orthodontic procedures presentation

Orthodontic ProceduresOrthodontic Procedures

We welcome patients of all ages to our We welcome patients of all ages to our practice, and the initial consultation visit is practice, and the initial consultation visit is always complimentary. Your first always complimentary. Your first appointment consists of meeting with Dr. appointment consists of meeting with Dr. Lillian Ho and our treatment coordinator for Lillian Ho and our treatment coordinator for a thorough and comprehensive orthodontic a thorough and comprehensive orthodontic examination and consultation. They will examination and consultation. They will listen to patient concerns, answer any of listen to patient concerns, answer any of your questions, and indicate whether or not your questions, and indicate whether or not orthodontic treatment is needed, and what orthodontic treatment is needed, and what options are available. Each patient’s specific options are available. Each patient’s specific needs are carefully analyzed and a needs are carefully analyzed and a treatment plan is tailored to the individual. treatment plan is tailored to the individual.

At this visit, all clinical and procedural At this visit, all clinical and procedural aspects of your treatment will be addressed. aspects of your treatment will be addressed. Fees for the recommended orthodontic care, Fees for the recommended orthodontic care, treatment length, payment options, and treatment length, payment options, and insurance benefits which may be available to insurance benefits which may be available to you will be discussed.you will be discussed.

Your First Visit…What To ExpectYour First Visit…What To Expect

What are diagnostic records?What are diagnostic records? Diagnostic records include x-rays, photographs, and Diagnostic records include x-rays, photographs, and

impressions made of the teeth. These “molds” are used to impressions made of the teeth. These “molds” are used to develop models for closer examination of the teeth and how the develop models for closer examination of the teeth and how the upper and lower teeth relate to each other. X-rays are taken to upper and lower teeth relate to each other. X-rays are taken to look at the root structure of the teeth and how the jaw bones look at the root structure of the teeth and how the jaw bones and teeth relate to each other. At times additional imaging of and teeth relate to each other. At times additional imaging of the temporomandibular joints is helpful. Typically facial the temporomandibular joints is helpful. Typically facial photographs and intra-oral photographs are taken to evaluate photographs and intra-oral photographs are taken to evaluate facial proportions, facial aesthetics and the health of the teeth facial proportions, facial aesthetics and the health of the teeth and gums. These diagnostic records collectively enable the and gums. These diagnostic records collectively enable the orthodontist to develop an appropriate treatment plan for the orthodontist to develop an appropriate treatment plan for the patient.patient.

What are Orthodontic Spacers?What are Orthodontic Spacers?

Your orthodontist may have told you that you need to have spacers before your braces go on. What does this mean? Some of your teeth may need brackets that are attached to metal bands that go all the way around the tooth.* Usually, the bands are used only on molars. If the space between your molars is very tight, it will be difficult for the orthodontist to put the bands on the teeth. Therefore, space must be opened up to fit the bands in. This is where spacers come in.

What are Braces?What are Braces?

Braces are the most common fixed appliances consisting Braces are the most common fixed appliances consisting of bands, wires and/or brackets. Bands are fixed around of bands, wires and/or brackets. Bands are fixed around the teeth or tooth and used as anchors for the appliance, the teeth or tooth and used as anchors for the appliance, while brackets are most often bonded to the front of the while brackets are most often bonded to the front of the tooth. Arch wires are passed through the brackets and tooth. Arch wires are passed through the brackets and attached to the bands. Tightening the arch wire puts attached to the bands. Tightening the arch wire puts tension on the teeth, gradually moving them to their tension on the teeth, gradually moving them to their proper position. Braces are usually adjusted monthly to proper position. Braces are usually adjusted monthly to bring about the desired results, which may be achieved bring about the desired results, which may be achieved within a few months to a few years. Today's braces are within a few months to a few years. Today's braces are smaller, lighter and show far less metal than in the past. smaller, lighter and show far less metal than in the past. They come in bright colors for kids as well as clear styles They come in bright colors for kids as well as clear styles preferred by many adults.preferred by many adults.

Different Type of BracesDifferent Type of Braces

Metal BracesMetal Braces

Metal braces are the most common. They are made of high grade Metal braces are the most common. They are made of high grade stainless steel. Today's braces are much smaller and more stainless steel. Today's braces are much smaller and more comfortable. Therefore they are much more attractive. Most of the comfortable. Therefore they are much more attractive. Most of the patients like to dress up the braces with different color elastics that patients like to dress up the braces with different color elastics that can be changed at each appointment. Multiple colors are available. can be changed at each appointment. Multiple colors are available.


ClarityClarity Ceramic BracesCeramic Braces

Clarity Ceramic braces are a translucent tooth colored (clear) Clarity Ceramic braces are a translucent tooth colored (clear) material. They are most popular with the adult patients. They are material. They are most popular with the adult patients. They are difficult to see on the teeth unless you are very close to the patient. difficult to see on the teeth unless you are very close to the patient. The only draw back to the bracket is that they are more fragile and The only draw back to the bracket is that they are more fragile and the elastic ties can discolor between orthodontic visits. the elastic ties can discolor between orthodontic visits.


InvisalignInvisalign

Now you can choose a nearly invisible way to straightens your teeth. Now you can choose a nearly invisible way to straightens your teeth.

Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners. So, Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners. So,

whether your teeth are crowded, too far apart or have shifted since whether your teeth are crowded, too far apart or have shifted since

wearing braces, you'll have a new reason to smile. You wear a set of wearing braces, you'll have a new reason to smile. You wear a set of

aligners for about two weeks, moving your teeth, gradually aligners for about two weeks, moving your teeth, gradually week by week, week by week,

millimeter by millimetermillimeter by millimeter until you've achieved the intended result: until you've achieved the intended result:

straighter teeth.straighter teeth.

How long will my treatment take?How long will my treatment take? The length of treatment varies depending on the complexity of the The length of treatment varies depending on the complexity of the orthodontic problem that requires correction, growth and tissue response orthodontic problem that requires correction, growth and tissue response to treatment as well as the level of patient cooperation during their to treatment as well as the level of patient cooperation during their treatment. Orthodontic care requires a team approach in which the treatment. Orthodontic care requires a team approach in which the family dentist, the orthodontist and the patient play key roles that can family dentist, the orthodontist and the patient play key roles that can impact the length of treatment and the quality of the end result. impact the length of treatment and the quality of the end result. Generally, the length of comprehensive orthodontic treatment can range Generally, the length of comprehensive orthodontic treatment can range from approximately 12 months to 30 months, depending on treatment from approximately 12 months to 30 months, depending on treatment options and individual characteristics.options and individual characteristics.

Type of Appliances that Might be Type of Appliances that Might be Used During Orthodontic TreatmentUsed During Orthodontic Treatment

Rapid Palatal ExpanderRapid Palatal Expander

The rapid palatal expander [RPE] is a device that widens the upper jaw so The rapid palatal expander [RPE] is a device that widens the upper jaw so that the teeth will all fit into place easier. It is cemented in the mouth so that the teeth will all fit into place easier. It is cemented in the mouth so the patient will not have to worry about it staying in place. The patient the patient will not have to worry about it staying in place. The patient expands it on a scheduled basis with a key that fits into the center of the expands it on a scheduled basis with a key that fits into the center of the RPE. When the upper jaw expands the necessary amount, new bone fills RPE. When the upper jaw expands the necessary amount, new bone fills in between the halves, and the upper jaw remains permanently wider.in between the halves, and the upper jaw remains permanently wider.


Trans-Palatal ArchTrans-Palatal Arch

The TPA (Trans-Palatal Arch) is a thin wire that goes across the roof The TPA (Trans-Palatal Arch) is a thin wire that goes across the roof of the mouth from first molar to first molar. Most people get a TPA to of the mouth from first molar to first molar. Most people get a TPA to maintain arch width and aid in molar movement that wires alone can't maintain arch width and aid in molar movement that wires alone can't achieve. In my case, the orthodontist was using the TPA to maintain achieve. In my case, the orthodontist was using the TPA to maintain the width between my first molars and use the immobilized first the width between my first molars and use the immobilized first

molars to pull my displaced bicuspid back into linemolars to pull my displaced bicuspid back into line


Lower Lingual Holding ArchLower Lingual Holding Arch

This appliance is typically used to maintain the alignment of the This appliance is typically used to maintain the alignment of the lower incisors following an initial phase of orthodontic lower incisors following an initial phase of orthodontic treatment. It also holds space for the lower permanent teeth to treatment. It also holds space for the lower permanent teeth to erupt. erupt.


HeadgearHeadgear

Orthodontic headgear is a very important part of the treatment. Its Orthodontic headgear is a very important part of the treatment. Its purpose is to achieve the best possible correction of your orthodontic purpose is to achieve the best possible correction of your orthodontic problem. Headgear creates special forces that guide the growth of the problem. Headgear creates special forces that guide the growth of the face and jaws. It also is used to move teeth into better positions or to face and jaws. It also is used to move teeth into better positions or to prevent teeth from moving when they are not supposed to. prevent teeth from moving when they are not supposed to.

How do you keep teeth from moving How do you keep teeth from moving back?back?

Retainers are used following orthodontic treatment in an Retainers are used following orthodontic treatment in an effort to maintain your orthodontic result. Since our jaws effort to maintain your orthodontic result. Since our jaws and teeth are constantly changing throughout our lifetime and teeth are constantly changing throughout our lifetime the proper use of retainers is critical if you want to maintain the proper use of retainers is critical if you want to maintain your beautiful smile. Most times, retainers need to be worn your beautiful smile. Most times, retainers need to be worn when you sleep so any inconveniences are kept to a when you sleep so any inconveniences are kept to a minimum. minimum.

orthodontic procedures presentation

Health & Medicine

treatment length

length of treatment

todays braces

treatment options

straighter teeth

lower teeth

treatment coordinator

orthodontic spacers