| 2.
What are the early warning
signs of a bad bite? |
|
- Upper
front teeth protrude or are "bucked".
- Upper
front teeth cover more than 25% of the bottom front teeth when
the back teeth are biting together.
- Upper
front teeth grow in behind the lower front teeth.
- A
space exists between the top and bottom front teeth with the
back teeth biting together.
- Crowded
or overlapped teeth or extra teeth.
- Baby
teeth are slow to fall.
- The
centers of the top and bottom front teeth don't line up.
- Finger
sucking habit continuing after 6 years of age.
- Difficulty
in chewing.
- Teeth
wearing unevenly.
- Jaws
that shift off center when the teeth bite together.
- Excessive
spaces between teeth that persist after the top permanent
canine teeth appear.
- Attempt
of trying to hide teeth or smile by hands.
|
| 3.
When should I look for the
early warning signs? |
|
It
is most important to examine your child's teeth as the permanent
teeth grow in. Although children mature at different rates, there
are some averages for permanent tooth arrival.
|
|
|
| 4.
Will
additional jaw growth allow self-correction of crowded
teeth visible in an 8 year old? |
|
No.
The space available for the front teeth does not increase after
the permanent 6-year molars erupt. In most people, the space
available for the front teeth decreases with increasing age. |
|
|
| 5.
What causes crooked teeth? |
|
Heredity
is the main cause although local factors such as finger sucking,
high cavity rate, gum disease, trauma and premature loss of baby
teeth can also contribute to a bad bite. |
|
|
| 6.
Why should I have my teeth
straightened?
|
|
Poorly
arranged teeth can break easily and can trap food particles that
cause tooth decay and gum disease. They can also lead to poor
chewing and digestion, which can be bad for your overall health.
Finally, poorly arranged teeth detract from your smile, which is
one of the more important features of your face. |
|
|
| 7.
How do braces straighten
crooked teeth?
|
|
Braces
or plate with springs and elastics use steady, gentle pressure to
move teeth into their proper positions. They may look doind
nothing but just sitting there. In fact, every moment of your
orthodontic treatment, there's something happening in your mouth.
With pressure on one side, the bone on the other side gives way.
The tooth moves. New bone grows in behind. It may look like
nothing is happening--but we're making a new smile for you. Thanks
to new materials and procedures, all this happens much quicker
than ever before.
|
|
|
| 8.
Can you be too old for braces? |
|
No.
If the bone and gum tissue around the teeth are healthy, age is
not a factor. About 20% of orthodontic patients are adults. |
|
|
| 9.
Is orthodontic care expensive? |
|
Well-timed
orthodontic treatment to correct a problem is often less costly
than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious
problems that can develop years later. Treatment with Removable
Appliances is not expensive. |
|
|
| 10.
When is the best time to
schedule an initial consultation? |
|
Early
consultation allows the orthodontist to determine the optimum time
for treatment to begin. In some cases, satisfactory results are
unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. Seven
years old is a good rule of thumb for a child unless you see a
noticeable problem earlier. Early examination often permits
maximum improvement with the least amount of time and expense.
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