ADULT ORTHODONTICS:
Braces are definitely not just "kids' stuff" anymore.
In fact, about one in every five orthodontic patients is over
the age of 18. The smaller and more attractive brackets that are
favored so heavily by our young and adolescent patients are also
a big hit with adults. We also have the ability to make brackets
even less noticeable through the use of clear brackets which are
virtually invisible from a conversational distance.
Invisalign
is also often a great choice for those desiring a
more discrete option. Dr. Bivins is also a fully licensed
provider of Invisalign orthodontic treatment.
In addition to the issues previously listed, situations that
are particular to adult treatment include:
-
Previously undiagnosed or untreated orthodontic
needs
-
Dental shifting as a result of orthodontic
relapse
-
Dental shifting as a result of the loss of
or congenital absence of one or
more permanent teeth
-
Treatment in conjunction with prosthetic (crown
& bridge) treatment
-
Facial or dental esthetic issues
-
Post facial or dental trauma
-
Post or in conjunction with TMJ treatment
Our convenient office hours, central location and flexible payment
options make orthodontics available, affordable and achievable
even for the busiest of adult patients.
SURGICAL ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT:
For some patients a combination of surgical and conventional
orthodontic treatment is the best option to achieve the most ideal
result. Although due to the more prominent use of early treatment,
jaw surgeries are not as often recommended as in years past.
Orthodontic surgeries is still the option of choice in select
cases. Jaw surgeries are done along with orthodontic treatment
in non-growing adult patients and are used to treat:
-
Previously uncorrected posterior crossbites
-
Severe overbites and underbites in non-growing
patients
-
Facial imbalances and asymmetries
-
Post facial or dental trauma
-
A variety of syndromes that affect the craniofacial
region
-
Other issues that cannot be corrected through
the use of orthodontics
alone
For more information about surgical options please visit the
American Association of
Oral & Maxiofacial Surgery.
PARTIAL, COSMETIC, OR NON-TRADITIONAL ORTHODONTIC
TREATMENT:
Occasionally, the individual needs of a particular patient cannot
be classified into a traditional category. Such instances where
orthodontic treatment may be needed, but full upper and lower
appliances which will be in place after 1 ½ to 2 years
is not necessary. This is frequently the case in adult patients
who need a tooth or group of teeth moved in conjunction with other
dental work being done.
Other examples are very young patients who are not ready for
stage I treatment but have a crossbite developing in their primary
teeth. Also, orthodontics can be done in conjunction with other
disciplines of the dental field such as postperiodontal surgery
or pre-dental implant placement.
In short, whatever your orthodontic need may be Bivins Orthodontics
is here to help.
We offer full and comprehensive orthodontic services
for all orthodontic issues:
Stage I or Early Treatment: The American Association
of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that every child have a check-up
with an orthodontic specialist like Dr. Bivins no later than age
7.Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected
early rather than treating when your growth has slowed. In many
instances, early treatment can prevent serious problems down the
road. Orthodontists may use one of several different appliances
designed to guide bone growth. In some patients, early treatment
achieves results that may not be possible once the face and jaws
have finished growing. Some of the conditions that indicate the
need for early examination include:
-
Early or late loss of teeth
-
Difficulty in chewing or biting
-
Mouth breathing
-
Thumb sucking
-
Crowded, misplaced or blocked teeth
-
Jaws that shift or make sounds
-
Speech difficulties
-
Biting the cheek or roof of mouth
-
Teeth that meet abnormally or don't meet
at all (including crossbites)
-
Facial imbalance
-
Jaws that are too far forward or back (overbites,
underbites or other jaw
relationship issues)
-
Grinding or clenching of teeth
Detecting an orthodontic problem early enables
the orthodontist to determine the best time to begin treatment.
Also, early intervention can make the completion of treatment
at a later age easier.
Source: American
Association of Orthodontics
Stage II treatment or Full Treatment: This is
orthodontic treatment of the full dentition once most or all of
the deciduous or "baby teeth" have been lost. Typically,
this treatment begins between the ages of 9-14 depending on the
individual.
Although this is the age group that most people typically associate
with orthodontic treatment, the types of treatments offered by
today's specially trained orthodontists are anything but typical.
Innovations such as fully programmed or prescription orthodontic
appliances (or brackets), super-elastic nickel-titanium
leveling wires and more precise treatment planning techniques
have made the field of orthodontics and orthodontic treatments
better and more efficient than ever before. While many patients
may remember the "metal mouth" look of braces from several
years ago and the treatments lasting 4-5 years, today's orthodontic
appliances while being much smaller and attractive than the older
braces are
also much more efficient. Treatment times are usually 1 ½
to 2 years in length and, thanks to the more widespread recommendation
of early
Stage II treatment involves few extractions
and jaw surgeries than ever before.
Some of the issues typically treated in the adolescent or young
adult dentition are:
-
Continuation of ongoing orthodontic care
-
Moderate to severe crowding
-
dental impactions (impacted teeth)
-
upper or lower jaw discrepancies (overbites,
underbites or crossbites)
-
facial or dental esthetic issues
-
undersized or missing of one or several permanent
teeth
-
Post-trauma correction of displaced or Avulsed
permanent teeth
-
Tempro-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) symptoms
-
Speech problems
Many of our teenage patients decorate their braces
with colors! The elastic ties that are used to hold
the wires in the brackets come in every color imaginable.
So our patients often celebrate holidays, sporting
events or any occasion with a splash of color to their
braces - just one more way to have fun with orthodontics.
For fun with colors, see 'Color Planner' in our main
menu.
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