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Braces are a time tested successful orthodontic method of aligning teeth and correcting bite contacts. To optimize a patient's results and keep the teeth and gums healthy, additional oral hygiene practices are needed during orthodontic treatment using braces. Brushing additional angles with your toothbrush and long enough is important to understand. Flossing and other methods to clean around hooks and ties are modified as well. In addition, a waterpik can also help keep the gums and enamel healthy. It is also very important to continue with regular dental cleanings at your general dentist office and with your hygenist since your orthodontist works with your general dental office team to maintain your dental health. One more tip is to use a daily fluoride mouthwash to reduce the risk of white markings or cavities. These recommendations, techniques and accessories are also reviewed once your orthodontic adventure begins at our office!

Team Ekim Orthodontics is lucky and proud to be your trusted community orthodontic office for so many years. We look forward to many more years of making a difference in people’s lives through daily kindness and smile transformations.

Crowding can present generalized throughout the arch, localized to a particular region in the arch form, and also vary from upper to lower arch. Some factors to consider in crowding evaluation of the developing dentition are size of teeth, arch shape, supporting bone and tissues, arch symmetry, order of eruption, direction of erupting teeth, and rotational position of teeth. Once the crowding assessment is determined, then this information is applied to other factors to best manage the crowding for each patient. These additional factors include: chronological age, dental eruption schedule, jaw growth pattern, family history, impaction risk, and anterior functional arrangement (overjet, overbite, coordination). With this assessment, orthodontic treatment options, timing recommendations, and risks/benefits of a phase I treatment or waiting for more growth and eruption of teeth can be advised.

Orthodontic assessments at age 7-10 years old, when baby teeth are still present, can be thought of as a proactive evaluation to see if intervention could improve the overall orthodontic outcome and/or experience. Some typical goals of early assessment are attempting to reduce the risk of surgery, extractions, gum recession, or loss of tooth structure in addition to improved function and better overall esthetic results. Treatment options including Invisalign, braces or no treatment and a monitoring plan can be discussed at this visit.