Orthodontics
Align for Aesthetics, Biting, Chewing, and Speech
Straight teeth can make all the difference! A great-looking smile can boost your self-confidence and have a positive impact on social and professional opportunities. Orthodontic treatment is the original smile makeover tool, and you’re never too old to take advantage of it. But, it isn’t all about looks — properly aligned teeth help you to bite, chew, and even speak more effectively. They’re also easier to clean, which helps keep your mouth free of tooth decay and gum disease.
Orthodontics harness the body’s natural ability to remodel its own tissue. Orthodontic appliances apply light, constant force, that gently reshapes bone and moves teeth into better positions. You can choose from traditional metal braces, inconspicuous clear or tooth-colored braces, and clear aligners, an option for adults and teens.
Fixing Bite Problems
Orthodontic treatment can resolve a number of bite problems, which often become evident by around age 7. These include underbite, crossbite, or excessive overbite, where upper and lower teeth don’t close in the proper position; open bite, where a space remains between top and bottom teeth when the jaws are closed; and crowding or excessive spacing, where teeth are spaced too close together or too far apart.
To correct bite problems, teeth need to be moved — but doing that isn’t as hard as you might think! Teeth aren’t fixed rigidly in their supporting bone; instead, they’re held in place by a hammock-like structure called the periodontal ligament, which is very responsive to forces placed on the teeth by orthodontic appliances.
Orthodontics for Children — and Adults!
Having orthodontic treatment in childhood is ideal, because a youngster’s natural growth processes help move the teeth into proper alignment. Like the rest of the body, a child’s teeth and jaws are changing rapidly. That’s why it’s possible in childhood to create more room for teeth in a crowded mouth by using a “palatal expander” to rapidly widen the upper jaw. This phase of growth modification can shorten overall treatment time and ensure the best result, if additional orthodontic appliances are needed.
The good news is that healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so you’ve never “missed the boat” for orthodontic treatment! In fact, about one in five of today’s orthodontic patients are adults. New technologies like tooth-colored ceramic braces, clear aligners, and invisible lingual braces make orthodontic appliances less evident, which makes it a preferable treatment experience for grown-ups. Before treatment, adults are carefully examined for signs of periodontal (gum) disease, which will be managed before treatment begins.
Types of Orthodontic Appliances
When you imagine someone wearing braces, you probably picture small metal brackets bonded to the front of the teeth, with a thin wire running through them. This time-tested style remains very popular, but it’s no longer the only option. Clear braces use brackets made of ceramic or plastic which are hardly visible, except for the slim archwire..
Removable clear aligners are an alternative to fixed orthodontic appliances. They consist of a series of clear plastic “trays” that fit over your teeth exactly; each one moves your teeth a little bit, until they are in the proper position. Whether fixed or removable, each type of appliance may have advantages or disadvantages in particular situations. After a complete examination, we will discuss which treatment options are best for you.
Post Orthodontic Care
Once your orthodontic treatment is completed, it’s extremely important to wear a retainer as directed. That’s because teeth naturally tend to drift back to their original locations — which is the last thing you want after you’ve gone to the trouble of straightening them! Wearing a retainer holds your teeth in their new position long enough for new bone and ligament to re-form around them, and helps keep your gorgeous new smile looking good for a lifetime.
Pediatric Dentistry
We handle all of the basics, including Baby Tooth Removal, Sedation Dentistry, Fillings, Periodontal Treatments, and Cosmetic Procedures.
Oral Surgery
We perform oral and maxillofacial surgery to remedy issues including Tooth Extractions, Misalignment of the Jaw, and Tumors or Cysts.
About Florida Children’s Dentistry
We understand that going to the dentist can be overwhelming and scary. That’s why we strive to make the experience pleasant, easy, and fun for your child. We aim to create lifelong, healthy dental habits through education and positive experiences in the dentist’s chair.
Convenient South Florida Locations
Getting to the dentist has never been easier. We’ve got many convenient locations in South Florida, and many more coming soon! Take a tour of our offices, so you’ll know what to expect when you get here!