Saturday, April 01, 2006

Orthodontics (Braces)

Click on these links to view some posts related to Braces and Orthodontics:

When is the Best Time to Start Braces?

Posterior Crossbite Also about all kinds of crossbites. Very common condition often needing correction. I get lots of requests about this topic I think because it is so common and dentists are recommending needed correction.

Orthodontic Fashion Different color braces: this also includes traditional silver braces, gold braces, and clear or invisible braces.

Nickel Titanium Orthodontic Wires One of the newer wires used in Orthodontics.

The Dental Specialties A list of all dental specialties.

Permanent Tooth Coming in Behind Baby Teeth A common occurence.

Orthodontic Separators.

OrthoCad-Computerized Diagnosis and Indirect Bonding

Self Ligating Orthodontic Brackets

Reverse Pull Headgear

If you want more, go back to the home page or click here:Pediatric Dentistry

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

My son requires a 2+ year orthodontic treatment. Our pediatric dental practice has a pediatric dentist dedicated to ortho but he is not a certified orthodontist. He has been performing ortho for 30 years. What additional benefit would there be if he were certified (other than the one extra year of residency)? Thank you.

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

Many pediatric dentists do orthodontic treatment. In a pediatric dentistry residency program there is ortho training, but most of the pedo guys out there doing ortho have gone to many many ortho courses over the years. A few pediatric dentists are what they call “dual trained”, which means they completed a residency on both pedo and ortho. Experience sometimes is just as important as formal training.

Of the pediatric dentists and orthodontists I know, well, I think if your pediatric dentist has been doing this for many years, he has had the experience to treat just as an "orthodontist". If you feel uncomfortable with the situation, I am sure it is fine for you to get a second opinion or go to a local orthodontist for the braces while still seeing your pediatric dentist for all other care.

In our office, several years ago, the "older" pediatric dentists did most of the ortho in our office. Later on, we were able to have a great orthodontist come in with us. He does most of the ortho now, as that seems to be the most efficient for us.

Again, just my opinion

Faithnmyheart said...

My daughter had her braces since June 2006. It is now 6 months later. Every time she goes in she says all they do is change the wires. When will they start tightening her wires??? Could her having infection to her gums affect the tightening?? Please advise.

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

Well, without going into it here too much, what they are probably doing is going to larger and larger wires. I don't know your specific case, but usually they start with smaller diameter round wires ending up with larger rectangular wires. The teeth are moving more each time you place a new wire. That is the "tightening". The wires are what is doing most of the work. The wires want to to be straight, so they slowly force the "crooked" teeth into place. Look at the slots in the brackets. They are specifically angulated and torqued so that a round wire will begin the allignment and a rectangular wire will fine tune the torque, etc. Well, you just can't put in a large rectangualr wire right from the get go. You have to build up, moving the teeth slightly along the way, then there will be no problem getting the fine tuning from the rectangualr wires.

Now, I know that is kind of basic and there is a lot more gonig on that just this, but maybe you can see why things take as long as they take. Teeth move slowly and you don't want any unecessary discomfort, etc. Brushing is very important while wearing braces to avoid gingivitis and other problems.

Anonymous said...

My 12 year old has had 2 orthodontic evals and both were different. He has 2 baby teeth that have not fallen out and no permanent teeth present. I am being told to pull them and close the holes by 1 orthodontist and to leave them, begin treatment, and see if they fall out by another orthodontist. I'm not sure which is the better option. Also, 1 uses traditional braces while the other uses self-ligating braces. I'm unsure which is better also.. Thanks so much!

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

I cannot say which treatment option is the "best" Sometimes, it's not black and white, it's just two different paths of gray.

As far as the brackets, the self ligating and the traditional are comparable. We have recently switched to the self ligating ones because they tend to be easier to clean and the appointment time is reduced --easier/quicker to change out wires, etc., so less time sitting thee with your mouth open.

Jeannie said...

Hi..My son has a lip licking habit. He is 11 years old and no amount of Carmex has been successful in stopping the habit. Is there an ortho appliance that can be used?

I love your blog. My family just attended the ADA in Hawaii and my children made a blog about their trip.

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

Jeannie,

I just saw a patient recently with a lip licking habit,--no appliance I know of for that. Seems to be worse in the winter months. Sometimes it is due to a large overbite and the lower lip just fits right in there, other times it;s just a habit like any others.

We had the AAPD meeting in Hawaii last May--a wonderful state.

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

Jeanne, your blog is great--I linked it here:

HawaiiHollar Blog

Anonymous said...

what colors are their
in braces

Anonymous said...

what color braces do you guys have my child would like to know ahead of time!

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

Check out the post linked above called "Orthodontic Fashion" to see colors of braces. The alastic attachments can be any color at all. The base material of the brackets and wires are silver, gold or a ceramic "white or clear" color.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Dean,

I am 16 years old and just recently found out that my top eye teeth are still baby teeth and that my permanent teeth are just now emerging. I've been told that I have to get the baby teeth pulled and get braces so that my permanent teeth will move into the correct position. Would this require headgear? About how long would it take for the permanent teeth to show and how long would I have to have braces? Also, why are my permanent teeth just now emerging?

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

Each case is different and the orthodontic treatment plan will vary. I have seen similar cases. Ask your orthodontist and they well formulate the best plan for you. Headgears are usually for skeletal growth discrepancies (like severe overbites). They usually plan this out is some detail.

Anonymous said...

generally how long does it take for the orthodontist to put your braces on?

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

Most cases take about 24 months followed by retention (retainers). However, simple crossbite corrections can take just a few months and complicated cases much longer or can be divided into different phases it treatment periods. So each case is different.

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

Now, to put them on---I'd say about 30 to 60 minutes --again depends/

orthodontist pittsburgh said...

my daughter need to straighten her teeth cause its very crooked..many told me its really okay to have her invisalign or braces..which is more preferable?

Dr. Dean Brandon said...

For those that are interested, Invisilign can be used in some cases---but not all. Generally, non-growing patients, with minimal crowding. It cannot correct overbites related to skeletal discrepancies or growth patterns. Again, each case needs to be evaluated, and options discussed. Sometimes Invisilign is not as great as you think once you know the choices. It can be an option in some cases however...