Archive for July, 2009
Initial Orthodontic Workup
July 29th, 2009 | 
Author: Your first orthodontic visit, before treatment begins, will be a longer one so that a personal and detailed study of your teeth can be completed. During this examination, X-rays of your head, neck, jaws and teeth will be taken. Pictures of your profile, face and teeth will also be used. Later, you will be able to compare these images to the results of your treatment. An evaluation of your mouth will determine what type of bite problem (malocclusion) you may have.
At this time the Camarillo orthodontist may make impressions of your teeth from which dental models of your teeth will be made. This involves pressing a soft material over your teeth and leaving it for a minute or two to harden. Then plaster is poured in the impressions to make the dental models. You will be asked to bite into a soft piece of wax for a few seconds so that the dental models can be lined up to match your bite. The Camarillo orthodontist then has a duplicate of your teeth to study even when you are not in the Camarillo dental office.
With the final diagnosis, your Camarillo orthodontist will explain your malocclusion and, if treatment is recommended, you will be advised when it should begin, how long it will take, and what kind of appliances you will wear. The cost of the treatment may also be discussed at this point. All of these factors will enable your Camarillo orthodontist to create your personal and detailed study based on the relationship of your teeth to your entire head.
If treatment is advised, you and your parents will have to decide whether to proceed or not. It is an investment in your future dental health and that should be considered when looking at the cost. Many health insurance plans help pay the cost for orthodontics and your Camarillo orthodontist may have convenient payment plans as well. You will also be told about the possible, but uncommon, risks associated with treatment. A signed consent form is usually required before treatment begins.
The best time to start treatment depends on your problem and dental development. An early orthodontic visit to the Camarillo orthodontist will enable you to plan the start of treatment at the most opportune time. Phase 1 or Early Treatment will probably start while your jaws are still growing. This is usually between 6 and 11 years of age. Once Phase 1 is complete, after about a year or so, you will see your Camarillo orthodontist regularly. If your adult teeth are not aligned properly when they come in, they will have to be straightened as part of Phase 2. Most people have their adult teeth by age 13. This second step can take 1 to 2 years and after that there will be an equal amount of time wearing a retainer to keep the teeth in place. Don’t worry however if treatment doesn’t start early. Your problem can most often still be corrected. In fact many people don’t begin treatment until they are adults. Regardless of your age or malocclusion, a personal treatment schedule will be discussed with you during your first orthodontic visit.
Minh Nguyen, D.d.s.
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/initial-orthodontic-workup-58950.html
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Are Adults Qualified for Braces?
For optimal oral health and perfect smile, your teeth need to be perfectly aligned. When designing the ideal approach to orthodontic treatment for adults, there are several factors you and your camarillo orthodontist should be considered. The influencing circumstances such as jaw growth, missing teeth, and periodontal breakdown make treating an adult so different in comparison to an adolescent. Although these problems sometimes exist in youngsters, they occur frequently and are clearly more severe in adults.
The bodies of adults are no longer in the stages of development and would normally expect no more jaw growth to occur. Adults have their permanent teeth in place and their jawbone has formed accordingly to their bite. Malocclusion, which is technically termed as a bad bite, is caused either by the misalignment of teeth (dental-related problem), by the incongruity of the jawbone (bony-related problem), or by the combination of both. Of the three reasons, the bony-related malocclusion is the most difficult to manage in adult orthodontic treatment.
The irregular development of the jawbones creates an imbalance between the upper and lower jaws. Therefore, adult patients, who have longer lower jawbones (facial protrusion), may need orthognathic surgery to shorten the lengths of the lower jaws (mandibular setback procedure) and/or to increase the lengths of the upper jaws (maxillary advancement procedure). Conversely, adult patients with shorter lower jawbones (facial retrusion) may require surgical intervention to extend the lengths of their lower jaws (mandibular advancement procedure) and/or to reduce the lengths of their upper jaws (maxillary setback procedure).
Missing teeth, especially in adults, is problematic because the voids after dental extraction cause teeth to shift on their own and become misaligned. This misalignment can cause teeth to come into contact at irregular angles that causes stress on the jaw muscles, damage to the enamel, and lead to inefficient biting. This affects adult orthodontic treatment because once the teeth have been properly realigned; something must be done to prevent the teeth from drifting back into the open area. Typically, your dentist will recommend a bridge or an implant to fill the void of the missing tooth. Adolescents, however, are still developing teeth and generally would not have an issue like this.
The problem with periodontal breakdown is that it is more common to have an adult with periodontal disease, rather than an adolescent. “Periodontal” is defined as the area surrounding the tooth, which refers to the gums and bone. Having a periodontal disease, like gingivitis or periodontitis, complicates orthodontic treatment because it destroys the supporting tissues and slows downs the formation of new bone. The treatment time and the retention time therefore will be prolonged. Your dentist has to move the teeth by smaller increment at each interval and you have to wear the retainer after the active treatment for longer period.
Investing in orthodontic treatment is worthwhile in so many ways. Not only orthodontics can straighten the teeth, it also exposes the hidden areas caused by crowding or overlapping of teeth. These hidden areas are a haven for plaque and bacteria to grow. Inhibiting bacteria growth will decrease the chance of tooth decay, gum disease, and potential tooth loss. Cleaning becomes more efficient with straight teeth because every crevice will be easier to reach and no area will go unscathed. It also makes it easier for dentists to perform treatments such as bridges and crowns when teeth are properly aligned, thus increasing the probability of a successful procedure. From a psychological perspective, people who have had orthodontic treatment completed, have confidence and a high self-esteem.
Even though the cessation of body growth and the periodontal disease pose as a challenge to adult orthodontic treatment, with the modern advance of dental technology, they are manageable. The sooner treatment is started, the sooner you will get better. No matter what age group, it is never too late. Imagine all the power and the privileges you can have with a perfect smile!
Minh Nguyen, D.d.s.
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/are-adults-qualified-for-braces-66822.html
Orthodontics Anti-Snoring Appliances Can Provide Elusive Snoring Relief
If you are someone that snores every night, has exhausted every home remedy ever endorsed, followed old wives tales, family secrets and just about any other suggestion given to end the nightmare maybe it is time to go visit your dentist. It is quite possible that your snoring problem stems from jaw placement rather than loose tissue and an enlarged uvula.
A Dentist Can Create An Orthodontics Anti-Snoring Appliance Especially For You
The very popular orthodontics anti-snoring appliances, also known as dental appliances, are effective for many snorers that suffer from mild snoring due to jaw placement while sleeping. These oral splits bring the lower jaw forward and lift the soft palate in such a fashion that it prevents the soft throat tissues from falling against the back of the throat and blocking the airway, which is what creates the sound of the snoring.
This type of oral splint is created by your dentist and can be quite expensive. The process of creating such a splint includes the formation of a mold that is then used to create the oral splint that is to be worn in the mouth at bedtime and throughout the night.
If you are looking for an inexpensive alternative to the oral splint created by your dentist, it is possible to mail order an orthodontics anti-snoring appliance replica that you fit yourself. This inexpensive version is sometimes referred to as a “boil and bite” because that is exactly how you fit it to your personal jaws. These oral splints are made of soft plastic which softens in hot water.
In order to use it, you place the splint into warm water to soften the plastic, then bite into the mouthpiece and mold it to your own jaw. If after a short trial period, you discover that this method does in fact decrease your snoring, you would be wise to have a professional splint made to fit your personal jaw line, thus prevent any misshaping of your teeth or dental work done prior to the boil & bite usage.
The Orthodontics Anti-Snoring Appliance Shows Promise As A Snoring Solution
The studies supporting the use of the orthodontics anti-snoring appliance show great promise as a solution for many people that suffer with snoring. There are mild side effects that have to be taken into consideration such as dry mouth, tooth discomfort and excessive salivation but the complaints for these were few and must of course be counter weighed with the idea of restful sleep.
If you decide to utilize this innovative idea to combat your problem snoring, be sure to check with your dentist first and maintain your annual visits to insure that you do not suffer any long term damage on dental work or teeth placement.
Ann Marier
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/orthodontics-antisnoring-appliances-can-provide-elusive-snoring-relief-139582.html