The Brackets That We Use
The days of having braces tightened are over. This revolutionary new approach to orthodontics ensures greater comfort throughout treatment. That's because Damon System braces have a unique slide mechanism that allows your doctor to use far lighter forces to move teeth to their correct positions. So not only is your treatment shorter, it is also far more comfortable. Many people experience little to no discomfort in treatment.
The Damon System is not just a new product, it's a whole new way of treating patients. Conventional treatment often requires removal of healthy teeth to make space. This approach is often uncomfortable, takes longer, and can leave a narrower arch and a flat profile. Damon smiles are full, natural 10-tooth smiles achieved with light biologically-sensible forces, and are specifically designed to improve the overall facial result of each patient.
Our smiles are a big part of our identity and how we are perceived by our peers. Consider this - in a recent survey of more than 1,000 Americans (age 18 and over), 72% of the respondents agreed that people of all ages with healthy straight teeth are typically treated better in social situations than those with noticeably crooked teeth. Conversely, nearly half said that crooked teeth leave a negative first impression. With the breakthrough technology of the Damon System, it's easier than ever to improve your smile and experience the difference:
Confidence to excel in school, work and personal life Clearer speech for interviews, public speaking, etc.
Compared to some of the other 'extreme' cosmetic procedures available today, improving your smile is one of the most valuable investments you can make to improve your overall appearance for a lifetime. A nice smile is not only beautiful, it also promotes good health.
Straight and evenly spaced teeth are easier to keep clean, providing better oral health. Properly aligned teeth chew more efficiently, which can aid in digestion. Ideally aligned teeth create a more perfect bite, which can reduce stress, headaches, and strain on your supporting bone and tissue.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This may contribute to conditions that cause not only tooth decay but also eventual gum disease and tooth loss.
When left untreated, many orthodontic problems become worse, contributing to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints, which can result in chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck. Treatment by a specialist to correct the original problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.
Improving your smile is faster, more comfortable, and more discreet today than ever and has a dramatically positive impact, so the question isn't why should you straighten your teeth, but why wouldn't you?
What is comprehensive orthodontic treatment?
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment (full upper and lower braces) is undertaken for problems that involve alignment of the teeth, how the jaws function and how the top and bottom teeth fit together. The goal of comprehensive orthodontic treatment is to correct the identified problem and restore the occlusion (the bite) to its optimum. Treatment can begin while patients have primary teeth, when they have a mix of primary and permanent teeth, or when all permanent teeth are in. Treatment may consist of one or more phases, depending on the nature of the problem being corrected and the goals for treatment.
Orthodontic care may be coordinated with other types of dental treatment that may include oral surgery (tooth extractions or jaw surgery), periodontal (gum) care and restorative (fillings, crowns, bridges, tooth size enhancement, implants) dental care. When finished with comprehensive treatment, the patient must wear retainers to keep teeth in their new positions.
Invisalign
Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. And since your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your orthodontist, you know you'll end up with a smile that truly fits.
If you're ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. **(Not everyone is a candidate for invisalign)
Phase I Treatment
Interceptive or early treatment is initiated at 7 to 10 years of age for significant bite problems and is called Phase I treatment. This type of therapy is generally indicated if there are crossbite problems, jaw relationship problems or growth abnormalities. Partial braces may be used in Phase I treatment but often are not used. Early orthodontic treatment can sometimes avoid extraction of permanent teeth and may produce a more stable long-term result. Phase I treatment is typically lasts 12 to 18 months followed by a period of observation until all permanent teeth erupt. Most patients require Phase II (full braces) around age 11-13 to finish the correction of the bite problem.
Herbst Appliance
Dr. Larkin has a wide array of appliances that he can utilize for your individual Orthodontic Treatment. This is a Herbst Appliance, it is used to help will help bring your chin forward and improve your bite better than any other methods we could use.
How does it work? By holding your lower jaw forward, three things will happen:
You immediately look better.
Your face is still growing, this position will help speed the growth of your lower jaw.
Your total treatment time will usually be shortened.
RPE-Rapid Palatal Expander
The function of the RPE (Rapid Palatal Expander) is to widen the upper jaw.
The expander is "activated" by turning the screw. This is done with a "key".
Since this appliance does not come out of your mouth (until it has done its job), the screw must be turned with the key inside your mouth.
Quad Helix Expander
It is utilized at an early stage of development to guide growth. It is pre-adjusted and cemented in place on the first molars and requires no additional adjustment in most cases. It is used when the patients has both primary (baby) teeth and permanent (adult) teeth.
