About Orthodontics
Orthodontic Treatment for Children
There is no exact age that children must be in order to begin orthodontic treatment; however, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends evaluating children at age 7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and if it is the best time to begin treatment.
By this age, most children have a good mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for Dr. Robison to correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without extractions or jaw surgery.
Early child orthodontic treatment allows Dr. Robison to:
- Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches and smile
- Create more space for crowded teeth
- Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions
For parents, we know it’s not always easy to determine if your child needs to see Dr. Robison.
Here are a few things parents can look for that may indicate a need for orthodontic treatment:
- Early/late loss of baby teeth
- If your child has a hard time chewing or biting food
- Mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
- Jaws that pop or make sounds
- Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
- Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate (underbite or overbite)
If your child is showing any number of these signs, please contact our practice to schedule a complimentary orthodontic evaluation and consultation. Remember, early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.
Orthodontic Treatment for Teens
Braces today come in a variety of styles and materials, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past. Some are even invisible – ask Dr. Robison about Invisalign® or clear braces.
First things first – the one thing that teens just like you always want to know is “how long will I need to wear braces?”
The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:
- Early treatment – Early treatment allows Dr. Robison to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary. Not everybody receives early orthodontic treatment, and in some cases, it may be recommended that a patient wait until they are older to receive treatment.
- What needs correction – The amount of treatment needed in order to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently; so, while it may take one patient only 12 months to complete their treatment, it may take another patient 24 months. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the show-stopping smile you expect.
- YOU! – Your willingness to use the appliances Dr. Robison gives you plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always remember to take care of your braces and appliances; this truly will help make your treatment shorter!
Your Braces, Your Way!
At Robison Orthodontics we use the most innovative, state-of-the-art braces available – In-Ovation®. They are available in either clear or metal and are small and smooth. Very cool yet discreet! Now is a great time to be wearing braces; so don’t be shy, go wild and personalize your braces to fit your personality and lifestyle.
I’m so hungry, but what can I eat?
Eating with braces is another hot topic for many teens your age! You’ve probably heard from your parents, friends, and even Dr. Robison, the long list of foods and beverages that you should avoid consuming while wearing braces.
Don’t let this worry you: before long you will be able to eat all of the foods you enjoy; but, until then, you may need to make a few changes to your diet. Check out our Life With Braces page for a list of all the foods you CAN eat and which foods to avoid.
Questions?
Braces are a big part of life for many teens your age. Wearing braces makes it easy to look good and feel good while giving you the perfect smile! Please contact us with any questions you may have or to schedule your next appointment.
Orthodontic Treatment for Adults
Many adults today are choosing to have orthodontic treatment; in fact, one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21! Many adult orthodontic patients have chosen to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their overall appearance. Whatever the reason, adults everywhere have begun to take advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care and can often do it with little disruption. Dr. Robison is one of the leading providers of Invisalign – a nearly unnoticeable way to straighten your teeth. We also offer our cutting-edge In-Ovation braces in clear and silver.
Other reasons adults are considering orthodontic treatment include:
- A bad bite, or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
- If the teeth are crowded, or spaced apart
- To have a healthier mouth and a more confident smile
Why you should consider orthodontic treatment:
- Straight teeth are healthy teeth! Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to keep clean with flossing and brushing, and may help prevent other health problems.
- A beautiful, straight smile builds confidence! Orthodontic treatment can help boost your self-confidence, giving you a better quality of life and the freedom to smile without holding back!
- Mouths left untreated can get worse! Not receiving orthodontic treatment when it’s needed can create long-term health issues, and end up costing you more in the long run with expensive and sometimes preventable dental work. .
To learn more about the benefits of adult orthodontics, please contact us to schedule a complimentary initial evaluation.