valley orthodontics

What is orthodontics?

What is an orthodontist?

What causes orthodontic problems?

Why is orthodontics so important?

What is the right age for orthodontics?

How does orthodontics work?

How long does treatment take?

Do braces hurt?

Will I need to wear a retainer when I am done with treatment?

What types of braces are available in your office?

What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that is officially known as Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. The purpose of orthodontics is to treat any type of malocclusion, which is simply another way of saying “bad bite”. When you have a malocclusion, that means your teeth, lips and/or jaws don’t line up the way they should. As a result, your teeth may be crooked, your bite may not work correctly and your jaws may look unbalanced. To fix bad bites, orthodontists – dentists who are specially trained – use braces and other corrective procedures to achieve tooth and jaw alignment. This correction of the teeth and their supportive structures makes for a healthy, attractive smile.

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What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of dentists are orthodontists. Admission to orthodontic programs is extremely competitive and selective. It takes many years to become and orthodontist. An orthodontist must complete college requirements before starting a three- to five-year graduate program at an accredited dental school. After dental school, at least two or three academic years of advanced specialty education in an accredited orthodontic program are required to become an orthodontist.

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What causes orthodontic problems?
Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems. Other malocclusions are acquired. In other words, they develop over time. They can be caused by thumb- or finger-sucking, mouth breathing, dental deisease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth, loss of permanent teeth, accidents, poor nutrition, or some medical problems. Sometimes an inherited malocclusion is complicated by an acquired problem. But, whatever the cause, an orthodontist is usually able to treat most conditions successfully.

BACK TO TOP

Why is orthodontics so important?
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Such problems can contribute to teeth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint problems. There’s also the emotional side of an unattractive smile. When you’re not confident in the way you look, your self-esteem suffers. Children and adults whose malocclusions are left untreated may go through life feeling self-conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand. Finally, without treatment, many problems become worse. Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem may prove less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years.

BACK TO TOP

What is the right age for orthodontics?
Orthodontics is for all ages! Children and teens, as well as adults of all ages can benefit from orthodontic care. Orthodontics is about a change for the better, no matter what your age. It can give you the confidence and pride that come with straight teeth and a great smile!

Treatment for Children
By age 7, most children have a mix of adult and baby teeth. Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. That’s important, because some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re found early.

For these reasons, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child gets an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. Of course, the check-up may reveal that you child’s bite is fine, and that can be comforting news.
Even if a problem is detected, Dr. Valley will take a “wait-an-see” approach, checking on your child from time to time as the permanent teeth come in and the jaws and face continue to grow. For each patient who needs treatment, there’s an ideal time for treatment to begin in order to achieve the best results.

In some cases, Dr. Valley might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing, and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Typically, early treatment involves the use of orthodontic appliances, which may be removable to guide the growth of your bones and create a better environment for adult teeth as they emerge. In some cases, Dr. Valley will be able to achieve results that wouldn’t be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Treatment for Teens
Most orthodontic patients begin treatment between ages 9 and 14. Thanks to today’s smaller less visible, more comfortable braces, and shorter treatment times, orthodontics is more appealing to teenagers than ever before. If treatment is started at the right time, a teen may finish braces before entering high school.

Treatment for Adults
There is no age limit for orthodontic treatment. As long as you have healthy teeth, gums and bones, orthodontics can straighten your teeth and correct your bite. More than 30% of orthodontic patients are now adults over the age of 21. New technology and materials have resulted in braces that are hardly noticeable and easy to wear. Visits to the orthodontist are less frequent and time in the office has been reduced to fit your busy schedule.

BACK TO TOP

How does orthodontics work?
Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic. They can be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. Braces slowly move teeth to their corrected position by placing constant, gentle forces in carefully controlled directions. The biologic process is the same in both children and adults.

BACK TO TOP

How long does treatment take?
Although everyone is different, generally speaking, patients are in orthodontic treatment for one to three years. Treatment times vary with factors that include the severity of the problem being corrected and how well the patient follows the orthodontist’s instructions. Patient’s who brush and floss thoroughly and regularly; avoid sticky and hard foods; wear their rubber bands as instructed; and keep their appointments usually finish treatment on-time with good results.

BACK TO TOP

Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to do the job.”

BACK TO TOP

Will I need to wear a retainer when I am done with treatment?
After your braces are removed (or you have completed all of your Invisalign Aligners), you will need to wear a retainer to keep or “retain” your teeth in their new positions. Dr. Valley will determine how long the retainer(s) will need to be worn. Usually retainers need to be worn all of the time for the first month or two, and then they can be worn just at night when you are sleeping.

BACK TO TOP

What types of braces are available in your office?
Gone are the days when a metal band was placed around each tooth. Today, you can choose brackets that are clear or metallic in color; and, you can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in the brackets. Both the brackets and the wires are now much smaller than they used to be so they are less noticeable. For adults and teens, you can even have “invisible” braces, Invisalign.

Metal Brackets
Metal braces are the most popular with children. They love using the different colors of ligature ties. These braces are much smaller than they were several years ago.

Damon Brackets
Damon braces were invented by Dr. Dwight Damon. The Damon bracket system utilizes sliding door technology known as “self-ligation” that allows the wire to slide back and forth within the bracket. No elastic or steel ties are used with Damon brackets. This technology creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition, Damon braces often reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually performed. You may learn more about Damon brackets by visiting their website.

Ceramic Brackets
Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) material. They are most popular with adolescent and adult patients due to their cosmetic appeal.

Invisalign
The Invisalign System is a series of clear overlay templates—called Aligners—that are generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. This system is available to adult and most adolescent patients with minor to moderate tooth alignment problems.

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	........FAQ: all about orthodontics
	What is orthodontics? What is an orthodontist? What causes orthodontic problems? Why is orthodontics so important? What is the right age for orthodontics? How does orthodontics work? How long does treatment take? Do braces hurt? Will I need to wear a retainer when I am done with treatment? What types of braces are available in your office? What is orthodontics? Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that is officially known as Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. The purpose of orthodontics is to treat any type of malocclusion, which is simply another way of saying “bad bite”. When you have a malocclusion, that means your teeth, lips and/or jaws don’t line up the way they should. As a result, your teeth may be crooked, your bite may not work correctly and your jaws may look unbalanced. To fix bad bites, orthodontists – dentists who are specially trained – use braces and other corrective procedures to achieve tooth and jaw alignment. This correction of the teeth and their supportive structures makes for a healthy, attractive smile. BACK TO TOP What is an orthodontist? An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of dentists are orthodontists. Admission to orthodontic programs is extremely competitive and selective. It takes many years to become and orthodontist. An orthodontist must complete college requirements before starting a three- to five-year graduate program at an accredited dental school. After dental school, at least two or three academic years of advanced specialty education in an accredited orthodontic program are required to become an orthodontist. BACK TO TOP What causes orthodontic problems? Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems. Other malocclusions are acquired. In other words, they develop over time. They can be caused by thumb- or finger-sucking, mouth breathing, dental deisease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth, loss of permanent teeth, accidents, poor nutrition, or some medical problems. Sometimes an inherited malocclusion is complicated by an acquired problem. But, whatever the cause, an orthodontist is usually able to treat most conditions successfully. BACK TO TOP Why is orthodontics so important? Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Such problems can contribute to teeth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint problems. There’s also the emotional side of an unattractive smile. When you’re not confident in the way you look, your self-esteem suffers. Children and adults whose malocclusions are left untreated may go through life feeling self-conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand. Finally, without treatment, many problems become worse. Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem may prove less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years. BACK TO TOP What is the right age for orthodontics? Orthodontics is for all ages! Children and teens, as well as adults of all ages can benefit from orthodontic care. Orthodontics is about a change for the better, no matter what your age. It can give you the confidence and pride that come with straight teeth and a great smile! Treatment for Children By age 7, most children have a mix of adult and baby teeth. Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. That’s important, because some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re found early. For these reasons, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child gets an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. Of course, the check-up may reveal that you child’s bite is fine, and that can be comforting news. Even if a problem is detected, Dr. Valley will take a “wait-an-see” approach, checking on your child from time to time as the permanent teeth come in and the jaws and face continue to grow. For each patient who needs treatment, there’s an ideal time for treatment to begin in order to achieve the best results. In some cases, Dr. Valley might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing, and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Typically, early treatment involves the use of orthodontic appliances, which may be removable to guide the growth of your bones and create a better environment for adult teeth as they emerge. In some cases, Dr. Valley will be able to achieve results that wouldn’t be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing. Treatment for Teens Most orthodontic patients begin treatment between ages 9 and 14. Thanks to today’s smaller less visible, more comfortable braces, and shorter treatment times, orthodontics is more appealing to teenagers than ever before. If treatment is started at the right time, a teen may finish braces before entering high school. Treatment for Adults There is no age limit for orthodontic treatment. As long as you have healthy teeth, gums and bones, orthodontics can straighten your teeth and correct your bite. More than 30% of orthodontic patients are now adults over the age of 21. New technology and materials have resulted in braces that are hardly noticeable and easy to wear. Visits to the orthodontist are less frequent and time in the office has been reduced to fit your busy schedule. BACK TO TOP How does orthodontics work? Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic. They can be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. Braces slowly move teeth to their corrected position by placing constant, gentle forces in carefully controlled directions. The biologic process is the same in both children and adults. BACK TO TOP How long does treatment take? Although everyone is different, generally speaking, patients are in orthodontic treatment for one to three years. Treatment times vary with factors that include the severity of the problem being corrected and how well the patient follows the orthodontist’s instructions. Patient’s who brush and floss thoroughly and regularly; avoid sticky and hard foods; wear their rubber bands as instructed; and keep their appointments usually finish treatment on-time with good results. BACK TO TOP Do braces hurt? Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to do the job.” BACK TO TOP Will I need to wear a retainer when I am done with treatment? After your braces are removed (or you have completed all of your Invisalign Aligners), you will need to wear a retainer to keep or “retain” your teeth in their new positions. Dr. Valley will determine how long the retainer(s) will need to be worn. Usually retainers need to be worn all of the time for the first month or two, and then they can be worn just at night when you are sleeping. BACK TO TOP What types of braces are available in your office? Gone are the days when a metal band was placed around each tooth. Today, you can choose brackets that are clear or metallic in color; and, you can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in the brackets. Both the brackets and the wires are now much smaller than they used to be so they are less noticeable. For adults and teens, you can even have “invisible” braces, Invisalign. Metal Brackets Metal braces are the most popular with children. They love using the different colors of ligature ties. These braces are much smaller than they were several years ago. Damon Brackets Damon braces were invented by Dr. Dwight Damon. The Damon bracket system utilizes sliding door technology known as “self-ligation” that allows the wire to slide back and forth within the bracket. No elastic or steel ties are used with Damon brackets. This technology creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition, Damon braces often reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually performed. You may learn more about Damon brackets by visiting their website. Ceramic Brackets Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) material. They are most popular with adolescent and adult patients due to their cosmetic appeal. Invisalign The Invisalign System is a series of clear overlay templates—called Aligners—that are generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. This system is available to adult and most adolescent patients with minor to moderate tooth alignment problems. BACK TO TOP
valley orthodontics \| 2400 Las Gallinas Ave., Suite 130 \| San Rafael, CA 94903 \| (415) 479-2400 \| smiles@valleyorthodontics.net