What Steps Occur During Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment is a complex, long-term process that works gradually to move your teeth into the proper position. Treatment can last a number of months or even a few years, depending upon the severity of your issues and the amount and kind of treatment required. Our orthodontist in Long Island can provide a consultation to determine what kind of orthodontic treatment will give you the best results.

Orthodontics are used to treat a variety of issues with the teeth. These usually involve one or more of the following:

• Crooked teeth
• Insufficient room for your teeth
• Large gaps between the teeth
• Improperly aligned bite

Orthodontic treatment usually occurs in a series of steps. A typical treatment goes through the following stages:

Consultation. Orthodontic treatment begins with a detailed consultation. The orthodontist takes X-rays and casts of your teeth to determine how best to treat your issues.

Recommendation of treatment. Orthodontic treatment is most commonly accomplished through use of braces. Braces, usually made of metal, are affixed to the front surface of the teeth. Bands are attached to hooks on the braces. The pressure exerted by the bands moves the teeth gradually into the proper position. Other treatment might be recommended, such as widening the palate or removing some teeth to accommodate the teeth that have not yet emerged.

Orthodontic treatment. Once you and your orthodontist have agreed on a course of treatment, you can begin the process that will transform your smile. Treatment usually occurs in phases. You will receive a schedule for check-ups, evaluations, and to monitor the course of your treatment. During this time, you should continue regular visits to your dentist to ensure your ongoing dental health.

Follow-up treatment. After the completion of your treatment, the orthodontist will recommend follow-up treatment to ensure your teeth remain in their new, proper alignment. This often involves use of a retainer that will hold the teeth in place until they have settled into their new position. At this point, your teeth will be properly aligned, giving you a straight, shining new smile.

When Should I Start Orthodontic Treatment?

The choice to begin orthodontic treatment is an individual one. In many cases, you as a parent must decide on your child’s behalf when treatment should begin. Dr. Seth Newman, an orthodontist serving Long Island, can help you determine the best time to begin treatment.

Beginning Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment traditionally begins during adolescence. However, some orthodontists prefer to begin treatment earlier, and some adults also choose orthodontics to correct their smile or to alleviate problems with their bite.

The best way to determine when orthodontic treatment should begin is to consult with your orthodontist. Depending upon the specific issues being addressed, an orthodontist might want to begin treatment right away or wait some time for other teeth to emerge. He might recommend braces or other approaches in order to provide the best results.

The orthodontist might wish to monitor the arrival of permanent teeth to be sure there is sufficient room, or to anticipate any potential problems with the bite. X-rays can also help determine the placement of permanent teeth that have not yet emerged. The orthodontist will also monitor how these teeth come in to ensure they emerge in the right place and are properly aligned.

Making Sure Orthodontic Treatment is Successful

It is important to be sure teeth are properly cared for during orthodontic treatment. Braces cover up part of the surface of the teeth, requiring additional cleaning and care to prevent tooth decay during treatment. You should also continue to visit the dentist regularly during treatment to evaluate your teeth for decay, ensure gums remain healthy, and for regular X-rays and other standard treatments.

The orthodontist will provide instructions on how to best care for your braces during your treatment. If wires break, or braces become detached from the teeth, it is important to consult the orthodontist immediately to have the wires or braces replaced. If wires or braces cause irritation to the cheeks, lips, or gums, your orthodontist can supply wax or other materials to cover the wires and prevent this discomfort. In general, the better you take care of your teeth and your braces, and the more closely you follow your orthodontist’s instructions, the more likely you will be to have a successful result.

What to expect at your first orthodontic evaluation

Orthodontic patients are often eager to get started on their journey to a more attractive smile, but they are sometimes nervous about what the process will entail. When facing your initial visit to discuss orthodontic treatment in Long Island, there’s no need to worry. The experience will be both painless and pleasant and give you an opportunity to gather more information and get to know the staff who will be treating you.

At the first appointment, our orthodontist will begin with a general review of your medical and dental history. This step helps the orthodontist to identify any specific concerns and any issues that must be taken into consideration in planning the orthodontic treatment.

The orthodontist will then do a visual examination of your teeth and your jaw structure to gather initial information that will be helpful in preparing the treatment plan. Additionally, he may request that you have x-rays taken at this appointment. The x-rays will give the orthodontist a better view of your jaw structure.

After completing the initial evaluation, the orthodontist will be able to give you a general idea of the treatment process, including its estimated duration and any supplemental procedures or devices (such as an expander) that will be necessary. Of course, this initial information could change as your treatment progresses, but at least you will have some idea of what to expect.

You should feel free to ask any questions or address any concerns that you have at the initial appointment, as well.

Your first consultation will also give you a chance to evaluate the office’s staff. Are they friendly? Do they treat you with respect? Are they patient and responsive in answering your questions? You want to be sure to choose an orthodontics practice where you feel comfortable because you’ll be spending at least 18 months interacting with the personnel there!

Your first orthodontic evaluation is likely to set the tone for your overall treatment, so be sure that it is a good experience for you. To learn more about orthodontic treatment, please contact the office of Dr. Seth Newman, an orthodontist serving Long Island, to schedule a consultation.

Revolutionary Orthodontic Option without Metal Wires or Brackets

Invisalign braces are totally free from metal wires and brackets, therefore these cause no irritation whatsoever in your mouth. These braces are transparent and so the patients can complete the entire treatment without others even noticing. With its detachable property, Invisalign offers more convenience to the patients. They can eat, drink, brush and floss normally, thus maintaining excellent oral hygiene.

Invisalign clear plastic aligners are suitable for correcting dental disorders such as crooked teeth, protruded teeth, widely spaced teeth, overcrowded teeth, crossbites, underbites, overbites and openbites. When your teeth are properly aligned, issues such as tooth loss, irregular wear of tooth surfaces, gum infections, speech impairments, and chewing and digestion disorders can be avoided.

How does orthodontic treatment work?

Many patients are embarrassed by crooked teeth and long for a picture-perfect smile. Fortunately, treatment with braces can help such patients achieve better outcomes. When these patients visit the orthodontist on Long Island, they often ask how orthodontic appliances do their job. Here is a brief overview of how the process works.

Orthodontics involves several components that work together to help move the teeth into the proper alignment. First, brackets are bonded to the teeth. These brackets are connected to each other using arch wires and apply pressure to the teeth to move them. Brackets can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic, which offers patients a variety of options, some of which are less conspicuous in the smile.

The arch wire, which is threaded through the brackets, is also manipulated to re-align the teeth over the course of orthodontic treatment. Arch wires come in varying thicknesses, and the orthodontist may change arch wires periodically to exert more (or less) pressure on the teeth.

Elastics, or rubber bands, might also be used in conjunction with the brackets and wires to move the jaw, if that is necessary.

All of these devices work in concert to reposition the teeth. When pressure is applied to a tooth, the periodontal ligament—which attaches the tooth to the jaw bone—transfers that pressure to the jaw bone. As a result, the bone structures that held the teeth in their original positions break down and new bone cells are created to anchor the teeth in the proper location.

Your orthodontist might recommend an alternative method known as Invisalign for straightening your teeth, as well. Rather than relying on a combination of brackets, wires and bands, Invisalign straightens the teeth through a series of clear plastic trays that align the teeth gradually over time. Because the trays can be removed when the patient eats or brushes the teeth, many patients find Invisalign to be a more convenient option.

Regardless of the method used, you will receive a retainer after the active orthodontic treatment has achieved its aesthetic goals. The retainer helps to reinforce the new placement of the teeth, and it is very important to wear the retainer as directed or else your teeth may revert to their original positions.

Long Island Invisalign Braces

Quality orthodontic treatment using the revolutionary Invisalign braces has proven effective to get rid of a lot of dental anomalies. It improves your smile and gives you a charming facial appearance. Newman Orthodontics – a leading orthodontic center in Nassau County Long Island , offers advanced Invisalign treatment that ensures perfectly aligned, even teeth. We offer comprehensive orthodontic care for adults, teens and children. Get in touch with us today! A complimentary consultation with Dr. Seth Newman can determine if Invisalign treatment is right for you. To schedule an appointment, call (516)626-2060 or write to info@newmansortho.com.

Invisalign Expert in Long Island

Today, more and more people are utilizing orthodontic treatments to improve their facial appearance. However, to obtain maximum benefits from the treatment, it is necessary to seek the assistance of skilled orthodontists. Patients residing in Queens can easily benefit from the services of an experienced Invisalign expert at a good orthodontic facility in Roslyn.