Orthodontic Treatment
- Even though most people think of pre-teens and teens when they think of orthodontics, there are good reasons your child should get an orthodontic evaluation much sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.
- Treatment & Other Information
When you visit one of our offices for a consultation,
Dr. Tibbetts
will evaluate and develop a diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan for your case. There will be
no fee for this consultation, as a courtesy to your general dentist, who will receive a report of
your visit.
Orthodontic treatment may take many forms, depending on age, severity of case, and
objectives. In our office we use the following terms to describe your treatment:
Interceptive, Comprehensive, Adult.
Other early treatment methods are used for the more complex conditions of the early/late mixed dentition (ages 8-12).
Arch expansion and arch lengthening are examples of this type of treatment. Again,
when the permanent dentition is complete, the patient is evaluated for further treatment.
Interceptive Treatment
Certain methods are used in the early mixed dentition (ages 6-9).
These include reduction of tooth overlap, cross bite
correction, reduction of severe tooth flaring, and space maintenance. Following this type of treatment, the patient is evaluated for any further treatment needs when
permanent dentition is complete.
Comprehensive Treatment
Adult Orthodontics
Adults now have the opportunity to have the orthodontic correction that may not have been available during their adolescence.
In our office, approximately 25% of our new patients are adults; advancements in treatment methods and techniques make adult treatment better than ever. Arch alignment, reduction of tooth overlap and flaring are a few examples.
Esthetic orthodontic brackets, made of ceramic, are the choice of the majority of our adults. Our office also offers a state-of-the-art method of aligning less severe bite problems. With the Invisalign
Aligner Systems, certain adult cases may be treated
without the use of "braces". These aligners are virtually invisible when worn by the patient to correct less severe malocclusions. Long-term retention follows all methods of adult orthodontics.
