After your first examination and completion of X-rays, we will be happy to discuss all of your options. We are proud to offer several different treatment options for straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. We understand the importance of showing you all of our options and discussing them thoroughly with you. We want you to find the best treatment option for you, no matter what you choose.
We are proud to offer the following services to achieve the smile of your dreams:
Adult Treatment
No matter your age, you deserve a smile that gives you confidence. Braces are not just for children anymore. With the latest advancements in technologies, we can get you the smile you deserve!
Here at Family Orthodontics, we work hard to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. We offer several different treatments that can be effective no matter how old you are. More and more orthodontic treatments are becoming available to give adults the smile that they want.
Orthodontic treatments are not just for your smile. Fixing your teeth can also dramatically change your oral health. When you have crooked teeth or a malocclusion (uneven bite), you may be prone to oral health problems such as gum disease and tartar buildup.
If you want to improve your smile, we always start with a thorough examination and x-rays. We will then discuss your options, including different forms of braces, aligners, and retainers. We will also talk about the treatment plan, what you should expect, and the cost. Finally, we will guide you through your insurance coverage to find out if you can be covered for all or part of your treatments.
It is never too late to have a smile that you love to show off. Contact us today to discuss your options! You won’t believe how quickly you can see a change in your smile with the appropriate treatment.
Early Treatment
The earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix. The results are often better than if we wait and will require significantly less work. We may not need to keep braces on your child for as long when they are younger, which means less expense for you.
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist as soon as their dentist notices that there might be a problem, or before they are seven years old. We may not have to do anything at this age, other than monitor the child’s mouth. However, if we continue to watch your child, we can start treatment right away if something arises.
Early intervention can be beneficial. We will watch how your child’s mouth and teeth grow and develop, so if we see something that needs to be done, we can do it as soon as possible. We will also know exactly when to start treatment, if needed.
Early treatment allows us to do the following:
- Make room for the permanent teeth when there is overcrowding
- Ensure facial symmetry
- Reduce trauma when the front teeth are protruding
Early treatment also reduces the need to remove teeth and the time patients must wear braces. According to AAO studies, skipping orthodontic treatment can lead to the following:
- Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear.
- Open bites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments.With proper and timely orthodontic treatment, you may have the following benefits:
- A healthier mouth since crowded teeth can be hard to brush causing cavities and gum disease.
- Fewer broken teeth since protruding teeth are more likely to get broken.
Emergency Care
Here at Family Orthodontics, we are dedicated to patient care, especially in the case of an emergency. Orthodontic emergencies may be rare, but we are ready and willing to help you whenever you are having trouble with your braces.
Contact us if you experience any severe pain, issues, or trauma to your teeth/braces.
- If a wire falls off, place it in a bag until you can come to our office
- If something is irritating your gums, put soft wax on any part of your braces that is sticking out
- If the wire has moved, you may be able to move it back with needle-nosed pliers very carefully
Whether you can fix the problem or not, it is imperative to let us know what is happening. We may need to take a look at your braces to see if we need to do any repair work on them so that they will continue to work as they should.
Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:
You may want to rinse your mouth with a warm, saltwater mouthwash. You can dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water and use the mixture to rinse your mouth out.
Many people like to use Orabase on their sore gums to help with the discomfort. This product is available at the pharmacy. You may also use over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is not recommended that you take aspirin or NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox) because they slow the movement of the teeth.
You should use wax to address the irritation caused by your new braces so that your mouth can get used to the feeling of them. Also, any time that you have a loose appliance apply wax so that it won’t cause discomfort until we can fix it.
If you are not wearing your headgear the way you should be, you may have some discomfort. It is important to wear your headgear as often as requested so that you will get the desired results more quickly. You will get used to wearing it, and it will stop causing you discomfort the more you wear it.
If you are having a lot of discomfort, make sure that your facebow (the metal piece) is not bent. If it is, we can help you straighten it out so it is more comfortable.
If you have a loose bracket, it is important that you leave it in place the best that you can. You can put wax on it so that it doesn’t irritate your gums until you can be seen. If it comes off, put it in a bag or envelope so that you can bring it with you to your next visit. We need to see exactly what came off to fix the problem.
If you have a loose wire, you might be able to use tweezers or needle-nose pliers to try to put the wire back into place. If needed, you can use floss to tie the wire into place until you can come into our office.
Invisalign
Family Orthodontics is proud to offer Invisalign®. Invisalign® is a wonderful, modern alternative treatment to braces. You can straighten your teeth without installing metal in your mouth. Instead, we use plastic trays (also known as aligners) to move your teeth back into place. Each aligner is custom made to fit your mouth so you don’t have to worry about mouth irritation or anything else that traditional braces can cause.
Since the aligners are removable, they are easier to keep clean. You can also continue to brush and floss your teeth without trying to avoid harming your braces.
Invisalign® is also popular because the aligners are clear, so most people don’t even know you are wearing anything unless you tell them. If you have considered straightening your teeth but don’t want to bother with braces, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (617) 625-1714.
Invisalign Teen®
Here at Family Orthodontics, we are proud to offer Invisalign Teen®. Many teenagers are affected by malocclusions that need to be corrected. However, the thought of going through high school with braces may be your teen’s worst nightmare.
Luckily, Invisalign Teen® can be very helpful. Your teenager can get the smile that he or she deserves without bulky wires and brackets.
Even better, your teenager will be able to remove the aligners when it is time to eat, allowing them unlimited food choices. There are no restrictions that usually come with braces, like avoiding corn on the cob. Once they are finished eating, however, it is essential to brush their teeth AND the aligners to ensure fresh breath and a healthy mouth.
Traditional Braces
Even though there are many types of braces, traditional braces are still the most popular option. Great strides in technology have been made since they were first used, so they are becoming more comfortable and effective.
Braces are not as scary as most teens think. Technology has advanced a lot in recent years, providing us with newer styles of braces. The result is a faster, more comfortable, and more effective treatment. Braces come in different colors, styles, and materials, so your teen can customize their look and express their personality.
The first thing most patients wonder when they have to get braces is how long they will have to wear them. There is no easy answer to this question because it depends on several factors.
For example, it depends on how early we catch the problem, what needs to be fixed, how your teeth respond to treatment, and how willing you are to follow directions.
It is typically recommended that children begin seeing an orthodontist at the age of seven. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier the problem can be to treat. There are also times when we find a problem, but may have put off treatment until they are older.
You are a key factor in how well your braces work. You need to take care of your braces and other appliances, as well as follow all directions to ensure a smooth and speedy treatment.
How long you need to wear braces depends on what needs to be fixed. Some problems are minor and just need small adjustments, while other malocclusions (bad bites) are more complicated and take longer to fix. Every patient responds to treatment differently. Some teeth move quicker than others, so a treatment that takes one person only a few months may take another person longer.
There are also several types of braces including traditional metal, ceramic, lingual, and invisible.
Another common question that teens have is regarding food. Essentially, you’ll need to avoid chewy, crunchy, sticky, and hard foods. Corn on the cob, apples, carrots, and other hard foods that you need to bite into should be avoided or should be cut into small pieces before consuming.
Braces are quite common in teenagers. We offer several different styles and design choices to make the experience as fun as possible. It’s always important to remember that braces are only temporary, and will leave you with a dazzling, life-long smile!
For more information or to request an appointment, contact us today at (617) 625-1714.