1)    What is an Orthodontist?
2)    What is Orthodontics?
3)    Do I need Othodontic treatment?
3a)  What is Phase I & Phase II Treatment?
4)    What are some causes of Orthodontic problems?
5)    What are some results of untreated problems?
6)    What is Neuromuscular Dentistry and how is it related to
       Orthodontics?
7)    When should I visit the Orthodontist?
7a)  How often do I need to see the Orthodontist?
8)    What is Adult Orthodontics?
9)    What is Surgical Orthodontics?
10)  Will I need retainers?
11)  What are some long term benefits of orthodontic,
       treatment?
12)  How long will I have to wear braces?



1) What is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed at least two academic years of continuous advanced studies following dental school and is approved by the American Dental association. This advanced training includes such diverse studies as physics, embryology, genetics, human growth and development, cephalometrics, biophysics and mechanical engineering. Only dentists with this advanced education can announce that they are orthodontists.

2) What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the specialty branch of dentistry focusing entirely on diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and jaw irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion" which literally means "bad bite". The practice of orthodontics requires extensive professional skill in the design, application, and control of corrective appliances (braces) to bring teeth, lips, and jaws into proper alignment in order to achieve optimum facial balance and symmetry.

3) Do I need Orthodontic treatment?
Are you unhappy with your smile? Have you been told by your dentist that your child should seek orthodontic treatment? Have you wanted to "close the spaces" or straighten crooked teeth on the lower jaw? Do you have muscle pain, clench or grind your teeth? The benefits of orthodontic treatment go beyond straight teeth and a beautiful smile. Teeth that have been straightened are easier to clean which means less chance of cavities. Braces also align your teeth in a proper bite relationship and allow the lower jaw to be placed in the best possible relationship to the skull. This helps you keep your teeth longer because they are in a healthy supporting bone relationship. It also helps aid in proper chewing and digestion.

Most people considering braces do not realize how easy orthodontic treatment can be. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about braces.

3A) What is Phase I & Phase II Treatment?
Phase I is treatment as early as age 7 or 8 years that may involve partial braces to make space for developing adult teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites, or harmful habits. Not all children need this interceptive treatment, but a screening exam to determine this is recommended by age 7. Phase II is considered later when all the permanent teeth are in place. Phase II involves full braces, which give maximum control over the movement of teeth. The correction of rotated teeth, and any movement of teeth that involves more than simple tipping movements, are best achieved with braces.

4) What are some causes of Orthodontic problems?
There are two general causes. Most malocclusions are INHERITED. Some of the results of heredity include crowding, spacing, extra or missing teeth, cleft palate and a wide variety of irregularities of the jaws and face. ACQUIRED causes may include thumb or finger sucking, breathing restrictions by tonsils and adenoids, accidents involving the teeth and face, dental disease and premature loss of primary or permanent teeth. Many of these problems affect facial appearance, as well as the teeth.


5) What are some results of untreated problems?
Untreated orthodontic problems may cause tooth decay, diseased gums, bone destruction, joint problems and loss of teeth. Protruding teeth are most susceptible to accidental chipping and other forms of dental injury. Sometimes, the increased cost of dental care resulting from an untreated malocclusion far exceeds the cost of orthodontic care.

6) What is Neuromuscular Dentistry and how is it related to Orthodontics?
Neuromuscular Dentistry is the term applied to techniques that expand upon the traditional mechanical approach to dentistry. When a patient is suffering from head/neck pain or other "TMJ"-like symptoms, the Orthodontist will work together with a Neuromuscular Dentist to bring the teeth into a more symmetrical occlusion with the surrounding musculature, in its most relaxed anatomical and symmetrical jaw relationship. Learn more

7) When should I visit the orthodontist?
Orthodontists can improve most malocclusions at any age, but there is usually a best age in terms of the amount of improvement that can be achieved with the least time and expense. That best age will vary from patient to patient, so the best age for a consultation or exam is as soon as possible, when a problem is noticed. The AAO recommends that a child have the first orthodontic examination at age seven. The orthodontist, who will ultimately be responsible for treatment, will follow a child through growth and determine when there is a need for treatment.

The AAO believes that there should be no age limit applied to orthodontic coverage. This view is in response to the increasing number of adults who have become aware of the benefits of having orthodontic treatment.

7A) How often do I need to see the orthodontist?
After the braces are placed, Dr. Stoess-Allen will make adjustments every 6-8 weeks depending on your particular treatment plan. Because your teeth will be in a constant state of movement, your progress will need to be monitored to ensure you are one step closer to a beautiful smile.

8) What is Adult Orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Recent years have seen tremendous increase in adult patients. In fact, today one out of every five patients is an adult.

There was a time when most people believed orthodontic care was for children, but the mechanics involved in the movement of teeth are the same in adults. Spaces between the teeth, protrusion of teeth, tipping of teeth into a space that was not kept open after premature extraction or loss of a tooth and teeth that, for any reason, have moved into abnormal position all can be helped by adult orthodontics.

Producing symmetry of the occlusion as well as maintaining the correct vertical dimensions are important in defining natural aging of the occlusion. Orthodontists are a critical component in this anti aging battle.

The health aspect of orthodontics is often the primary consideration for adult treatment. Crooked teeth can put extra stress on supporting tissue. Failure to correct the problem might cause weakening of support tissue, thereby causing gum disease, loss of teeth and eventual destruction of the dental complex.

9) What is Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics involves a team effort of the oral surgeon and orthodontist in solving dental and facial problems requiring a combination of skills. The two, by working together, are to treat jaw and tooth abnormalities that could not be treated by either the orthodontist or oral surgeon alone.

Four basic problems are usually corrected by surgical orthodontics. Those includes a protruding or recessed upper jaw or a protruding or recessed lower jaw.

The knowledge supplied by the orthodontist is vital to the oral surgeon because of the orthodontist's special training in determining the proper placement of teeth prior to surgery. Of great importance to the team approach is understanding the placement of the teeth with respect to facial proportions, as well as understanding the stress that facial muscles exert on new jaw relationships.

10) Will I need retainers?
Yes! Teeth are always moving (whether you have had braces or not) and retainers are a sure way to make sure your "beautiful smile" stays that way. Eventually, retainers wear tapers off to a few nights a week while you sleep.

11) ) What are some long-term benefits of orthodontic treatment?

By placing teeth into their proper positions and providing the best possible bite relationship it can:

• Improve speech, aesthetics, and self esteem
• Prolong the life of the teeth
• Help relieve some types of dental or facial pain
• Improve oral health and aid in digestion
• Prevent future tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss
• Provide proper and symmetrical neuromuscular positioning
• Aid in maintaining the proper anti-aging vertical dimension

12) How long will I have to wear braces?
Treatment time with orthodontic appliances can range from one to three years. The actual time depends on the severity of the problem, the cooperation of the patient, and the growth of the patient's mouth and face. Some people respond faster to treatment than others, and minor problems may require less time. After the braces are removed, we recommend nightime retainer wear for at least 2 years. After 2 years we advise at least one night a week, indefinitely, to minimize shifting of teeth, which can occur with normal wear and aging.