For All Ages

Orthodontics for Children

Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:

• Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straighter
• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
• Create more space for crowded teeth
• Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
• Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
• Improve airway

For parents, it's not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment.

Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Small, narrow or retrusive upper jaw (maxilla)
• No spaces between baby teeth
• Airway issues
• A hard time chewing or biting food or chewing with mouth open
• Mouth breathing
• Poor oral habits including finger/thumb sucking, tongue thrust, lower lip resting behind upper front teeth
• Crowded, flared, misplaced, or blocked teeth
• Jaws that pop and/or make sounds when opening and closing
• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
• Jaws and/or teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face

Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation. Early treatment now will give your child not only a beautiful smile but one that is healthy and functional for the future.

Orthodontics for Teens

Braces, aligners, retainers, and everything else that you want to know about orthodontics!

There’s never been a better time to straighten your teeth with the most advanced clear aligner in the world. Our office is proud to be a certified provider of Invisalign clear aligners, which give you a clear, convenient, and comfortable option to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

Braces! What now?

Don't worry! Braces may not be what you think! In fact, braces today come with many options. Life with braces is now much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past. Many times, there is also an option to treat with clear aligners.

How long will I have to wear braces or my aligners?

The amount of time it takes to treat your smile depends on three key factors:

• Early treatment — Early treatment allows orthodontists to monitor and/or stimulate the growth of the jaws and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary. Not everybody needs early orthodontic treatment; in some cases it may be recommended that a patient wait to receive treatment until all the permanent teeth are in.
• What needs correction — The amount of treatment needed to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently. While it may take one patient only 12 months to complete treatment, it may take another patient 24 months. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the show-stopping smile you expect.
• YOU! — Your willingness to use the appliances your orthodontist gives you plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always remember to take care of your braces, aligners and appliances; this truly will help make your treatment shorter!

Braces Your Way!

Our practice offers a variety of braces, types and styles, to choose from. Some common options include:

• Clear (ceramic) braces
• Invisible braces
• Lingual braces
• Traditional metal braces

Orthodontic treatment is a huge part of life for many people your age. Today's options will make it easy to look good and feel good! Please contact our practice to schedule your next orthodontic checkup.

Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that currently one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to have 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.

Common reasons why adults consider orthodontic treatment:

• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
• Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly causing tooth decay or gum disease
• Abnormal jaw pain, or pressure that is caused by crooked teeth
• Desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile
• Airway issues – Dr. Atique works in conjunction with sleep medicine doctors, ENTs (otorhinolaryngologists), pulmonologists and orofacial myofunctional therapists for an interdisciplinary approach utilizing orthodontics to treat airway problems like OSA (Obstructive sleep apnea) and UARS (Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome).

Treatment options for adults

For many adults, the thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage them from even thinking about treatment. However, today's orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of aligners, braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs. Types of alignment options include:

• Invisalign
• Clear (ceramic) braces
• Self-ligating braces
• Lingual (behind the teeth) braces
• Traditional metal braces

The difference between adult orthodontics and orthodontics for children and teens:

• Orthognathic surgery Orthodontic correction in children and teens is different than in adults because their jawbones are still developing. For adults, these bones have stopped growing, which may mean the possibility of orthognathic surgery to align the jawbones.
• Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) — Adults are more prone to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease than children or teens. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gingivitis or any other periodontal problem.

  
  Anterior crowding of more than 3mm is a potential risk for chronic inflammatory processes to cause periodontal issues as an adult. Alignment of teeth is a preventative treatment to avoid these issues.

  Gum recession was improved after teeth were aligned (tooth movement may improve gingival condition). Dental crowding and/or malocclusion can contribute to periodontal disease.

  • Worn or missing teeth — Over time teeth can become worn down, chipped or fractured (loose vertical height) and shift into different positions that can only be corrected with orthodontic care. Missing teeth/tooth loss can cause other teeth to shift and tip, creating a malocclusion and increasing the possibility of gingivitis or any other periodontal disease.

    
    
    Worn down teeth

    Crooked teeth are at a higher risk of chipping/fracturing.

• Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Many adults received some orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, but never completed their treatment. As an adult, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, functional, beautiful smile they always wanted.

Our practice also recognizes that adults and children have different needs, and require a different level of attention and care. It is our promise we will work with you to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatments, and that your needs are met with the highest respect and understanding.

Why should you consider orthodontic treatment?

• Straight teeth are healthy teeth — Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to keep clean. Daily flossing and brushing will help prevent other health problems.
• A beautiful, straight smile builds 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 can get worse — Not receiving orthodontic treatment when indicated can create long-term, cascading health and financial issues.

To learn more about the benefits of adult orthodontics please contact our practice to schedule an appointment. We understand that your time is important and we will work with you to make sure each office visit is as convenient as possible.