Hello, this is Dr. Ellis over here at Virginia HLSDDS Dental Corp. Today I am going to be answering some of the most common questions about orthodontics or braces to give you a better understanding of what they are, when they are used, and how they work.
What is orthodontics, and how does it help improve dental alignment?
Basically, orthodontics are devices used to straighten or align your teeth so you can look better, eat better, and speak better. Braces can come in metal forms, like metal brackets. If you're concerned about the metal showing, sometimes you can use ceramics, and some kids like to have different color bands to make it fun. So, there are three different types of brackets you can glue into your teeth. Nallely (On video) is actually in braces. She's using aligners like Invisalign trays. You can't really tell they're there. If you're someone who doesn't want to show that you're doing braces, you can still see the trays, but they're not that visible. How has your experience been with the aligners?
It's been really good. I don't feel any pain. At first, it feels uncomfortable, but then I get used to it after two or three days. Is that right? Would you recommend it to people?
Yes, I actually would recommend it a lot because you can't see it unless you get super close to the person. So, nobody really knows that I have them.
Okay. I've seen quite a bit of change in your teeth. I couldn't believe it when I did your checkup. Thank you very much, Nallely.
What are the different types of orthodontic treatment available today?
I just went over that. There are the brackets, metal, and ceramic. Sometimes you can put these on the underside inside your mouth or on the tongue side. It's pretty uncomfortable on the tongue. I don't really recommend it. I've had one patient who had that done, and she said she wouldn't do it again because it's hard on your tongue. The metal brackets scrape the cheeks and sometimes the tongue when you're chewing, but if you put them on the tongue side, it can be uncomfortable. It's vanity, you know, if you really don't want them but you need to have the train tracks. I call these train tracks for obvious reasons. That's an option.
What age should children receive their first orthodontic evaluation?
A good age is around 7 years old, but every kid is different. It's really when your first adult molars start popping up. You have the baby teeth, the baby molars. When you start seeing it around kindergarten, 6 or 7 years old, when the first adult molars start popping up, it's usually a time that is about right to have your first braces consultation, orthodontic consultation. Not necessarily to do braces right away, but just to start looking at your child and determining their needs, whether early intervention is needed or if one round of braces later on is good enough for them.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment for kids?
This is a great question. If your child has a jaw discrepancy problem, like a very narrow arch from thumb sucking or sucking on a pacifier, or just a really narrow arch or misalignment in the bite, it can be corrected through manipulation of special appliances. It can make the difference between having to do surgery later on when they're grown. Once you're grown and your jaws are finalized and stop growing, the amount of more conservative treatment, less surgical treatment, is reduced. If you catch things earlier, you can correct things with orthodontic appliances without having to do surgery later on.
How do orthodontic treatment options differ for teens versus adults?
That's actually very similar. If you treat someone in the early childhood years or in the teen years when your child is still growing, when the cranium, the head, and the jaws are still growing, a lot of times the orthodontist can manipulate the growth and the sizing of the jaws so that later on surgery does not have to be mandatory to correct severe bite discrepancies. If you're an adult, you can still have braces, but if you have a big jaw discrepancy, surgery would be necessary. The best way to find out is to go to the orthodontist or dentist so they can look at your jaw and bite and let you know what is most likely involved.
What are the most common orthodontic treatments for adults?
Metal braces, as I showed you, and ceramic braces, which look like plastic. Ceramics can stain with coffee, tea, or curry, so that's something to keep in mind. If you do metal ones, they don't stain. You can have your coffee, tea, or curry, and you're fine. Interestingly enough, the aligners that Nallely used can sometimes stain, but I haven't seen patients come in with noticeable stains. I don't think it's as much of an issue as it would be with ceramics.
What factors are involved in orthodontic treatment?
The types of appliances used, whether you're going to use ceramics, plastic trays, or headgear. I'll go into headgear in a minute because there's a question about that.
What are the cost factors involved in orthodontic treatment?
It really depends because every case is different. It depends on the complexity of your case, how hard the case is, how long the treatment will be, whether you're using the train track route, orthodontic brackets, or aligners like the clear trays, and where you live in the country because different parts of the country have different costs of living and the experience of the doctor. Certain doctors charge more for their experience.
Are there affordable orthodontic options for families and individuals?
Most orthodontic practices offer options since braces are expensive, ranging in the thousands of dollars. They usually have you come in for an initial assessment. If you're interested, they proceed with a second evaluation, which may cost a couple of hundred dollars, depending on what's involved, like models or a CT scan. If you decide to proceed with braces after the second consultation, you'll likely make a down payment, maybe $800, $1,000, or $2,000, and then make monthly payments, possibly between $100 and $300. Most practices realize the costly investment in orthodontic treatment and work out monthly payments. If you have dental insurance, sometimes they cover braces or orthodontic treatment. Not all dental insurances cover it, depending on the plan you have. They don't always pay it all at once; usually, it's paid in increments every 3 to 6 months.
What should patients consider when choosing the best orthodontic provider?
Whether you like the doctor, whether you feel the doctor can address the needs of straightening or aligning your child's bite and teeth, and whether your child likes the assistants. People often overlook this, but it's true. At the orthodontist's office, you mostly see the assistants and the financial coordinator at the front desk. If you feel comfortable with the financial coordinator and have good communication regarding payment options, it's a great match. So, liking the doctor, the assistants, and the front desk and financial coordinator matters.
How do advanced orthodontic techniques improve treatment outcomes?
Some options can move teeth faster, but be aware of not compromising other aspects. Moving teeth too fast can cause gum recession or root shortening. In my practice, I take X-rays of some roots every six months to monitor for root shrinkage. If they start shrinking, I inform the orthodontist, and they slow down the speed of tooth movement. The outcome can be precise and efficient. If you want your teeth straightened quickly, ensure it's done without permanent drawbacks like gum recession or root shortening. It must be personalized as every case is different. It can be efficient in terms of moving teeth quickly, but it's not always guaranteed. Every patient is different, and outcomes can vary.
When do you need headgear?
If the doctor wants to avoid surgery, they might use the horse harness, the straps around the head. You'll usually wear those for at least 12 hours a day to prevent surgery. Avoiding jaw surgery is amazing because it's extensive.
If you like this video, click the like button, subscribe to the channel, and if you have any additional questions or would like to be seen in the office, give us a call at orindadentist.com 925-254-4043. Again, that's orindadentist.com 925-254-4043. I'll see you in the next video. Have a great day. Bye.