Who Needs Braces?

What does your smile say about you?
For most people, an attractive smile is an important part of the overall impression a person makes. A beautiful smile radiates confidence and projects a positive image about you. A beautiful smile is a powerful part of looking and feeling your best. Dr. Chen and his staff make a real difference in your smile.

Patients typically seek orthodontic treatment for one of the following reasons:

Health
Crooked teeth are harder to clean. This can make the gum tissue more susceptible to disease and the teeth more prone to decay. Straight teeth are definitely healthier teeth.

Function
Teeth that are crowded, protruded, or misaligned do not usually function ideally. This can result in excessive tooth wear and sensitive teeth.

Stability
Teeth and the jaws that are well aligned can be stabilized to reduce undesirable shifting.

Aesthetics
Appearance is the most popular reason for orthodontic treatment. An attractive smile enhances self esteem and self confidence which can make a positive difference at school at work, and in the community. Boosting self confidence will give you and your child smile power.


AGE 7: A YEAR TO REMEMBER

In the past, orthodontic treatment was often postponed until the adolescent years, when all the permanent teeth came in. We now know that many orthodontic problems can be treated earlier by working with the growth that takes place in younger children.

Dr. Chen follows the American Association of Orthodontists’ recommendation that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, or earlier if a problem is detected. Although treatment may not begin at this age, an early examination allows Dr. Chen to monitor your child’s dental development. Early detection can significant reduce the need for removal of permanent teeth. And because younger children are more enthusiastic and cooperative, total treatment time is often reduced. In many cases, positive orthodontic results can be achieved which would not otherwise be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.


BRACES AND BEAUTY AT ANY AGE
Beautiful, healthy smiles are possible for almost anyone. From age 7 to age 70, the biological process of tooth movement is the same in adults and children. In fact, it’s the condition of a person’s teeth, gums and supporting bone that is the most important element in deciding whether or not to begin treatment. Properly aligned teeth are not only easier to clean, they can go a long way to improving a person’s self-esteem and confidence. Whether you are considering orthodontic care to enhance your appearance, or to correct a poor bite that has contributed to dental problems, we'd love to talk with you about the benefits of adult orthodontics.

Are You A Candidate for Orthodontic treatment?
Beyond creating a great smile, orthodontics also improves bad bites or "malocclusions." A malocclusion occurs when the teeth or jaws are not properly aligned. Malocclusions can affect the way you clean your teeth, the way you chew, or the way you smile. Often times malocclusions can even affect the way you feel about your smile. Below are some of the malocclusions which can be successfully treated with orthodontics

PROTRUSION OF UPPER FRONT TEETH This type of bite can result from the upper teeth being too far forward or the lower teeth being too far back. Function and aesthetics are affected with this bite.
OVERBITE The upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth. Many times the lower front teeth bite into the roof of the mouth. (Ouch!)>
CROSSBITE This is when the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth. Often times we see unfavorable jaw growth and excessive tooth wear with untreated crossbites.
OPENBITE The upper and lower front teeth do not overlap. We often see habits and tongue thrusting with this bite. Proper chewing is definitely affected.
CROWDING This occurs when teeth do not have enough room to erupt. Appropriate expansion can correct crowding, most times without tooth removal.
SPACING Most of the time spacing is an aesthetic concern, but sometimes spacing can mean missing teeth.
DENTAL MIDLINES NOT MATCHED This usually indicates that the back bite does not match properly. Function may be negatively affected by this type of malocclusion.

What Can Happen If Malocclusions Are Not Treated?
According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusions may result in a variety of problems. Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss which contributes to tooth decay as well as gum disease. Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping from trauma. Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth patterns and uneven tooth wear. Openbites can result in tongue thrusting habits and speech issues.