Month: May 2019

New patient consultation

If you are interested in orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, simply call our office to schedule a new patient consultation.

Remember to bring your insurance card to your first appointment so that we can determine your future out of pocket expenses.

Because orthodontic treatment is accomplished over an extended period of time requiring multiple appointments, reimbursement for most treatment regimes is structured as payment plans. You will be quoted an estimate for the total cost of your treatment and, prior to beginning treatment, a down payment will be due. The remaining balance is then divided into a number of monthly payments depending on the number of months estimated to complete your treatment.

Patient’s undergoing comprehensive treatment are generally seen at 6 week intervals depending upon individual circumstances.

Why even the most beautiful teeth may still need orthodontic treatment

The long-term integrity of any structure is ultimately determined by the quality of its foundation. While appearances may look healthy and normal, underneath the facade, inadequate supporting structures may be fatiguing under otherwise tolerable stress. It may take many years before you notice the damage – but then its too late.

The primary objective of orthodontics is to establish the foundation for long-term health of the teeth and jaws. Without this foundation damage is inevitable. For instance, crowded teeth are not only unsightly, they also create uncleansable crevices for bacterial growth which leads to chronic infection and recession of the gums. This goes unnoticed until the teeth are straightened and large spaces between the teeth are revealed where the supporting tissues have eroded. Non-ideal bite relationships leave one prone to irregular and severe tooth wear, chipping of teeth, fractures of teeth, and TMJ problems. Although your teeth or your child’s teeth may look good, there are many other reasons beyond esthetics and cosmetics that warrant orthodontic treatment. Perhaps the greatest benefits of comprehensive orthodontic treatment are not related to cosmetics but to the long-term prevention by establishing the proper foundation. Almost everyone can benefit substantially from an investment in orthodontic treatment. More on this website

Our Orthodontist has many years of experience in dealing with every sort of tooth and dental development issue, and is very willing to help you make an informed decision about the treatment choices for your child. Like many procedures, the effectiveness of early treatment can only be determined on an individual basis. Here, our Orthodontist explains his viewpoint on early treatment options.

What is early treatment?

The terms ‘early treatment,’ ‘interceptive treatment,’ or ‘phase I treatment’ are all basically the same thing. This form of treatment is usually done when the child is 8 to 10 years old and will have 8-12 baby teeth present in the mouth. More on this website

Phase II treatment consists of fixed appliances (metal braces) and is usually done when the patient is older and all the baby teeth are gone and the permanent teeth are in the mouth. For girls, this is about 11 ½ years old and for boys about 12 ½ years of age on the average.

Are there drawbacks to early treatment?

Early treatment is great when it is indicated and appropriate. Dental problems such as crowding or cross-bites are usually corrected best through early treatment at age 9 or 10. A second stage of treatment with braces will usually be required at age 11 ½ for girls, and at age 12 ½ for boys to finish aligning the teeth.

However, what I discovered was that it was still taking about 20 months of the metal braces to finish aligning the teeth at age 12 to 13. So, I could do two phases of treatment, taking 28-32 months, or I could be a little patient and do all the treatment in one step, taking about 24 months in the metal braces.

Which was the better way? Well, by just doing one phase of treatment, the parents saved money, the child had fewer hoops to jump through, and the results were basically the same.

When does the Orthodontist recommend early treatment?

I love to see the kids about age 9 or 10 years old, or even younger if mom and dad have a concern about their child’s teeth. I’d much rather be ahead of the game than behind. Sometimes I will turn the patient loose for a little while, and then when he/she is ready, start the correct early treatment.

And of course, there are instances where treating the patient at 9 or 10 works out great! If all the upper teeth are too narrow (called a crossbite), 9 or 10 is a great time to correct this. Sometimes a front tooth is stuck and won’t come down, or is sticking straight out – 9 or 10 is a great time to correct this.

I firmly believe in early treatment. It just needs to be used when it is truly indicated.
Call now to schedule a consultation with us to discuss treatment options and see what financing plans you qualify for:
​
He will examine you or your child’s teeth to determine the best course of orthodontic treatment, and will discuss financing that you can afford. Visit this website