Questions
1. Patient privacy is very important to me. How does the staff at Early Years Orthodontics ensure that my patient information will remain confidential?
2. Most websites have a disclaimer. Does your site and what is it?
3. What causes orthodontic problems?
4. What are the most commonly treated orthodontic problems?
5. What are the benefits of early treatment?
6. How can a child's growth affect orthodontic treatment?
7. What if my child is older?
8. Is it ever too late to get started?
9. What kind of braces are available for adult patients?
10. How does orthodontic treatment begin?
11. Why do baby teeth sometimes need to be pulled?
12. Is it necessary that my family dentist refer me for an appointment with the orthodontist?
13. How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
 14. How will I pay for orthodontic treatment? 
15. Why is treatment so important?
16. How long does treatment take with braces?
17. Why does orthodontic treatment time sometimes last longer than anticipated?
18. Will orthodontic treatments be time consuming?
19. Why are retainers needed after orthodontic treatment?
20. Will my tooth alignment change as I get older?
21. What about the wisdom teeth? Should they be removed?
22. Can I play sports while wearing braces?
23. Will my braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
Answers

1. At Early Years Orthodontics, we consider patient privacy a very serious matter. And, we strive to conduct ourselves on a daily basis in a manner which keeps the sharing of patient information to the minimal means necessary to effectively complete treatment. Should you ever have a concern or question about the sharing of your personal health information, do not hesitate to discuss your it with Dr. Cash personally or a member of his staff. Click here to review the Health Information portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which is shared with all patients upon entering treatment.
2. Click here to view our website disclaimer.
3. Most problems are inherited, including tooth size and jaw size. These orthodontic problems may lead to crowding of teeth or spacing of teeth. Overbites, underbites, extra or missing teeth, and misalignment of the jaws and teeth are also inherited. A number of childhood habits can lead to orthodontic problems, such as thumb or finger sucking, sucking on a pacifier, sucking on a lip, mouth breathing (often caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids), fingernail biting, and "tongue thrust."

4. Crowding: Teeth may be aligned poorly because the dental arch is small and/or the teeth are large. The bone and gums over the roots of extremely crowded teeth may become thin and recede as a result of severe crowding. Impacted teeth (teeth that should have come in, but have not), poor biting relationships and undesirable appearance may all result from crowding.

Overjet or protruding upper teeth: Upper front teeth that protrude beyond normal contact with the lower front teeth are prone to injury, often indicate a poor bite of the back teeth (molars), and may indicate an unevenness in jaw growth. Commonly, protruded upper teeth are associated with a lower jaw that is short in proportion to the upper jaw. Thumb and finger sucking habits can also cause a protrusion of the upper incisor

Deep overbite: A deep overbite or deep bite occurs when the upper front teeth almost completely overlap the lower front teeth. The lower front teeth are biting into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. When the lower front teeth bite into the palate or gum tissue behind the upper front teeth, significant bone damage and iscomfort can occur. A deep bite can also contribute to excessive wear of the incisor teeth.

Open bite: An open bite results when the upper and lower incisor teeth do not touch when biting down. This open space between the upper and lower front teeth causes all the chewing pressure to be placed on the back teeth. This excessive biting pressure and rubbing together of the back teeth makes chewing less efficient and may contribute to significant tooth wear.

Spacing: If teeth are missing or small, or the dental arch is very wide, space between the teeth can occur. The most common complaint from those with excessive space is poor appearance.

Crossbite: The most common type of a crossbite is when the upper teeth bite behind the lower teeth (toward the tongue). Crossbites must usually be corrected early due to biting and chewing difficulties.

Underbite or lower jaw protrusion: About 3 to 5 percent of the population has a lower jaw that is longer than the upper jaw. This can cause the lower front teeth to protrude ahead of the upper front teeth creating a crossbite. Careful monitoring of jaw growth and tooth development is indicated for these patients.

5. When most people think of orthodontics, they think of teenagers. And the fact is, most orthodontic treatment begins between the ages of 9 and 14. However, by age 7, most children have a mix of adult and baby teeth. Orthodontists 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 Orthodontists recommends that your child get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. While your child's teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. Of course, the check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine, and that can be comforting news.

Even if a problem is detected, we may not recommend immediate treatment. Chances are, we will 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, there's an ideal time for treatment to begin in order to achieve the best results. The orthodontist is the specialist who has the knowledge to determine when the time is just right.

In some cases, we might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing, and may make 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, we will be able to achieve results that wouldn't be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Early treatment presents an opportunity to:

  • guide the growth of the jaw,
  • regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches (the arch-shaped jaw bone that supports the teeth),
  • guide incoming permanent teeth into desirable positions,
  • lower risk of trauma (accidents) to protruded upper incisors (front teeth),
  • correct harmful oral habits such as thumb- or finger-sucking,
  • improve personal appearance and self-esteem,
  • potentially simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics,
  • reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth (teeth that should have come in, but have not),
  • preserve or gain space for permanent teeth that are coming in.

6. Orthodontic treatment and a child's growth can complement each other. For example, it is very common for an orthodontist to treat protrusion of the upper front teeth. Quite often, this problem is due to the lower jaw being shorter or less developed than the upper jaw. While the upper and lower jaws are still growing, orthodontic appliances can be used to help the growth of the lower jaw catch up to the growth of the upper jaw. A severe jaw length discrepancy, which can be treated quite well in a growing child, might very well require corrective surgery if left untreated until a period of slow or no jaw growth. Children who may have problems with the width or length of their jaws should be evaluated for treatment no later than age 10 for girls and age 12 for boys. The AAO recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening no later than age 7 as growth-related problems may be identified at this time.
7. Even if your child is past age 7, it is important to have an orthodontic check-up as soon as possible. The fact is that most orthodontic patients begin active treatment between ages 9 and 14. Of course, every case is different. But generally speaking, because children are still growing, this age range is optimal for achieving the best possible results from orthodontic treatment.
8. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every five orthodontic patients today is over age 18. Thanks to today's smaller, less visible, more comfortable brackets, adults are finding braces more appealing. Healthy teeth, bones and gums respond well to orthodontic treatment at almost any age. It's never too late to get a healthy, beautiful smile.

9. The different kinds of braces are:

  • Metal/Stainless Steel brackets - these are conventional braces and can be made distinctive with a wide variety of colorful ties.
  • Ceramic/Clear brackets - these braces are barely noticeable because they are crystal-clear and do not discolor even with coffee or tea drinkers. These braces cost more than metal braces.
  • Lingual/Invisible braces - these fit behind the teeth and are popular with people in the public eye. These braces are higher in cost, and designated for adult patients only.
  • Invisalign - removable retainer-like appliances instead of braces to align teeth.
10. Like all medical treatments, orthodontic treatment starts with diagnosis and planning. History, x-rays (both panoramic and entire head pictures), teeth molds, and patient concerns are considered by the orthodontist. Sometimes, referring physicians and dentists are contacted for discussion to tailor treatment for the patient's specific needs and desires. During this planning phase, the orthodontist will explain any risks and complications, and propose his plan for treatment. After the planning, braces or other appliances will be placed on the patient's teeth based on their needs.
11. Pulling baby teeth may be necessary to allow severely crowded permanent teeth to come in at a normal time in a reasonably normal location. If the teeth are severely crowded, it may be clear that some unerupted permanent teeth (usually the canine teeth) will either remain impacted, or come in to a highly undesirable position. To allow severely crowded teeth to move on their own into much more desirable positions, sequential removal of baby teeth and permanent teeth (usually first premolars) can dramatically improve a severe crowding problem. This sequential extraction of teeth, called serial extraction, is typically followed by comprehensive orthodontic treatment after tooth eruption has improved as much as it can on its own. After all the permanent teeth have come in, the pulling of permanent teeth may be necessary to correct crowding or to make space for necessary tooth movement to correct a bite problem. Proper extraction of teeth during orthodontic treatment should leave the patient with both excellent function and a pleasing look.
12. No it is not. However, many dentists do refer their patients for orthodontics when they spot a serious concern. Ask your family dentist about your need for orthodontic treatment. It is very important for orthodontic patients to continue their routine dental care with their dentist. In fact we suggest you coordinate dental cleaning appointments with your orthodontic adjustment appointments. We will be happy to help you schedule your appointment so that your brace wires can be removed prior to going to the dentist. Upon replacing the wires we will carry out your orthodontic adjustment.
13. Between $3,000 and $7,000 in the United States. Prices go up to $15,000 in Japan. Dr. Cash strives to provide you and your family with quality care that fits within your budget. There is no reason to put off braces due to cost. The average cost of treatment these days is just about equivalent to a beach vacation or a plasma TV. We offer special discounts for those patients who choose to pay in full or who arrange for automatic bank drafts at the onset of treatment. We also offer discounts for multiple family members who become patients, referring dentists, their staff and their families. And best of all, your new smile will be sparkling long after the island tan fades or the newest gadget be comes obsolete. For further information about the cost of braces, click here.
 

 

14. Many patients do not have orthodontic insurance and sometimes even for those who do, the cost of orthodontic treatment can exceed your insurance carrier’s coverage limit. To help make the treatment you need more affordable, our practice offers an easy to use program through Chase Health Advantage.

With Chase, we offer payment plans with no down payment and no interest for up to 24 months! Other plans with payments over 12 and 18 months are available as well. You may use one of these plans for all or part of your treatment fee pending approval. If you would like to apply prior to your visit, please call Chase at 800-510-5638, or go to www.chasehealthadvance.com and use the Early Years provider ID number, 60613.

We look forward to working with you and making your orthodontic treatment fit within your budget.

 

 

15. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Such problems can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint problems.

There is also the emotional side of an unattractive smile. When you're not confident in the way you look, your self-esteem suffers. Children and adults whose "bad bites" are left untreated may go through life feeling self-conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand.

Finally, without treatment, many problems become worse. Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem may prove less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years.
16. It depends on the severity of the orthodontic problem. Some minor problems can be corrected in about six months. Full treatment, requiring upper and lower braces, usually is completed in less than two years. Interceptive treatment of patients with some permanent teeth and some baby teeth takes about one year.
17. Estimates of treatment time can only be that - estimates. Patients grow at different rates and will respond in their own ways to orthodontic treatment. The orthodontist has specific treatment goals in mind, and will usually continue treatment until these goals are achieved. Patient cooperation, however, is the single best predictor of staying on time with treatment. Patients who cooperate by wearing rubber bands, headgear or other needed appliances as directed, while taking care not to damage appliances, will most often lead to on-time and excellent treatment results.
18. No. Thanks to new space age technology, new orthodontic wires allow our patients to only come in for visits every 6-8 weeks, so time away from work is minimal. If orthodontic patients maintain good hygiene and care of their appliances, there should be very few appointments that last more than 30 minutes.
19. After braces are removed, the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment mprovements last for a lifetime.
20. After one year of continued observation while wearing retainers, we will dismiss our patients with a limitation. The fact remains that the only way to prevent tooth movement is to wear the retainers on a limited basis forever.
21. Careful studies have shown that wisdom teeth do not cause or contribute to the progressive crowding of lower front teeth that can develop in the late teen years and beyond. Your orthodontist, in consultation with your family dentist, can determine what is right for you.
22. Yes. Wearing a protective mouthguard is advised while playing any contact sports. Your orthodontist can recommend a specific mouthguard.
23. Playing wind or brass instruments, such as the trumpet, will clearly require some adaptation to braces. With practice and a period of adjustment, braces typically do not interfere with the playing of musical instruments.

smile early and often.