displaced, rotated or completely misaligned teeth.
- Overbite – An overbite refers to the protrusion of the maxilla (upper jaw) relative to the mandible (lower jaw). An overbite gives the smile a “toothy” appearance and the chin looks like it has receded.
- Underbite – An underbite, also known as a negative underjet, refers to the protrusion of the mandible (lower jaw) in relation to the maxilla (upper jaw). An underbite makes the chin look overly prominent. Developmental delays and genetic factors generally cause underbites and overbites.
How can orthodontics help?
Orthodontic dentistry offers techniques which will realign the teeth and revitalize the smile. There are several treatments the orthodontist may use, depending on the results of panoramic X-rays, study models (bite impressions), and a thorough visual examination.
Fixed dental braces can be used to expediently correct even the most severe case of misalignment. These braces consist of metal or ceramic brackets which are affixed to each tooth and an archwire which is used to gradually move the teeth through the duration of the treatment.
Removable appliances include headgear (which consists of a metal wire device attached to customized braces), retainers, Invisalign® aligners (which are almost invisible to the naked eye), palate expanders and tooth movers. Faceguards are generally used to correct developmental delays in both the upper and lower jaw, and palate expanders are used to combat overcrowding.
Whatever the dental irregularity or the age of the individual, orthodontic appliances can properly realign the teeth and create a beautiful smile.
What is an Orthodontist?
In much the same way as doctors choose to specialize in areas such as cardiology and neurology, dentists can also choose to specialize. Orthodontics is a dental specialty which aims to prevent, diagnose and treat facial and dental irregularities, such as malocclusions (bad bites). Many orthodontic practices are limited to dentofacial orthopedics and general orthodontics but can successfully treat patients of any age.
Orthodontists are fully qualified dentists who embark on a further three years of university-based study and gain extensive clinical experience in an orthodontic residency program. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is the regulating body for this branch of dentistry. Selecting an orthodontist who is a member of this organization adds the assurance that treatment is being administered by an individual with specialty education in oral biology and biomechanics. The AAO recommends that children should first be examined by the orthodontist around the age of seven, to ensure that jaw and tooth irregularities are not beginning to form.
If you have any questions or concerns about orthodontics, or your orthodontists, please contact our office.
Care Following Orthodontics – Retainers
Care Following Orthodontics Retainers