What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry which deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities caused by crooked, crowded or protruding teeth, or poorly aligned jaws. When you or your child have any of these problems, it’s called a malocclusion. We treat and correct these problems in a variety of ways; but everyone knows the term “braces.”
There are several good reasons to consider orthodontics for yourself or your child. One of the primary reasons is that crooked, crowded teeth can be difficult to keep clean and healthy. In addition, poor fit of the teeth can make it difficult to chew food, at times to speak, and may cause unnecessary wear of the teeth or stress to the jaw muscles and joints. A pleasing smile and improved self-confidence, however, are often the principle reasons people consider visiting our office.
What will Orthodontic treatment be like?
Every person is unique. Sometimes the treatment plan is simply to monitor the patient’s growth and tooth eruption for a period of time before starting any treatment. “Braces” can range from a relatively simple, removable retainer to the more complex, cemented braces familiar to everyone. In addition to braces, sometimes auxiliary appliances are needed to redirect jaw growth. In most cases, after the appliances are removed retainers are worn to keep teeth in the corrected position.
How long will my braces be on?
Length of the treatment depends on many things. Surprisingly, age does not play a major part in determining treatment time. Rather, it’s the complexity of the problem that is probably the greatest factor. Some minor corrections might only take several months to treat. Also treatment time can be significantly shortened when the patient cooperates and carefully follows instructions. Active treatment can range from one to three years and patients generally remain under our supervision for an additional year or so after braces are removed.
How much will it cost?
The cost of treatment can vary depending on the malocclusion and the length of time required to correct it. After an initial consultation and study of diagnostic records, we will discuss the cost of the treatment with you. Our fees are comparable to those of other orthodontists in northern New England. For your convenience, we offer different payment plans which allow you to spread the cost over the full treatment period. We also accept major credit cards for payment. More about financial arrangements