Orthodontics

Orthodontics in the Digital Age
Now Better Than Ever
In the history of mankind, there has never been a better time to obtain orthodontic care! Computer applications, space age materials, modern and innovative manufacturing technologies, and scientific advances in orthodontics now permit treatments that are faster, easier, more comfortable, and more aesthetically pleasing than ever before.  With innovative new appliance designs, vast improvements in traditional designs, and the advent of near invisible approaches to treatment, legions of needy individuals who earlier refused to wear braces are now seeking care.

Modern materials and innovative appliance designs now allow more effective and efficient tooth movements. Self-ligating, friction-free bracket designs and space age nickel-titanium arch wires allow faster tooth movement, fewer and shorter office visits, longer intervals between appointments, and shorter treatment times.

Faster More Comfortable Treatment
The era of "tightening braces" to move teeth has ended. Modern technologies allowed us to abandon uncomfortable, heavy intermittent forces. Today we use the latest super elastic nickel titanium arch wires to move teeth more rapidly than ever before, with little or no discomfort.

Braces
Braces are essentially arch wires engaged in brackets cemented on the teeth. Brackets can be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They can be clear, tooth colored, metallic silver, or gold. There are literally hundreds of design variations. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the arch wire in the brackets.

Small rubber bands, coil springs, and flexed arch wires engaged in brackets apply light continuous forces, in carefully controlled directions, to slowly move teeth to their correct positions. Click here for a Braces 101 Primer.

Treatment Benefits
For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics.  Misaligned teeth contribute to abnormal tooth wear, inefficient chewing, and excessive stress on the gum and bone that supports the teeth. Crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This contributes to tooth decay and gum disease, and may lead to tooth loss. Properly aligned teeth reduce these risks.

Misalignment of the jaw joints can lead to chronic headaches, and face, neck, and jaw pain. Properly aligned teeth and jaws reduce these risks.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Treating orthodontic problems now can cost less than treating problems caused by persistent bad bites later.

Treatment Time
Treatment times vary widely and reflect the severity of problems, difficulty of treatment, biological response to treatment, and patient compliance during treatment. Dr.  Ianev will provide an estimate of your treatment time at your consultation.  Two-thirds of patients wearing braces are treated in 16 to 28 months with an average of 22 months. One-third will take less than 16 months; One-third will take more than 28 months.

Complex skeletal "bad bites" characterized by imperfect growth patterns of the face and jaws are treated in two discrete phases. Phase-One dentofacial orthopedic treatment often begins early in the mixed dentition. Phase-Two orthodontic treatment begins later, typically at 11 to 12 years of age when permanent teeth become available. Each phase generally lasts 12 to 18 months.
Interceptive or early treatment procedures may take as few as six months.

Rest Period
A rest period often separates Phase-One and Phase-Two treatments. Active treatment is suspended and minimal or no appliances are worn. Periodic observations occur from age 10 to 11½ while remaining permanent teeth erupt. This allows the doctor to determine the best time to begin Phase-Two orthodontics.

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