All YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FAMILY DENTALCARE -- page 3

 

  

Pre-Adolescence Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment is sometimes necessary as a childís primary teeth are being replaced with permanent ones. During this pre-adolescent time, regular examinations can prove beneficial by spotting problems early and thereby avoiding more serious orthodontia problems in the near future.
 
These examinations make certain that the permanent teeth are erupting properly. They also help to determine whether or not a childís facial bones are growing correctly. During this period of mixed dentition (permanent and primary teeth), some children may require certain functional appliances.
 
One such appliance is a space maintainer which may be used to hold open a space where a primary tooth has been lost prematurely. Another is an archwire. It is used to maintain the length and shape of the dental arch. There is also an appliance used to assure that the jaw closes properly and guides erupting teeth into their correct positions. Occasionally there are problems with developing facial bones for which there exists another type of appliance. As for braces, they are most commonly used during adolescence. However, they are sometimes deemed necessary and very effective at a younger age.

Orthodontic Extractions

Orthodontic treatment sometimes requires the removal of teeth. This could include primary, permanent, or both. When primary teeth are extracted, it is usually done to prevent future problems with permanent teeth.
 
For instance, if a primary tooth is badly decayed, infection could harm the developing permanent tooth underneath. Therefore, the primary tooth may have to be removed. And then there are cases when primary teeth are being retained too long. This can interfere with the eruption of the permanent teeth, making it necessary to extract those primary teeth. If primary molars are extracted, space maintainers may have to be used until the permanent teeth come in. As for the removal of permanent teeth, this is only done when absolutely necessary.
 

Orthodontic Surgery

While the results achieved through orthodontic treatment are highly effective, there are times when braces alone cannot accomplish all that is desired. Some cases involving jaw relationships which are severely misaligned fall into this category. In such cases, orthognathic surgery may be required. During this treatment your orthodontist and oral surgeon work in close cooperation with each other.
 
If youíre considering orthodontic treatment, keep in mind that the vast majority of cases do not require surgical intervention. However, itís good to know that this remarkably effective treatment exists for those who require it.

Dental Sealants

Getting kids to brush and floss can be trying. There are lots of other fun things they'd rather be doing. We can do something to help protect the youngsters from their not-so-faithful oral hygiene. Sealants can be applied to the chewing surfaces of their back teeth. Sealants are clear plastic coatings that form protective shields in the deep, hard-to-clean areas of these teeth. Sealants are quickly and easily applied without the use of anesthesia and drilling. It's a completely painless procedure. When compared to the cost of a filling, sealants (per tooth) are a bargain!

TMJ Syndrome

TMJ is an abbreviation for the hinge joint which connects the lower and upper jaws. This is the Temporal Mandibular Joint. The seemingly simple act of opening and closing your mouth is actually quite complicated. Five pairs of muscles make opening, closing, forward, backward, and side-to-side movements of the lower jaw possible. When these muscles are imbalanced, the jaw joints can go out of alignment. TMJ problems can then develop.
 
Here's a list of some of the symptoms associated with a TMJ disorder:
Although a poor bite (malocclusion) is often the cause of TMJ syndrome, it is possible that the cause lies elsewhere. One such cause may be arthritis in the jaw joint. In such a case, adjustment of the bite will not address the TMJ problem. Thorough and proper diagnosis should be conducted before selecting an appropriate treatment.
 

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Copyright Norman H. Hui, D.D.S. and Associates
2975 Telegraph Avenue (at corner of Ashby), Berkeley, CA 94705
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