It's important to choose the right orthodontist in the Birmingham, Brighton, Novi or Rochester area who can help you achieve your smile dreams. Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.
They receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). The doctors at TDR Orthodontics have achieved this specialization and are leaders in their field.
The AAO recommends that your child get an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven. By this age, our doctors can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
That’s important, because some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if they’re found early. Most orthodontic patients begin active braces treatment between ages 9 and 14.
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every four orthodontic patients today is over age 18.
Thanks to today’s smaller, less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliances, including metal braces, ceramic braces, SureSmile, and Invisalign, adults are finding treatment more appealing.
Patients who need orthodontic treatment generally receive one to three years of active treatment. We can give you a more accurate idea through a free braces consultation at one of our offices.
The cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including the severity of the problem, its complexity and length of treatment. Our doctors are happy to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options with you before treatment begins.
Patients are finding that braces are more affordable today than ever. Our staff also works with insurance companies and offers payment plans that meet many budgets.
Most orthodontic problems are inherited genetically. Some examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems.
Other malocclusions are acquired by thumb- or finger-sucking, dental disease, accidents, the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth, or other causes.
It's hard to clean and maintain crooked and crowded teeth. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, and excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue.
Without treatment, many problems become worse and can require additional dental care later in life.
Orthodontic treatment is a partnership between you and your doctor. Our doctors provide custom-made fixed or removable appliances that use gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper positions.
It's important for you to follow your doctor's instructions, keeping scheduled orthodontic appointments and maintaining excellent oral hygiene to achieve the best results. You'll also need to see your general dentist as recommended to continue your general dental care.
If you notice an unwanted change in your smile or bite, contact us for more information. You may need an orthodontic adjustment to regain proper alignment.
Research suggests that wisdom teeth do not necessarily cause teeth to shift. In most cases, removal of wisdom teeth is done for general dental health reasons rather than for orthodontic health.
Your family dentist or our doctors can give you guidance about removing wisdom teeth.
Our doctors will recommend how long to continue wearing your retainers, whether they are removable (the kind you put in and take out) or fixed (bonded behind your teeth). Wearing your retainers as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment.
There are many reasons teeth may move following orthodontic treatment. Teeth are not set in concrete, they are in bone. Because bone around your teeth is continually changing (breaking down and rebuilding), your teeth may shift after your braces are removed. By wearing your retainers, your teeth are more likely to remain where your doctor placed them through your braces treatment.
After your braces are removed the small changes that occur are due to a settling in as you use your teeth for biting and chewing. The more serious and undesirable changes may be traced to genetics or later-than-normal growth, which is unpredictable.
Movement is most common in lower front teeth. This is particularly true if the teeth were extremely crowded prior to treatment. Changes in tooth position are a lifelong and naturally occurring phenomenon. The best way to keep teeth from shifting is to wear your retainers as prescribed.
If you notice movement after your braces are removed, please contact us.
Even though you've received orthodontic treatment, you can expect changes in tooth position. Many factors at work may cause teeth to shift. Such changes vary from individual to individual and most of the time they are hardly noticeable.
On occasion, changes can occur that are disappointing to both the patient and doctor. Changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment but are a natural process. We expect changes in our bodies as we grow older, and teeth are no exception. To help control and limit these changes, retainers are prescribed after your braces are removed.
No. Retainers stabilize and preserve the alignment of teeth and jaws that orthodontic treatment achieved.
Many people wear removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives. Ask your orthodontist for guidance about your long-term retainer wear.
*Some Text Courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists