A Brief Explanation of Orthodontic Dentistry
While dental centers do not always provide orthodontic care, at Wright Parkway Dental Center our holistic approach to dental medicine incorporates limited orthodontic services. Orthodontics is the practice of preventing, diagnosing, and correcting teeth and jaws that aren’t aligned in the proper way. While many think the process is just cosmetic, it’s actually critical for proper oral function and to avoid larger health issues.
Orthodontic Services for Youth: Phase One Interceptive Orthodontics
Part of what we do is the preventative practice of orthodontics. This typically begins as a child begins to lose their baby teeth between the ages of 6 and 9. Rather than waiting until teen years when many children get braces, your child can get examined for potential growth issues and can get ahead of the problem early-on. This style of orthodontics is usually reserved for children who show teeth crowding, upper airway issues and jaw misalignment as they are growing and adult teeth are coming in.
Phase One Interceptive Orthodontics is exactly what it sounds like, it intercepts potential dental issues before they begin with preventative measures.
Treatment options that we utilize in this phase of orthodontics include:
- Limited Braces – not a full set of braces like later in the orthodontic phases, but selecting specific teeth that may be growing in incorrectly and can be shifted easily
- Headgear – used to correct jaw growth and alignment
- Retainers – after the procedures are done, it’s common that your child will be given a form of retention to maintain the work done and support healthy growth into the teenage years
- Spacers – to prevent teeth overcrowding and impacted teeth as the adult teeth come in (if baby teeth are lost too soon)
Our goal is to always keep your child’s future and well-being in mind while crafting an ideal treatment plan that will minimize their risks for tooth and jaw issues as they grow!
Orthodontic Services for Adults: Clear Correct
Many patients who as a child never wore their retainers, or who skipped braces all together will opt for our Clear Correct orthodontic solution. Skipping the traditional wire and bracket braces, these translucent 3D molds are just as effective and more esthetically pleasing for adults.
Crafted to correct tooth misalignment, we will work with you on a treatment plan that will begin with photos of your mouth, smile and impressions of your teeth; which we then turn into a series of molds that will slowly but effectively move the positioning of your teeth. Every few weeks you will receive a new mold as the repositioning progresses. The clear aligners are to be worn except for when eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. At the end of the process you’ll have those straight teeth you’ve always dreamed of!
Call us at (850) 243-1534 to schedule an appointment to discuss your orthodontic treatment plan!
