| Improve Your Smile, Improve Your Self-Esteem |
While others sometimes judge us by the way we look, there are
other more compelling reasons for considering orthodontic
treatment. Your dental health has an effect on your overall
health and comfort. And how you feel about how you look also
plays a role in your quality of life. When you feel unattractive
because of crooked teeth or jaws that don't meet properly, you
may become self-conscious and preoccupied with your appearance.
You may cover your mouth when speaking or laughing, hesitate to
smile, or attempt to hide your facial appearance.
Orthodontic treatment can improve your dental health and
change your facial appearance for the better, and it can boost
your self-esteem. It can provide you with the chance to
participate in improving the way you look. Patients often feel
more self-confident even before treatment is completed.
As you see yourself looking better, you may find yourself
feeling better and enjoying a better quality of life. With an
attractive smile, you can face your career and your personal
relationships with confidence. |
| It's a Great Feeling, At Any Age |
While you may first think of teenagers when you think of
braces, orthodontic treatment can benefit all people,
regardless of their ages. Today, more and more adults
are wearing braces to correct a bothersome smile. Modern
orthodontic advances such as less visible braces, as
well as affordable payment plans, have made treatment an
attractive option for adults.
At the same time, some young children may greatly
benefit from early detection of problem bites, and, in
some cases, early treatment of those problems. We can
help guide tooth and jaw development as a child grows
and adult teeth come in. Early treatment may prevent
more serious problems from developing, and may make
treatment at a later age shorter or less complicated.
For these reasons, the American Association of
Orthodontists recommends that all children get an
orthodontic screening no later than age 7. |
| Success Stories |
Since adolescence, Juliet had automatically covered her mouth
whenever she talked to someone. At age 47, she finally made up
her mind to see an orthodontist. Her self-esteem was so low that
she was afraid to waste the doctor's time.
"It's a miracle,", she says. "Today, I don't mind walking up to
people and saying, 'Hi, how are you doing?' And I look them
straight in the eye!"
Arthur, a lawyer in his mid 40's, realized that he wasn't as
effective with his clients as he would have wished. "I'm a
public person, and people were looking at my mouth. Once, I
heard some comments made behind my back." After braces, that's
not an obstacle anymore. "It doesn't bother me if people
don't notice my teeth. That means they're normal." |
| A Healthy Smile, a Healthy Outlook |
Orthodontic treatment can improve dental health as it
improves your looks. Straight, well-aligned teeth are
easier to clean and maintain. Correcting orthodontic
problems can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and
even tooth loss. With a smile that's truly healthy, you
feel better about yourself and your interactions with
others. |
| It's Important To Choose An Orthodontist. |
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. |
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Contact Dr. Gittess for an
appointment |
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