Braces are often thought of as a negative part of growing up, but when you get braces, you are investing in your smile! Your smile will be drastically changed once the process is complete and you will be glad you got them when you did.
There are several good reasons why adolescence is the optimal time for orthodontic treatment, though occasionally even earlier intervention is called for. One has to do with the development of the teeth: Theres no set timetable for every kid, but generally by the age of 11-13 the deciduous (baby) teeth have all been lost, and the permanent ones have largely come in. This is the time when we can go to work correcting the problems that cause a bad bite (malocclusion), improper tooth spacing or poor alignment.
Orthodontic problems dont improve with age they simply become harder to treat. Its easier to treat many orthodontic problems during adolescence because the body is still growing rapidly at this time. Whether standard braces are used, or appliances like palatal expanders, improved appearance and function can be created in a short period of time. In later years, when the bones of the face and jaw are fully developed, many conditions become more difficult (and costly) to treat.
Clear Aligners for teens is a series of removable, clear plastic trays that gradually straighten teeth as theyre worn (for 22 hours per day). Formerly recommended only for adult patients, they now come with special features like compliance indicators to tell how often youve been wearing them that make them appropriate for teens in some situations. The advantage: theyre practically invisible!
Other orthodontic appliances may be recommended in some cases, where major tooth or jaw movement is needed. They can range from small devices that fit inside the mouth to external headgear. But dont worry: theyre temporary but they provide a long-term benefit in a short time.When your orthodontic treatment is complete, a new smile will be yours for a lifetime.
The basic structures of a tooth consist of the root, which anchors the tooth to your jaw, and the crown which is the pearly whites that you can visibly see when you open wide. There are other structures in the tooth model and it involves the bone and gums. There are two types of bone that make up the jaw; cancellous (spongy) bone and cortical bone (which is found in the long bones in your body). Spongy bone is where tooth roots are anchored and is a type of tissue that is porous and filled with red bone marrow. It is not as strong as cortical bone, but dont worry you have that in your jaw too!
When ANY part of this tooth system is damaged it runs the risk of affecting the WHOLE system! This is why a simple cavity could later on turn into a large chip, root canal or even taking out the tooth all together.
The actual implant portion is the root part on a natural tooth. Our implants are made out of titanium, which is commonly used as an implant material. It has high biocompatibility and bonding ability with the bone and does not have any ill effect on the human body. The crown portion of the implant is the white part of the tooth. This is tailor-made and created just so to match your previous tooth in color, shape and feel. All of these different pieces can turn into lengthy off-site creation, but DeLaura Dental is different! We complete the full process, from start to finish, fully in house and thus cuts down on time in your schedule. Dental implants can be used to support a number of restorations, including crowns, implant supported bridges or even implant supported dentures.
Getting your new dental implants is a multi-step process, but thanks to new technology using computer imaging and CT scans, its a process that is neither time consuming or painful. It is important to most patients to know the steps in advance so they can plan for the future. Every patients needs are different and, of course, may vary from the outlined process below.
Dr. Steven J. McCarthy is a general dentist who grew up in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He achieved his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and earned the prestigious Comprehensive Care Award for exceptional patient care and clinical skills. As an undergraduate, he attained his Bachelors degree from the University of Minnesota. He graduated as Valedictorian of New Richmond Senior High School.
Dr. McCarthy attends St. Lawrence Parish in Utica, is a huge sports fan, enjoys playing basketball, and continually strives to learn about the latest advancements in dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), the Macomb Dental Society (MDS), and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
Dr. McCarthy highly values our outstanding community in Romeo and its surrounding areas. He is committed to delivering compassionate patient care, along with the utmost communication, honesty and trust. He is a great addition to our highly skilled dental team.