Timing is Everything In many cases young people who do not have all of their adult teeth may need a short interceptive treatment. This is not full braces on baby teeth, it is a technique used by experienced orthodontists, along with growth guidance and serial extractions of the baby teeth. We can close space between the two front teeth (diastima) and bracket the laterals to create room for the cuspids to move into place. We use holding arches to hold the molars back in the case of baby teeth extractions, in order to leave room for the erupting adult teeth. We often use removable retainers to jump across a cross bite in young children instead of using braces. In our office we proudly keep our treatment times down to two years for most full treatment patients, this is because of Dr. Orr's philosophy of waiting till the right time to put a patient into full braces, and not doing unnecessary work.
We have tried all types of lower retainers over the years, because long-term retention of the lower teeth after orthodontic correction with braces is the key to preventing relapse and crowding of the lower teeth. Although the fixed banded lower anterior retainer is difficult to make and requires an expensive laboratory procedure, we have found it to be the best for durability, ease of care, and it needs minimal repairs. The price of this retainer is included in the original fee as is the upper retainer. It also does not get lost!!
Many of the archwires now used for orthodontic treatment were developed from metals originally designed for the antennae that could be rolled into coils for the spacecraft used in the moon walk by astronauts in the 1960's. These metals have been constantly upgraded for use in orthodontic wires and also in eyeglass frames. We are currently using a fifth generation of archwire design, and they reduce the amount of soreness that develops when moving teeth -- parents may remember some of this soreness! These wires also allow longer time intervals between adjustments because of their gentle and longer-lasting pressures.
Patient: Jackie Age: 13 yrs 7 mos
Just recently this patient came in, 10 years after treatment, her teeth still look great! This is what good orthodontic treatment can accomplish for you. Being able to accomplish results like this is why Dr. Orr and the staff at Grand Junction Orthodontics love their work! Thank you for touring our web site.
Just recently this patient came in, 10 years after treatment, her teeth still look great!
This is what good orthodontic treatment can accomplish for you.
Being able to accomplish results like this is why Dr. Orr and the staff at Grand Junction Orthodontics love their work!