Early Treatments

Interceptive orthodontic treatment is indicated when conditions exist that, if left untreated, could lead to the development of more serious dental problems. The goal is to reduce the severity of a developing problem and eliminate the cause. What are the advantages of Interceptive Treatment?

• Corrects thumb and finger sucking habits
• Improves facial balance through influencing jaw growth
• Gains or maintains space for erupting teeth
• Reduces length of treatment, if required when the child is older

The optimum time for Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment is when a patient has baby teeth, or a mixed dentition (baby and permanent teeth). A patient may require more than one phase of interceptive orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are trained to identify subtle problems with jaw growth and eruption of teeth. Early detection of orthodontic problems may simplify treatment, and result in shorter treatment times. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have erupted, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult. Dr. Van Elslande will monitor your child’s growth and decide on the optimum time to begin treatment. Timing orthodontic treatment to predictable stages of dental development, allows us to take advantage of your child’s growth and development. Some problems that may be treated quite well in a growing child may require corrective surgery in an older child or an adult.

Teen Treatment

The enthusiasm that Dr. Van Elslande and her team show about Early Orthodontic Treatment is evident in any discussion, and its benefits cannot be matched. Early Treatment enables coordination of the size of the teeth and jaws, as they develop. Each child's growth potential is maximized, to improve the malocclusion and give the permanent teeth the best chance to erupt in an ideal position. Most importantly, this treatment may eliminate the need for tooth extraction or jaw surgery, and may allow Dr. Van Elslande to achieve results that may not be possible once the child has finished growing!

• Increased self-esteem
• Prevention of impacted eye teeth
• Influence jaw growth to make room for the eruption of permanent teeth
• Improved speech problems and oral-habits
• May eliminate the need for extractions or surgery

Phase 1 - Growth Phase

We usually begin treatment between the ages of 8 and 10, for those patients who have clear indications for early intervention. Braces are placed on the permanent upper front teeth and permanent first molars. Goals of Phase 1 treatment are very specific.

• Expand the jaws to make room for permanent teeth
• Improve the bite
• Align the permanent front teeth

After these goals are met, braces are removed and retainers provided. During the retention phase, progress is monitored every three months, to ensure the results of Phase 1 are maintained. The eruption of permanent teeth is monitored to determine the optimum time to complete the two phase process. Optimum results can only be achieved if both phases of treatment are completed.

Phase 2 - Alignment Phase

This second phase begins when most of the permanent teeth have erupted. Once again the goals are very specific.

• Align all the permanent teeth
• Improve function and finalize the bite

Phase 2 Treatment involves the placement of braces on all the upper and lower permanent teeth. Treatment is usually completed in twelve to eighteen months, and then retainers are placed.

Adult Treatment

At SmileZone, nearly half of our patients are adults. In fact, our approach to treatment and the options we offer make having braces or straightening your teeth with clear aligners, more comfortable and more efficient than ever. Benefits of treatment can improve your health, self-confidence and keep you looking younger no matter your age. One of the greatest advancements in orthodontic treatment in the last 10 years is the development of something called passive self-ligation. And Dr. Van Elslande has helped to develop and refine this process. That's why we are proud to use the revolutionary H4 bracket system for children and adults. The H4™ orthodontic solution has a number of benefits designed to make treatment better and to help us deliver optimal results:

• Outstanding Comfort
• Improved Hygiene
• Beautiful Smiles
• Fewer Appointments and Faster Treatment Time
• Esthetic (clear) and Metal Options Available

TMD

The Temporomandibular joints are one of the most complex joints in our bodies. They are located on each side of our face, just in front of the ear, and are responsible for the rotating and gliding movements used in chewing and speaking. In combination with several muscles and ligaments, they make opening and closing our mouth possible. Common symptoms of a TMJ disorder (TMD) include headache, earache, jaw pain, muscle soreness, limited opening, dizziness, clicking and popping noises when opening or closing the mouth, or even locking of the jaw. While these symptoms may be related to a sinus infection or a toothache, frequently they are associated with a TMJ disorder. It is important that you see your dentist so he can try to identify the source of the pain. It is frequently difficult to determine a single cause of TMD. Symptoms may be caused from arthritis, injury, or the way your teeth fit together. Stress is also known to be a contributing factor. TMJ treatment is very complex and varies greatly depending on individual circumstances. It is important to understand that TMJ therapy does not cure a TMJ disorder, but simply manages symptoms related to the problem. Damage to a joint is permanent. Therapy places the joints in a position where they experience the least trauma, minimizing future joint damage. Often treatment involves an allied team of specialists, including orthodontists, physical therapists, pain management specialists, biofeedback specialists, and in extreme cases oral surgeons. Treatment may involve a combination of muscle relaxants, stress reducing exercises and wearing an appliance, called a splint. A splint places the joints in a position where the muscles, joints and teeth can work in harmony with each other. If splint therapy is successful, the need for further treatment can be determined. In most cases, “less is better”. Occasionally very conservative treatment is not sufficient, and more aggressive treatments are required that might include combinations of orthodontics, prosthetics (crowns and bridges) or surgery. The goal of such treatment is to place the teeth or jaws in a position where symptoms can potentially be controlled. Often the best solution is long term splint therapy to slow joint deterioration and maintain an acceptable level of comfort.

Retention

Remember, your teeth move throughout life as a normal adaptation to the forces of chewing, aging, and function. The goal of retention is to minimize adverse changes, and retain the beautiful functional alignment achieved with orthodontic treatment.

• Retention is essential to maintaining a good final result, and once again You have the key role. The first year after braces are removed, is the most important.
• Immediately after braces are removed, wear your retainer all the time, except for brushing, eating and active sports. Remember your teeth are mobile at this stage of treatment, and will move without your retainer. You worked hard to get this smile; let's keep it that way!
• After the wisdom teeth have been assessed for removal and Drs. Brown and Van Elslande feel the possibility of relapse is reduced, retainer wear can be decreased as per our instructions. Retainers should be worn occasionally for life, to ensure good retention.
• Retainers may easily be broken if they are not in your mouth, or in their case. Avoid leaving them in places where the family pet can reach them. Fido will have a great time chewing on your retainer, while you are at school!
• You may talk funny or salivate more when you first get your retainer. This is normal and will improve in time. Reading out loud for practice helps!
• Brush your retainer daily with a toothbrush and nonabrasive soap and water. Soaking acrylic retainers in a denture cleaning tablet, once a week, will help to minimize calcium deposits.

  Remember: Retainers are difficult to make and expensive to replace. Take care of them and remember your recall appointments with us. With proper care, your retainer will serve you well for a very long time.

Life With Braces

It's important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment. Most of our patients find it really easy to adjust - and many carry their new good habits forward even after treatment is complete. Below are some helpful guidelines for you to keep in mind throughout your treatment.

Foods to avoid with braces:

• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
• Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

• Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
• Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
• Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes. Do not swallow the saltwater (unless you want to pretend you're a fish)! If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some more wax, please let us know.

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.  

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you. You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing