Treatment

   adult orthodontics

Many people have decided that being healthy and looking as good as possible is important to them. Pleasantly aligned teeth that fit comfortably and that are supported by healthy gum tissue are a major contribution to a positive self image. Orthodontists know how to successfully treat patients of all ages. We enjoy the added dimension of adult patients in our practice. The approach to adult orthodontic treatment is similar to adolescent treatment, but there are some important differences.

Adult faces have reached their final size and shape. Growth patterns in children can be altered with devices such as headgears. These devices are not very effective for adults, but there are workable treatment options.

Adults are susceptible to gum disease but risks are reduced with careful cleaning and a balanced diet.

Adults may have worn or heavily filled teeth or even some missing teeth, which can affect how well the bite will fit. New restorations may be needed after orthodontic treatment.

Adult teeth have a greater tendency to return toward their former position therefore the post-treatment retention period is longer.

There may be prior problems that require treatment participation with other specialists such as periodontists and oral surgeons. Orthodontic treatment is a mayor investment in time effort and money. It is an intelligent investment which will pay a lifelong dividend.

Orthognathic Surgery:
When Orthodontic Care Involves Jaw Surgery

There is a limit to the distance teeth can be moved with in the jaw structure. In some cases, correcting the malocclusion might include a surgical procedure to change the relationship of the jaw structure. This may be more than expected. First, we will gather information in order to give you a complete evaluation and plan of action. We will discuss all of the treatment options available. These are the steps to arrive at a surgical treatment plan.

A decision to include surgery in a plan of treatment will require careful and complete consideration of many factors. Our analysis will include:

Diagnosis
We will make models of the teeth and a registration of the Jaw positions, X-rays (we won’t duplicate any X-rays we can borrow from the dentist), and photographs, and have consultations with the dentist and an oral surgeon. The doctors will then evaluate this information.

Evaluation
The evaluation process involves identifying the exact nature and details of the bite problem and then deciding how to solve each aspect of the problem. These solutions must be balanced against the degree of change that can be achieved and the patient’s desires and goals. When the evaluation is complete we will arrange for a consultation. The final plans for the surgery will be tentative until the oral surgeon can examine the patient in person.

Consultation
We will discuss proposed treatment plan, and follow with a written report. The next step is to have an appointment with the oral surgeon for an examination and to discuss the proposed surgery. The oral surgeon will consult again with our doctors to finalize the treatment recommendations. Once the oral surgeon has completed the examination given all the pretreatment information, the patient should be able to decide whether to proceed. An additional written report from our doctors at this point is sometimes warranted.

Treatment
Correction of bite and jaw relationship problems using a combination of orthodontic treatment and jaw structure surgery is called ortho-gnathic treatment. Typically the surgical procedure occurs in the middle of the orthodontic treatment period. The braces are not removed during the surgical phase of the treatment. Sometimes the upper and lower teeth need to be wired together during healing, and sometimes it is not necessary to do so. We will discuss the specifics during the consultation.

When the active treatment is finished and we remove the braces, the teeth are not very stable in their positions. We will make plastic retainers to wear. After a short time of full time use, the patient can use them just at night. They may need to be worn for many years.

Orthodontic treatment is a challenging journey with a satisfying reward at the end. We urge you to learn about the diagnosis and treatment plans. Ask questions, even if they seem trivial we'll do our best to help the process be successful.