There are several treatment options that are available based on your needs, your age and your expectations.
Early Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that every child who is seven or eight years old should visit an orthodontist for a consultation. There are a lot of orthodontic problems that can be solved much easier when the treatment begins at this early age.
Main goals for the early treatment, which is also sometimes called Phase 1 treatment, are:
To create enough space for the permanent teeth to erupt
To correct any bite deficiencies and discrepancies
To correct harmful oral habits and help with some of the urgent situations that can arise at this early age.
Full Treatment
A full treatment, which is also sometimes called Phase 2 treatment, usually includes placing appliances, braces or Invisalign appliances unto all or most of the teeth of the adult or a child permanent dentition. Most of the time a patient will lose most of his primary or baby teeth before starting Phase 2. The goal of the full treatment is to create a balance in the occlusion both aesthetically and functionally.
The full treatment is usually followed by the long-term retention in order to preserve the changes in the dentition.
Limited Treatment
Very often a general dentist will request an orthodontist to move only few teeth in order for the dentist to restore that part of the dentition. The patients themselves sometimes may be interested in aligning only a party of his or hers dentition. This treatment is usually shorter and is called a limited treatment.
TMJ Treatment
People that have symptoms around the temperament of a joint or TMJ will often come to the orthodontist for help. The orthodontist can help with some but not all of the problems in that area. The most commonly treated problems are muscular pain and clicking of the joint. After a consultation and, sometimes radiographic Imaging, the doctor will determine and recommend the appliances used in the treatment. The appliances are usually removable, however other treatment methods may be needed.
Retention Treatment
The retainers are used to prevent any teeth movements. Unfortunately, the teeth movements last throughout the lifetime of a person. The only reliable way to maintain a beautiful smile after months of orthodontic treatment is to use retainers, both fixed to the teeth and removable. Some of our patients will need new set of retainers or will need the retainers adjusted or repaired.
Surgical-orthodontic treatment
Some adult patient may require a surgical-orthodontic procedure to compensate for a jaw discrepancy that can not be corrected by the orthodontics alone. In this case we form a team with a maxilofacial or a plastic surgeon and work closely to correct some of the most difficult and challenging cases.
Emergency Orthodontic Treatment
Let’s say you are visiting in our area, and as it sometimes happens, your orthodontic appliances need urgent care. We would be happy to provide you with an emergency orthodontic service so you feel comfortable until you can get back to your regular orthodontist.