When is Early Orthodontic Intervention Recommended?

Orthodontic treatment can be a topic of contention for many parents. After all, a child’s teeth and jaw bone are still developing, and continue to do so well into their teenage years. However, an orthodontic screening should be carried out early in the child’s life so that dental problems that might affect the child in later years can be detected earlier.

Most dentists recommend that children from the age of seven should receive orthodontic screening. This age is a common age where many children begin to lose their child, or ‘baby’ teeth, and begin to receive their adult teeth. This transitional period between teeth is often the best time to discover whether there are likely to be dental anomalies in the development of teeth that might affect dental health.

Such anomalies can include crooked teeth, which in turn can affect the biting strength and bite pattern; in time, this can lead to tooth impaction and bruxism. Early intervention at this age can help to prevent these, and other major dental health problems from occurring.

A child’s jaw is still developing at this age, and so it is much easier for an orthodontist to correct, through such treatments as braces, which serve to straighten and realign teeth that are out-of-position. Because the child’s jaw and bones are still developing, they tend to be softer and more pliable, and so it becomes easier to correct issues of realignment.

Other issues can occur, and crowded teeth can create pockets which are notoriously difficult to clean effectively, and so can harbor harmful bacteria which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Speech impediments, such as a lisp, could also manifest as a result of incorrectly aligned teeth.

 And, as children grow older, they become more self-conscious about their appearance – and this includes their smile! Having a good-looking smile goes a long way towards building confidence, not only through the aesthetic aspects, but also in other areas, such as aiding in speech and eating. Orthodontic treatment can help to develop a child’s confidence in these areas.

It often pays to have a child receive an orthodontic screening early in life; by doing so, potential dental problems can be detected and corrected much easier. By giving a child the best smile possible in their earlier years, they can grow with the confidence that a beautiful smile can bring.

How Do I Care for My Invisalign Aligners?

When it comes to having straighter teeth in order to improve a smile, or to correct some flaw in the alignment of teeth, such as an overbite or underbite, Invisalign aligners have become one of the most popular choices of treatment.

Invisalign consists of a series of clear aligners that have been specially created by an orthodontist to tackle and realign specific teeth to deliver a desired result. Each aligner in the series is worn for a period of approximately two weeks, after which it is discarded and replaced with the next aligner in the series.

Over a period of time, the teeth targeted by Invisalign will slowly begin to alter position towards a desired goal, as planned in tandem by the patient and the orthodontist.

The benefits of Invisalign are numerous; they are made of a soft, clear plastic material and are all but invisible when worn, and so others need not know a person is undergoing orthodontic treatment. The aligners can also be removed to allow the wearer to eat and maintain a healthy diet, and to enjoy the foods they love.

Removal of the Invisalign aligner helps also with maintaining a good dental health regime; the wearer can continue to brush, floss and rinse as they did before.

What’s more, the aligners themselves are easy to keep clean. All they require is a good rinse under cold water and a gentle scrub with a soft brush to remove any bacteria, film or food particles that may have planted on the surface. This helps to eliminate any odor and ensures that the aligners remain clean. Even if the aligners do become soiled, the duration of time each one is worn means that it won’t be long until it can be discarded and the next one comes into play.

Of course, regular visits to your orthodontist are always recommended during treatment. These visits help both the patient and the orthodontist to chart the progress of the treatment and help to provide early warning of any potential dental problems that might arise.

To learn more about Invisalign orthodontic treatment, contact Newman Orthodontics at 516-626-2060 and schedule your professional consultation today.

Adult Orthodontics in Roslyn Heights

 

Adult Orthodontics has helped improved many facial appearances due to the advancement of procedures available.  There are many treatment options for adults who want to correct dental abnormalities and better their smiles.  It is necessary to go to a certified orthodontists who can treat these issues.  Newman Orthodontics is one of these leading facilities in Roslyn Heights that can offer these orthodontic procedures. 

Adult Orthodontics to Improve Major Dental Malocclusions

There is an assortment of issues that adult orthodontic procedures can help correct.  Adults with overcrowded teeth, spaced teeth, cross bites and under bites can make an appointment at Newman Orthodontics in order to correct these dental anomalies.  With the help of our inspired team, we will correct issues such as tooth loss, gum diseases and other issues involved with dental malocclusions, therefore insuring a healthier body.  In order to have a healthy mouth, orthodontic procedures are necessary.

Orthodontic Solutions that Guarantee Excellent Results

At Newman Orthodontics, we closely examine the issues regarding your teeth and treat them in the most accurate way possible.  Xrays and photographs are used in helping the doctor examine the structure of your facial structure, including your jaw and teeth.  There are many different types of solutions that the doctor can recommend depending on the severity of your teeth.  Procedures such as conventional metal braces, ceramic braces or Invisalign braces will be recommended by the doctor if necessary. 

Invisalign is often preferred by adults due to the fact that they are clear aligners that can be taken out during meals and are not as noticeable as conventional metal or ceramic braces. Many adults do not want to have braces because they are self conscience of what others may think.   Computer imaging technology is used within the office to precisely customize and personalize every individual’s aligners.  Although each patient is different, in most cases this treatment can take up to 9-15 months with 18-30 sets of aligners. Patients are required to visit the orthodontist every few weeks in order to check that the aligners are achieving the necessary alterations. Patients will also receive a retainer at the end of treatment to keep the teeth in place. 

Why Newman Orthodontics is right for you

If you reside in the Roslyn area, Newman Orthodontics is the office for you!  Dr. Newman and his qualified staff will give you an award winning smile.  We guarantee the outcome will be better than expected due to Dr. Newman’s years of experience and true passion for orthodontics. So come in for a free consultation by calling (516)626-2060.   

Orthodontic Treatment: What happens if I wait until I’m older?

As we age, there are three main motivators for seeking orthodontic treatment:

·         Cosmetic concerns (We want teeth that are straighter and more attractive.)

·         Functional concerns (We want teeth that fit together properly and jaw joints that function smoothly)

·         Periodontal concerns (We can reduce the risk of gum disease when we are better able to clean between the teeth and near the gumline.)

Whether you are interested in a smile that looks better, a smile that is easier to clean, or teeth that fit together better, you'll find that orthodontics is the ideal solution.

Braces are not an uncommon treatment option for adults. Of course, the treatment is slightly faster and more predictable when performed during the childhood and teenage years when the bone is softer and still growing. Once the bone (and the patient) has matured, it becomes denser, making tooth movement just a little more challenging.

Postponing your treatment until adulthood could also mean that mild problems may become more advanced. Crowding, jaw joint problems, and the risk for gum disease and cavities can increase significantly without prompt intervention. The treatment for these conditions is likely to become more complex as each year passes.

But, should you choose to wait until you are older, be assured that adult patients can still reap tremendous benefits from limited or comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

It feels good to treat yourself to the dental care that you need and want. The anticipation of the final outcome makes the whole process even more exciting, plus there are more options than ever for achieving the smile that you desire. With modern orthodontic solutions, adult patients have access to clear, removable, or low-profile alternatives that can make the process more comfortable and more discreet.

It's never too late to improve your smile. Whether you’re a pre-teen, a high school student, or a parent, there is an orthodontic solution that will work perfectly for you. Start by contacting the office of Dr. Seth Newman today for a consultation.

Dental Braces: How often should I brush my teeth?

The main purpose of brushing (and flossing!) is to remove plaque and food particles that could contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, stains and bad breath. And, although we tend to say “Brush your teeth”, the real goal is to clean the entire mouth. The tongue, gums, and the folds of the cheeks and lips can harbor the bacteria that are responsible for a long list of dental conditions. Brushing the teeth as well as any other surfaces within the mouth is an important way to protect your oral health.

When you have dental braces, the responsibility to control plaque bacteria becomes increasingly important. The appliances that are used to straighten your teeth also provide perfect hiding places for plaque and food. In a virtually endless cycle, plaque will continue to form on every surface in the mouth including orthodontic brackets, wires, elastics, and even retainers. As any patient with braces will tell you, these are also areas where breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will accumulate.

To prevent unwanted dental diseases, orthodontic patients should make time to brush and floss after each meal. Plaque control should also be performed after snacks and after any beverage other than water is consumed. Before bed, brushing and flossing should be performed yet again because undisturbed bacteria will continue to multiply, colonize, and create acidic byproducts as you sleep.

It’s important to remember that brushing alone may not be enough to maintain good dental health. In fact, it may be difficult to maneuver the toothbrush bristles around your braces. If necessary, choose power toothbrushes, floss threaders, interdental brushes, and mouthwashes that are designed to enhance your homecare efforts.

Braces certainly require a little extra patience and attention, but the reward is a beautiful and healthy smile that you can be proud of. During your periodic dental visits, ask about other tips and advice on caring for your braces.

To learn more about what to expect with braces, contact Newman Orthodontics at 516-626-2060 today.

Orthodontic Treatment: Will my teeth naturally straighten out over time?

Patients generally do not relish the thought of wearing braces to correct a malocclusion. However, if teeth are crooked, malformed, overcrowded or contain gaps between teeth, it is just wishful thinking that these issues will disappear on their own. Orthodontic treatment is usually required to re-align teeth to their correct position.

Straightening teeth should be done for more than just aesthetic purposes. Although we all want a beautiful smile, there are other considerations when seeing the orthodontist about treatment.

Crooked or misaligned teeth can produce negative results including:

·         Areas that are difficult to reach with a tooth brush and dental floss become a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque build-up that can cause dental decay, gum disease, bad breath, and the potential for tooth loss.

·         A malocclusion occurs when the top teeth do not align correctly with the bottom teeth. When this is the case, patients often start to grind and clench their teeth and jaws. This is a habit that generally starts during subconscious sleep, but can occur during the day as well.

·         Tenderness is prevalent, particularly in gum tissue where teeth are overcrowded.

·         Embarrassment and low self-esteem often go hand-in-hand with patients that require teeth straightening. Most people don’t give a second thought about eating, speaking and smiling in public, but if you are ashamed of your teeth it is on your mind constantly.

The shortcomings of crooked teeth are evident, but orthodontic treatment can resolve all issues including an over bite, under bite or cross bite. The length of treatment time will vary based on the severity of malocclusion.

Extracting one or a few teeth may be recommended to achieve the optimum result. Once healed, braces can be placed in a couple of appointments. X-rays, photographs, and dental impressions will be taken as diagnostic tools. If spacers are needed to facilitate placing the braces, an additional appointment may be required.

Once the braces are in place, periodic visits to the orthodontist are required to make needed adjustments to keep the teeth straightening process on track. Missed appointments can result in treatment delays.

The finished result will have been worth every minute. Brushing and flossing will be easier; straight teeth that are aligned will ease the need for grinding; and a brilliant smile will be your daily reward.

Importance of Treating Malocclusions

Any physical abnormality that can affect your overall health should be treated … deficient eye sight calls for wearing glasses; a broken bone is set and placed in a cast; a hearing aid is used when hearing loss occurs … all of these things and more can impact quality of life if not addressed. The same thing applies to dental issues, and when treating a malocclusion, braces are usually at the top of the list to correct it.

A malocclusion occurs when the top teeth do not align correctly to the bottom teeth. There are multiple reasons this happens:

·         Lack of jaw space to accommodate all permanent teeth

·         Tooth loss that results in remaining teeth drifting toward open spaces

·         Genetic abnormalities

·         Injury

·         Extrinsic issues such as thumb sucking

Whatever the root cause, a malocclusion can result in a cross bite, over bite or under bite. Left untreated, the following can occur:

·         Dental decay – when teeth do not align properly, there are areas that may be difficult to reach with a tooth brush and dental floss. Bacteria and plaque build-up can lead to decay, gum disease and even tooth loss.

·         Grinding and clenching – the teeth naturally want to align properly, and when they don’t we can subconsciously (usually during sleep) grind the teeth and clench the jaw trying to find a way for the teeth to meet. Premature enamel erosion, uneven teeth, broken teeth, TMJ, and discomfort in neck, head and jaw are all potential side effects of grinding and clenching.

·         Lack of self-esteem – Uneven or crooked teeth discourage eating, speaking and smiling in public.

A consultation with an orthodontist can explain what is needed to correct your dental malocclusion. If overcrowding is an issue, the extraction of one or more teeth may be recommended before embarking on corrective action.  A healing period is generally needed before starting the straightening process.

Treatment usually involves the placement of braces that will steadily shift teeth to their correct position. Braces are adjusted every few weeks to keep teeth moving. Once the bite has been remedied, a retainer will be worn to help the teeth develop a memory of where they rightly belong.

Caring for your new, straight teeth, including daily hygiene and dental check-ups, will allow for excellent dental health and years of eating and smiling enjoyment.

Contact our team at Newman Orthodontics today to learn more about your treatment options. Call 516-626-2060 to schedule your professional consultation today.