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Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training and experience. Your orthodontist is able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function of your smile.

Dr. Adam is a board-certified orthodontist, a distinction held by only 33% of orthodontists in the country. This certification means that Dr. Adam completed additional hours of training to go above and beyond the industry standards.

A board-certified orthodontist is an orthodontist who has voluntarily gone through the process of demonstrating their judgment, skills, and knowledge to their orthodontic peers to ultimately provide the highest level of patient care. They have achieved board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics, the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association and in affiliation with the American Association of Orthodontists.

Oral health is a window into your overall health. Orthodontic problems such as misaligned teeth, difficulty chewing, or shifting jaws, should be taken seriously. If left untreated, they could cause health issues down the line like tooth decay, gum disease, abnormal wearing of tooth enamel, etc.

A few things that orthodontic treatment can do for you are:

• Ensure proper function of teeth
• Create a healthy, attractive smile and facial structure
• Maintain a good bite making it easier to chew and speak
• Avoid tooth decay/loss by making them easier to clean
• Avoid expensive dental procedures that could result from untreated orthodontic issues

If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see an orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every five orthodontic patients being over the age of 21. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.

We strongly advise patients against seeking at-home treatment options. Orthodontic care is not a quick fix. It is a complex biological process that involves changes in jaw bones, facial bones, and soft tissue as teeth are moved into their new positions.

Appropriate care should always start with a thorough examination of the teeth and mouth, and a study of dental records such as X-rays, photos, and models of the teeth. From this, your orthodontist can develop a custom treatment plan to best address your needs.

At-home treatments don’t ensure that you’re working with a certified orthodontist and skip the examination process leaving a lot of room for guesswork. When it comes to your smile, you shouldn’t leave anything up to chance.

Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next appointment at your convenience. If you are a new patient or have been referred to our practice, please let us know and we will provide you with all of the information you need.

ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your orthodontist or family dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities! If you take out your retainer to eat, make sure you brush your teeth, floss, and remember to keep it safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken. Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also soak it in denture cleaner as instructed by your orthodontist. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher. During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, which increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities. Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes), or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, soft bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.). Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with your family dentist. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every six months.

Absolutely! Visiting your dentist is as important as ever, and your orthodontist and dentist are working together to create your beautiful, healthy smile. It’s important that you still receive professional dental cleanings every 6 months, or as often as your dentist recommends.

Maintaining good oral health throughout your treatment is essential for achieving the best results, and your dentist plays a key role in that.

Dentists, who are also known as general (or family) dentists, are concerned with overall oral health. Dentists treat decayed teeth (fillings) and remove failed teeth (extractions). They usually provide services such as crowns, veneers, or bonding to improve the appearance and function of teeth that have extensive decay or are misshapen or broken. Dentists look for abnormalities in the mouth and teach patients how to prevent dental disease.

As knowledgeable as general dentists are, there are some dental problems whose treatment requires additional training beyond dental school. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthodontics is one of those fields. Your orthodontist has invested an additional 24 to 36 months into learning everything there is to know about the alignment of your teeth and jaws.

An orthodontist’s job is to not only make sure that your smile looks great but that your bite feels good and functions properly, too.

When it comes to your health you don’t want to cut any corners. Straightening teeth and aligning the bite are both complex biological processes, requiring more than a quick fix. Orthodontists are experts in both and are equipped to provide a custom treatment plan that is right for you.

Only appropriately trained orthodontists like Dr. Adam are members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

There’s much more to orthodontic treatment than meets the eye. An improved appearance is the most obvious result. But when teeth and jaws are in alignment, it means function (biting, chewing, speaking) is improved, too.

The beautiful smile that results from orthodontic treatment is the outward sign of good oral health and sets the stage for the patient’s overall well-being. With solutions like airway orthodontics and TMD treatment, orthodontics plays a larger role in healthcare than is generally realized.