When to see an orthodontist
Recognize any of these early warning signs? It might be time to schedule an orthodontic exam.
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting
Mouth breathing
Finger sucking or other oral habits
Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or are recessed
Speech difficulty
Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
Protruding teeth
Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
Facial imbalance or asymmetry
Grinding or clinching of teeth"
3/17/11
What Your Mouth Says About You
Think the way your teeth look doesn't really matter? Survey says: think again.
Without saying a word, your mouth is sending messages to everyone you meet. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), people often make snap judgments about individuals based solely on the condition of their teeth.
Without saying a word, your mouth is sending messages to everyone you meet. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), people often make snap judgments about individuals based solely on the condition of their teeth.
"This phenomenon was documented more than 25 years ago," says Dr. Don Joondeph, president of the American Association of Orthodontists, referring to an eye-opening study in which photos of young smiling individuals were altered to show varying orthodontic problems and then reviewed by focus groups.
"When the focus groups looked at the altered photos they used unflattering terms such as 'unattractive' and 'aggressive' to describe the individuals," says Dr. Joondeph. "However, when groups saw photos of the same individuals with a healthy, beautiful smile, they were more likely to view the individuals as 'intelligent,' 'attractive' and 'a friend I'd like to have.'"
Dr. Joondeph believes that the original study, which was published in 1981, is even more applicable in today's image-obsessed world. "More than ever, young people and adults want to be perceived as healthy, attractive and appealing to their peers and others."
To obtain optimal oral health and achieve a healthy, beautiful smile, the AAO recommends a team approach. "In addition to seeing a dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning, patients also should see an orthodontist to ensure that any underlying orthodontic problem is not overlooked," says Dr. Joondeph. "An orthodontic consultation is especially important for children or for anyone who is considering a cosmetic dental procedure."
For children, an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven can identify potential problems and ensure that any future treatment is timed appropriately. For adults, an orthodontic consult may reveal that cosmetic dentistry is unnecessary. "Patients may be pleasantly surprised to learn that their unattractive teeth are generally healthy, just misaligned," says Dr. Joondeph.
In regards to the study, Dr. Joondeph believes that the first thing that people notice about his young and adult patients is obvious: "The confidence and sense of self-esteem that comes with their healthy, beautiful smiles is unmistakable to anyone they meet."
In regards to the study, Dr. Joondeph believes that the first thing that people notice about his young and adult patients is obvious: "The confidence and sense of self-esteem that comes with their healthy, beautiful smiles is unmistakable to anyone they meet."
Who is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. 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 orthodontists are eligible for membership in the AAO.
About the American Association of Orthodontists:
The AAO comprises 15,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad. Founded in 1900, the AAO supports research and education leading to quality patient care and promotes increased public awareness of the need for and benefits of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified to correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws. They are specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The American Dental Association requires orthodontists to have at least two academic years of advanced specialty training in orthodontics in an accredited program, after graduation from dental school.Orthodontist (Dentistry, Braces, Invisalign, Damon System) – Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics - Brea, Northern (North) Orange County, California (CA) 92821 - We specialize in orthodontic treatment (teeth straightening) for the whole family including children, teens, and adults, offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen invisible clear aligners and the Damon System comfort braces – Dr. Derick T. Tagawa, DDS, Dr. Richard M. Curtis, DDS, MS. Serving the cities of Brea, La Habra, Fullerton, Whittier, Yorba Linda, La Mirada, Diamond Bar, Placentia, Chino Hills, Anaheim Hills, Anaheim, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Walnut, and Orange. Serving zip codes 92821, 92822, 92823, 90631, 90632, 90633, 92831, 92832, 92833, 92834, 92835, 92836, 92837, 92838, 90601, 90602, 90603, 90604, 90605, 90606, 90607, 90608, 90609, 90610, 92885, 92886, 92887, 90637, 90638, 90639, 91765, 92870, 92871, 91709, 92801, 92802, 92803, 92804, 92805, 92806, 92807, 92808, 92809, 92812, 92814, 92815, 92816, 92817, 92825, 92850, 92899, 91745, 91748, 91788, 91789, 91795, 92856, 92857, 92859, 92861, 92862, 92863, 92864, 92865, 92866, 92867, 92868, 92869
Orthodontists are the straight-smile experts
Orthodontists are the straight-smile experts
You can’t get a healthy, beautiful smile from just anyone. You need an expert. You need an orthodontist.
Orthodontists are highly trained specialists whose expertise is tooth alignment for children, teens and adults. But what exactly makes them the experts? Only orthodontists receive an extra 2-3 years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth.
That means to become an orthodontist, qualified dentists need even more training after graduating dental school. In fact, they need an additional full-time education at an accredited orthodontic residency program supervised by orthodontists. This education lasts at least two years, often more.
During this time, orthodontists learn about tooth movement (orthodontics) and the guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). It’s this education and training in straightening teeth and aligning jaws that make orthodontists the straight-smile experts.
By selecting a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), you can feel confident knowing you’ve chosen an orthodontic specialist that is an expert in orthodontics, dentofacial orthopedics and the treatment of improperly aligned teeth and jaws. It’s why only orthodontists can become members of the AAO. It’s also why our expertise will make you smile."
You can’t get a healthy, beautiful smile from just anyone. You need an expert. You need an orthodontist.
Orthodontists are highly trained specialists whose expertise is tooth alignment for children, teens and adults. But what exactly makes them the experts? Only orthodontists receive an extra 2-3 years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth.
That means to become an orthodontist, qualified dentists need even more training after graduating dental school. In fact, they need an additional full-time education at an accredited orthodontic residency program supervised by orthodontists. This education lasts at least two years, often more.
During this time, orthodontists learn about tooth movement (orthodontics) and the guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). It’s this education and training in straightening teeth and aligning jaws that make orthodontists the straight-smile experts.
By selecting a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), you can feel confident knowing you’ve chosen an orthodontic specialist that is an expert in orthodontics, dentofacial orthopedics and the treatment of improperly aligned teeth and jaws. It’s why only orthodontists can become members of the AAO. It’s also why our expertise will make you smile."
3/15/11
Myths and Facts Regarding Orthodontics
MYTH:Orthodontists are appropriate only for the most challenging and complex orthodontic cases.
FACT:Orthodontists recognize the difference between a simple case and a complex one. And when a case is challenging, orthodontists know what to do.
MYTH:My family dentist says he can straighten my teeth.
FACT:An orthodontist has 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school and is a specialist at straightening teeth and insuring proper form and function. A dentist may see a handful of cases a year amid drilling and filling. An orthodontist only practices orthodontics and treats hundreds of patients.
MYTH:Braces are for kids.
FACT:One in five orthodontic patients is an adult.
MYTH:If there was a giant, overhead magnet and someone flipped a switch, people wearing braces would fly out of their chairs and stick to the ceiling.
FACT:Unlikely, as braces are made from non-magnetic materials.
MYTH:Orthodontists charge more than general dentists for orthodontic treatment.
FACT:It's not the same work. The value in seeing an orthodontist for treatment is that the orthodontist is an expert, highly experienced and understands form, function and a wonderful smile.
MYTH::Braces are painful and take two years or more for the desired result.
FACT:After the adjustment period, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, braces are comfortable. Some may be worn for months, not years.
MYTH:Signals from braces link to the Internet to download songs onto an iPod.
FACT: This is not possible right now.
MYTH:Braces are ugly, call attention to themselves and would be embarrassing in business settings.
FACT:Today's braces may be nearly invisible or may be made from clear plastic and fit over the teeth.
MYTH:Any dentist may join the American Association of Orthodontists
FACT:Only orthodontists may become members of the American Association of Orthodontists.
FACT:Orthodontists recognize the difference between a simple case and a complex one. And when a case is challenging, orthodontists know what to do.
MYTH:My family dentist says he can straighten my teeth.
FACT:An orthodontist has 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school and is a specialist at straightening teeth and insuring proper form and function. A dentist may see a handful of cases a year amid drilling and filling. An orthodontist only practices orthodontics and treats hundreds of patients.
MYTH:Braces are for kids.
FACT:One in five orthodontic patients is an adult.
MYTH:If there was a giant, overhead magnet and someone flipped a switch, people wearing braces would fly out of their chairs and stick to the ceiling.
FACT:Unlikely, as braces are made from non-magnetic materials.
MYTH:Orthodontists charge more than general dentists for orthodontic treatment.
FACT:It's not the same work. The value in seeing an orthodontist for treatment is that the orthodontist is an expert, highly experienced and understands form, function and a wonderful smile.
MYTH::Braces are painful and take two years or more for the desired result.
FACT:After the adjustment period, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, braces are comfortable. Some may be worn for months, not years.
MYTH:Signals from braces link to the Internet to download songs onto an iPod.
FACT: This is not possible right now.
MYTH:Braces are ugly, call attention to themselves and would be embarrassing in business settings.
FACT:Today's braces may be nearly invisible or may be made from clear plastic and fit over the teeth.
MYTH:Any dentist may join the American Association of Orthodontists
FACT:Only orthodontists may become members of the American Association of Orthodontists.
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