Orthodontic Treatment Options

At Florian Orthodontics, we provide orthodontic services to all age groups – young children, teenagers and adults. A comprehensive orthodontic evaluation will help us to understand your needs and concerns. During the examination, we will help answer the question whether or not it would be the appropriate time to initiate your orthodontic treatment.

Braces

Metal

Metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using brackets and wires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) to customize your smile and create a more unique and colorful look.

Braces

Clear

Clear braces are an aesthetic option that features brackets made of ceramic materials that are less noticeable. While ceramic braces provide a better cosmetic option, ceramic braces do require more attention to oral hygiene and are more brittle compared to the metal braces. For this reason, the clear braces tend to work better for older teenagers and adults.

Aligners

Clear

Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable trays to straighten your teeth instead of braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are easier as well. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.

Treatment

Phase One

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist for the first time by the age of seven. During this check-up, Dr Tao will diagnose any existing problems and determine the best course of action to begin which can include treatment and/or monitoring development. The objective of Phase One treatment is to direct the growth of the jaw, correct certain bite problems, and assist permanent teeth to come in properly. Early treatment may reduce the probability that extractions of permanent teeth or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws. Signs that your child may need early orthodontic treatment:

Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing and/or biting
Mouth breathing
Your child continues sucking his or her thumb
Speech impediments
Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner or even at all
Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
Crowded front teeth

Orthodontic problems to watch for in growing children – educational brochure provided by American Association of Orthodontics

Treatment

Teen

Orthodontic treatment during the teenage years is the ideal time to get braces or Invisalign. This is because generally by 12-years-old, the majority of the permanent teeth are in and we can clearly see misalignments of the teeth and jaws. Since teenagers are still growing and developing, we can take advantage of growth spurts for shorter, more effective and more comfortable treatment. It is likely that other peers are also going through a similar process. Once treatment is complete, your teenager can benefit from a confident, healthy, and beautiful smile for a lifetime.

Treatment

Adult Orthodontic

Adults can benefit greatly from orthodontic treatment as well. More aesthetic smiles and functional bite will lead to improvement in their overall oral health and confidence. At Florian Orthodontics, we provide adult friendly orthodontic services such as Invisalign or clear braces. Orthodontic treatment can correct the following conditions:

A misaligned bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly leading to tooth decay or gum disease
Desire for a healthier and more beautiful smile

There are surprisingly few differences between orthodontics for adults and children. Almost any treatment that can be performed for a child can also be performed for an adult. The most significant exception is that adults are no longer growing. There are certain types of orthodontic treatments that depend on modifying the growth of the jaws. When an adult patient is no longer growing, some treatments that could have been corrected non-surgically in children that will need to be corrected surgically in adults in order to get ideal results.

Technology

iTero Digital Scanner

The iTero scanner is a highly-precise and technologically-advanced digital scanning system that replaces the unpleasant goop-filled impression trays. The iTero scanner captures the necessary information to create a detailed 3D model of your teeth, gums, and supporting structures. The entire process is a breeze, there is no discomfort during the scanning, and the resulting model is very accurate to facilitate diagnosis and treatment. You will be able to breathe and even swallow normally during the fast procedure. The 3D model that results from the scan will be used to establish your treatment plan and is ideal for all types of braces, aligners, and retainers.

Have any questions?