Dental Health Guides
About Orthodontics
WHO CAN PERFORM ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
Any general dentist or pedodontist (children's dentist) can perform orthodontic treatment. However, much as you would seek out a medical specialist to treat a particular problem rather than rely on your family practitioner, so you should seek out an orthodontic specialist for the best possible, most advanced treatment.
WHAT IS AN ORTHODONTIST?
An Orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an additional two-year course full time in the exclusive study of orthodontics at a dental school.
WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS DO ORTHODONTISTS TREAT?
Malocclusions ( meaning a bad bite) fall into three broad categories. You may have a Class 1 Malocclusion, or dental crowding with teeth too large for the space present in the jaw. If you have a Class II Malocclusion, your upper teeth protrude. This problem is more commonly called buck teeth. Finally, if your lower teeth protrude past your front teeth (under-bite), you have a Class III Malocclusion.
WHY ARE TWO PHASES OF TREATMENT SOMETIMES NEEDED?
Often children have problems that can only be corrected in two phases. In the first phase, usually between the age of 5 and 10, the orthodontist concentrates on straightening the jaw alignment. The teeth are aligned in the second phase.
HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT TAKE?
Many factors affect the length of your treatment, including the nature and severity of your problems, the procedures chosen and your cooperation. Simple problems can be corrected in just a few months but we generally advise clients to anticipate a period of 1 1/2 to 2 years to complete the corrective treatment.
WHAT ABOUT DISCOMFORT?
Braces should cause only mild discomfort and never actual pain. You may notice pressure when the braces are first placed and after each adjustment. You might also experience some discomfort inside the lips and cheeks after the initial fitting.
WHAT ABOUT DENTAL HYGIENE?
Special attention to cleaning of the teeth is essential during orthodontic treatment. In addition, regular visits every 6 months to the family dentist should continue.
HOW IMPORTANT IS COOPERATION?
Just as the family and orthodontist work together, the patient must cooperate fully as part of the team. Regular appointments should be kept as scheduled. Auxiliary appliances such as headgear, elastics and retainers should be worn as instructed and any problems or concerns should be communicated to the staff and /or Dr. Denny.
HOW MUCH DOES ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT COST?
The cost varies for each patient and to quote a definite figure could be misleading. You'll find the cost is a small price to pay when you consider the fee includes your evaluation, examination, and fitting, all the materials used in your treatment and all the 30 or more adjustment visits necessary for the average patient.
WHAT TYPE OF BRACES ARE BEST?
Fixed appliances control the teeth in three directions and remain bonded to the tooth for the entire course of the treatment. These types of appliances include the familiar "braces". When your malocclusion requires control from only two directions, Dr. Denny uses removable appliances that you wear for a prescribed number of hours each day. When it is desirable to shift the position of the jaw or guide its growth, Dr. Denny will have you wear a functional orthodontic or orthopedic appliance.
THE DAMON SYSTEM
The Damon appliances are an innovative clinical technology that makes orthodontic treatment more efficient and more comfortable than ever before. The traditional treatment involving tying archwires in with elastic ties causes friction. This involves heavier forces to move the teeth, resulting in a longer treatment time. Self-ligation appliances have a built-in "sliding door" that holds the wire in place while allowing it to slide freely back and forth. This system allows the use of high-tech, light-force wires to achieve tooth movement. This results in less pressure to the teeth, thus more comfortable treatment. Treatment time can be dramatically reduced. This means fewer adjustments, which result in less office visits to achieve treatment.
INVISALIGN
Upon an initial examination, Dr Denny will decide if Invisalign is right for you. He will write a treatment plan and take orthodontic records which are submitted to Invisalign. Invisalign carefully translates his instructions into a series of precisely customized aligners. You then wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, moving your teeth gradually until you've achieved the intended results. Generally you visit our office no more often than you would with braces and the length of treatment is about the same.