Treatment

Your beautiful smile is our priority

Early Treatment

phase I treatment

girl receiving early orthodontic treatment

early treatment simplified

There are several ways that kids can benefit from seeing an orthodontist at an early age. But it’s important to recognize that early evaluation isn’t necessarily followed by early treatment. In most cases, if orthodontic work is needed, we simply monitor your child’s growth patterns until we see that it’s time for treatment to begin. This gives us an opportunity to get the best results in the most efficient way, and to help prevent future problems.

why is age 7 considered the optimal time for screening?

By age 7, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the the bite in the back of the mouth. At this time, we can evaluate the relationship of the teeth from front-to-back and side-to-side. For example, the presence of erupting incisors can indicate possible overbites, underbites, open bites, excessive crowding and blocked out teeth. This age is also a great time to evaluate any permanent teeth that might be missing. Early screening, almost always makes life easier down the road.

does bringing my child in sooner mean they get braces sooner?

Not at all. The purpose of seeing children by the age of 7, is not so that they can get braces by the time they are 8! It is simply the best time to start monitoring the development of permanent teeth and the growth of the jaws. Some major jaw discrepancies, however, do need early intervention in order to prevent much more complicated treatment in the future. We would always rather plan ahead, rather than find out after it’s too late.

what orthodontic problems can arise at an early age?

There are many bite issues that can be seen at an early age. Some of these issues are best left for treatment nearer the teenage years, where their natural growth spurt can be utilized. Some of the below issues, however, should not be left unmonitored and untreated until later:

Anterior crossbites – irreversible gum recession can happen if left un-treated
Underbites – most important bite deviation to correct because when left alone, the severity can increase significantly (jaw surgery might be needed in the future)
Posterior crossbites – if the jaw deviates to one side when they bite down, permanent jaw problems can arise if left untreated until they are a teenager
Severe crowding – permanent teeth can be blocked out / prevented from erupting
Open bites – the longer these persist, the more complicated they become to treat
Protrusion of incisors – upper incisors that are pushed severely forward are at a greater risk of being bumped or fractured during the childhood years
Severe deepbites – lower incisors can impinge on the roof of the mouth causing swelling, pain and sometimes recession of the gums
Missing teeth / Extra teeth – missing permanent teeth can cause adjacent teeth to drift early on while extra teeth developing can interfere with other teeth erupting
Impacted teeth – upper and lower canines are the most common teeth to be impacted – it is critical to predict their probability of impaction and intervene when necessary

common early treatments

Phase I treatment typically lasts about 1 year, and it usually targets a specific jaw discrepancy.

While this treatment is often shorter than full braces, it can be just as important. At this age, the goal is to either favorably enhance the growth of the jaws, correct crossbites, or create enough space for the eruption of permanent teeth. Some common orthodontic treatments at this age include:

Palatal Expanders – widen the upper jaw
Limited phase of braces – correct crossbites, severe rotations and spaces
Specialized retainers – improve deep overbites and dental underbites
Reverse-pull Headgears – encourage upper jaw growth (skeletal underbites)
Functional appliances – encourage lower jaw growth (large overbites)
Space maintainers – maintain space for permanent teeth when baby teeth are lost early

early orthodontic treatment needed on a childs mouth

correcting bad habits

At one time or another, anyone may pick up a bad habit.

But there are some situations where a child’s parafunctional (outside of normal function) habits can actually influence the development and function of their teeth, jaws, and mouth. Some examples of these are persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.

The sucking reflex is natural in early childhood for everyone, and usually disappears between the ages of 2 and 4. If, however, a thumb sucking habit persists during this time, the pressure from the finger on the front teeth can actually cause the teeth to move apart and the jaws to change shape. The effects of this habit can lead to the orthodontic problem called an “open bite,” which may impair speech. An open bite can also be caused by the force of the tongue pushing forward against the teeth (tongue thrusting).

Mouth breathing is an abnormal breathing pattern in which the mouth always remains open, passing air directly to the lungs and is related to alterations in the muscular function of the tongue and face. It may cause the upper and lower jaw to grow abnormally, which can lead to serious orthodontic problems. Although mouth breathing may start from a physical difficulty, it can become a habitual action that is hard to break.

Various orthodontic treatments are available to help correct these parafunctional habits. The sooner these habits are corrected, the less damage they may cause. But these potential problems aren’t always easy to recognize. That’s one more reason why you should bring your child in for a free orthodontic screening by age 7.

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Teen Treatment

orthodontic treatment for teens

it’s all about timing!

Start planning early – Starting orthodontic treatment during a teen’s growth spurt can be critical in obtaining more ideal outcomes, especially when trying to correct overbites. The longer you wait to start, the more difficult it will be to obtain the same beautiful result. Coming up with an ideal timeline is one of the biggest reasons we love meeting children way before they are ready to get started. The earlier we get to see them in their development, the easier it is to plan ahead. Every child is different!

benefits of teen orthodontic treatment

Providing orthodontic treatment for your teen means so much more than just a healthy, beautiful smile. Straighter teeth leads to more confidence and very often more success in school, work and a lifetime of success. Correcting their bite also contributes to clearer speech and more ideal wear of their teeth throughout their lifetime. There are many orthodontic issues that simply cannot be corrected once the patient has stopped growing, and for this reason orthodontic treatment during the teenage years is much less complicated than waiting till adulthood.

orthodontic treatment can be more fun than you think

The newer styles of braces are more comfortable and stylish compared to what most parents remember from their childhood. Technology has come a long way over the years allowing for braces to be much smaller and a lot less painful! Smaller braces and advanced wire technology means they are easier to clean, less noticeable, more comfortable and they work a whole lot faster too! Now that we utilize 3D-scanning technology to create custom braces for our patients, treatment is more efficient than ever before. We also incorporate fun colors with the braces that we offer as well. Kids nowadays want to show them off rather than try and hide them. This means the colors of their braces colors can be changed at every appointment. If they would rather hide them, we also have options for that, but we think bright colors are the way to go!

Now we realize braces aren’t for everyone, so here at dobie revolution orthodontics we offer an even more hidden way to straighten teeth. We are VIP Diamond Invisalign providers and offer Invisalign as a treatment option for many teens interested in a beautiful smile without the need for brackets and wires. We can discuss both options at your complimentary consultation.

orthodontic treatment options for teens

Custom Braces – Most teens these days are excited to get their braces and choose metal braces. They are the smallest, most comfortable, and the most cost effective option. They also allow for having as much fun with colors as possible, or opting for a more conservative all silver look. Either way, they can change things up at every visit!
Custom Clear Braces – Some teens prefer to hide things a little more. This is often the case when orthodontic treatment has been delayed a little due to waiting on some permanent teeth to erupt. Instead of the braces being metal, they can be tooth-colored instead which allows for them to blend in very well. Clear braces are just as effective as metal braces, but with the added benefit of less patient cooperation as compared with Invisalign
Invisalign – Our most hidden and cosmetic option is Invisalign Teen! We are excited to offer this treatment option for highly motivated teenagers that wish to straighten their teeth but also want to hide their treatment as much as possible. The results from Invisalign can be just amazing as braces, but it does require more dedication. Invisalign does provide the added benefit of not interfering with eating, which is great for teens that don’t want any diet restrictions during treatment. It is also a great option for kids that play a lot of sports or have a very busy school schedule because orthodontic appointments are less frequent.

treatment time for teens

The length of time teens wear braces or Invisalign varies greatly because it depends on several factors.

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cost of orthodontic treatment

The cost of braces or Invisalign will vary based on the type of braces

how long expected treatment time is, and a host of other individual factors. We understand the importance of keeping the cost of your treatment within an affordable range for you, and thus we will work with you to help make this a possibility. We always offer in-house financing (no interest charged to you) to all of our patients, and we will work with you to come up with a payment plan that will work with your budget.

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Adult Treatment

you’re never too old for a new smile!

why adults deserve orthodontics too

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.

braces are for all ages

adult treatment options

Custom Metal Braces – You may be anxious about the idea of wearing metal braces, but today’s braces are very different from years past. Technology has improved considerably allowing for them to be faster, much smaller, more comfortable and less noticeable than ever before. We now use 3D-scanning technology to order braces that are customized just for you, which allows for the most efficient treatment possible.

Custom Clear Braces – Adults often wish to hide their braces more than others, and fortunately this is possible with today’s clear braces. Instead of the braces being metal, they are tooth-colored instead which allows for them to blend in very well, best rest assured they can be customized for your unique treatment plan as well. Often times patients report that in photographs their clear braces are not even visible! Clear braces are just as effective as metal braces, without the need for as much patient cooperation which Invisalign requires.

Invisalign – Our most hidden and cosmetic option is Invisalign and it can be an excellent choice for highly motivated individuals. The results from Invisalign are just as amazing as braces, but it does require more self-control. Invisalign aligners do provide the added benefit of not interfering with eating, which is perfect for adults who wish to straighten their smile without giving up the foods they love. You also have the ability to remove them for special occasions and thus are a great option if you have any major upcoming social events to attend.

differences between adult and adolescent orthodontics

The main difference between treating adults and children is that the jawbones of younger patients are still developing. For adults, these bones have stopped growing, which can make treating certain bites more difficult. Some adult patients require a combination of orthodontics and jaw surgery to reach an ideal outcome. Other differences include:
- Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) — Adults are more likely to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to periodontal disease. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease.
- Worn or missing teeth — Over time teeth can become worn down and shift into different positions that can only be corrected with orthodontic treatment. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift resulting in a bad bite and increasing the possibility of gum disease.
- Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Many adults received some orthodontic treatment when they were younger, but it was never fully corrected. As an adult, they choose to complete their treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.

reasons adults 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.
Beautiful, straight smiles build 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 continue to get worse — Not receiving orthodontic treatment when it’s needed can create long-term health issues costing you more in the end.

treatment time in adults

The time frame for adult braces or Invisalign varies by patient. Simple treatments that are mainly correcting mild to moderate relapse from not wearing your retainers can often range from 9 – 18 months. Patients with complex malocclusions, however, especially ones that have never had braces before might wear them for closer to 2 years. Rest assured, we can discuss all of your goals and wishes at your consultation and come up with a plan that makes sense for your lifestyle.

adult woman smiling wearing clear metal braces

cost of adult orthodontics

The cost of braces or Invisalign will vary based on the type of braces

how long you wear them, and other individual factors. We do understand the importance of keeping the cost of your treatment within an affordable range for you, and thus we will work with you to help make this a possibility. We always offer in-house financing (no interest charged to you) to all of our patients, and it is also possible to extend payment plans longer than your actual treatment time if this will help with your budget.

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Surgical Orthodontics

mans mouth after orthodontic surgery with clear metal braces

what is surgical orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, is used for treating severe cases of jaw bone abnormalities and malocclusions (bad bites). We are proud to offer combined orthodontic and surgical management of severe skeletal discrepancies to our patients.

If you require surgical orthodontics to improve your bite or facial harmony, we will work closely with expert oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the area to obtain the smile that you deserve.

See Our Dedicated Surgical Page