Patient Information

Orthodontic treatment goes much deeper than just improving the way a person smiles. It improves their quality of life and ability to have healthy teeth throughout adulthood.

Some of the considerations given to whether or not a person can benefit from orthodontic therapy include:

• Missing teeth
• Natural jaw structure and size of the mouth
• Risk to gum disease and tooth decay
• History of habits (such as thumb sucking or extended pacifier use)
• Complications of sleep disordered breathing from sleep apnea or snoring
• Increased risk of dental injury during activities or sports

How Orthodontics Can Help Children

Most of our patients come to us at a young age, as parents are beginning to notice changes in features of their child’s smile. Early orthodontic care and interceptive orthodontics can prevent complex problems from developing later on. By addressing tooth alignment and jaw formation in a child’s early years, growth guidance can encourage non-invasive correction of the problem before surgery is needed.

Some of the important factors we address when considering treatment for your child are:

• Congenitally missing or prematurely lost teeth
• Size of the teeth as they relate to the jaws
• Jaw formation (width and length)
• Tooth positioning concerns

Children respond very well to interceptive orthodontics. In many cases, parents find that less treatment is needed when care is started at an earlier age. Other times, more time may be needed before orthodontics should be started. For example, addressing a prematurely lost tooth can prevent other teeth from having disrupted eruption patterns or shifting in position if a space maintainer is put in place. A private consultation with Dr. Marjan can give you the answers that you need as it relates to your child’s orthodontic health

Ways Adults Can Benefit from Orthodontics

Adults make excellent orthodontic patients, because they are committed to successful treatment and spending the time they need to make their care a success. Many people think they are “too old” for braces, but in many cases braces are able to better their overall oral health later in life.

For adults, tooth crowding can cause an impact on the lifespan of your smile. For instance, crowded or misaligned teeth cause adults to be more susceptible to:

• Periodontal disease (gum disease) and tooth loss
• Premature dental wear caused by improper biting relationships
• Improved self confidence
• TMJ pain and disorders
• Cavities
• Tartar buildup around the teeth

By correcting the way your teeth bite together, they are easier to care for and able to last many more years.