Sal S. Aragona DDS MAGD AADSM
Clinton Township, MI 48036
The services that involve Orthodontics (straightening teeth) can be very intimitating to understand let alone know what is best for a particular problem for a particular person. Let me unravel the mysteries for you in simple terms that are easy to understand.
Lets start with addressing problems in children who are still growing. Treatment in these people is usually call Interceptive Orthodontics. These treatments are unfortunately becoming generally a lost art. Much time is involved in analysing records and findings that there are not very many dentists and even orthodontists that give this valuable choice of treatment and instead "wait" until all the growth is finished and the adult teeth are completely in. Unfortunately, that means often that any treatment later will be more complex with often permanent teeth needing to pulled, extra forces like heargears and even jaw surgeries needed to fix certain problems. One highly effective type of Interceptive Orthodontics is called Functional Orthodontics. This approach fully looks into nasal airway adequacy as a root cause of many crooked teeth/jaw problems. We have successful treated hundreds of children with early functional treatment and have had great success at achieving beautiful, big smiles without pulling teeth, surgeries or extensive comprehensive orthodontics (braces).
Ther other group of people with crooked, turned or spaced teeth are adults. Here, there are generally two types of treatment depending on the simplicity or complexity, Limited Orthodontics and Comprehensive Orthodontics. There are basically two choices for treatment, clear aligner therapy and traditional braces. The advantages for clear aligners are many. They are not noticable, very comfortable to wear and treatment time is often less than braces. The cost is a bit more since there are laboratory costs to set up and fabricated each aligner. The teeth move into position by changing aligners every two to three weeks to get the desired result. Braces is the other choice. Clear brackets make them a lot less noticable now than the metal ones. Oral hygiene is very important with this choice as your at greator risk for cavites and gum problems with braces.
Both General Dentists and Orthodontists treat these kinds of problems. A General Dentist providing orthodontic treatment should have complete and ongoing training. An Orthodontist is a dentist specialist who has completed post graduate program in this field and limits their practice exclusively. I am a General Dentist who has been extensively trained in Orthodontics and have been treating patients for over 27 years.
Please call our office if you feel I can help! 586-263-4060