Donnelly Orthodontics

What Orthodontics Can Do for You

Why Braces?

Your dentist may have discussed with Smile!

you the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or neck pain.

Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than the additional care required for treating dental problems arising as a result of orthodontic problems. For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you'll feel more self-confidence and social acceptance.

Braces for All Ages

Adults
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. One of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21. Adults may have experienced some breakdown or loss of their teeth and bone that supports the teeth and may require periodontal treatment before, during and/or after orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also limit the amount and direction of tooth movement that is advisable.

Children
Both Dr. Donnelly and the American Association of Orthodontics recommend the first orthodontic screening Children and Braces

by age 7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and the best time for that patient to be treated. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and cross bites, crowding and other problems can be evaluated. When treatment is initiated at an early age, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment will simplify later treatment.

How Orthodontic Treatment Works

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or acrylic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.

Duration of Treatment

Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and face Adult Braces

and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion may differ from the original estimate. The patient's diligent use of any prescribed rubber bands or headgear is an important factor in achieving the most efficient treatment. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as few as nine months.

Invisalign™

Introducing truly invisible braces. Today, a series of clear, removable appliances can straighten your teeth! Invisalign is a state-of-the-art alternative to braces that is virtually undetectable to other people. The Invisalign system straightens your teeth, not with braces and wires, but with a series of clear, customized, removable aligners.

New 3-D computer technology is used to fabricate a sequence of finely calibrated aligners. As each aligner is replaced with the next, your teeth will move - gradually - week by week, until they finally reach their final prescribed position. Then you'll be smiling like never before!

The Invisalign system is not for everyone and is not available for children. To see if Invisalign can help you achieve the smile you've always wanted, call us to schedule a consultation appointment. To learn more about the Invisalign system, visit www.invisalign.com.