Radiography
Using the most advanced dental technology possible is just as important as staying up-to-date on the latest treatment techniques. Because our practice is dedicated to providing you with the safest and most convenient treatment options available, we utilize advanced digital X-ray technology in our office. Digital X-rays provide several advanced imaging options designed to save time, provide clearer dental photos, and expose patients to 90% less radiation than with traditional X-ray technology.
iTero Orthodontic Digital Ecosystem
The iTero Element Intraoral Scanner has been designed to work with the iTero Orthodontic Digital Ecosystem, which enables you to digitize orthodontic workflows. Increase efficiency with digitally enabled tools provided by iTero scanners that transform tasks you currently perform manually.
The iOC scanner system, powered by iTero technology, digitally captures the contours of your teeth, providing an accurate, goop- free digital orthodontic scan in just minutes! This scanner system removes the goop, gagging, and discomfort often experienced with the traditional impression method. The digital impression procedure ensures a more comfortable experience for the patient and produces a more precise scan. The iTero uses visible light, so you won’t have any exposure to radiation during the procedure!
iTero intraoral scanning is a natural fit for Invisalign clear aligner therapy.
Invisalign® Invisible Braces
Invisalign ® is a form of orthodontic treatment that works to correct many different types of malocclusions through the use of a series of clear plastic trays called aligners. Invisalign® was developed to eliminate the use of unsightly metal brackets and wires and allow orthodontic treatment to occur almost “invisibly”.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
After an evaluation visit to determine whether a patient is a candidate for Invisalign®, the orthodontist will take dental impressions, radiographs and pictures. Using these, Invisalign® will use its unique computer imaging system to create a series of Invisalign® aligners, which are clear and which will replace the standard bracket and wires of conventional orthodontics. The first in the series of clear retainers will fit the patient’s teeth as they exist at the beginning of treatment. Each successive retainer will exert forces which will move teeth to the position where the next retainer can take over.
The patient must wear each removable retainer for approximately two weeks. They must be worn at all times – 24 hours a day – except during meals.
The number of aligners will vary from patient to patient depending on the severity of the malocclusion. The overall length of treatment generally approximates the time needed for standard orthodontics.
Interceptive Orthodontics
Historically, most patients did not commence orthodontic treatment until all of their permanent teeth had erupted and then had a malocclusion diagnosed and addressed at the age of about 12-14. Waiting this long often necessitated the extraction of several permanent teeth in order to create space for orthodontic movement. More extensive movement necessitated the use of headgear and other orthodontic appliances. It was noted that teen cooperation in wearing such appliances was often problematic.
Interceptive orthodontics is a technique and philosophy which was developed to address certain orthodontic problems between the ages of 7-11.This early intervention and phased treatment can result in fewer extracted teeth and better patient compliance.
Some of the techniques used in this interceptive orthodontic phase include arch expansion, which allows more room for permanent teeth and orthopedic growth appliances which enhance jaw growth and make later orthodontic treatment much simpler.
These early interventions act as Phase 1 of a two step orthodontic treatment. Phase 2 will occur closer to the time when standard orthodontics generally takes place. Interceptive orthodontic techniques will allow Phase 2 of the treatment to become simpler, shorter and less extensive than it otherwise would have been.
Orthodontics
The goal of orthodontics is to correct a malocclusion – a bad bite. Teeth may be crowded or crooked or the upper and lower jaws may be out of alignment. Occasionally, even when teeth appear straight, the patient may have a bite which is not even and which may be causing further dental problems.
Orthodontics utilizes physics to slowly move teeth into the proper position. This is performed by using corrective appliances, including braces and retainers. Brackets are placed on the teeth using bonding technology. Arch wires are then threaded through these brackets . The tension and tightness of these wires determines the individual movement of each tooth. Orthodontics applies constant pressure on each tooth in a desired direction. By making adjustment to the pressure at follow up visits, our orthodontists control the slow movement of the teeth until the malocclusion is corrected. Generally speaking, orthodontic treatment can last from one to three years or longer depending on the patient’s age and severity of the malocclusion. Retainers are often worn to help ensure teeth remain in their new position after braces have been removed.
The Damon® System
We are pleased to offer our patients The Damon® System. Damon braces allow your teeth to move more comfortably and easily than traditional braces with fewer visits to the office and less treatment time.
The Damon System is a state of the art, biologically advanced system which allows for shorter more comfortable treatment with longer appointment intervals, less permanent tooth extractions, less use of headgear and bulky painful uncomfortable palatal expansion appliances.
Braces for Children
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.
Early detection of orthodontic problems in children is advantageous because some problems may have better results if the orthodontist has a chance to find and treat them early. Depending on the case, correction of some problems can be more difficult once all the permanent teeth have come in, or when jaw growth is nearly complete. Early treatment may be the best option to prevent more serious issues from developing and may significantly reduce treatment time and complexity at a later age.
Generally, by the age of seven, children have baby (primary) and adult (permanent) teeth. Even if your child’s teeth seem straight to you, Dr. Bayrakdarian has studied how to identify problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth that may not be visible to the untrained eye. These problems will be brought to your attention at the initial exam.
The initial exam may show that your child’s bite is fine. Or, even if Dr. Bayrakdian does identify a potential problem, he will most likely recommend monitoring the child’s growth and development, and then if indicated, begin treatment at the right time for the child. In other cases, Dr. Bayrakdian may find that early treatment is beneficial.
Dr. Bayrakdian is trained to determine the best type of treatment and the best time for treatment for each individual. Early detection would be a way for Dr. Bayrakdian to determine when or if your child needs orthodontic treatment. Either way, an early exam will give you the peace of mind that a professional is monitoring your child’s orthodontic health.
If early treatment is recommended for your child, Dr. Bayrakdian will have the opportunity to provide the following benefits with the most comfort and convenience:
Help guide jaw development
Decrease the risk of trauma to front teeth that extend outward
Correct oral habits
Improve self-esteem
Help guide permanent teeth into a more desirable location
Help improve the way lips close together
Your child’s teeth may seem straight to you. However to help you determine if your child should come in for an early exam, check to see if your child shows signs of the following:
Thumb or finger sucking
Loss of baby teeth too early or too late
Mouth breathing
Finds it hard to bite or chew
Teeth are misplaced, crowded or blocked out
Jaws make sounds or shift
Biting the palate or the cheek
Bite is uneven or teeth do not meet at all
Alignment of jaws and teeth are not balanced with the rest of the face
Braces of Adults
If you are an adult and are considering getting braces, you are not alone. About 1 in 5 patients are adults. It is very common for adults to get braces, just as adults commonly seek other methods of self-improvement. Taking care of your smile is like taking care of yourself. If you are unhappy with your smile, you do have a choice.
Left untreated, many orthodontic problems can affect dental health. Not only are crowded teeth difficult to clean, over time, they become more susceptible to decay, gum disease and tooth loss. Poor tooth alignment can make it difficult to chew and impair gum tissue and the supporting bone. It can also cause pain in your jaw joints and result in abnormal erosion of tooth surfaces.
Is there a difference between adult orthodontic treatment and teenage orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics for adults is not necessarily more complicated. Although the jaw is softer in teenagers and the correction of bites may be easier, in most cases the results of adult treatment are similar when compared to those of teens. One difference is that treatment may take a little bit longer. You heal more slowly with age, and so the orthodontist has to move your teeth more slowly and gently in order for you to heal between each appointment.
The beginning of treatment may be more difficult for adult patients as well. Your mouth will probably be sore for about a week, but over-the-counter pain relievers will be enough to alleviate the pain. After this initial stage, you will hardly notice your braces except when they are adjusted by the orthodontist.
Many adults say their teeth may feel loose. When a teenager gets braces, the orthodontist is moving teeth that are still relatively new. However with age, little filaments will anchor your teeth to your jaw. The orthodontist will have to loosen these filaments, resulting in the feeling of looseness. But don’t worry! Following treatment, the filaments will tighten again.
Remember, the soreness is manageable and your efforts will be worth the reward of a smile that you will be proud to show off.
