creating beautiful faces one glowing smile at a time

Category Archives: Jaw Problems

Consequences of Leaving Orthodontic Problems Untreated

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Everyone knows that a good smile has many cosmetic and health benefits, but it is important to be aware of the significance of early dental treatment for your child. Early-phase orthodontics focuses on preventing or mitigating jaw/skeletal structural issues in children before their permanent teeth erupt. While most orthodontic problems may be corrected later in life, be aware of some of the potential repercussions of delaying treatment:

 

Later Treatment Could Require Surgery

Early orthodontic treatment occurs when a child has a mixture of permanent and baby teeth—usually around the age of 7. As a body matures and permanent teeth develop, the bone structure of the face and jaw become less malleable. If the erupting permanent teeth require more room inside of the jaw, then surgery or tooth removal is often necessary to accommodate, whereas the growth of a child’s jaw(s) may be directed through the use of a variety of dental appliances.

 

More Severe Problems May Develop

One of the primary purposes of early orthodontics is ensuring that there is enough space for permanent teeth to develop properly. While braces may still be required to correct minor malocclusions during teenage years, early treatment can prevent excessive overcrowding or other, more severe complications later on. Straighter teeth are also easier to clean, which makes them less susceptible to decay and gum disease.

 

Provide your child with the options of early orthodontic treatment in the Ashburn and Leesburg areas. With a highly experienced staff and a variety of orthodontic services, Lansdowne Orthodontics has both the expertise and the resources needed to diagnose and treat all of your orthodontic problems. Call 703-858-3600 to schedule an appointment and to learn more about our services. Contact Us!

 

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical or dental advice. You should contact your dentist to obtain advice with respect to any particular dental issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an orthodontist-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the dental office or any individual orthodontist or medical professional.

Is It Time to Visit the Orthodontist?

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Would you like a little more information about what you should or shouldn’t do while wearing braces? If you’re considering getting braces, and you want to know how braces can make your smile better, check out these links.

 

 

Are You Considering Orthodontic Treatment?

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It is never too late or too early to get great results with quality orthodontic treatment. Browse through these helpful resources to learn more about the benefits of adult braces and early orthodontic care.

 

  • It’s no surprise that more adults are getting braces than ever before; in addition to the numerous health, social, and cosmetic benefits to adult braces, orthodontic appliances have advanced significantly in the past few decades. Read this article from the Los Angeles Times to learn more.
  • While your orthodontist can provide you with specific details, you can learn more about the basics of braces from MedicineNet.com.
  • One of the hazards of delaying treatment into adulthood is that surgery or other methods may be required to make room for adjustments. This overview from WebMD lists some common orthodontic treatments for adults.
  • Early phase orthodontics, also known as interceptive orthodontics, is the process of prematurely guiding the development of permanent teeth in children. Take a look at this article from the Colgate website to learn how early orthodontics may mean less treatment later.
  • Only an orthodontist can utilize braces and other orthodontic appliances to provide you with the best smile possible. If you live in Ashburn, Leesburg, or the surrounding areas, then consider Lansdowne Orthodontics where we “create beautiful faces one smile at a time.” To schedule an appointment or inquire about our services, call 703-858-3600.

 

Signs It’s Time to See an Orthodontist

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Though it is recommended that children receive their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7 (permanent teeth and jaw fusion begins around age 8), there are some problems that can be identified at earlier ages. Read through the following if you are concerned about your child’s teeth. With early detection, you may be able to prevent serious problems from cropping up in your son or daughter’s adolescence and/or adult life.

 

Tell-Tale Signs of a Problem

If you recognize any of the following in your child, then consider consulting an orthodontist:

 

  • Difficulty chewing/biting.
  • Crowding, displaced, or abnormally spaced teeth.
  • Clicking jaw.
  • Mouth breathing.
  • Early or late loss of baby teeth.
  • Persistent bad habits (aka thumb sucking or tongue thrusting).

 

At-Home Tests

Fortunately, there are at-home strategies parents can use to detect orthodontic problems in their children. Try the following if you think your child may be in need of orthodontic treatment:

 

  • Examine your child’s teeth and identify potential overlaps or gaps—these should be corrected early on by an orthodontist to prevent prolonged treatments and surgeries in the future.
  • Have your child bite down, keeping their lips parted. If the front teeth significantly overlap the bottom, then your child has an overbite. If you perform the same test and the bottom teeth are overlapping the top, causing the jaw to jut outward, then your child has an underbite. In both situations an orthodontist should be consulted.
  • Check your child’s jaw alignment, and determine if his or her jaw shifts to the side when biting. This may be a sign of a skeletal or muscle problem and should be examined by an orthodontist.

 

If you recognize any of the above signs in your child and you live in the Leesburg or Ashburn area, give us a call at Lansdowne Orthodontics. Our experts can provide your child with the care he or she needs and can also give you helpful advice on how to prevent future problems.

 

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical or dental advice. You should contact your dentist to obtain advice with respect to any particular dental issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a dentist-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the dental office or any individual dentist or medical professional.

App: iBracesHelp

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Do you have or are you considering investing in orthodontic work for yourself or a loved one?

 

If so, then the iBracesHelp app will help you further understand how to care for your braces, how to deal with any dental problems that arise, and how your braces actually correct your teeth and jaw issues. Users have access to free descriptions, pictures, and videos, as well as a dietary section listing appropriate foods and recipes.

 

If you have more questions about braces or other orthodontic procedures, please contact us at Lansdowne Orthodontics—we offer orthodontic services to both children and adults, and can provide you with several patient education resources via our website.

Lansdowne Orthodontics | 19415 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306, Leesburg, VA 20176 | (o) 703.858.3600 | (f) 703.858.3697