The Orthodontic treatment process 

The first step in your Orthodontic treatment is the initial Exam and Consultation.  

• "Micro Braces"  These are the smallest braces available.  They are more gentle, less visible and easier to care for than traditional braces.  Their small size allows more flexibility which can greatly reduce discomfort and decrease treatment time.  They are painless to place and easy to wear.

• Invisalign.  This treatment uses a series of clear removable trays which form to the teeth and are nearly invisible in the mouth. This treatment option is often a popular choice with many adults and teenagers
  
  Adult braces.  Dr. Saltz treats a large number of Adult patients.  Many have been bothered by crowded and misaligned teeth for years and finally decide to take charge and correct the problem. Also often adults are sent in by their general dentists.  Misaligned teeth can lead to difficulty cleaning, and sometimes to tooth decay and gum disease. 

• Retainers.  These are used to maintain the corrected teeth and bite following braces and can also be used to move teeth in some cases.   

Early treatment for the prevention of developing orthodontic problems. These are usually simple "retainer" type or fixed devices that work to reverse developing problems in order to improve the position of incoming teeth. This treatment is for children starting at around 7 years old. The purpose of early treatment is to reduce or prevent the need for braces in the future when all the permanent teeth come in. Examples are expanders and space maintainers.

When can my child begin early orthodontic treatment?

Stage 1: Early treatment (4-6 years old)

Early orthodontic treatment aims to guide and regulate the width of both dental arches.  The main goal of early treatment is to provide enough space for the permanent teeth to erupt correctly.  Good candidates for early treatment include: children who have difficulty biting properly, children who lose baby teeth early, children whose jaws click or grind during movement, bruxers, and children who use the mouth (as opposed to the nose AND mouth) to breathe.

The orthodontist may provide one of a variety of dental appliances to promote jaw growth, hold space for adult teeth (space maintainers), or to prevent the teeth from “shifting” into undesired areas.

Stage 2: Middle dentition (6-12 years old)

The goals of middle dentition treatments are to realign wayward jaws, to start to correct crossbites, and to begin the process of gently straightening misaligned permanent teeth.  Middle dentition marks a developmental period when the soft and hard tissues are extremely pliable.  In some ways therefore, it marks an optimal time to begin to correct a severe malocclusion.

Some braces are fixed and others are removable.  Regardless of the appliance, the child will still be able to speak, eat, and chew in a normal fashion.  However, children who are fitted with fixed dental appliances should take extra care to clean the entire oral region each day in order to reduce the risk of staining, decay, and later cosmetic damage.

Stage 3: Adolescent dentition (13+ years old)

The teenage mouth is what springs to most parents’ minds when they think of orthodontic treatment.  Some of the main goals of adolescent dentition include straightening the permanent teeth, and improving the esthetic appearance of the smile.

Most commonly during this period, the dentist will provide fixed or removable “braces” to gradually straighten the teeth.  Upon completion of the orthodontic treatment, the teenager may be required to wear a retainer in order to prevent the regression of the teeth to their original alignment.

           

                               

Questions? We'd love to talk to you. 

Please call us. 310-451-5749