A generation ago it was extremely unusual to see an adult with braces on their teeth. Today that is no longer the case. Thanks to advances in dental technology, greater access to care, and an increased awareness of the benefits of a beautiful and healthy smile; now over twenty percent of people wearing orthodontic appliances are adults.
With the wide variety of orthodontic treatment options available to adults, the process of wearing braces is more convenient, more comfortable, more efficient and much less conspicuous than ever before. Bulky metal braces are truly a thing of the past. The latest generations of metal appliances are substantially smaller and less unsightly than any of their predecessors. Moreover, an adult interested in orthodontic care can select braces that are hardly visible at all. Todays tooth -colored ceramic braces, lingual braces or removable clear aligners can all effectively deliver treatment to achieve successful and pleasing outcomes of care.
Although, adult orthodontics requires an investment of time and resources the payoff is well worth it. The value of a healthy and attractive smile is priceless. Thanks to modern orthodontics, having teeth that look good and function well is something that can be enjoyed at any age.
In cases where a set of conventional braces is the best approach to care, but a more cosmetic appearance is desired, ceramic braces offer an excellent alternative to metal braces. Ceramic braces, or clear braces, blend in with the natural color of your teeth. While being far less visible, they still function in very much the same way as metal braces to deliver outstanding results of care. An excellent aesthetic choice, ceramic braces can be a bit more fragile than their metal counterparts.
Often habits such as prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and certain swallowing or breathing patterns that can open or distort the bite are better dealt with when care is initiated at a younger age. Interceptive treatment is also helpful when the top jaw is too narrow, not developing in harmony with the lower jaw, or permanent top teeth are behind the lower ones when closing the jaws. Likewise, if a young childs front teeth protrude excessively or very severe crowding is present a first phase of orthodontic care can be beneficial.
The objectives of interceptive treatment and a first phase of orthodontic care are to influence jaw growth, create more space for crowded teeth, help to correct harmful habits, and improve facial aesthetics. With interceptive treatment the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth as well as the need for extractions of permanent teeth can be lessened. Interceptive treatment can also simplify the next phase of orthodontic care.
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. In many cases it provides an excellent treatment alternative to traditional orthodontic braces and metal wires.
Invisalign utilizes 3-D computer imaging technology to correct problematic bites or malocclusions by planning a complete sequence of custom-made clear aligners. This series of clear aligners, each of which is worn for a couple of weeks, incrementally move the teeth into place until the final desired corrections are reached.
The advantage and appeal of Invisalign appliances is that they are more cosmetic and more comfortable than most other orthodontic appliances. With Invisalign appliances orthodontic treatment is practically invisible.
Designed to move teeth through a planned sequence of clear aligners, Invisalign is virtually invisible to the outside world. Transforming smiles with minimal interference to daily activities, Invisalign allows teens and adults to enjoy eating all of their favorite foods, and engage in sports without the fear of breaking their orthodontic appliances or sharp poking wires. Moreover, as the aligners are completely removable, toothbrushing and flossing is much easier. There is no need to struggle to clean in between and around any attached orthodontic brackets and wires.
While not a solution for every type of orthodontic case, treatment with Invisalign is an excellent choice for many image-conscious teens and adults. The most discrete and easy to wear option in orthodontic care, Invisalign for teens also features a special blue dot indicator to monitor treatment compliance.
The iTero Element Intraoral Scanner optimizes every aspect of care. From obtaining the most accurate and comfortable 3D digital impressions to the generation of dental models for the custom fabrication of Invisalign aligners, appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea, and dental prostheses such as crowns, the iTero Element Intraoral Scanner provides a more pleasant patient experience while producing more predictable results and better outcomes of care.
Taking care to protect your braces from damage and your mouth from injury is extremely important. Wearing a mouthguard while participating in sports is a good way to safeguard your appliances as well as your smile. It is important that you wear a mouthguard that has been specifically designed to fit over your braces. Our office can guide you in selecting the most suitable one.
Other types of orthodontic appliances may also be used during the course of treatment. Some of these appliances are removable and can be taken in and out of the mouth, while others will be attached to the teeth until they are no longer needed.
Preserving and stabilizing the result of your orthodontic treatment is known as retention and the appliances used for this purpose are called retainers. Almost every individual who has undergone orthodontic care will need to wear some type of a retainer.
There are two major kinds of orthodontic retainers. A removable retainer is one that can be taken in and out of the mouth, while a permanent retainer is fixed or bonded to the back of the teeth. Before removing your braces our orthodontist will explain which of the available retainer options you will need to maintain your smile.
Removable retainers come in two forms. A Hawley retainer is the most traditional orthodontic retainer. It is typically an acrylic based appliance with a single wire that sits in front of the teeth to maintain the corrections along with some small clasps to stabilize it in the mouth. The other type of removable retainer is a vacuform invisible retainer, which is called an Essix retainer. This retainer looks similar to a clear custom bleaching tray or dental aligner. It is made of a thin transparent plastic that is fabricated to precisely fit over the teeth and prevent any unwanted shifting. While a Hawley retainer has the advantages of being quite durable and easy to adjust, an Essix retainer is less visible and can be easier to adapt to wearing.
In some cases a fixed retainer may be recommended to maintain a corrected smile. A fixed retainer is a special thin wire that is bonded to the back of the front teeth. It remains in place all of the time and does not show at all when you smile. This type of retainer is a good option when theres a high risk that teeth could revert to their former position, especially the lower front teeth. A fixed retainer provides excellent stability, but requires extra care to keep the teeth and gums around the appliance clean.
Most problems involving the alignment of your childs teeth and the growth of their jaws can be identified by the time they are in the first or second grade. That is why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have a check up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7. At this visit the orthodontist will carefully examine your childs bite and assess the alignment and development of the teeth. The orthodontist will also look at the growth and relationships of the jaws, and in particular check for any shifts or dysfunction. It will also be determined if any premature tooth loss, habits, swallowing or breathing patterns are having an effect on your childs occlusion.
Following this visit the orthodontist will indicate if any immediate preventative or interceptive orthodontic care is needed. In many circumstances no treatment is required right away and the child can be observed until it is the appropriate time for care. Your childs dental development as well as their prospective facial growth will be carefully considered in outlining the best timetable for care.
Orthodontic treatment for children typically begins between the ages of 9 and 14. At this time they are generally in the mid to late mixed dentition stage. This means they have a mix of permanent front teeth, permanent molars, and some baby teeth. The benefit of placing braces at this stage is that the orthodontist can improve the alignment of permanent front teeth, guide the incoming new adult teeth into position, and utilize the childs growth and development to best advantage.
Often habits such as prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and certain swallowing or breathing patterns that can open or distort the bite are better dealt with when care is initiated at a younger age. Early treatment is also helpful when the top jaw is too narrow, not developing in harmony with the lower jaw, or if permanent top teeth are behind the lower ones when closing the jaws. Likewise, if a young childs front teeth protrude excessively or very severe crowding is present a first phase of orthodontic care can be beneficial.
The objectives of early treatment and a first phase of orthodontic care are to influence jaw growth, create more space for crowded teeth, help to correct harmful habits, and improve facial aesthetics. With early treatment the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth as well as the need for extractions of permanent teeth can be lessened. Early treatment can also simplify the next phase of orthodontic care.
Greater than half of all orthodontic patients are teenagers between the ages of 12 to 17 years. At this stage of development most of their permanent teeth, with the exception of the wisdom teeth, have already erupted into place. Any problems with the alignment of the teeth, issues with the bite, as well as discrepancies in jaw relationships are readily detectable at this time, making your teen an excellent candidate for orthodontic care.
The teenage years are typically a time of significant physical and emotional development. In addition to acquiring a more adult appearance, teens are developing a heightened sense of self-awareness, building self-confidence, and investing more in peer relationships. Having teeth that are crooked, gapped, crowded, or protruding can have a negative impact on their self-image as well as their self-esteem. In addition to that, malocclusions can predispose teens to TMJ issues, headaches, and dental disease.
Helping your teen to achieve a well aligned, more pleasing, and healthier smile means making a commitment to orthodontic care. Although orthodontic treatment involves wearing some type of appliances and takes time, the ultimate reward of a beautiful smile is well worth the effort.
The good news is that, thanks to advances in modern orthodontics todays image conscious teens can choose from a wide selection of braces that are far less bulky, much less noticeable, and more comfortable than ever before.
The most common type of braces seen today remain metal braces. Made of high-grade stainless steel these braces are significantly smaller and have a lower profile than their predecessors from years ago. Each brace, which is known as an orthodontic bracket, is individually bonded to the front of each tooth. Metal braces allow for efficient and highly controllable tooth movement.
Two Phase Orthodontic treatment involves an initial stage of orthodontic care that maximizes the opportunities offered by growth and development in young children. The first phase of treatment paves the way for the second stage of orthodontic care to refine and perfect the alignment of the jaws and teeth.
The benefits of early intervention and two phases of care cannot be overstated. While orthodontic care may be provided at any age, its generally most effective when growth and development are leveraged to a childs advantage. Delaying treatment can make care more complex and invasive, down the road.
The objectives of Phase One orthodontic care are to influence jaw growth, create more space for crowded teeth, help correct harmful habits, and improve facial aesthetics. This initial phase can decrease the likelihood of dental impactions and lessen the need for extractions of permanent teeth. Phase One treatment also simplifies the next stage of orthodontic care.
Once the goals for Phase One have been accomplished, the stage is set for the permanent teeth to come into improved alignment and a better bite. At this point, your child will be given a break from active care and placed on observation until its time to begin the second phase of treatment.
Phase two involves the final alignment of the teeth and the bite. Typically complete appliances are placed on the upper and lower teeth to move them into their correct positions and harmonious relationships. Phase two aims to achieve ideal aesthetics, healthy function, and stable results of care.
Orthodontics has been a passion for Dr. Peter Vrontikis since age 14, when he was inspired by his orthodontist, the late Dr. David Roberts in Midvale. As an orthodontist, Dr. Vrontikis listens and communicates with his patients and parents, while providing the most positive experience. His goal is for patients to look forward to seeing him, just as he enjoyed his very own orthodontist visits as a teenager. Throughout his career, he has always possessed a natural ability to connect with and understand people. He prides himself in clear communication and respecting everyone involved in the orthodontic team, which includes patients, parents, families, team members and doctors. Dr. Vrontikis encourages and appreciates questions from patients and parents, as he strives to provide them with a detailed understanding of their treatment.
Dr. Vrontikis was born and raised in Sandy and has a large family spread throughout Salt Lake Valley. He earned his undergraduate degree in exercise and physiology from the University of Utah and then his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Southern California (USC), where he was elected treasurer. He was accepted into the orthodontic residency program at USC, where he was president of his class and where he obtained his orthodontic certificate and masters degree in craniofacial biology.
After spending many years in Southern California, Dr. Vrontikis and his wife, Christina, are excited to be back in Salt Lake City and to be a part of the Holladay community. When not in the office, he and his wife enjoy spending time with their Boston Terrier, Callie; traveling; dancing; dining; and sporting events, especially University of Utah football games. Dr. Vrontikis enjoys hunting for elk, fishing, boating, camping and golf.
If you are looking for a highly trained and experienced orthodontist in Salt Lake City, you have come to the right place. At our practice, you will receive the highest quality care. Our orthodontic office uses the latest state-of-the-art equipment and cutting edge technology and we uphold the strictest sterilization techniques. We know that many people may feel anxious about coming to the orthodontist, so it is our goal to make your visit with us as pain and anxiety free as possible. We view it as our mission to educate our patients about all of their oral health care options and to help guide them to choose a treatment plan that is most suitable and appropriate for their needs.
We accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards as well as cash and personal checks. We accept many insurance plans including most major PPO's. To find out if we accept your plan, please call our office. As a courtesy, Dr. Peter M. Vrontikiss team will file your insurance and help identify benefits.