Orthodontics Questions
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or bucked Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite), Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (Under-bite) The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (Open-bite), Crowded or overlapped teeth, the center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up. Finger or thumb sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old. Difficulty chewing, teeth wearing unevenly or excessively, the lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together, Spaces between the teeth.
The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires, however, you may feel some discomfort for a few days only.
No. Braces do not interfere with speech but removable braces may need a few days of adaptation before your speech is back to normal.
Yes, you can play contact sports BUT you must wear a mouth guard. We would be happy to provide you with one. Just ask!
Dr. Zaha goes above and beyond to avoid the extraction of permanent healthy teeth. Modern orthodontics in conjunction with treatment at an appropriate age has reduced the need for extractions in the majority of cases. This is true even with our adult patients. There are cases where crowding, the position of the teeth or the bite itself may dictate the need to extract teeth. However, these cases are very much in the minority.
The cost of orthodontic treatment varies depending on many factors, including the severity of the problem, additional auxiliaries, its complexity and length of the treatment. We believe everyone deserves a healthy beautiful smile; therefore we have a variety of convenient payment plans which we will be glad to discuss with you. Your investment in a great smile lasts a lifetime. And remember, a great smile is one of the few purchases that will become more valuable with each use.
We are sensitive to the financial pressures on families today. So, for your convenience, we provide multiple payment plans for your orthodontic care. In addition, we also offer in-house finance options that have zero financial fees or interest rates. These options do require a down payment.
Definitely! We work very closely with your family dentist and stress the importance of regular dental visits. It is very important to see your dentist twice a year to prevent and detect dental decay as well as monitor your overall dental health.
After the braces’ removal, Dr. Zaha recommends her patients to wear retainers to maintain the teeth in their new position. Retainers should be worn as long as the patient wants his/her teeth to remain straight. Changes can take place any time, they are considered as a normal aging process, that is why some appear even after years of treatment.
Retainers are prescribed for two reasons:
First to allow the bone that holds teeth to rebuild after teeth have moved, and second, to maintain the healthy new positions of the teeth after active orthodontic treatment ends. Your body changes your whole life, and your teeth change too.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children have their first orthodontic exam at the age of 7. It is possible that problems will develop as the child’s permanent teeth are erupting. By quickly identifying such problems, you can reduce their severity and prevent early damage. In addition, early orthodontic treatment may eliminate or reduce the need for more extensive orthodontic work later on. This does not mean that every child will require early orthodontic treatment.
The length of treatment will depend on the kind of problem an individual patient has. Simple cases may take only a few months to treat, while a complete bite correction can take a couple years. Dr. Zaha has the skills and tools to deliver a healthy, beautiful smile in the least amount of time.
No, you are never too old for orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment can be as successful for adults as it is for adolescents. In fact, one in three orthodontic patients is an adult. Don’t let your age keep you from consulting us, whether you’re 8 or 80.
Although the brackets have been rounded and smoothed, you may find it helpful to use a small piece of wax around the bracket. We will give you a supply of wax at the start of treatment, and you can always call our office for more if your supply of wax runs out.
- Some children live with the physical pain of overcrowded teeth, resulting in headaches and poor performance in school.
- Most children with severe deformities are relentlessly teased and bullied for the way they look, talk and chew.
- Children with poor oral health and disfigurements encounter tremendous social and economic discrimination, as well as a much higher risk for serious diseases.