Orthodontics is a form of dentistry that is concerned with the proper positioning of teeth, jaw bones, and jaw joints. Most people associate orthodontics with braces to correct crooked teeth in children. However, people of all ages may benefit from orthodontics - in fact, there is more to gain than just a pleasing smile!

Orthodontics can impact our overall health.  Teeth which are misaligned and crowded can cause infection, bone loss, decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.  Beyond the mouth, potential problems caused by misaligned teeth and jaws include:  headaches, dizziness, ringing of the ears, eye twitching, or neck, shoulder and back pain.

A stable bite is formed when the upper and lower teeth close and fit together like gears of a machine.  When the bite is uneven, the chewing muscles become aggravated and must work harder to bring the teeth firmly together.  The extra work makes them tired and strained.  This can lead to pain and problems in the jaw, neck, back, head, eyes, and ears.

The goal of orthodontic correction is to establish a stable bite in which the muscles and bones are working in harmony.  If you or your child have any of the following symptoms, please call our office to evaluate whether orthodontic intervention may be beneficial: 

• Difficulty chewing due to pain
• Face or jaw pain
• Headaches
• Permanent teeth coming in (erupting) out of their normal position
• Problems with biting cheeks or roof of the mouth
• Speech difficulties
• Overbite or underbite of teeth
• Tongue thrusting when swallowing
• Breathing difficulties and/or snoring at night
• Mouth breathing
   

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Appliances used during Phase I are known as "functional appliances".   Functional appliances work with the muscles and the bone by applying forces to direct the growth and development.  Functional appliances help correct bone problems, while the tooth alignment is corrected with the braces.

Benefits of early treatment:

• Improve profiles, smiles and self-esteem
• Correct harmful habits, such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. Functional appliances expand the arches and make more room for the tongue.
• Improved speech
• Reduction of the time in braces and frequently eliminates the need for the extraction of permanent teeth
• Increases nasal breathing which improves health
• Eliminates airway constriction
• Create beautiful broad smiles by developing the arches
• Prevents headaches and earaches

The ideal age for the use of functional appliances is between ages seven and eleven, when the child is most cooperative. However, functional appliances can be utilized as early as age 4, if the upper jaw is too narrow and is having a negative effect on the child's breathing and speech. Functional appliances can also be used in adults to develop the arch to a more normal shape and size before applying or in combination with braces.

Braces are small, square metal attachments (called brackets) that are bonded with special adhesive to the teeth. There is a small slot in the in the middle of the bracket into which the wire fits. In order to hold the wire in place, small tiny elastics are wrapped around the outside of the braces. The elastics come in many fun colors.  It is the combination of the braces, the wire and the elastic that help the tooth move into proper position.