Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment is used to correct teeth that are crowded, crooked, protruding, out of alignment, or have irregular spacing. By moving teeth into their ideal position, dental braces will help create a more attractive and healthier smile for both children and adults. Dr. Baugh will be the first to spot potential problems with your teeth that might require braces to correct. She will determine if you are a candidate for orthodontic treatment, and discuss specific orthodontic needs with you during your dental visits. We are happy to announce that Dr. Patel, from Alliance Orthodontics in Keller, provides orthodontic treatment from our location as a convenience to our patients. Dr. Patel and his staff are a great addition to our team, and we can’t wait for you to meet them!

Free Consultations

Dr. Patel performs orthodontic consultations absolutely free of charge, no charge to you or your insurance provider. During this visit, Dr. Patel and his staff will go over your specific orthodontic treatment plan, discuss financial arrangements, and answer any questions you or your child may have concerning treatment. This consultation allows our patients the opportunity to get to know our preferred orthodontist and his staff in the comfortable surroundings of their own family dental practice.

Are Braces (Straighter Teeth) Necessary?

Keeping your teeth clean becomes very difficult when your teeth are crooked and crowded. When brushing and flossing cannot be performed properly, tooth decay, gum disease, and possible tooth loss may occur.

An improper bite can interfere with your ability to chew or speak properly. It may also cause abnormal wear to the enamel of your teeth. If your teeth are protruding and your upper and lower teeth don’t come together comfortably (called malocclusion), problems related to your jaw may arise.

Therefore, by keeping your teeth in the proper alignment and allowing better oral hygiene, orthodontic treatment does more than keeping your smile looking good. They will keep your teeth, gums, and oral cavity healthy. There is now evidence to prove that the periodontal infections resulting from poor oral hygiene can enter the blood stream and cause cardiac conditions, or worsen existing cardiac complications.

Indications/Causes for Orthodontic Treatment

The most common oral health issue requiring the need for orthodontic treatment is a bad bite (malocclusion). A malocclusion may be caused by one or more factors:

• Small Mouth: A small mouth can result in a limited amount of space for the teeth to grow. This can foster crowding once the permanent teeth erupt.
• Tongue Thrusting: Some children thrust their tongue forward, pressing it against the lips with a force that can result in the protrusion of teeth, or "open bite," among other problems.
• Extra Teeth or Not Enough: Sometimes, a person can have extra teeth develop and/or protrude, or certain teeth that do not develop or protrude at all. If you have too many teeth or not enough, your bite can be affected. In addition, the untimely loss of baby teeth or traumatic injury to the face, mouth or jaw can also affect the bite.
• Misaligned Jaw and Bone Structure: A misaligned jaw or supporting bone structure can affect the bite and create malocclusion. Malocclusion may result in difficulty chewing and speaking, or otherwise impact the functionality of the teeth. Furthermore, malocclusion may contribute to other oral health conditions such as TMJ and teeth grinding.
• Poor Muscular Functional Habits: Malocclusion may be caused by poor muscular functional habits such as thumb sucking during and beyond infancy. Some adults still suck their fingers or thumbs, resulting in tongue thrust habits that can be a detriment to dental and facial development.

The Right Age for Dental Braces

A person typically inherits tooth spacing, malocclusion, crowding, misalignment or similar problems from their parents. However, these conditions also may be caused by habits such as thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, lip wedging, mouth breathing due to allergies or large tonsils and adenoids, premature loss of teeth or trauma, and generally begin to appear between the ages of six and 12 years old — the time when the permanent teeth start to erupt. Therefore, orthodontic treatment should begin between the ages of eight and 14 in order to achieve optimal results.

It is generally considered ideal to have an orthodontic evaluation no later than the age of seven, since this is when there is a good mix of primary (baby) and adult teeth in the mouth. Also, Dr. Patel is able to spot developing teeth and jaw growth at this time in a child's life. This enables him to anticipate problems that may arise and plan orthodontic treatment accordingly.

Adults and Dental Braces

Children are not the only ones who may benefit from dental braces. Adults also can undergo orthodontic treatment to correct alignment, spacing, crowding and malocclusion problems. The process for moving teeth is basically the same at any age, but the treatment may take longer for adults. This is due to the fact that adult facial bones are no longer growing, and certain corrections may not be possible utilizing braces alone. Depending on the specific type and severity of your alignment or malocclusion problem, tooth extraction or maxillofacial surgery may be required.