For most people, achieving a healthy, beautiful smile is the reason for receiving orthodontic care. If you’re self-conscious about your smile, correcting your concerns with braces will greatly improve the way you look and feel.
When your treatment is complete, you will have the smile you’ve always dreamed of and the confidence to show it off! We also want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire orthodontic experience, and our practice is dedicated to making sure you receive the quality care you deserve.
How Orthodontic Treatment Works
Orthodontic appliances are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to the proper position.
Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can now choose clear or metal brackets and, in some cases, the color of your appliance. Wires are far less noticeable, and the latest materials are designed to move teeth faster with more comfort. Today, any age is a great age to wear braces!
Duration of Treatment
Treatment time varies and can last between one and three years, depending on several factors, including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is. A big factor in a successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient your treatment will be. For children, receiving interceptive or early treatment can also ensure a quicker treatment time.
Before beginning your orthodontic care, Dr. Chapman will discuss all your options and provide an estimate for how long your full treatment may take. Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment and learn more about orthodontics and the treatments we provide.
Dentofacial Orthopedics
You may have noticed that Dr. Chapman specializes in “Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.” While most people have heard of orthodontics, many are unfamiliar with the dentofacial orthopedics part of the title.
Every orthodontist starts out in dental school. Upon completion of dental school, some graduates immediately go into practice as dentists. Others choose to pursue a specialty, which requires additional schooling during a two- to three-year residency program.
Nine specialties are sanctioned by the American Dental Association. Some you are likely familiar with: Pediatric Dentistry (dentistry for children), Periodontics (dentistry focusing on the gums), and Oral Surgery.
“Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics” is another one of the nine specialties. Essentially, orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, and dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood. Appliances are frequently used; the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances like headgear and expanders depending on what facial abnormalities are present.
Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are applied at the same time. So if your child gets braces and headgear, he’s actually undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Being skilled in both areas, Dr. Chapman is able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.
