Welcome to Stoma Advanced Dental Care

Orthodontic treatment at Stoma Advanced Dental Care

In technical terms orthodontics is the dental science that deals with diagnosing, correcting, and preventing irregularities of the teeth (malocclusion) or poor occlusion, disproportionate jaw relationships. Orthodontics includes dento-facial orthopaedics, which is used to correct problems involving the growth of the jaw. It is a science that enhances your face value by adding to the beauty of your smile.

Orthodontic treatment today is the best solution for most people before any cosmetic treatment like veneers, laminates etc. Since the treatment usually takes six months to two years to complete, we recommend that the mal-positioned teeth be aligned first. It does not ruin natural teeth but instead, leaves it intact and is almost a permanent solution

Most people are under the impression that braces are meant only for children. Today about 40% of our patients are adults who seek our help to straighten teeth, close gaps or enhance their smile. With technology advancement orthodontics offers tooth coloured barely visible braces, or even those that fit on the back of your teeth that are not visible at all. Treatment typically lasts from 6 to 30 months, depending on age, and the severity of the orthodontic problem. Outstanding results are also dependent on maximizing the coordination of care between you and our practice. We are committed to delivering the best possible service in order for you to achieve your orthodontic objectives. Orthodontists generally use braces and retainers to set your teeth. Additional components — including removable appliances ("plates"), headgear, expansion appliances, and many other devices—may also be used to move teeth and jaw bones. After a course of active orthodontic treatment, patients have to wear retainers, which maintain the teeth in their improved positions while surrounding bone reforms around them. The retainers are generally worn full-time for a short period, perhaps six months to a year, then part-time (typically, nightly during sleep) for as long as the orthodontist recommends.

Treatment Plan

Your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment for your teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or neck pain.

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. More and more adult patients are taking up orthodontic treatment in this day and age and there are many options to enable braces to be much more discreet than before.

Stoma’s Technological Edge

Digi-graph is used to produce high-resolution images of facial and tooth structures at various steps of treatment. We can diagnose the anomalies and pathologies associated with teeth and jaws. Our three- dimensional sonic digitizing helps design and simulate the ideal smile in advance for you. We incorporate your preferences considering your overall looks, thus an attractive smile which suits your face structure.

Our orthodontic diagnostic and treatment computer program allows patient to visualize facial changes likely to occur with growth, orthodontic treatment or jaw surgery. Our patients find this to be an extremely helpful tool to visualize "before" and "after" affects.

Stoma’s Recommendations

Stoma Advanced Dental Care recommends orthodontic treatment in the early teens. This is the time when children have lost their deciduous teeth and their permanent teeth are erupting. It is during this time that over-crowding or incorrect tooth positions are seen. This is known as the occlusion. Where teeth do not ‘fitting together’is known as a malocclusion.

Orthodontic treatment aims to correct malocclusions by moving the natural teeth into the correct or ideal positions. The treatment can be carried out in different ways. There are removable appliances which can be used for a few hours per day in case of mild malocclusion. These appliances apply mild forces to natural teeth. Fixed appliance are recommended if malocclusion is severe. Fixed orthodontic brackets are fixed to natural teeth. These small brackets can be made of stainless steel, titanium, gold or ceramic. Once the brackets are fixed to the natural teeth they are joined or connected with an arch- wire. The arch wire with the small slot inside the bracket will provide the force to straighten the teeth. For this reason it is very important that the brackets are correctly positioned on the teeth.

Orthodontic treatment is unique and requires a specific and custom treatment plan. Some patients require minor changes to their occlusion and treatment may only take a few months to complete. Others require greater teeth movements and longer treatment times.

As mentioned above if orthodontic problems are not corrected early in life this leads to the following:-

Your Initial Visit

At your first visit to Stoma Advanced Dental Care, we will conduct a thorough oral examination of your skeletal, extra-oral and intra-oral structures. The treatment is planned out on the basis of the examination results, the radiographs and primary casts made during the first appointment.

Plaster models of your mouth are made so that your dentist can measure your tooth size, how your teeth fit together, and determine how much space is going to be needed in the future. These models enable the dentist to work out the details of your treatment.

X-rays are also taken of your head and teeth. These reveal your bone structure and how your teeth fit together. Your x-rays are sent by your dentist to a Growth Centre, where highly trained technicians make tracings which show key anatomical points. This information is then fed into a computer. The results of this computer analysis give your dentist a Treatment Design and a Growth Forecast.

We will discuss the diagnosis, treatment plan and expected results. We will endeavor to answer all of your questions. If there are individual problems of some other nature that might influence the acceptance of treatment, this is the opportune time for discussing them

Next, orthodontic appliances are placed in the mouth, the patient is given thorough, illustrated and interesting explanations and instructions as to the proper way to take care of the newly acquired appliances. Tooth brushing technique is gone over in detail. The reasons for brushing in a specific way are explained. Questions are invited and answered to the best of our ability. Here again, understanding means respect for and appreciation of the appliances, or braces, and their care.

Children's Orthodontics

Stoma Advanced Dental Care recommends that a child's first visit to see the orthodontist is around age 7 - 9, for a screening assessment to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and the best time for treatment. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and cross bites, crowding and other problems can be evaluated. When treatment is initiated at an early age, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In many cases, early treatment as an interceptive measure will simplify treatment in later years

Orthodontic treatment at Stoma Advanced Dental Care corrects

Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry focused on the diagnosis and treatment of dental and associated facial irregularities. Orthodontic problems, which can result from genetic and environmental factors, must be diagnosed before treatment begins. Proper diagnosis involves taking photographs, x- rays, and dental impressions, which enable our practice to make informative decisions about the form of treatment necessary.

On the average, about 45-50% of orthodontic patients require the removal of four bicuspid teeth to achieve optimal results and satisfactory treatment, but if the patient visits at early age around at the age of ten year the possibility of removal of teeth for braces treatment is less. There are consequences of not removing teeth when indicated, just as there are consequences of removing them too often.

Treatment typically lasts from 6 to 30 months, depending on age, and the severity of the orthodontic problem. Outstanding results are also dependent on maximizing the coordination of care between you and our practice. We are committed to delivering the best possible service in order for you to achieve your orthodontic objectives.

Children and adults need Orthodontics to correct the following: -

Crossbite can occur in the front and/or the sides of the mouth: One or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth. This can occur with a single tooth or multiple teeth. Early correction of crossbite is recommended.

Crossbite should be corrected because it can:

If there is a single tooth crossbite, the tooth can be moved with braces into the correct position. In some cases, a retainer can be utilized. With multiple teeth in crossbite, the arch needs to be expanded with braces or other intra-oral appliances

Open-bite

Openbite is an insufficient vertical overlap of the teeth. It is caused by oral habits such as tongue thrust, digit sucking or when the jaws don’t grow evenly. Timing of treatment is critical to the overall success of the therapy.

Openbite can be corrected through growth modification of the jaws using braces, extrusion of the anterior teeth and in some cases surgical correction of the jaws. Also breaking oral habits, such as digit sucking, will facilitate the correction of an openbite.

Class II Overbite Correction

Overbite occurs when the upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth. Generally there is no contact between the upper and lower front teeth. Often you cannot see the lower incisors. Overbite is due to a disproportionate amount of eruption of front teeth or over development of the bone that supports the teeth and a front to back discrepancy in the growth of the upper or lower jaw (Class II Relationship). Overbite is also known as a deep bite.

Overbite should be corrected because it can:

Overbite can be corrected through moving the front teeth up and/or bringing the back teeth together, which will “open” the bite so the teeth are properly aligned and the deep bite is eliminated.

Class II Overjet Correction

Overjet is also known as protrusion. In this case, the lower teeth are too far behind the upper front teeth. This can be caused by an improper alignment of the molars (Class II Relationship), a skeletal imbalance of the upper and lower jaw; flared upper incisors, missing lower teeth or a combination of all the above. In addition, oral habits such as thumb sucking, finger sucking or tongue thrusting can exacerbate the condition.

Overjet should be corrected because it can:

Overjet can be corrected through growth modification using a functional appliance and/or elastics to reduce the skeletal imbalance or extraction of teeth.

Class III Underbite Correction

The lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. An underbite is usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or a combination of the two (Class III Relationship). Underbite can also be caused by flared upper incisors, missing lower teeth or a combination of all the above. Early correction of underbite is recommended.

Underbite should be corrected because it can:

Underbite can be corrected through growth modification of the jaws, extraction of teeth and in some cases, surgical correction of the jaws.

TMD or Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction

TMD is associated with neck and back spasms, arthritis, cranial neuralgias, even fibromyalgia; but more often than not, it's the direct result of a bad bite with a heavy habit of tooth clenching and grinding.

Typical symptoms include joint and/or face pain, clicking or crackling joints, ringing in the ear, headaches, limited opening of the mouth, and soreness after chewing certain foods or after long dental procedures. While 20% of the population are aware of one or more TMD symptoms, only about 5% think it's serious enough to seek treatment for it.

Needless to say, the TMD should be treated and resolved before any definitive dental treatment is considered whether it be reconstruction or orthodontic treatment.

Treatment Duration

Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and face and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion may differ from the original estimate. Timings may also vary depending on the patient's compliance with treatment, particularly with wearing prescribed rubber bands, removable appliances or maintaining a sensible diet that does not cause numerous breakages to the brace.

Braces - Orthodontics

Braces

Braces use constant, gentle pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are:- the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your "ideal" bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want you to look after treatment.

The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day.

Ceramic Braces

That resembles your tooth colour so closely that discriminating it from your teeth becomes a visual challenge. Tooth coloured braces are made of tooth-coloured porcelain and are an excellent choice for those who need to wear fixed braces but don’t want to advertise it. They are fast acting and detail the position of the teeth very accurately, achieving your beautiful smile faster.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the most popular with kids and teenagers. They love using different colors of ligature ties. These braces are much smaller than ever before.

Gold braces are the newest addition to our line of brackets. They are stainless steel braces coated with 24 karat gold. They have the strength of metal, but blend in with the color of the teeth much better. That is because most teeth have a natural yellow tint.

Lingual Braces

Lingual orthodontics is the correction of misaligned teeth, using a fixed brace, bonded on the inner surface of the teeth. A lingual brace works in the same way as a conventional fixed brace, with full control and movement of the teeth, but is nearly invisible, the only person who knows you have a brace is you.

Lingual braces can be for everyone, if you have healthy gums and bones. With Lingual braces, if you are an adult or adolescent, there are individual solutions to individual problems. This is the ultimate in invisible brace options.

Functional Braces

These are used specifically on growing children to correct prominent or “sticking out” front teeth. In our clinic we use upper and lower plastic removable braces worn together to hold the lower jaw in a forward posture. This stretches the jaw muscles so that the lips function normally in front of the upper teeth creating an orthodontic force to push the upper front teeth back and the lower front teeth forward. It sounds complicated but it works if it is worn all the time (other than for eating and contact sports).

Invisalign

Invisalign is the clinically accepted, nearly invisible way to straighten your teeth and improve your smile-without braces. When you begin treatment, you’ll wear each custom-made aligner for 22 hours a day and change them every 2 weeks. The aligners gently move your teeth by 0.25mm incrementally into a new position. After 2 weeks, you “graduate” to the next one in the series. You only remove them for eating, drinking & cleaning or for special occasions. As you progress through the series of aligners, your teeth will begin moving, little by little. And you’re on your way to the smile you’ve always dreamed of! For most adults, treatment time is just about one year.

Removable Appliances

Removable appliances, unlike conventional braces, are used to retain teeth in their corrected positions and in some cases, to influence growth of the jaws in order to effect changes in facial structure. In addition, they are often used before and in conjunction with fixed appliances.

Although removable appliances can easily be taken out by the patient, there may be a tendency not to wear them as we have prescribed. This means your teeth, jaws and muscles may move back toward their original positions.

Headgear

Orthodontic headgear creates forces that guide the growth of the face and jaws. It is also used to move teeth into better positions or to prevent teeth from moving. Maintaining constant use of your headgear will achieve the best results. If instructions on usage are not followed, treatment will take longer and our treatment plan may have to change.

Always be careful when removing your headgear. If the headgear is removed carelessly, the part that fits in your mouth and attaches to your teeth could injure your lips, cheeks, face and possibly your eyes.

Splint therapy

Splint therapy has three aims: (1) eliminate the TMJ complaints, (2) identify the correct jaw-joint relationship, and (3) determine whether or not the complaints can be resolved. Splint therapy consists of biweekly or so visits of relining and/or adjusting the splint for 3-6 months or until the TMJ complaints are resolved. The splint construction incorporates an ideal functional occlusion and with adjustments and relines over time. It just might provide the most comfortable bite. It must be worn full time, especially while eating.

Orthodontics and Surgery

Growth abnormalities of the jaw are corrected by an oral surgeon. These can be heredity, trauma or other developmental problems like protruding or retruding chin; an unsightly display of gum tissue above the upper front teeth; an inability to achieve lip contact when the lips are relaxed; over all elongation of the face, or asymmetry. Teeth are aligned on the upper and lower jaws, when the jaws are too short or long, too wide or narrow, the proper bite often cannot be achieved with braces alone.

In these cases, orthodontic treatment and surgery are combined to straighten the teeth and oral surgery to correct severe cases of bad bites and jawbone abnormalities. The orthodontist, in conjunction with the oral surgeon, formulates a combined treatment plan that may include surgery performed by the oral surgeon. Orthodontics and Surgery may be the only treatment option in some severe cases.

Orthodontic appliances are used to align teeth before surgery are left in place during the surgical procedure to help stabilize the teeth and jaws. After surgery there is a period of orthodontic treatment to achieve final alignment of the teeth, thus complementing the new facial symmetry.

Surgery can be avoided for children as young as age 7. One or several orthodontic appliances guide bone growth, thus eliminating the need for surgery in some patients. However, in non- growing patients, the improper tooth/bone relationship frequently is corrected with surgery.

Call Stoma Advanced Dental Care to fix an appointment for an orthodontic treatment and walk away with beautiful, healthy and happy you.

Recall

We recommend regular check-up. This will take care of cavities and a thorough cleaning. Recall appointments are integral part of the orthodontic treatment. The success of the treatment is assessed during the recall appointments. It is essential to schedule timely recall appointments to check for relapse and evaluate the progress.