Congratulations to Dr. Curtis on his re-certification with the American Board of Orthodontics!

What is a Board Certified Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an American Dental Association accredited graduate program in the specialty of orthodontics. A dentist who graduates from a specialty program becomes an orthodontic specialist who is eligible to become board certified through the voluntary examination process of The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). Involvement in the certification process is a demonstration of the orthodontist's pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence.

The certification process involves a thorough Written Examination covering all areas of information on which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful passage allows the orthodontist to present treated cases which will be evaluated by expert examiners of the Board during a Clinical Examination. Certification is now awarded for a time-limited period and the orthodontist must re-examine on a periodic basis to retain the board certified status.

Always verify the certifying board when an orthodontist does not provide this information. The ABO is the only certifying board recognized by the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association. An orthodontist certified by the ABO may use these logos:

For more information about orthodontic board certification visit http://www.americanboardortho.com/about/.

The Benefits of Damon Clear braces

Can you tell who's wearing Damon Clear and who isn't?

With Damon Clear, people may not even realize you're wearing braces. Other clear or so-called invisible braces have visible metal parts or elastic ties that can yellow during treatment. But tieless Damon Clear braces are more discrete and resistant to staining and discoloration all throughout treatment.

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Fast Treatment

See results faster than you might think. While treatment time can vary, clinical studies demonstrate that Damon System treatment is up to six months faster than traditional braces.²

And while invisible aligners can be effective at straightening some crooked teeth, not everyone is a candidate. In contrast, Damon Clear works 24 hours a day, seven days a week to perfectly align ALL teeth for a phenomenal smile that enhances your entire facial appearance.
Another benefit: No need to worry about lost, misplaced or forgotten clear aligners, so you get in and out of treatment quickly.

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Extraordinary Results

Clinical studies demonstrate that Invisalign can help straighten teeth but does not treat as effectively as braces and delivers limited results.³ In fact, one study found that the mean accuracy of tooth movement with Invisalign was only 41%.⁴ With Damon Clear, you get more than straight teeth. A Damon doctor will take into account your unique facial proportions when aligning your teeth, bite and smile. In no time at all you'll have the smile and facial profile and aesthetics you've always dreamed about.

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Greater Comfort without Tightening

Clinical studies show that the Damon System provides more comfortable orthodontic treatment than traditional braces.⁵

Damon Clear uses tieless braces that don't need to be "tightened" and are gentle to the teeth and tissues. Other styles of braces use elastics or active clips that bind archwires in place, which can slow down treatment and cause pain.

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A Great Smile for a Lifetime

Deciding what type of treatment you want can be a difficult decision. Traditional braces, invisible aligners or Damon Clear? When making your decision, be sure to look at the big picture. Don't focus solely on what you will experience during your time in treatment. Focus on what you will look like for the rest of your life. With Damon Clear, you'll benefit from fast, comfortable braces that are virtually invisible during treatment. And after treatment, you'll have a spectacular smile that goes beyond just straight teeth.

Following the end of treatment, teeth often have a tendency to return to their original positions, which is called a relapse. There are a variety of factors that may influence the possibility of relapse including the type of treatment. One study showed that patients treated with Invisalign relapsed more than those treated with braces.⁶ Damon System results are built to last. However, because all teeth have a tendency to relapse, it may be necessary to wear some type of removable retention device at night – such as a Damon Splint – following treatment.
No Speech Impediments

Some people suffer from speech impediments with invisible aligners. With Damon Clear, you don't have to worry about any speech problems.

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Few Office Visits

Damon System treatment requires fewer office visits than traditional braces and invisible aligners. On average, patients treated with the Damon System require seven fewer office appointments than patients who undergo traditional orthodontic treatment.⁷ That means more convenience for you regardless of your level of busy activity or lifestyle.

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Easy to Keep Clean

Clinical studies indicate that the elastomeric rings of traditional braces collect more bacteria and plaque and can lead to adverse gingival conditions.⁸ Unlike traditional clear braces, Damon Clear does not use elastomeric rings, so your braces are easy to keep clean.

Please call us at 714-990-5414 to schedule a complimentary consultation to see if Damon Clear is right for you.

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1. Invisalign is a registered trademark of Align Technology, Inc.
2. Eberting JJ, Straja SR, Tuncay OC. Treatment time, outcome and patient satisfaction comparisons of Damon and conventional brackets. Clinical Orthodontics and Research 2001; 4(4):228-234.
3. Djeu G, Shelton C, Magazini A. Outcome assessment of Invisalign and traditional orthodontic treatment compared with the American Board of Orthodontics objective grading system. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics 2005; 128(3):292-298.
4. Kravitz N, Kusnoto B, BeGole E, Obrez A, Agrane B. A prospective clinical study evaluating the efficacy of tooth movement with Invisalign. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:27-35.
5. Berger J. Self-ligation in the year 2000, a comparative assessment of conventional ligation and self-ligation bracket systems. Journal of Clinical Orthodontics 2000.
6. Eberting et al.
7. Sousa R, Magnani M, Nouer D, Silva C, Klein M, Sallum E, Goncalves R. Periodontal and microbiologic evaluation of two methods of archwire ligation: Ligature wires and elatomeric rings. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics 2008; 134(4):506-512.
8. Daniel Kuncioa D, Maganzinib A, Sheltonc C, Freemand K. Invisalign and Traditional Orthodontic Treatment Postretention Outcomes Compared Using the American Board of Orthodontics Objective Grading System. Angle Orthodontist, Vol 77, No 5, 2007.

 

When should my child visit the orthodontist?

Great question!

Braces were originally considered to be appropriate for teens, but now kids as young as 5 years old are beginning their early (or phase I) orthodontic treatment. However, early treatment is not necessary for every child and is reserved for children with growth issues, severe crowding, underbites, overbites and crossbites.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It is important that children be screened no later than age 7 for us to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps! Please give us a call at 714-990-5414 if you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation to have us evaluate your child's unique situation.

TMD and Orthodontic Treatment

by Gerald Nelson, DDS

There has been some compelling research relative to Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) and orthodontic treatment.  Researchers are now convinced that orthodontic treatment, even when extractions are involved, is not connected to the incidence or onset of TMD.  Researchers are also convinced that orthodontic treatment will not effectively relieve or cure TMD. 

 In the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopedics,(AJO-DO) Mar 1991, 'Extraction, orthodontic treatment, and CMD' by Dibbets and van der Weele, could find no association between extraction or non-extraction treatment and TMJ pain, limitation of opening, crepitation, or condylar deformation. 

 In the May 1991 issue of the AJODO, 'Orthodontic treatment and TMJ' by Sadowsky, Theisen and Sakois examined 160 patients before and after fixed orthodontic appliances to record changes in joint sounds.  Slightly fewer patients had joints sounds after treatment.  No difference was detected between extraction and non-extraction patients.

 In the same issue, 'Condylar position and maxillary first premolar extraction, 'Gianelly, Coxxani, and Boffa compared the condylar position in the fossa of 17 controls with 17 patients treated with removal of upper first bicuspids.  Computed tomography was used to evaluate condylar position.  They found that condylar position was unrelated to treatment, bite depth, inter-incisal angle, and maxillary incisor inclination. 

 In the August,1991 issue of the AJODO, 'Premolar extraction therapy', by Kudinger, Austin, Christensen, Donegan, and Ferguson compared 29 controls with 29 upper first bicuspid extraction patients.  They checked joint space with computed tomography, and muscle activity with electro-myograms.  No differences were detected between the two groups. 

 In the January 1992 issue of the AJODO, 'Premolar extraction and mandibular position' by Luecke and Johnston showed that the mandibular position comes slightly forward (0.5mm) in the fossa as a result of orthodontic treatment when extractions are done.  This contradicts claims that orthodontic extraction therapy leads to a distal displacement of the condyle. 

 In the same issue, 'Risk factors for TMD' by Kremenak, Kinser, Harman, Menard, and Jakobssen found no significant differences in TMD risk factors of patients before and after treatment, or between extraction or non-extraction groups. 

 In the same issue, 'Study of signs of TMD', by Hirata, Heft, Hernandez, and King found that the incidence of TMD signs for the treatment group and control group were not significantly different. 

 In the same issue, 'Orthodontic treatment and TMD' by Rendell, Norton, and Gay found no relationship in 451 patients between either the onset of TMJ pain and dysfunction and the course of orthodontic treatment or the change in TMJ pain and dysfunction and the course of orthodontic treatment.

 Given these studies, clinicians can be satisfied that orthodontic treatment does not cure or cause TMD.  This does not detract from the many benefits of good orthodontic care, which must be based on thoughtful functional and esthetic goals.

Ten tips to keep your braces clean

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces! Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxy brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

We hope this helps, and remember to give our team a call if you ever have any questions!

Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics
230 S. Orange Ave.
Brea, CA 92821
714-990-5414
http://www.breasmiles.com/

Braces? At My Age?

By Peter Jaret
WebMD Feature

Feel a little self conscious about your crooked teeth? You aren’t alone. Thankfully, braces aren't just for kids any more. Today, adults make up nearly 20% of brace wearers, says Michael B. Rogers, DDS, president of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Although there are many reasons for adults to consider braces, most people simply want to look and feel their best. Here are a few leading reasons to make a trip to the ortho:

A straighter smile. It’s no surprise that many people want to perfect their pearly whites to achieve a winning smile. And, those smiles pay off. A recent study compared people's reactions to photos that were manipulated to show either straight or crooked teeth. People with straight teeth rated higher on scores of leadership, popularity, and sports ability. (The only score that didn't change was intelligence.)

Shifting teeth. Just because you had braces as a kid doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. "Teeth tend to move a little throughout your life," Rogers says. "Your teeth may shift a little back toward their original positions."

Better oral health. It’s no surprise that straight teeth are easier to brush and floss. So -- if you’re doing your part -- expect less decay and healthier gums, says Pamela K. McClain, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. Antibacterial mouth rinses can also help keep your teeth and gums free of plaque-causing bacteria.

Braces can help people manage some more serious issues too, like bite problems that cause jaw pain. In some cases, braces are necessary to change the position of neighboring teeth for a new bridge, crown, or implant.

New Options

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way from the days when kids were called "Brace Face." Today’s options are barely noticeable. They include:

• Ceramic braces made of a clear material that is much less obvious than traditional metal braces.
• Brackets attached to the back of teeth to hold the wires that pull teeth into a new position.
• Customized plastic aligners that fit like tooth guards over teeth, gently moving them into a new position.

What to Expect

How long you'll need to wear braces depends on what you have done. Most treatments range from 12 to 44 months. "Adult teeth sometimes take longer than children's teeth to move into new positions,” Rogers says. “But in many cases there's no real difference."

Once teeth are in the desired position, you are likely to need to wear a retainer. Many orthodontists now recommend permanent retainers that are fitted and attached to the back of teeth.

Cost also varies widely depending on the extent of treatment. The typical range is $4,000 to $8,000. A growing number of dental plans cover all or part of orthodontic treatment. Many orthodontists offer discounts if you pay the entire fee up front. If you can't spring that, talk to your orthodontist about monthly installments or other payment plans.

Is It Snoring or Sleep Apnea?

About 80 million people in North America snore, and approximately 12 million Americans have sleep apnea. So what’s the difference, and why does it matter?

 

Snoring is caused by the vibration of the soft palate and uvula, occurring when the airway becomes obstructed during sleep. Several things can obstruct the airway and cause you to snore, including allergies drinking before bed, being overweight and having large tonsils or a deviated septum.

 

If you snore now and then, you probably have nothing to worry about. But chronic snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a more serious sleep disorder. People with sleep apnea stop breathing in their sleep – sometimes up to 100 hundred times an hour – for one minute or longer. Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your chances of serious health conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. At a minimum, you may feel groggy in the morning or unable to concentrate during the day.

 

The good news is sleep apnea is treatable. The two most common ways to treat sleep apnea are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which is administered by a physician, and oral appliance therapy, which is administered by a dentist. CPAP therapy can be very effective for people with sleep apnea, but some find it difficult to sleep with a mask. More people are increasingly turning to the oral appliances administered by dentists. Oral appliances are small, flexible devices that look like mouthguards. They increase the airway space and reduce air velocity and soft tissue vibration (snoring) by moving the lower jaw into a forward position. Patients who have tried both say that oral appliances are more comfortable to wear, easier to care for and very cost-effective.