Orthodontic Facts!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States.
• The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more then 12,000 members in the United State, Canada and Abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 9 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem..
• Of the 160,000 Dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontist.
• Braces aren't just for children. The percentage of adults seeking orthodontic treatment increased from 17 percent in 1979 to 23 percent in 1992. Today adult patients make up almost 40 percent of most orthodontic cases.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• If left untreated, orthodontic problems can lead to tooth decay, gum disease or bone destruction.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr.Joyce Brothers,Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes, Tom Cruise, and Brandi.

Benefits of Orthodontic treatment in Adults

• Can help prevent or improve periodontal (gum)disease
• Can help prevent or reduce further bone loss around teeth 
• Improves ability of the dentist to restore missing teeth
• Improves aesthetics for a better smile and facial appearance
• Improves function of teeth
• Improves self confidence and self-esteem

Protect your smile... Wear a mouthguard!!!

Always remember to wear your MOUTHGUARD!

General....
More then 200,000 injuries are prevented each year by wearing mouth protectors. Whenever an activity presents a risk for falls or head contact with equipment or other players, including football, baseball, hockey, soccer, skateboarding or gymnastics, no matter the age wear a mouth protector. These devices not only protect teeth, but also reduce the force that can cause concussions, neck injuries and jaw fractures.

Dental Emergencies....
Should a primary (baby) tooth get knocked out, rinse your mouth with water and apply cold compress to reduce swelling. When permanent tooth is knocked out, call your general dentist immediately. Find the tooth, rinse it gently with cool water and replace it in the socket if possible. If the tooth cant be set into the socket place it in a clean container wit enough mil or water to cover the tooth. Likewise, if a tooth is chipped or broken,  call your general dentist. In dental emergencies, fast action, may save the tooth, prevent infection, and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. 

Orthodontic Emergencies....
Should you have an orthodontic emergency, call your orthodontist immediately. The problem must be evaluated immediately. 
An Important reminder: Do not wear any retainers or removable appliances during any contact sports or during any recreational activities that put your mouth at risk for injury.  

 

All kids should get an Orthodontic Checkup No Later than age 7!

When most people think of Orthodontics, they think of teenagers. And the fact is, most orthodontic treatment begins between the age of 9 to 14, however, by age 7 most children have a mix of adult and baby teeth. Orthodontist can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. That's important because some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they're found early. For these reasons the American Association of Orthodontics recommended that your child get an orthodontic checkup no later than age 7. While your child's teeth may appear to be straight there may be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. Of course, a check may reveal that your child's bite is fine which is comforting news. Even if a problem is detected your orthodontist may not recommend immediate treatment. Chances are your doctor may take a "wait and see" approach, checking on your child from time to time as the permanent teeth come in and the jaws and face continue to grow. For each patient who needs treatment, an ideal time for treatment to begin will be determined by your orthodontist, choosing the proper time personally for you. 
In some cases, your orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may take treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Typically, early treatment involves the use of orthodontic appliances, which may be removable to guide the growth of young bones and create a better environment for adult teeth as they emerge. In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that wouldn't be possible once the face and jaw have finished growing. Early treatment gives your orthodontist a chance to:

• Guide Jaw growth
• Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• Correct harmful oral habits 
• Improve appearance and self-esteem
• Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• Improve the way lips meet

Why Straighten Teeth????

WHY STRAIGHTEN TEETH???


Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better also tend to look better. An attractive smile is a pleasant"side effect" of orthodontic treatment. 
An attractive smile is a wonderful asset. It contributes to self-esteem, self confidence and self image- important qualities at any age. A pleasing appearance is a vital component self-confidence. A persons self-esteem often improves as orthodontic treatment bring teeth, lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success as well as improve a persons general attitude towards life. 
There are Psychological aspects that are also important. It has been clinically proven that a beautiful smile leads to higher self esteem. Confidence generates success, People with beautiful smiles have a lot to be happy about.

(AAO-Braces.org)

Warning Signs its time for an Orthodontic Exam

According to the American Association of Orthodontics....
Warning signs indicating it is time for an Orthodontic Exam!

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty in chewing or biting
3. Mouth Breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds,or are protruding
7. Speech Difficulty
8. Biting the check or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don't meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth. 

Take your child for an orthodontic check up no later then age seven. If there is a problem detected your orthodontist can determine the best time to start treatment. 
Get your child an Orthodontic checkup if he or she is past the age of seven. Although an early checkup can be extremely beneficial, the fact is that most orthodontic patients begin active treatment between the ages of 9 and 14.
Keep in mind that orthodontic treatment can also benefit adults, less visible, more comfortable braces and Invisalign make treatment more appealing then ever.  

Accelerated - Non Surgical - Orthodontic Treatment of an Open bite Case with braces

Jacqueline came to our office for Orthodontic Consultation With Dr Azizi after a few consultations with other orthodontist in the area. Other Orthodontist recommended , Orthognathic Surgery, Jaw Surgery, plus over 2 years of Orthodontic Treatment to correct her open-bite.  
After Comprehensive Treatment planning, Dr.Azizi Assured Jacqueline, that her treatment will take about 12-14 months. Dr.Azizi also, didn't recommend any painful, Jaw surgery to correct Jacqueline's open-bite. 
Jacqueline's Orthodontic Treatment started in Feb. 2014 and we finished her treatment, without any surgery, in March 2015. 

What is an OPEN BITE?
An open bite is a malocclusion, or an abnormal bite, in which some teeth usually the front teeth cannot be brought into contact wit the opposing teeth. An open bite usually involved abnormalities in the structure of the jaw. You can actually see inside a persons mouth when she is biting down if she has an open bite.


What causes an Open Bite?
*Prolonged and incorrect use of feeding bottles and pacifiers.
*Thumb Sucking
*Tongue thrusting
*Chewing on pencil or similar objects
* Genetics can play a role

Why should an Open bite be treated?
An open bite should be corrected because it usually affects the functioning of the mouth. People with an open bite cannot, for example sheer off the lettuce in a sandwich when they bite into it. Another important reason to fix an open bite is to prevent or alleviate TMJ . TMJ can lead to head and cheek pain, a clicking or popping sound each time you open and close your mouth, limited range of motion of the jaw joint, and other symptoms. 



Correcting the Open-Bites
Orthodontic treatment can almost always correct an open bite, by use of braces, orthodontic appliance and rubber-bands. 

How long does the treatment for an Open Bite last? 
Length of treatment can vary depending on the severity of the open bite and the cooperation of the patient. 

How does Invisalign move teeth???

Invisalign is not only great for older patients who don't want to walk around with braces, but also for our teenagers who may be a little self conscious going to school with braces.

What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the process of moving teeth that uses clear plastic trays called aligners. Each Aligner is a customized mold shape of the patients teeth. However these aligner differ in one important aspect. While retainers are perfect molds of your teeth to keep them from moving, aligners are slightly different than your teeth so that the teeth shift little by little to fit the tray.

How it works?
Everyone's orthodontic treatment plan is different. But for most cases, the patient visits the orthodontist every 4-6 weeks to get a new set of aligner trays. Each set of trays are specifically designed by the orthodontist to move the teeth into the right positions. This process can vary with treatment time depending on the specific case.
The aligner is made of molded, clear plastic, and they have to be worn 20-22 hours everyday!!!! They are meant to be taken out while eating and drinking and the patient must remove them to clean the aligners and teeth after every meal. The aligners can stain if they come into contract with food particles in the mouth, so good hygiene is VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

Advantages
The main advantage of this treatment is its cosmetic value. Invisalign is awesome because its INVISIBLE. Most people don't even notice that the person is wearing trays. This is a great option for adults who are trying to correct orthodontic problems and don't want to advertise their braces. Also for teens who are self conscious may also prefer this kind of treatment. Patients also love that they are able to eat whatever they like. Its also an advantage that they don't have to deal with broken brackets and poking wires. Call us for your consultation with  

Dr. Azizi 215-646-9514 or 215-576-6414

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