Adult Orthodontics: A Healthy, Beautiful Smile At Any Age
Click on each topic for specific information or scroll to read all.
• It's Never Too Late To Be Your Best
• Will Braces Fit Your Lifestyle?
• Are You A Good Fit For Braces?
• Treatment Is More Affordable Than Ever
• Why An Orthodontist Is Best
• Partnership: You, Your Orthodontist And Your Dentist
• Contact Dr. Gittess About Adult Braces
It's Never Too Late To Be Your Best
Orthodontic
treatment is about a change for the better, no matter what your
age.It can give you the confidence and pride that come with
straight teeth and a great smile. But we have another equally
important treatment goal - to improve the health of your teeth
and gums.
The fact is, when left untreated, many orthodontic problems
may become worse. When you have a malocclusion (another way of
saying "bad bite"), your teeth may be crowded, spaced, or may
not fit together correctly. Crowded teeth are hard to clean and
maintain. Given time, crowding may contribute to tooth decay,
gum disease and even tooth loss. Bad bites also can result in
abnormal wearing of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and
damage to supporting bone and gum tissue. Poor tooth alignment
can contribute to pain in your jaw joints.
Will Braces Fit Your Lifestyle?
You'll
be pleased to learn that braces will work with your
current lifestyle. You can do almost anything with
braces- sing, play a musical instrument, dine out,
kiss, and even have your picture taken.
Today's technology makes people wearing braces feel
better about how they look. Metal brackets are much
smaller than they used to be. Even less noticeable are
braces made of ceramic or plastic. And lingual braces
(ones that go behind your teeth) may be appropriate in
some cases. We will tell you which of these options is
best for you.
No matter what type of braces you wear, you'll have
to make a few adjustments to treatment. But, if you're
like the vast majority of adult patients, you'll adjust
quickly. Chewing ice and certain treats, such as
caramels and peanut brittle, will be off-limits. Also,
your mouth and teeth may be a little tender after
adjustments. And, of course, it will be especially
important that you visit your family dentist for regular
check-ups.
The good news is that the new techniques and
materials that Dr. Gittess uses today have made
wearing braces more comfortable for adults and teens.
Are You a Good Fit for Braces?
A
consultation is the best way to determine if you can benefit
from orthodontic treatment. Thecondition of your teeth, gums
and supporting bone is the mostimportant factor in determining
the potential for improving your smile and dental health.
Remember, the biological process involved in tooth movement is
the same in both adults and children.
After an initial examination, we will be able to tell you
what your treatment will involve and its approximate cost. If
you decide to proceed, we will usually make diagnostic records
of your mouth. These may include molds of your teeth and special
x-rays and photographs.
Every person's malocclusion is different. After carefully
analyzing the nature of your needed correction, we will
recommend the best course of treatment for improving your smile.
Treatment is More Affordable Than Ever
The
cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many
factors, including the severity of the problem, its
complexity and length of treatment. We will be glad to
discuss the cost with you before treatment begins.
Patients are finding that braces are more affordable
today than ever. We have a variety of convenient payment
plans. In addition, many dental insurance plans now
include orthodontic benefits.
Dollar for dollar, when you consider the lifetime
benefits of braces, they are truly a great value.
Why an Orthodontist is Best
The
decision to have orthodontic treatment is a major one. Once you
decide to have treatment, choosing who will provide it is very
important. Dr. Gittess is a specialist in the diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of
dentists are orthodontists. Admission to orthodontic programs is
extremely competitive and selective.
It takes many years to become an orthodontist and the
educational requirements are demanding.
An orthodontist must complete college requirements before
starting a three- to five-year graduate program at a dental
school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA).
After dental school, at least two or three academic years of
advanced specialty education in an ADA-accredited orthodontic
program are required to be an orthodontist. The program includes
advanced education in biomedical, behavioral and basic sciences.
The orthodontic student learns the complex skills required to
manage tooth movement (orthodontics) and guide facial
development (dentofacial orthopedics).
Only dentists who have successfully completed these
advanced specialty education programs may call themselves
orthodontists. Dr. Gittess is Certified as a Diplomate of the
American Board of Orthodontists, an orthodontist with special
recognition by other orthodontists.
Partnership: You, Your Orthodontist and Your Dentist
Achieving healthy, beautiful smiles is a team effort
that involves the orthodontist, the family dentist, the
patient (and the parents, if the patient is young) and,
as needed, other dental specialists. Dr. Gittess
provides the expertise, the treatment plan and the
techniques to straighten teeth and align the jaws. The
family dentist helps make sure the teeth and gums stay
clean and healthy. The patient must cooperate by
following the dentist's and the orthodontist's
instructions carefully so that the teeth and jaws move
in the way desired and on the prescribed schedule.
Because dental hygiene is so important, regular
visits to the family dentist should continue every six
months during orthodontic treatment (or more often, if
recommended). It is essential that the patient avoid
foods which may damage orthodontic appliances. The
patient must also maintain a healthy, nutritional diet
to achieve the best possible results from treatment. A
good diet provides essential nutrients to bones and
tissues undergoing change during orthodontic treatment.
Contact Dr. Gittess about Adult Braces
