While many people use the terms interchangeably, there is actually a big difference between a dentist and an orthodontist that boils down to experience, education, and specialty. While both begin with a similar educational background, orthodontists choose to continue their training to become specialists in orthodontics, an area of dentistry focusing on correcting occlusion, bites, and the straightness of teeth.
UPDATED 16-7-18
Why Is It Necessary to Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly? That first visit to your orthodontist for a consultation should never be your last. This is because receiving treatment requires multiple visits over a period of time, and you may still need to visit your orthodontic office again since changes in your teeth alignment can occur as you or your child gets older. While everyone’s situation is different, making sure that you attend those regular visits is worth it when you receive these benefits for your oral health and smile.
At What Age Do Baby Teeth Normally Fall Out?Teething can be an ordeal for you and your baby. It is an experience that requires patience and perseverance. Sadly, it is an inevitable painful experience for the young born who is now between 4 and seven months old.
Did you know that teeth development is hereditary? So if your teeth emerged early, the chances are that your baby will too. Babies get their 20 first baby teeth in pairs, and the lower central incisors are the first teeth to come on board followed by higher central incisors, lower and top lateral incisors, second molars, canines and first molars.
At the age of between 4 to 8 years depending on how early the baby teeth erupted, most kids start to lose their first tooth. The same order in which baby teeth erupted is the same order in which they will begin to fall off. They fall off to about the age of 12 or 13, and by now the kids should have a full set of permanent teeth.
Also, between these ages, it is vital for a child to get an orthodontic evaluation. An orthodontist specializes in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental irregularities. Misaligning of teeth can happen to babies too.Having an orthodontic evaluation early enough identifies the problem at an early stage and allows corrective measures to be equally taken soon.
Common oral health problems such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting or prolonged use of bottle may cause a baby to lose a tooth or delay eruption. A permanent tooth might grow into the empty space. As such, it can crowd permanent teeth causing them to become twisted, crooked, or even overlap.
Other reasons may include
Braces can be suitable for your child as early as the age of 7. By this age, uneven bite and overcrowding have become permanent, and the teeth are conducive for straightening. They can stay for as short or long as advised by the orthodontic and depending on the severity of the dental problem.
They apply pressure to the teeth and jaws and move them into the desired position. There are different types of braces that orthodontics would recommend. They include,
This is a headgear recommended for correcting a misaligned bit and also for creating more space for crowded teeth by moving the molars further back.It is normally used especially in kids for a short time.
These are rubber bands used in children to apply more force to move a tooth and jaws to the desired position. They are colored differently to amuse them as they decorate their mouths.
These are mini-screws that are temporarily fixed into a bone to apply force to move the teeth. They are best used for tooth control.
Dr. Samuel Papandreas provides expert orthodontic care for adults, teenagers and children at his facilities in:
• Brunswick, Ohio
• North Royalton, Ohio
His patients are fitted with customized orthodontic devices that include:
• Braces – color-matching ceramic or metal devices
• Retainers – worn at night when your braces are removed
• Invisalign aligners – clear plastic devices
• Palatal expanders – worn before your orthodontic treatment begins
You can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
Papandreas Orthodontics
3511 Center Road, Suite B
Brunswick, OH 44212
tel: 330-558-9092
***
14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585
https://drpapandreas.com/
Are There Alternatives To Having Teeth Removed For Braces?For anyone who has every had a tooth pulled, it becomes more obvious why those considering braces want to know if there are alternatives to having teeth pulled in order to have them installed. Most will look for any alternative to a tooth extraction and is usually one of the first questions that most will ask their orthodontist when discussing the process.
The answer to whether or not a tooth will need to be pulled will depend on a variety of factors. Some factors may include the age of the patient, how overcrowded the teeth may be, bite asymmetry and whether or not surgery or other procedures are an option. Below are some other factors and options to take into consideration before needing to result to a tooth extraction for the installation of braces.
One of the more popular options these days for orthodontic treatments is called the Damon System. This particular method has been proven to offer patients optimal teeth straightening results without the need to have any teeth removed prior to the installation of the braces. This system may be applied to the teeth using clear or metal hardware. The patient is also able to choose different colors of bands to create a more unique look and style. This is a simple and powerful system to help give the best results with minimal treatment time and discomfort.
The Invisalign system for aligners offers patients a completely different alternative to traditional braces with no need to use any clear or metal hardware. This system uses hardware that is similar to retainers or mouth guards to gently move your teeth into place. The benefits of this system is that it is easy to use and easier to keep your teeth clean compared to traditional braces. These are able to be used on patients in their teens and for adults. The only time when this is not a viable option is when a patient has unsalvageable tooth damage or severe stages of tooth decay. Invisalign generally reduces the need for a tooth removal because it works by gently expanding a patient’s jaw. This can create room for the teeth that are overcrowded and eliminate any need for extractions.
This method is another alternative to having teeth extracted for braces. It is an orthodontic technique used to slim down certain teeth in order to create more room on your jaw line. This is typically used when the width of your teeth is what is causing the overcrowding. When your orthodontic specialist slims down the sides of certain teeth, it will give your teeth more room to move and grow comfortably without having to have any other teeth removed. As we age, teeth naturally slim down on their own from years of chewing, flossing and brushing. However, this is sometimes not enough to make adequate room for braces being installed. In this instance, the use of manual tooth slimming is a great alternative to getting a tooth removed.
This option is typically only available for patients that are under the age of 16. A palate expander is put in to help widen your palate before it fully hardens into place. This commonly occurs around the age of 16. The use of the palate expander will create enough room for the teeth to grow and shift without needing to extract a tooth.
Unfortunately, some patients will ultimately need to have a tooth extracted. One last option, however, is dental surgery. In some cases, the option of dental surgery can offer the same results of a tooth extraction without needing to remove any teeth. Of course, dental surgery is invasive in its own way as well. It has two main objectives: to try and move the bottom row of a patient’s teeth forward or move the patient’s top row of teeth to the back of their mouth.
One last option is called the TAD option. This is a process that can bypass the need to have a tooth extracted prior to getting braces put in. The process includes securing one or more of your critical teeth in place by using a very small implant underneath the gums. These implants are important because they help make the control of your jaw alignment easier and will help ease the possibility of overcrowding problems as you get older.
Dr. Samuel Papandreas provides expert orthodontic care for adults, teenagers and children at his facilities in:
• Brunswick, Ohio
• North Royalton, Ohio
His patients are fitted with customized orthodontic devices that include:
• Braces – color-matching ceramic or metal devices
• Retainers – worn at night when your braces are removed
• Invisalign aligners – clear plastic devices
• Palatal expanders – worn before your orthodontic treatment begins
You can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
Papandreas Orthodontics
3511 Center Road, Suite B
Brunswick, OH 44212
tel: 330-558-9092
***
14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585
https://drpapandreas.com/
LAST UPDATED: MAY 29, 2018
If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces, then you probably wonder when your orthodontist will remove the devices. The amount of time required for repairing malocclusions can vary, depending on the type of abnormality along with the individual patient. Children have extremely soft bones, so when they are undergoing orthodontic treatment, it is typically a fast process unless they have major abnormalities. A teenager will experience a faster treatment time than an adult.
By having a complete examination at an orthodontic facility, you can determine what type of abnormalities you have. Repairing these abnormalities of the mouth can improve your smile to give you a more attractive facial appearance, but more importantly, orthodontia will improve your bite. With a good bite, you won’t develop problems such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction or migraine headaches. Many individuals have bad bites that are caused by these malocclusions:
In addition to having one or more of these abnormalities, it is essential to determine where these problems occur in the mouth. While visiting an orthodontic facility, you will have many medical images collected to understand your abnormalities. In addition, a hygienist will collect molds of your mouth and teeth to see additional abnormalities.
When you need braces or Invisalign aligners, the items are 100 percent customized to repair your malocclusions. By following the recommendations of an orthodontic team, you will repair abnormalities faster. Some of these recommendations will include wearing the aligners as much as possible or following a healthy dietary plan. If you eat sticky or hard foods, then it can dislodge a bracket or break a wire, disrupting your orthodontic treatment.
There are numerous types of orthodontic treatments available, including:
By have the proper type of archwires along with taking care of your brackets and wires, you will have faster orthodontic treatment. However, if you break wires while sticking pencils in your mouth or dislodge a bracket while chewing on gum, then you will disrupt your orthodontic treatment plan.
Brackets and wires move your misaligned teeth by applying pressure against your teeth. Occasionally, you must visit an orthodontic office to have the wires tightened so that the brackets will continue to apply pressure on your teeth. When you fail to visit an orthodontic facility to have the wires tightened, it will lead to an increased treatment time.
An adult with severe malocclusions may need to wear brackets and wires for as long as four years, but the average amount of time required for treatment is two years. Children and teenagers tend to have faster treatment times because the alveolar bone in their jaw is softer and will regenerate faster.
If you consume a nutritious diet, then your bones will regenerate faster, helping your teeth to shift into the correct positions. While undergoing orthodontic treatment with wires and brackets, you must eat softer foods, so you should learn how to prepare numerous recipes. You can’t eat hard or fibrous foods because these items will break your wires and damage your brackets. When preparing meals, you must cook the ingredients until the meat or vegetables are soft. Some of the foods that you can eat include soups, stir-fries or casseroles that have tiny sections of carrots, potatoes or beef rather than large chunks of these ingredients. In addition to eating healthy snacks and meals, you can benefit from using dietary supplements that contain an assortment of minerals and vitamins.
Dr. Samuel Papandreas provides expert orthodontic care for adults, teenagers and children at his facilities in:
• Brunswick, Ohio
• North Royalton, Ohio
His patients are fitted with customized orthodontic devices that include:
• Braces – color-matching ceramic or metal devices
• Retainers – worn at night when your braces are removed
• Invisalign aligners – clear plastic devices
• Palatal expanders – worn before your orthodontic treatment begins
You can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
Papandreas Orthodontics
3511 Center Road, Suite B
Brunswick, OH 44212
tel: 330-558-9092
***
14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585
When Do I Get My Braces Off?
Why Do I Need Teeth Removed for My Braces?The process of getting braces involves a strategy that a specialist tailors to your specific dental situation. Your orthodontist may suggest that you have some teeth pulled before he can start the process of creating custom brackets and putting braces on your teeth. He may want to pull just one or two teeth, or he may notify you that he would like to remove four or more. Here’s some information about that procedure and why it may be necessary for the success of your teeth alignment project.
The first time you visit an orthodontist, he will look at all of your teeth to see how many you have in your mouth. Every adult has two sets, which are baby teeth and permanent teeth. You will most likely have to take X-rays of your mouth and then allow the specialist to examine it up close and personally. He will also ask you a variety of questions so that he can get a better feel for your dental habits and such. His conclusion may be that you should have some teeth removed.
The orthodontist may suggest teeth removal for a number of reasons, but the main one is to make room so that the treatment device can bring your teeth back into alignment in the end. If you have serious crowding, you don’t have enough foom for your teeth to erupt and flourish the way they’re supposed to.
If you still have baby teeth in your mouth, then they need to come out anyway. He may see that you have some lingering baby teeth, and he may suggest that he remove those to give you the best chance at effective treatment. Additionally, he may need to clear the path so that he can have the brackets move your teeth along it effectively. There’s always a scientifically sound reason for moving teeth before you get braces, but the best reason is that he wants you to have the biggest advantage so that you can see a successful transformation at the end of your treatment. You should consider agreeing to the removals for your own benefit.
Many benefits come from having troublesome and lingering teeth removed before you get your braces put on. The main benefit is that there will be more room for the orthodontist to work with and more room for the teeth to shift. Without removing some of the teeth, the orthodontist may have to create a roundabout strategy to cause your teeth to shift into their rightful places. Removing some of them eliminates the need for complex bracket-building strategies. You may also experience less treatment time if you get rid of the smile obstacles first. You’ll want your smile to be restored as quickly as possible, and the best way to receive that is to comply with the specialist’s ideas.
The teeth removal process should only take one sitting. If he has to pull more than two teeth, he may allow you to do it over two visits as not to cause too much trauma to your mouth and jaw at once. You will receive a numbing agent, and then he will proceed to remove the teeth that he needs to remove for your treatment plan. You may have to wait several weeks in between the time that you have the extractions and the time that he put your braces on so that you can heal fully.
Revolutionary systems are now available to help you with your teeth alignment problem. You’ll have a few options from which you may choose for your treatment. Traditional braces are, of course, your standard metal brackets. Lingual braces are an option that you may want to talk to your specialist about if you want to experience a discreet recovery. Lingual braces fit around the back of your teeth rather than the front. Therefore, you and the orthodontist will be the only ones who know that you are getting treatment. Ceramic braces are another option as they can be the same color as your teeth are. Other options are available. Ask about such options during your consultation.
The treatment time for braces varies depending on the severity of your condition, the type of treatment you choose and the amount of time it takes for you to heal from the tooth extraction. Some braces can be on you for as long as three years, while other types can be gone in about 18 months. It all depends on the strategy that you and your orthodontist develop for your recovery.
If you want to repair your malocclusions and facial structure, then visit an orthodontic specialist in Ohio. Dr. Samuel G. Papandreas offers orthodontic treatments in these cities:
• Parma
• New Brunswick
• North Royalton
You can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
Papandreas Orthodontics
3511 Center Road, Suite B
Brunswick, OH 44212
tel: 330-558-9092
***
14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585
https://drpapandreas.com/
Is All Orthodontic Treatment the Same?You might think that all types of orthodontic treatment are the same, but each patient requires individualized treatment for tooth abnormalities. In addition, each orthodontist offers certain types of braces or corrective headgear to repair an assortment of malocclusions.
In order to know what type of treatment is required for repairing your misaligned teeth, you must have a thorough examination from an orthodontist. An examination for fixing your teeth will include collecting X-rays of your mouth and facial structure. Your orthodontist will also need to collect molds of your upper and lower teeth to determine what types of devices are required for repairing your oral cavity and teeth.
First, it is essential to determine what types of malocclusions you have, and you can have one or more of these varieties of misalignments:
An orthodontist will want to correct your bite so that you can chew food easily, and he will also want to make sure that you have an attractive smile.
In some cases, you may have additional misalignments that require other types of corrective devices, including palatal expanders, Herbst appliances, separators or retainers. Some of these devices are required before braces are attached to your teeth, but other appliances are necessary after your braces are removed. If you have a severe orthodontic issue, then you might need to wear headgear to shift your teeth into the correct positions, but these devices are often worn at night or on weekends to make your life easier.
Your orthodontist must determine if you have mild, moderate or major malocclusions to help you decide what type of orthodontic treatment is necessary. If you have minor problems with your teeth, then you can often wear clear removable aligners rather than wearing braces. However, only teenagers or adults can wear aligners because the devices are made to fit inside a mouth that has stopped growing. Children with minor to serious orthodontic issues must wear some type of braces instead.
Some adults and teenagers also require braces, and it can take two to four years to correct misaligned teeth. Today, there are numerous types of braces to choose from, so you can select a type that is in your price range or that makes you feel more comfortable. Here are a few of the different types of braces available at an orthodontic office:
If you have minor malocclusions, then plastic aligners are an excellent option for fixing your smile. However, you must wear the items most of the day and night. You can remove the aligners to consume food and to perform oral hygiene. In addition, you must care for your aligners properly to have the best outcome. While wearing aligners, you should avoid drinking or eating foods that can stain the plastic. It is vital to wear the aligners at night to keep your teeth from shifting back into the wrong positions.
You will receive 20 to 30 different sets of aligners for your teeth, but you will only have a few sets available at one time. When your orthodontist collects your X-rays and molds, a computer software program will design aligners in different configurations so that each set applies pressure to your teeth. You will wear one set of aligners for two weeks before switching to the next set. Keep the old set of aligners so that your orthodontist can check the items for abnormal wear and tear. Your orthodontist will examine your mouth occasionally to ensure that your aligners are working correctly, and you might need to have new molds taken to create aligners that fit better.
If you want to repair your malocclusions and facial structure, then visit an orthodontic specialist in Ohio. Dr. Samuel G. Papandreas offers orthodontic treatments in these cities:
• Parma
• New Brunswick
• North Royalton
You can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
Papandreas Orthodontics
3511 Center Road, Suite B
Brunswick, OH 44212
tel: 330-558-9092
***
14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585
https://drpapandreas.com/
Maybe you have been thinking about braces. Maybe your dentist has recommended you make an appointment. But either way, if seeing an orthodontist is on your list of things to do, before you schedule your appointment, there are a few things you should know.
Orthodontists are different from dentists because they are medical specialists who align their patient’s teeth through the use of braces, retainers or trays such as Invisalign. Patients are often referred to an orthodontist through their family dentist.
Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. An orthodontist is highly-skilled at using various techniques to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment.
While most patients are always eager to start treatment, they are even more eager to get them off. Even though each patient is given an estimated treatment time wearing braces when they start, patients always hope we can wave our magic wands and complete the process sooner.
Orthodontic procedures are complex procedures that require a great deal of care and precision. They are intricate processes that may affect you as a client for many years. For that reason, the specialist has to gather as much information as possible about you before he begins the treatment. He’ll want you to complete a paper that describes your current and past dental challenges and your desires. He will examine you personally by reaching in and looking into your mouth in-depths. He will talk to you personally and ask you about your expectations. Additionally, he may take several sets of X-rays. Here are some of the things that the orthodontist looks for when he performs an X-ray.
We’ve been there before. Part of the orthodontic treatment is understanding that emergencies happen. This guide will help you know what to do if you or your child runs into any of these issues.
If you want to repair your malocclusions and facial structure, then visit an orthodontic specialist in Ohio. Dr. Samuel G. Papandreas offers orthodontic treatments in these cities:
• Parma
• New Brunswick
• North Royalton
You can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
Papandreas Orthodontics
3511 Center Road, Suite B
Brunswick, OH 44212
tel: 330-558-9092
***
14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585
https://drpapandreas.com/
LAST UPDATED: APRIL 24, 2018
How effective a patient’s orthodontic treatment turns out to be is largely dependent upon the anchorage method employed. Previously, orthodontists used intraoral auxiliary appliances like braces and extraoral auxiliary appliances like headgear with the teeth to control anchorage. These posed many problems that interfered with ideal results being achieved. For example, the effectiveness of extraoral anchorage devices demands that patients participate fully in their use, which is sometimes an unrealistic expectation. Fortunately, the field of implants, and miniature implants, in particular, have yielded the solution to many of these problems.
Implants have become one of the most reliable forms of anchorage in orthodontics. Implants are devices made of alloplastic that an orthodontist surgically affixes onto or inserts into the jawbone. The introduction of miniaturized implants has revolutionized the orthodontics field. One such form of miniaturized implants is temporary anchorage devices.
Temporary anchorage devices (TAD) are biocompatible devices that are fixed to the bone in order to facilitate movement of the teeth. They do this either by supporting the teeth being used as the anchorage points (ie. the “reactive unit”) or by preventing the need for such a reactive unit in the first place. These miniature implant devices can be adhered to the bone either biochemically (using a procedure called “osseointegration”) or mechanically (through cortical stabilization). These TADs can also be positioned in a number of regions of the jaw, depending on the anchorage and movement needed. After treatment is completed, these devices are then simply removed from the mouth.
Upon introduction of temporary anchorage devices into the field of orthodontics as an alternative to standard anchorage methods, it was shown to be possible to overcome the previous limitations of the anchorage. Numerous case reports emerging since the early 2000s about the promise of this new technology attest to this fact. Perhaps the greatest contribution temporary anchorage devices have made to the field of orthodontics is that they make what’s known as “infinite anchorage” possible, which means that no movement (i.e. no loss of the anchorage) is sustained during the treatment.
A TAD is a tiny titanium screw, generally between 1 1/2 and 2 millimeters in diameter, that’s been engineered specifically to be compatible with human tissue. Orthodontists then place this screw into a patient’s gum and jaw in order to serve as an anchor that supports the movement of the teeth.
Before an orthodontist inserts a temporary anchorage device, he or she uses local anesthesia to numb a small section of the gum where the TAD is to be placed. Therefore, when the implant is inserted, you should feel only a light sensation of pressure, if anything at all. There may some slight discomfort after the anesthetic wears off and for the first 24 hours following the procedure. But acetaminophen or ibuprofen should be enough to alleviate it.
When the temporary anchorage devices are no longer needed, their removal is simple and generally painless, requiring no anesthesia. Within just a few days after a TAD’s removal, the site typically heals with no residual pain.
Each patient is different, and every orthodontist will base his or her determination of the duration of TAD treatment on the specific needs and conditions of each respective patient individually. In most instances, a temporary anchorage device is kept in place for about a few months, unlike braces which are generally left in the mouth for 18 months to two years or longer.
Research has shown that temporary anchorage devices cause no damage to the teeth, gums or other tissues of the mouth. Furthermore, most remain rigidly in place for their duration, although occasionally a TAD can come prematurely loose. If this occurs, it’s generally painless and all that’s likely needed is for a replacement to be issued.
In very rare cases, some irritation may occur. If this happens, simply place a bit of orthodontic wax over the TAD’s head until the irritation disappears. If it doesn’t disappear, then contact our office immediately.
After temporary anchorage devices are inserted, it’s recommended to rinse the mouth twice each day for the first five days with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. For the remainder of the treatment period, dip a toothbrush into the same type of solution and gently clean the area around the top of the implant each day. Don’t use an electric toothbrush while TADs are installed in your mouth. And don’t fidget with the implants either.
While Invisalign braces are becoming more and more widespread due to their improved aesthetics, hygiene, durability, and comfort, they do present an anchorage issue. Fortunately, temporary anchorage devices solve that anchorage issue. Therefore, more and more orthodontists are starting to use Invisalign and TADs in tandem with one another to improve results over using either on its own. There are multiple ways to use these two technologies in combination with one another, depending on the individual patient’s specific situation and needs.
Dr. Samuel Papandreas provides expert orthodontic care for adults, teenagers and children at his facilities in:
• Brunswick, Ohio
• North Royalton, Ohio
His patients are fitted with customized orthodontic devices that include:
• Braces – color-matching ceramic or metal devices
• Retainers – worn at night when your braces are removed
• Invisalign aligners – clear plastic devices
• Palatal expanders – worn before your orthodontic treatment begins
You can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
Papandreas Orthodontics
3511 Center Road, Suite B
Brunswick, OH 44212
tel: 330-558-9092
***
14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585
https://drpapandreas.com/
What are Temporary Anchorage Devices (TAD’s)?
Do Braces Make the Roots of Your Teeth Shorter?If you’re the parent of a child who needs or wants braces to make their teeth shorter, you may be thinking about any potential risks that come with wearing braces for a lengthy period of time. If you’re wondering whether or not braces make the roots of your teeth shorter, the answer is a comprehensive one that takes several factors into account, as the shortening of tooth roots is possible.
Once the braces have been placed on your child’s teeth, they create pressure that will move the teeth into their proper position. A more detailed explanation of this process is that the placement of braces on the teeth causes the teeth to contract. The pressure that’s caused by this contraction creates enzymes in the mouth that will dissolve existing bone so that new bone can form in the area where the tooth needs to be pushed towards. The tooth also becomes momentarily looser in order for it to be moved towards its new position. Due to the fact that the bone surrounding the tooth dissolves and rebuilds itself in a slightly different position, there’s a chance that the roots of your teeth can become shorter. Although this doesn’t typically occur, it’s important that you’re aware of all the changes that can take place in your child’s teeth before you request the application of braces.
There’s no way to avoid or prevent the shortening of the roots of your teeth when you’re having them straightened with braces. Because of how the teeth are straightened with braces, the roots of your teeth will invariably alter in length. However, there’s no reason that this needs to be a negative thing that causes you to avoid getting braces for your child. When the roots of your teeth become shorter, this is known officially as root resorption and is almost impossible to notice unless you experience a substantial amount of root resorption, which is rare.
It’s believed that a person can lose around 50 percent of their tooth root length without experiencing any additional problems within their teeth. If it gets to this point, it may be necessary for the tooth to be removed completely, but it’s important to understand that this issue rarely ever occurs. What’s most likely is for the roots of your teeth to be shortened by around 5-15 percent, which is completely normal and is something that you likely won’t even notice.
Although it’s practically impossible to prevent root shortening, there are a few things that an orthodontist can do before the braces are put on the teeth in order to mitigate the shortening of these roots. An orthodontist will check family history to identify if anyone has suffered from this issue in the past, as root shortening is something that runs in the family. If root shortening is common in the family history, the orthodontist will monitor the patient closely throughout their treatment in order to identify if shortening starts to occur.
The way in which a professional orthodontist identifies the presence of shortened roots is by performing x-rays on the teeth at least once every year that the braces are on. When these x-rays are taken, the orthodontist in question will check the shape, size, and length of the tooth roots to ascertain whether or not any dramatic changes have taken place. Orthodontic treatment will remain on schedule if only small alterations have occurred, but the orthodontist may decide to change the course of treatment if the root is becoming too short too quickly.
Some changes that the orthodontist may make to the treatment include possibly lessening the amount of time that the braces are worn, removing the braces entirely in the event that the shortening of the root is too severe, or somewhat loosening the brackets to lessen the amount of pressure that occurs on the teeth. In almost all cases, these changes will be able to lessen the amount of root shortening that’s taking place. Just make sure that your child receives x-rays regularly to ensure that the roots remain in good condition.
Dr. Samuel Papandreas provides expert orthodontic care for adults, teenagers, and children at his facilities in:
• Brunswick, Ohio
• North Royalton, Ohio
His patients are fitted with customized orthodontic devices that include:
• Braces – color-matching ceramic or metal devices
• Retainers – worn at night when your braces are removed
• Invisalign aligners – clear plastic devices
• Palatal expanders – worn before your orthodontic treatment begins
You can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
Papandreas Orthodontics
3511 Center Road, Suite B
Brunswick, OH 44212
tel: 330-558-9092
***
14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585