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What is Orthodontics?Orthodontics, the oldest of the dental specialties, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of dental and associated facial irregularities. Orthodontic treatment allows us to bring the teeth and jaws into harmony three-dimensionally. The results of orthodontic treatment can be dramatic--beautiful smiles, improved dental health, and an enhanced quality of life for people of ALL ages. Drs. Berkman and Shapiro follow the recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontics, which recommends an orthodontic screening for each child at age seven or about the time of the eruption of the upper permanent front teeth. This permits the identification of any developing problems as well as the initiation of any indicated interceptive treatment. In the majority of cases, treatment will not begin until much later. However, because of the instances in which a child would benefit from treatment at a younger age, it is important that everyone be at least evaluated at an early age. Knowledge of developing problems combined with right-on-time treatment brings peace of mind to the parent and the child.The most profound treatment results come from the correction of growth imbalances. This is one of the reasons that it is most beneficial to screen for problems around the age of seven - while there is still significant remaining facial growth remaining. Adults can be treated at any age. It is never too late to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful smile. Some adults have missing teeth which may cause abnormal movement of the remaining teeth. Some may have had braces earlier in life, but teeth have shifted out of their original position. Many adults never had orthodontic treatment, and could benefit greatly from a beautiful, healthy smile. Dr. Berkman and Dr. Shapiro enjoy treating patients of ALL ages: children, adolescents, and adults. They are happy to provide comprehensive initial examinations at no charge. About Our BracesAll of the braces used at Berkman & Shapiro Orthodontics are state-of-the-art. By combining modern, highly-efficient technologies with a completely computerized office, patients enjoy shorter appointments, more time between visits, and less time in treatment. Your time is valuable; we recognize that.There are a variety of orthodontic technologies currently employed at the office. Below are a few - check them out! Metallic braces are the most familiar type. They are most often recommended for certain types of treatment. They are held on to teeth with space-age adhesive, so that frequent bracket breakage is a thing of the past! They come in silver or gold.
Ceramic or "tooth-colored" brackets bond onto the outside surfaces of your teeth, similar to conventional braces. Their clear or natural color gives them a less noticeable, "camouflaged" look.
How do Braces Work?Braces use gentle, constant pressure to move teeth into their proper positions slowly, over time. Since they are permanent (well, at least until the day they come off) they work around the clock, including during sleep. Although there are many "parts" to braces, the two most important elements are the brackets that are attached to each tooth, and the archwire that connects each bracket.
The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that is affixed to each tooth. It serves as the "handle" that allows us to grab onto and control the movement of each tooth, individually. A band is a bracket for a molar or back tooth. It fits around the entire tooth. The archwire is a special U-shaped metallic alloy that is customized to allow proper straightening and movement of the teeth. During appointments, it is usually changed or adjusted according to each patient's individual needs. The archwire is held onto the bracket with either an elastic ligature (or o-ring), which come in a variety of colors, or a metal ligature tie.
The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Since during orthodontics, teeth are actually moved through bone, all movement does not occur overnight. Depending on the type of adjustments made, teeth usually move between 1 and 2 millimeters each month. Drs. Berkman and Shapiro use only the latest and most modern orthodontic technologies, ensuring that their patients receive the most gentle, comfortable, and efficient treatment. During certain phases of treatment, patients may be asked to wear elastics. These small rubber bands attach to hooks on certain teeth and exert a force that creates just the right amount of pressure to move teeth in specific ways. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn as directed and changed every day. Common ProblemsCrowdingCrowding of the teeth is the most common problem associated with the need for orthodontic treatment. Many factors contribute to dental crowding. The most common reason for crowding is a discrepancy between the space available in each jaw and the size of the teeth. Crowding can lead to impacted teeth, a "bad bite", and an unesthetic appearance.
SpacingSpaces between teeth are another common problem associated with the need for orthodontic treatment. Like crowding, spacing is also often caused by a discrepancy between the space available in each jaw and the size of the teeth. Spacing can also arise from teeth that are missing or are smaller than normal.
OverjetOverjet is defined as the horizontal protrusion of the upper teeth in front of the lower teeth. Overjet is often seen with a Class II malocclusion, which occurs when the top jaw is located ahead of the bottom jaw (due to a large top jaw, a small bottom jaw, or a combination of the two). Thumb and finger sucking habits can also cause excessive overjet.
OverbiteOverbite is defined as the vertical overlapping of the upper teeth over the lower teeth. A deep overbite (or deep bite) occurs when the upper front teeth completely (or mostly) cover the lower front teeth. Often, this causes the lower front teeth to bite on the gums behind the upper front teeth, causing damage to the gum tissue and underlying bone.
OpenbiteAn openbite is defined as a lack of vertical overlap of the incisor (front) teeth. It results when the upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting down. An openbite can be caused by abnormal growth of one of both jaws or it can be caused by a thumb or finger sucking habit. In some instances, a tongue thrust (which occurs when the tongue moves between the front teeth during swallowing) may also be a contributing factor to an openbite. When biting down, the space between the upper and lower front teeth causes excessive pressure on the back teeth. Over time, this excessive pressure can cause abnormal tooth wear on the back teeth, or problems with the gums and bone surrounding the back teeth.
UnderbiteAn underbite occurs when the lower front teeth protrude in front of the upper front teeth. It is often seen with a Class III malocclusion, where there is a large lower jaw, a small upper jaw, or a combination of the two. An underbite is also known as an anterior crossbite.
CrossbiteA crossbite occurs when the top teeth fit inside of the bottom teeth. In a normal jaw relationship, the top teeth should be located outside of the bottom teeth. A crossbite can occur with the front teeth (anterior crossbite) or with the back teeth (posterior crossbite). Posterior crossbites usually result from a narrow or constricted upper jaw. Crossbites can cause problems with biting and chewing.
Corrective Jaw SurgeryThe vast majority of orthodontic patients can be treated with braces alone. Occasionally, however, patients may benefit from additional treatment, including a surgical approach. Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) treats and corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, including the jaws. Often, these abnormalities cause difficulty associated with chewing, talking, sleeping and other routine activities. Orthognathic surgery corrects these problems and, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, will improve the overall appearance of the facial profile.If you could benefit from corrective jaw surgery, we will use the latest in digital imaging technology to demonstrate the overall functional and esthetic advantages of orthognathic surgery. Many patients have found that computerized treatment planning helps in understanding the potential benefits of the surgery. Today, the overall efficacy of surgery is also maximized by the use of computerized treatment planning and the 3-D imaging our office is equipped for. State-of-the-art materials such as titanium plates and miniature screws provide stability, strength, and predictability to your treatment. These advances in technology, procedures, and equipment reduce post-surgical recovery time, thus allowing patients to return to their normal routines soon after the surgery. Again, orthognathic surgery may be unnecessary, as orthodontic treatment alone can usually correct most orthodontic problems. Especially considering the latest advances in orthodontics, this is often the case in our office. We will work closely with you to determine if orthognathic surgery is the correct treatment option for you. InvisalignPlease visit the Invisalign page here |
