Two-Phase Treatment
The earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix. The results are often better than if we wait and will require significantly less work. We may not need to keep braces on your child for as long when they are younger, which means less expense for you.
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist as soon as their dentist notices that there might be a problem, or before they are seven years old. We may not have to do anything at this age, other than monitor the child’s mouth. However, if we continue to watch your child, we can start treatment right away if something arises.
Early intervention can be beneficial. We will watch how your child’s mouth and teeth grow and develop, so if we see something that needs to be done, we can do it as soon as possible. We will also know exactly when to start treatment if needed.
At the age of seven, the first adult molars start to come in to help establish the back bite. We can start to evaluate your child’s permanent bite formation, both front-to-back and side-to-side.
Early treatment allows us to do the following:
- Make room for the permanent teeth when there is overcrowding
- Ensure facial symmetry
- Reduce trauma when the front teeth are protruding
Early treatment also reduces the need to remove teeth and the time patients must wear braces. According to AAO studies, skipping orthodontic treatment can lead to the following:
- Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear.
- Open bites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments.
With proper and timely orthodontic treatment, you may have the following benefits:
- A healthier mouth since crowded teeth can be hard to brush causing cavities and gum disease.
- Fewer broken teeth since protruding teeth are more likely to get broken.
Dental Hygiene
The Importance of Oral Hygiene
Your oral hygiene is important for ensuring the health of your teeth and gums, as well as the rest of your body. For example, the bacteria responsible for periodontal diseases can also get into the bloodstream and cause plaque buildup. This is incredibly dangerous since it can lead to blockages in the bloodstream, heart problems, and even cardiovascular disease.
Maintaining regular appointments with your dentist, brushing at least twice a day, and flossing can ensure your teeth remain clean and free of bad bacteria and plaque buildup.
Having healthy teeth is also important if you’re looking to start orthodontic treatment. Your dentist can ensure your mouth is free of cavities and that your teeth and gums are strong enough to go through treatment. Even during treatment, you must take extra precautions to ensure you get in all the crevices. If you were to get an infection during orthodontic treatment, Dr. Smith would have no choice but to stop treatment until the infection cleared. This would be bad for your health and put you behind in your treatment plan.
Always be sure you are taking proper care of your teeth and bring any concerns to your dentist or orthodontist.
Tips for Brushing & Flossing with Braces
When brushing and flossing with braces, you can use either an electronic or regular toothbrush; both will be effective. Also, be sure to use a fluoride toothpaste. It’s great for fighting off cavities and plaque build-up and will be the best option for braces. Avoid whitening toothpaste because it will leave awkward spots underneath the brackets where the toothpaste cannot reach.
Ensure you are brushing all surfaces of your teeth, front, back, and top, moving the toothbrush in circular motions. You may need to utilize an interdental brush for those tight spots along your brackets and the archwire.
For flossing, remove a long thread and wrap it around your fingers. You will have to thread it through the archwire and your teeth to ensure you can reach all the way to the gums.
After that, you may use a fluoride mouthwash for extra protection against bacteria and fresher breath; however, this is not required.
Zoom Teeth Whitening
One of the most common desires patients have is whiter teeth. When considering your options, it is important to consult your dentist to make sure you have all the facts and understand how they may affect your teeth and mouth.
Many people think the coloring of teeth is due to plaque or dirt. But a variety of factors can affect the color of your teeth, including food, drinks, tobacco, age, injury, and medications. Understanding what is causing the discoloration is important to whiten your teeth properly.
Zoom Whitening hydrogen peroxide breaks stains down into smaller pieces, which makes them harder to see and makes your teeth brighter. Our options for teeth whitening include Zoom Take-home kits and Zoom WhiteSpeed in-office bleaching.
Zoom WhiteSpeed (In-Office)
One of the most cutting-edge methods of professional teeth whitening, Zoom WhiteSpeed can deliver noticeable results in as little as 45 minutes! This revolutionary treatment uses effective laser technology to remove surface stains from teeth and restore their natural shine. Thanks to Dr. Smith’s expertise and the state-of-the-art equipment at our disposal, you can rest assured that you will get care of the highest quality.
Zoom Take-Home Kits
We also offer Zoom take-home whitening kits, so you can whiten your teeth when you want and where you want. These kits can provide beautiful, professional results in just one to two weeks of at-home treatment. There are a few different kits available, so you can speak with Dr. Smith during an initial consultation, and he will be able to provide you with the best kit for your needs.
Remember, slight sensitivity from teeth-whitening is normal and should subside with time. However, if you are experiencing prolonged side effects from teeth whitening, contact us right away.
Extractions
There are a few common causes of a tooth extraction, such as extensive damage, tooth decay beyond restoration, wisdom teeth that are causing pain or impacting other teeth, or a stubborn baby tooth that won’t fall out on its own. However, an orthodontist may also recommend tooth extraction as part of your orthodontic treatment.
As part of your treatment plan, a tooth (or teeth) may be causing overcrowding or making your bite unstable. In these cases, braces alone will not be able to align or fix them.
How Is It Determined If a Tooth Must Be Extracted?
A tooth extraction is not necessary for every orthodontic treatment plan; in fact, it is very rare. Dr. Smith will first be sure that it is completely necessary and that there are no other solutions.
Several factors go into determining if a tooth should be extracted, including:
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- The tooth cannot be straightened with braces treatment
- The tooth is too large and will cause overcrowding
- The tooth is growing incorrectly
- The tooth is causing pain
- The tooth is sensitive and/ or discolored
- The tooth is damaged
In most cases, the tooth that is extracted ends up being the fourth or fifth molars, known as the premolars, since these are the most likely to fit the above criteria.
What Causes Dental Crowding?
As we’ve mentioned, dental crowding is one of the biggest reasons for tooth extraction in orthodontic cases. Dental crowding is caused by having too many teeth, a smaller jaw, and an abnormally large or shaped tooth.
Overcrowding is a fairly common orthodontic issue and does not always mean a tooth must be extracted to resolve it. Dr. Smith will evaluate your teeth during your initial consultation and create an individualized plan for you.
Surgical Orthodontics
Next Level Orthodontics is proud to offer surgical treatments for our orthodontic patients. Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, is used for severe cases of bad bites, jaw bone abnormalities, and malocclusions.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is considered a dental specialty and helps complex cases involving the mouth, jaw, face, and skull. If your case requires surgical orthodontics, your orthodontist will work with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to provide you with the best and most comprehensive care possible.
Surgical orthodontics helps patients improve their bites, though it can also help with other aesthetic concerns, such as facial structure and symmetry. Surgery can only be completed after the jaw is finished growing. This typically happens by age sixteen for females and age eighteen for males.
Surgery is needed when the jaw does not line up correctly, and no amount of braces can correct the misalignment. We will line up your jaw correctly so that your braces can do the job that they are meant to.
Surgery is not always necessary, so it is important to discuss your case with an oral surgeon. They will be able to discuss your treatment options, whether they include surgery or not.
If surgery is needed, it will be done by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The operation will be completed in a hospital and can take up to a few hours, depending on your needs.
After surgery, you will need to rest for about two weeks. It is considered a major operation, and you should take some time off of work and school while you heal. After you heal, your orthodontist will work on straightening your teeth. Most people have to wear braces for six months to a year after surgery. Then, you will need a retainer to maintain your beautiful smile and hard work.
Like all surgeries, there are risks. However, orthognathic operations have been around for years and are proven to be safe and effective overall. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to ask questions before the procedure.
Most people can’t wait to have the smile they dream of. Whether you need surgery to correct your bite, a malocclusion, or a jaw abnormality, we can help you have a smile you want to show off.
Med Spa Services
Botox
Botox, also known as botulinum toxin type A, is a prescription medication that has been gaining popularity in recent years for its cosmetic use. However, what many people don’t know is that Botox can also be used as an effective treatment option for various dental concerns, including those commonly addressed by orthodontics.
Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles, which can lead to a reduction in wrinkles and other signs of aging. The effects typically last for several months before wearing off.
What is Xeomin?
Xeomin is a brand of Botox, scientifically referred to as IncobotulinumtoxinA. This FDA-approved injectable functions similarly to Botox by inducing muscle relaxation, but it stands out due to its ‘naked’ formulation. Unlike other brands, Xeomin is free from complex proteins, reducing the risk of developing antibodies to the product. This enhances its effectiveness over extended use. Often employed in the cosmetic field, Xeomin is especially effective in targeting crow’s feet, bunny lines, forehead lines, as well as lipstick and frown lines. Moreover, it has also shown promising results in providing relief from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) discomfort, adding to its use in the orthodontic sphere.
At Next Level Orthodontics, we use Xeomin to complement our orthodontic treatments. While traditional braces or clear aligners are used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues, Botox can be used to address cosmetic concerns that may not be fully resolved by these methods.
Some common areas of concern that we target with Xeomin include:
- Crow’s Feet — These are the fine lines and wrinkles that appear at the corners of the eyes, often caused by age or repetitive facial movements.
- Bunny Lines — These lines appear on either side of the nose when smiling or scrunching up your face. They can be especially noticeable in individuals who have a gummy smile.
- Forehead Lines — These are the horizontal lines that appear on the forehead, often associated with aging and repeated muscle movements.
- TMJ Relief — Botox can be used to relax the muscles in the jaw, providing relief for individuals who suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
- Frown Lines — Also known as “elevens,” these vertical lines between the eyebrows can be reduced with Botox injections.
- Lipstick Lines — These fine lines around the lips can be softened or eliminated with targeted Botox injections.
The Benefits of Using Botox in Conjunction with Orthodontic Treatment
While traditional orthodontic treatments focus on correcting alignment and bite issues, incorporating Botox into the treatment plan can provide additional benefits, such as:
- Enhanced Aesthetics — Botox can help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, giving patients a more youthful appearance.
- Improved Bite Alignment — By relaxing specific muscles with Botox, we can sometimes improve bite alignment and alleviate any discomfort or pain associated with TMJ disorders.
- Faster Results — Combining Botox with orthodontic treatment can expedite the final results, providing patients with a quicker and more efficient treatment process.
- Increased Confidence — Many individuals feel self-conscious about their appearance due to cosmetic concerns like wrinkles or fine lines. By addressing these issues alongside orthodontic treatment, we can help boost our patients’ confidence and leave them feeling happy and satisfied with their overall results.
Botox is an incredibly versatile treatment option that can be used not only for cosmetic purposes but also as a complementary tool in orthodontic treatment. At Next Level Orthodontics, we strive to provide our patients with the best possible outcomes and are always looking for innovative ways to achieve this goal. If you have any questions about how Botox can be incorporated into your treatment plan, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
Dermal Fillers
At Next Level Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your dream smile. From traditional braces to Invisalign, we offer a variety of treatments to straighten your teeth and improve your overall oral health. But what about those pesky lines and wrinkles that can detract from your beautiful new smile? Luckily, we also offer dermal fillers as part of our comprehensive orthodontic services.
Dermal fillers are injectable substances that are used to add volume and fullness to the face. They can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as plump areas of the face that have lost volume due to aging or other factors. At Next Level Orthodontics, we use Revanesse Versa, a hyaluronic acid-based filler that is known for its natural-looking results and long-lasting effects.
How Can Dermal Fillers Enhance Your Smile?
After undergoing orthodontic treatment, you may notice that your smile looks more balanced and aligned, but you may also notice that certain areas of your face or lips appear less balanced. This is where dermal fillers can come in to enhance your smile even further.
Most commonly, dermal fillers can be used to enhance the overall shape of your lips. If you have always wanted fuller lips to complement your new smile, our expert team can use Revanesse Versa to add volume and definition. This will not only enhance your smile but also add balance and harmony to your facial features.
The Benefits of Using Revanesse Versa
As mentioned, Revanesse Versa is known for its natural-looking results. It is made with high-quality hyaluronic acid, which is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and helps keep skin hydrated and plump. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a subtle enhancement that won’t drastically alter their appearance.
Additionally, Revanesse Versa is FDA-approved and has been extensively tested for safety and effectiveness. It also contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic, which helps to minimize any potential discomfort during the injection process.
At Next Level Orthodontics, we understand that achieving your dream smile is not just about straight teeth. That’s why we offer dermal fillers as a way to enhance your overall appearance and boost your confidence. Contact us today to learn more about how Revanesse Versa can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
