When Do I Get My Braces Off?

The timing for the removal of braces happens to be one of the most common concerns for patients. Despite that fact that the treatment varies from one patient to another, there are a number of steps for the treatment that happen to be common for most of the patients. If you happen to have braces, then this is especially important for you. Patients undergoing an orthodontic treatment in Stafford can use the helpful insights below to understand their conditions better.

Generally, there are three distinct stages of treatment that every patient has to undergo. However, the order to these stages may be switched based on the specific treatment that the patient is receiving. Further to this, the stages may be overlapping in some of the cases. Nevertheless, the stages for taking of the braces include:

• Finding the best treatment to resolve the crowding of teeth.

• Aligning the teeth in a manner that will correct the problem and prevent future complications from taking place.

• Finding a correction for the bite once the braces have been taken off.

How to Get Affordable Braces in Stafford?

Overview of the Stages

In the first phase, the crowded teeth will be corrected either by having an expansion of the arches or removing one or more teeth. This will be based on a case by case analysis and will depend on the best option for each patient. It is worth noting that the alignment of teeth will not be achieved in the absence of enough room to facilitate this. The decision to have an expansion of irreversible extraction of the teeth will be based on a number of factors and this includes:

• The size of both the teeth and the jaws.

• The gum and jaw tissue that is available to support the teeth. For every individual, every tooth should have enough space to grow in a safe and healthy manner.

• The desired profile. This takes into account the shape of the face and the appearance once the treatment has been completed.

Once adequate room has been created for proper alignment of the teeth, then the treatment process begins. In the event that there is an extra room that is unnecessary, then such space has to be closed. The alignment and straightening of the teeth is the main aim of the treatment process. This is made possible through the use of specialized gadgets that include wires, springs, elastic chains and axels. This is done by rotating, tipping and finally torqueing the teeth in the position that is desired.

Further to the above, teeth that are not in their correct positions are correctly positioned. It is worth noting that while some of the brackets cannot be placed on the right places on the first day due to the bite, the shape and structure of the teeth and its alignment, the brackets can be positioned after a partial aligning has been achieved. The aligners will generally be adjusted from time to time and this is based on the progress that is made over the treatment period. Further to this, the aligners differ in size and shape and this is because the process will be better as time progresses over the course of the treatment.

The third and final stage of the treatment process is the most important and involves fitting the upper teeth into the lower ones. This has to be achieved from all the three sides. This includes from the front to the back, from the side to the side and from the top to the bottom respectively. This is particularly important as any misalignment will lead to future complications. After this has been accomplished, then your orthodontist can now begin to consider taking off the braces.

Guidelines for Removing Braces

In order to be completely certain that this is the right time to have the braces taken off; the following guidelines should be considered:

• The teeth should be straight. The alignment process is already done by then and the teeth should therefore be in a straight position.

• The spaces that were previously between the teeth should now be completely closed.

• The upper front teeth and the lower front teeth should have an approximate overlap. There should be no visible space between the teeth layers.

• The overbite and the under bite should be well corrected. The movement that is further accompanied by this should be easy with no complications.

• The outer cusps of both the upper and the lower teeth should lie on each other in a curving alignment. This should be seamless and in case of any pain, such should be addressed first before removing the braces.

Once the above has been found to be consistent, then the braces are ready to be taken off. The treatment provided by the staff at Stafford braces ensure that the timing is perfect for you to have the perfect smile at all times. Only the orthodontist can properly remove your braces so do not try doing it by yourself at home.

Braces for adults Stafford provides have different options to ensure that the corrections that have been done are healthy and safe.

Need More Information?

In case you need further information on when braces should be removed, do not hesitate to contact us. We offer professional and competent services with the primary objective of ensuring that all your needs will be met in a timely and convenient manner! Find us at our website.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

When Do I Get My Braces Off?

Springtime TMJ Problems on Teenage Patients

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs)  Disorder or TMJ disorder is a problem in your TMJ - the joint that connects the jawbone to the bone of the skull in front of the ears. The TMJ acts like a hinge that allows you to move your jaw up, down and side to side so you can chew, talk and yawn. The TMJ disorder happens when the jaw joints malfunctions. It usually causes head pain, facial pain, and neck pain.

Teens have more TMJ problems in the springtime than in any other times of the year. This is typically due to the extra stress teens experience in the spring from exams, homework, projects, prom, and more. This disorder can also be caused by improper and incorrect posture. A person who suffers from TMJ experiences severe pain that gives them trouble sleeping, eating and concentrating. The following are some of the symptoms that may be experienced by a person with malfunctioning and misaligned muscles and jaw:

• Pain in the head, ears, neck, shoulders, back and along the jawlines.

• Ringing in the ears

• Locking, clicking and locking of the jaw

• Difficulty biting

• Facial inflammation

• Vertigo

Orthodontic Treatment

A teen suffering from TMJ may take pain relievers to help relieve TMJ pain and should get enough rest. When these methods don’t seem to help, the parents must bring their teen to an orthodontist right away. An orthodontist specializes in correcting the misalignment of the teeth and treating jaw problems such as TMJ disorder. Treating TMJ may vary, based on your individual diagnosis. The orthodontist begins with the most conservative corrective treatment before considering the more aggressive TMJ treatments.

Splints

The most common nonsurgical treatment approach for TMJ dysfunction is the use of a jaw splint. A TMJ splint is similar to a mouth guard that protects the teeth from excessive clenching. The splint covers the upper and lower jaws and is most often worn at night. When a splint is worn between the upper and lower rows of teeth, the temporomandibular joint is braced in a more stable position. As a result, the TMJ splint reduces the pressure and damaging effects caused by excessive teeth clenching.

Aside from teeth clenching and teeth grinding, TMJ problems can also be caused by an underbite or an overbite which is termed as malocclusion. In this case, when the symptoms do not respond to the preliminary treatments, the orthodontic experts may recommend braces.

Beecroft Orthodontics - Invisalign - 1st Impressions

Class One

- This is the most common malocclusion where the bite is normal except that the upper teeth slightly overlaps the lower teeth.

Class Two - This form of malocclusion, known as retrognathism (overbite), occurs when the upper jaw and upper teeth severely overlaps the bottom jaw and bottom teeth.

Class Three -Malocclusion, called prognathism (underbite), occurs when the lower jaw noticeably protrudes forward, causing the lower jaw and lower teeth to cover the upper jaw and upper teeth. The length of time it takes to treat jaw misalignment depends on two things:

1) Jaw Growth – In cases such as this, orthodontists recommend a more advanced orthodontic treatment. In some cases, patients have to wait until they are older to be eligible for the right treatment.

2) Individual Correction Needs — Treatment times can vary depending on the amount of work needed to correct the alignment of the jaw.

The TMJ disorder treatment with braces usually takes a few months. During the treatment, the pain that is associated with TMJ problems is minimized.

The Last Resort: TMJ Surgery

Surgery may be advised and is only used when all other treatment options do not help. Remember to get a second or third option from other specialists before undergoing surgery. There are two types of surgery procedures for severe TMJ. The first procedure is similar to orthopedic surgery for arthritic joints. The TMJ is planed down to make it smoother allowing proper motion. The second one is the joint replacement surgery.

Candidacyfor TMJ Surgery

The list below can be used to indicate candidacy for TMJ surgery:

1. Conservative treatments fail to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ. If the splint therapy failed on the first try, it should be repeated using a different splint design.

2. There is a conclusive evidence of a physical or structural problem based on the teen’s complaint. A physical problem can be seen with an MRI, X-rays, or with dye injections into the joint. This may help the orthodontist decide which treatment is best.

3.  The teen must be suffering so much from TMJ pain that their lifestyle has been negatively affected.  In other words, the teen must be so desperate that his/her only hope is to undergo surgery.

TMJ Hope

With TMJ disorders, teens may suffer from frustration, anxiety, and further stress. Fortunately, there is hope for TMJ sufferers. To discuss about the TMJ treatment options and type of payment plans, ask an orthodontic expert who offer precise and effective solution at Stafford. Contact Beecroft Orthodontics now!

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Springtime TMJ Problems on Teenage Patients

Do Braces Make the Roots of Your Teeth Shorter?

One of the many common questions among many orthodontic patients regarding the process of getting braces is whether or not the treatment with braces makes the roots of a person’s teeth shorter.

Braces work by creating tiny cramps around each tooth which cause an old bone to disappear. In turn, a new bone grows and develops taking the place of the dissolved old one. This is an entirely normal process and what mainly causes the teeth to move into the desired alignment.

But, do braces shorten the length of the roots of a person’s teeth? This may be a common concern, but is rarely an issue among patients who undergo treatment with braces. Approximately 1 – 2 % of all the patients experience symptoms of shortening of the roots of the teeth or “root resorption”, as commonly termed. Typically, root resorption happens to patients who are genetically susceptible to such case. In very seldom cases, this condition can also occur when the teeth are moved either too quickly or too slowly.

Seeing that genetics plays a major role in this condition, it is crucial for the orthodontist to know their patient’s family medical history records. Orthodontic experts usually use x-rays to determine the level of susceptibility and possible location of root resorption before the commencement of an orthodontic treatment.  With the help of the Fredericksburg orthodontics experts who are adequately equipped with professional skills and techniques, root resorption can be predicted, prevented, and treated.

If a family member is experiencing root resorption symptoms and for more information and details regarding root resorption, call Fredericksburg Orthodontics and set up a consultation appointment right away. With your Fredericksburg orthodontics professional, regularly monitoring and analyzing your oral status with the use of modern orthodontic technology, root resorption and all other risks of an orthodontic treatment will be prevented and managed well.

Benefits of an Orthodontic Treatment

There are numerous benefits of orthodontic treatments. One of the most obvious physical improvements is the changes in the patient's smile which significantly affects his/her self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as his/her overall self-image. For people who have their teeth misalignment problems fixed by undergoing orthodontic treatment, smiling becomes easy and natural and is no longer a conscious effort. Studies have shown that people who smile more often genuinely enjoy more fruitful social lives and are less likely to get depressed than those who smile less.

Aside from an enhanced smile and general physical appearance, there are also other important benefits orthodontic treatment has to offer including an improved oral health and  prevention of problems associated with bite or jaw irregularities. Patients who suffer from misalignment of teeth and jaw irregularities have difficulty maintaining their dental hygiene making them more susceptible to oral disease.  Improperly positioned and overlapping teeth easily wear and are hard to clean. This increases risks of tooth breakage or injury, tooth decay, gum problems and other health problems.

Beecroft Orthodontics - Invisalign - 1st Impressions

Orthodontic treatments

go beyond giving the patients a beautiful a smile, boosting their personal confidence, and helping them maintain proper oral hygiene. Orthodontic treatments also improve the patient's ability to function, like eating, talking and sleeping. Crooked teeth and incorrect bites can interfere with proper chewing or biting and pronouncing certain words correctly. Another problem associated with having misaligned bite is a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea in which breathing stops periodically during sleep. In worse cases, misaligned teeth and jaw irregularities can lead to Temporomandibular Joint or TMJ disorders which cause severe pain in the head, neck, face and along the jaw lines. Undoubtedly, an orthodontic treatment is also, in many cases, medically necessary in order for a patient to properly perform their routine functions and to prevent problems that could lead to more serious complications later on in life.

Orthodontic Treatment Cost

While orthodontic treatments undeniably yield great results, the cost is a separate issue to worry about. This is what sometimes hold the patients and the parents back from considering orthodontic treatments. However, financial concerns should not stand in the way of an outstanding smile, excellent overall health condition, and exceptional well-being. Crooked teeth and jaw irregularities, if ignored or not treated early, could lead to higher risks of heart problems and more severe symptoms, such as mouth infections, serious gum diseases, and tooth decay or loss. These problems can cost more money than getting orthodontic treatment in the long run. Indeed, investing in orthodontic treatment is an investment in your health - physical, mental, and emotional.

If you have dental condition issues, such as the above-mentioned problems, do not hesitate to visit an orthodontic expert in Fredericksburg who is always committed to help you with your orthodontic concerns. Personally discuss with the orthodontist your dental issues and full medical history in order for him/her to determine the best option suited for you.

Getting the Right Orthodontist

Fredericksburg Orthodontics experts understand how costly orthodontic treatments are. It is our goal to provide our patients with quality orthodontic treatments that fit their budget. While treatment costs vary depending on the severity of the patients’ dental issues, Fredericksburg Orthodontics ensure more manageable and more convenient payment schemes. Call Fredericksburg Orthodontics now to discuss about the best orthodontic treatment for you, the payment methods, dental insurance and plans.

 Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Do Braces Make the Roots of Your Teeth Shorter?