ortho: who needs it and when
While Orthodontic treatment can improve smiles at any age, there is usually an ideal age to begin treatment in order to achieve maximum improvement with the minimum amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child's first visit to an orthodontist take place by age seven, or earlier if a problem is detected.
Frequently, malocclusions are present behind seemingly acceptable smiles. Although treatment may not actually be started until years later, early examination allows Drs. Hime and Salome to detect and evaluate problems and plan appropriate treatment.
In some cases, early treatment may be initiated to prevent more serious problems from developing. This early intervention generally will make comprehensive treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Sometimes, the best treatment is to wait until all of the permanent teeth erupt and use braces to correct all of the problems.
No two patients are the same and no two treatment plans are identical. Individual planning for each patient will yield the best results, but treatment while the jaws and teeth are still growing and developing almost always results in treatment that is easier, faster, and less costly. Despite this fact, over 30% of our patients are adults. Because the process involved in moving the teeth is the same in adults as it is in children, orthodontic treatment can usually be successful at any age.
Although treatment may not actually be started until years later, early examination allows the doctors to detect and evaluate problems and plan appropriate treatment.
OCCLUSAL FUNCTION ANALYSIS
Modern orthodontic treatment has the potential not only to improve the appearance of the teeth, but it can significantly improve the ability of the teeth to function correctly such that the health of the teeth, gums, and jaw joints is maximized. Common findings are:
Ideal Canine Guidance - When the jaw is slid side-to-side, the canine teeth (the pointed teeth located 3rd from the front) should contact, thus separating the back teeth from contact. This is called cuspid guidance and is considered a cornerstone of a healthy bite. If the canine teeth to not contact, the side-to-side forces of chewing or grinding are transmitted to either the front teeth or the back teeth. In either situation, this contributes to excessive tooth wear and gum disease. The canine teeth have the thickest enamel, the longest roots, and are anchored into the densest bone in the jaws. For these reasons, they are well equipped to handle the side-to-side forces of chewing or grinding. Any other teeth that must handle these lateral forces are not as well equipped, and will eventually break down.
Ideal Canine Guidance
Ideal Anterior Guidance - When the jaw is slid forward, the front teeth should contact, thus separating the back teeth. This is called anterior guidance, and serves a very useful function in the long-term preservation of the teeth. Since the front teeth are more sensitive to pressure than the back teeth, anterior guidance helps control excessive grinding of the teeth and jaws, and provides for a more comfortable bite, and less clenching and grinding of the teeth.
Ideal Anterior Guidance
Inadequate Anterior Guidance - When the jaw slides forward, the front teeth should contact, separating the back teeth. This normal functioning of the front teeth is not present. Because the front teeth do not separate the back teeth when sliding the jaw forward, the back teeth are placed under additional stress, leading to excessive tooth wear. This is magnified in the patient who grinds or clenches the teeth. In addition, since the front teeth do not contact, chewing with the front teeth is difficult or impossible.
Inadequate Anterior Guidance
Excessive Anterior Guidance - When there is a deep overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth, there is an additional amount of pressure that is applied to the front teeth when chewing. This additional pressure will lead to excessive wearing of the front teeth over time.
Excessive Anterior Guidance
