Straightening a Smile Before Replacing Lost Teeth

Straightening a Smile Before Replacing Lost Teeth

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Clear Aligners Can Offer Advantages Over Traditional Braces

By Dr. Robert Boyd | Article & Images Featured on Dear Doctor

Replacing a missing tooth — particularly in a highly visible area of the mouth — can do a lot to restore your smile and self-confidence. Today’s options for tooth replacement include state-of-the-art dental implants; crown and bridgework; and removable partial dentures. However, sometimes orthodontic treatment is recommended before a tooth or teeth can be replaced. Why would this be necessary?

If a tooth has been missing for a while, the teeth that were on either side of it can gradually drift into the space it occupied — taking up the room for the replacement tooth. This necessitates moving the neighboring teeth back into correct position. In addition, teeth that are not properly aligned might require dental restorative work, such as capping (dental crowns), to camouflage their poor position or orientation before any new teeth are placed.

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When Should I Get Braces?

When Should I Get Braces?

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Article Featured on KidsHealth

Show your Oregon pride with our new Oregon Ducks Braces! Call Biermann Orthodontics today for a free consultation! 

Some kids can’t wait to get their braces, seeing them as a sign that their teen years can’t be far behind. Others, though, worry about what they’ll feel or look like.

However your child feels, you probably have some questions and concerns of your own about braces. Here’s the lowdown on kids and braces.

Why Kids Need Braces

Kids can need braces for any number of reasons, including crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth, or a “bad bite” (known as malocclusion). Malocclusion is when there’s a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws. When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it’s called an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger, it’s called an underbite.

Sometimes tooth and jaw problems can be caused by tooth decay, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. But often they’re inherited, so if you or someone in your family needed braces, it’s likely that your kids will, too.

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Do I Need Braces?

What is Malocclusion

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What is malocclusion?

Malocclusion means having crooked teeth or a “poor bite” Bite refers to the way the upper and lower teeth line up. In a normal bite, the upper teeth sit slightly forward of the lower teeth. Very few people have a perfect bite.

Most of the time, malocclusion is a cosmetic problem, which means that people don’t like the way their teeth look. But it can also have a serious impact on self-esteem. Plus, crooked teeth can be hard to take care of, which may lead to tooth decay or tooth loss. When malocclusion is severe, it can even cause problems with eating or speaking.

Orthodontic treatment can correct the way teeth and jaws line up, and that may help a person feel better about his or her appearance. Dentists who are specially trained to correct malocclusion are called orthodontists. They use a variety of tools and techniques to move teeth, and sometimes the jaw, into the right position.

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Does My Kid Need Braces

Does My Child Need Braces?

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It seems children today get braces or other types of orthodontic treatment earlier than their parents did. Is that the case and, if so, why?

Perhaps one can say there was a paradigm shift in the early ’80s. There is better understanding today of the underlying causes of orthodontic problems, many of which begin in early childhood. As a result, orthodontists pay greater attention to the ideal timing of treatment. We have learned that early intervention may, in many cases, lead to better outcomes.

Orthodontists do much more than just straighten crooked teeth. Orthodontists make sure the top and bottom teeth fit together properly. They are trained to guide and influence the eruption of teeth, as well as growth of the bones in the face and jaw, which can be achieved before an individual stops growing.

The older model – waiting for all the baby teeth to fall out and all the permanent teeth to come in before seeing an orthodontist for the first time – resulted in what today would be considered missed opportunities in many cases. Delaying treatment until adolescence increased the incidence of extraction of permanent teeth because, as the bones became more rigid and growth ceased, the window of opportunity for expansion or growth modification closed. Many correctable habits or skeletal mismatches were allowed to continue, while earlier intervention could have led to a more stable, and less invasive correction. In addition, as a result of increased public awareness of dental and orthodontic health, many more young children are seen by pediatric dentists than ever before. Pediatric dentists have additional training in growth and development and recognize developing dental and skeletal problems in young children. This has led to an earlier referral of their younger patients for an orthodontic evaluation.

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Getting Braces as an Adult

Getting Braces as an Adult

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Interested in getting braces? An initial consultation will provide an opportunity to ask questions about orthodontic treatment such as:

  • What are the costs involved in getting braces?
  • How will the braces correct my problem?
  • How long will I need to wear braces?

Contact us for a free consultation and Biermann Orthodontics will set you up with an evaluation!

Less noticeable teeth straightening options are available today. Learn about your options.

by Krisha McCoy, MS on Everyday Health

Many adults with crooked teeth think they missed their opportunity for braces during childhood. But dental professionals now readily use braces to help correct dental problems at any age. In fact, adult braces are more popular today than ever before.

When Adult Braces Can Help

Adult braces can be used to correct a variety of dental problems, including:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Overcrowded teeth
  • Bite abnormalities (for example, an overbite or underbite)
  • Problems with jaw position
  • Jaw joint problems

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Invisalign Before & After - Biermann Orthodontics

Invisalign Before & After

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A picture is worth a thousand words. If you’re curious about how effectively Invisalign® can treat your case, take a look at a few success stories of previous Invisalign patients. Each of these individuals had their own unique orthodontic and dental issues that were successfully treated with Invisalign.

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Types of Braces for Teenagers - Biermann Orthodontics

Types of Braces for Teenagers

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Braces have come a long way since the days when big metal bands were connected to a wire in your mouth. Today, the wire is still there, but small metal or ceramic brackets have replaced the clunky bands. Another change is that many teens make a statement with their braces, according to Mamashealth.com. They often use school or holiday colors for their main wire or for attachments such as elastic ties and rubber bands.

Metal

Traditional stainless steel braces are often used because they’re less inexpensive than many of the newer alternatives, according to Safedentistry.co.uk. Archwired.com says most metal braces use ligatures, or elastic rubber bands, to connect the brackets to the main wire, called an arch wire. Other metal brackets don’t require the rubber bands and are known as “self-ligating.” Read more

Do I Need Braces - Biermann Orthodontics

Do I Need Braces?

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Five Signs that a Child, Teen, or Adult Needs Braces

Although these fall in no particular order of importance, I’ll highlight five signs you may need braces, regardless of your age.

You may need braces if:

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Too Old for Braces? Think again! - Biermann Orthodontics

Too Old for Braces? You Might be Surprised

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Although adolescence is a common time to get braces, there’s no reason for adults of any age to have to deal with crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, or other dental issues. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists notes that demand for orthodontic treatment in adults continues to grow, with adults representing 20% of new patients.

You’re never too old for braces or other orthodontic appliances, but it’s important to consider the following:
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