All About Orthodontics

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All About
Orthodontics
Helping People Achieve Healthy,
Beautiful Smiles
  Your Smile is
a Window
Your smile is
your greeting to
the world. It’s also
a window to an
important part of
your dental health
— the alignment
of your teeth.
Not everyone is
born with beautiful
teeth. Crooked
teeth or spaces
between the
teeth may be
a source of
embarrassment
or self-conscious-
ness. Improperly aligned teeth and jaws —
called a “malocclusion” — also can lead to
tooth decay and a host of sometimes painful
dental disorders.
The good news is that orthodontic treatment
can correct these problems … and help you
achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that’s good
for life.
What would
you like to
know about
orthodontics?
Inside are
answers to
some of the
most asked
questions
about ortho-
dontics.
 Questions and Answers
A Smile That's Good for Life
®
What causes orthodontic problems?
Why select an orthodontist?
What is my role in treatment?
Most orthodontic problems are inherited.
Examples of these genetic problems are
crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or
missing teeth and some jaw growth problems.
Other malocclusions are acquired by thumb-
or finger-sucking, dental disease, accidents,
the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth,
or other causes.
Orthodontists are
dental specialists who
diagnose, prevent and
treat dental and facial
irregularities. They
receive an additional
two to three years of
specialized education
beyond dental school
to learn the proper way
to align and straighten
teeth. Only those with
this formal education
may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only
orthodontists may be members of the American
Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
Orthodontic treatment is a partnership of the
doctor and patient. The orthodontist provides
custom-made fixed or removable appliances
that use gentle pressure to move teeth into
their proper positions. For the patient, ortho-
dontic treatment always requires following the
orthodontist’s instructions, keeping scheduled
orthodontic appointments and maintaining
excellent oral hygiene to achieve the best
results. You will also need to see your general
dentist as recommended to continue your
general dental care.
Why is treatment so important?
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to
clean and maintain. A bad bite can also cause
abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in
chewing and/or speaking, and excess stress
on supporting bone and gum tissue. Without
treatment, many problems become worse and
can require additional dental care later in life.
How long does treatment take?
Patients who need orthodontic treatment
generally have one to three years of active
treatment, plus retention.
When should children get an orthodontic
check-up?
The AAO recommends that your child get
an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.
By this age, orthodontists can spot subtle
problems with jaw growth and emerging
teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
That’s important, because some orthodontic
problems may be easier to correct if they’re
found early. Most orthodontic patients begin
active treatment between ages 9 and 14.
How much does treatment cost?
The cost of orthodontic treatment will depend
on many factors, including the severity of the
problem, its complexity and length of treatment.
Your orthodontist
will be glad to
discuss the cost
of treatment and
your financing
options with you
before treatment
begins. Patients
are finding that
braces are more
affordable today
than ever.
Can adults benefit from orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at
almost any age. In fact, about one in every
five orthodontic patients today is over age 18.
Thanks to today’s smaller, less visible, more
comfortable orthodontic appliances, including
fixed braces and removable appliances, adults
are finding treatment more appealing.
Your orthodontist, a member of the American
Association of Orthodontists, sincerely thanks
you for placing your confidence in him/her to
treat your orthodontic needs. If you have any
questions or concerns in the future, please
consult your orthodontist.
Orthodontists receive an additional two to three
years of specialized education beyond dental
school to learn the proper way to align and
straighten teeth. Only those with this education
may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only
orthodontists are eligible for membership in
the American Association of Orthodontists.
American Association of Orthodontists
401 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141-7816
314.993.1700
800.STRAIGHT (consumer information line)
www.braces.org
Email: info@aaortho.org
© 2008 American Association of Orthodontists
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