Your Beautiful Smile
Smiles
are a reflection of who we are. They reflect our emotions,
confidence, and attitudes. Because we understand the vital
role of your smile, we are excited to welcome you to our office.
Orthodontic care can contribute to a lifetime of improved
oral health, improved appearance, comfort, and enhanced personal
confidence. Because we want you to understand more about orthodontics,
we will discuss several of the most frequently asked questions
below.
When
should children be seen for an orthodontic examination?
An early orthodontic
screening examination allows Dr. Hsiao to best determine the
optimum time for orthodontic treatment to begin. The American
Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child�s initial
examination should occur by the age of 7. Most children will
not need treatment at this age, but it allows Dr. Hsiao to
assess each person to determine who could benefit from early
intervention. In some cases, early intervention can prevent
the need for future treatment or at least reduce the complexity
of future treatment, reduce the need for extractions, and
gain a better overall treatment result. Please remember, however,
that orthodontic treatment is not only limited to children,
with adults constituting 25% of orthodontic patients nationally.
The
Benefits of Early Diagnosis
Orthodontics
can improve smiles at any age. Patients in our practice range
from age 5 to 75. However, there is usually a best age for
maximum results with a minimum investment of time and money.
The earlier we see a patient, the more options we have to
correct problems. With some patients, early treatment achieves
results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have
finished growing.
What
is Phase I interceptive orthodontic treatment?
Phase
I is preventative orthodontic treatment and may begin as early
as 5 years of age. Phase I treatment may include space maintainers,
appliances for the correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites,
and for harmful habits. Most children will not require preventative
treatment, but a screening exam to determine this need is
recommended.
Because
they are growing rapidly, children can benefit enormously
from an early phase of orthodontic treatment utilizing appliances
that direct the growth relationship of the upper and lower
jaws. Thus, a good foundation can be established, providing
adequate room for eruption of permanent teeth. This early
correction may prevent later removal of permanent teeth to
correct overcrowding and/or surgical procedures to align the
upper and lower jaws. Leaving such a condition untreated until
all permanent teeth erupt could result in a jaw discrepancy
too severe to achieve ideal results with braces.
What
is Phase II orthodontic treatment?
Phase
II orthodontic treatment is considered later when most or
all of the baby teeth have been lost. Phase II involves full
braces, which give maximum control over the movement of teeth.
Each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is
in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue and other teeth.
When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function
together properly. They will stay healthy and look attractive.
This is the goal of the second and final phase of treatment.
What
are the advantages of two phase orthodontic treatment?
Two
phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process
that encompasses tooth straightening and physical facial changes.
With the emphasis today on living longer, staying healthy
and looking attractive requires optimum treatment results.
The major advantage of a two phase treatment is to maximize
the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional,
esthetic result that will remain stable. In addition, the
need for tooth extractions is often eliminated when a patient
has first phase treatment.
The
disadvantage of waiting for complete eruption of permanent
teeth and having only one phase treatment, for someone with
a jaw discrepancy, is having to face the possibility of compromised
results that may not be completely functionally healthy and
may not remain stable.
What
about adult orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic
treatment can be successful at any age, and adults constitute
about 25% of orthodontic patients nationally. The biological
process involved in tooth movement is the same in both adults
and children. The health of the teeth, gums, and supporting
bone is very important to the success of orthodontic treatment
in adults as well as children. Because an adult's bones are
no longer growing, certain extreme corrections involving the
facial bones cannot be accomplished with braces alone. Sometimes,
adult orthodontic treatment may have to be combined with the
efforts of an oral surgeon to achieve the final result.
What
is Invisalign?
The Invisalign System?is
a breakthrough in orthodontics that straightens adult teeth
using a series of clear, removable, nearly invisible plastic
or medical-grade polymer appliances called "aligners."
How does Invisalign?work?
Invisalign uses 3-D
computer imaging technology to depict the complete treatment
plan from the initial position to the final desired position
from which a series of custom-made "aligners" are
produced. Each "aligner" moves teeth incrementally
and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next
in the series until the final position is achieved.
What
about TMJ or Jaw Joint problems?
TMJ
Dysfunction refers to a family of problems related to the
jaw (temporomandibular or TM) joint. The structures that make
it possible to open and close the mouth are very specialized
and work together when you chew, speak and swallow. These
structures include muscles, ligaments, bone and jaw joints.
Any problem that prevents this complete system from working
properly may result in a TMJ disorder. When muscles and joints
do not work properly, the muscles may spasm or cramp. Consequently,
this spasm can become part of a cycle that results in tissue
damage, pain, muscle tenderness and more spasms.
Oral habits that are often associated with stress are most commonly
factors that can cause dysfunction and pain of the jaw joint
and its muscles. (About 90% of headaches result from tension.)
TMJ problems may also be caused by jaw, head and neck injuries
or by diseases such as arthritis. Some of the common signs and
symptoms of TMJ disorders include
If
you have been experiencing these conditions, Dr. Hsiao will
conduct a complete exam to properly diagnose the causes. Common
methods for treatment of TMJ disorders include an orthotic
splint, which sometimes will be followed by braces.
Medication, biofeedback, physical therapy, and even surgery
may be needed in severe cases. Dr. Hsiao will discuss your
unique condition and possible treatment options with you.
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