Treatment
Expert Orthodontic Treatment in Kennett Square, PA
Why should I have orthodontic treatment done?
Many patients seek care because they are unhappy with their smile, and that’s a good enough reason! But form and function go hand in hand.
So after a thorough examination, we often find that there are some functional issues as well. Bite problems can result in excessive wear of the teeth, issues with chewing and sometimes breathing, and snoring problems due to jaw shape and position.
When you need expert orthodontic treatment in Kennett Square PA, you can count on the team here at Greeley Orthodontics to give you a smile that not only beams with confidence but functions optimally too. We take time to for a thorough discussion to offer you treatment options to effectively achieve your goals.
Contact Greeley Orthodontics today to see what orthodontic treatment can do for your smile and your bite.
Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early recognition of jaw development and tooth eruption problems can head off future challenges. At Greeley Orthodontics we recommend seeing patients at age 7 or sooner if your family dentist has concerns about your child’s dental development. Recognition of sleep disturbances, issues with mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep deprivation can often be traced to jaw development. In addition, while youngsters typically have “baby” teeth in place, as new permanent teeth attempt to erupt, problems can occur that can be intercepted before becoming more difficult to solve.
For more information, visit Dr. Greeley’s articles on Early Treatment, Phase I, and Sleep Disturbed Breathing.
Click here to learn more about early orthodontics.
Oral Hygiene With Braces
Having braces can present a challenge to keeping your oral hygiene optimal during treatment. Brushing thoroughly at least twice per day, especially after meals, can help prevent damage to your gums (gingival) and teeth. The goal is to avoid leaving plaque (soft white residue) on your teeth and gums that can scar your enamel and inflame your gums. Plaque forms every day, so it is essential to be diligent in removing it every day. Clean teeth move faster, so it’s a win-win when you use good dental hygiene methods.
At Greeley Orthodontics, we begin your treatment with a tooth brushing kit that includes tooth cleaning tools as well as photos to help you visualize brushing technics with braces.
Battery-operated or rechargeable toothbrushes can help, but you can still do a good job with a manual toothbrush. Toothbrushes all work best when the bristles are directed toward your gums when brushing both the upper and lower teeth, so pay attention when you are brushing. Interdental toothbrushes (small tapered bristles) can be a handy additional aid to remove debris from your braces.
While flossing can be a challenge, we recommend it. We have added the Platapus flosser and an inter-dental toothbrush to your brushing kit to help you do this easily.
Please keep your regular exam and tooth cleaning appointments with your family dentist. We send periodic reports to your dentist so we can all work as a team to keep your treatment on track.
Braces for Kids (Phase I Treatment)
Your family dentist may recommend early evaluation for your child. Ideally, it is a good idea for patients to be evaluated for early treatment by age 7 because many potential issues can be avoided if identified early. These issues include problems with eruption of permanent teeth, identification of missing teeth, jaw development that may impact breathing, tongue positions that impede speech.
If you’d like to have your child evaluated, please call Greeley Orthodontics at 484-346-7846 for a complimentary consultation.
Click here to learn more about braces for kids.
Braces for Teens
Most adults who have had orthodontic treatment usually had treatment in their early teens. There are good biologic reasons for this. Even if some important issues were addressed early in a Phase I treatment, other issues regarding the eruption of permanent teeth and jaw development are best addressed during the adolescent growth spurt. Seeing your child periodically is a good way to zero in on the best time to begin Phase II or Full Treatment Orthodontic Treatment.
Braces for Adults
We live in a new age of technology, and things change at warp speed. If you remember your braces, just know, we aren’t doing those anymore. Our bodies, including your teeth, change over time for various reasons. What was once looking good can often move as the result of changes in bone and supporting tissues, the loss of teeth or the onset of general health issues. If you are a veteran of orthodontic treatment and just need some touch-up, or if you have never had treatment and have waited a long time to get a great smile, we have some great options for you!
Learn about Damon Ultima Braces and clear aligners.
Impacted Teeth
Teeth are said to “erupt” into the mouth. But eruption can be delayed or not happen at all if there is something blocking their entry. We refer to this as “impacted”. The most commonly impacted teeth are upper canines (teeth in the middle of the arch) and any of the four “wisdom” teeth in the back of the mouth.
Canines should erupt between the ages of 11-15 depending upon the patient’s gender and skeletal development. Early identification of potential impaction of canines can often improve the eruption potential of these teeth. Orthodontists can open up space for the blocked out tooth using various expansion technics.
If identified later, treatment more often requires specific treatment appliances to help bring the canines into position. In these cases, the orthodontist will work with an oral surgeon who can uncover the impacted tooth so an attachment can be placed under the tissue and then guided into the mouth by the orthodontist.
Orthopedic Growth Correction
Our Speciality’s full name is Orthodontics and Dental Facial Orthopedics. The Orthopedic part means that we can make changes in the growing child that otherwise cannot be made once growth is completed. This is why early identification of developmental problems is beneficial for young patients. Arch development, expansion, and space opening are often key in early phases of treatment. In the adolescent patient, lower jaw guidance can help correct protrusion in a way that is best for facial balance. Contact Greeley Orthodontics today if you’d like to discuss these possibilities for your child.
Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery refers to a combination of orthodontic and surgical jaw correction that is necessary to coordinate tooth movement and jaw balance when correction cannot be made by directing growth or orthodontic treatment alone. Your Orthodontist and the Oral Surgeon coordinate their treatment plans to get the best possible result for their patient. Usually, but not always, orthodontic treatment is begun to prepare the tooth alignment in the individual arches. Then the surgeon can move the jaws into position.
We are the Top Choice for Orthodontic Treatment in Kennett Square – Schedule your consultation today!
Regardless of your situation, the expert orthodontic treatment from our team can give you a more beautiful smile and improve your oral health. If you would like to learn more call 484-346-7846 or contact us online to schedule a consultation appointment today.