Is It Really October Already?

Halloween can be a particularly scary time for teeth. Boschken Orthodontics offers these tips to keep teeth safe from decay and in particular to protect braces, aligners and other orthodontic appliances during the Halloween season: Avoid sticky situations with your braces! Stay away from hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy candy and snacks. These include hard or chewy candies, caramel, liquorice, taffy, bubblegum (even the sugarless kind) and jelly beans. Also steer away from nuts, tortilla chips and popcorn (especially the un-popped kernels). Good snack alternatives include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties. If you consume sweets, please do so in moderation. Avoid the temptation to grab another handful from the bowl filled with treats. Whether or not they are in orthodontic treatment, limit the time that children can snack from the Halloween candy bowl. Brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season, because teeth generally receive more exposure to sweets that can cause cavities and acid etching. Orthodontic patients should be especially conscientious about brushing and flossing after consuming sugary or starchy foods. Remember, brush and floss daily to gain a perfect smile!

When will my braces come off, Dr. Boschken?

The question we are asked most commonly as an orthodontist is “When do I get my braces off?” Although treatment is different for every single patient, there are some basic objectives and steps of treatment that are similar for the majority of patients. If you currently wear braces and want to know how you are progressing, read on…

In my offices there are three distinct phases of treatment through which every patient must pass. Although their order may be switched or there may be some overlap between them, the three phases include resolving the crowding/spacing, aligning the teeth, and correcting the bite.

First, crowding is corrected by expanding the arches or by removing teeth. Teeth cannot be correctly aligned if there is not enough room. The decision to expand or extract is determined by a number of variables including the size of the teeth and jaws, the amount of bone and gum tissue supporting the roots, and the profile. The first objective is to create room so that the teeth can be aligned. If a patient has extra space at the beginning of treatment, that space must be closed during this step.

Once there is room, the second step is to properly align or straighten the teeth. Aligning the arches is accomplished using wires, elastics, power-chains, springs, and other auxiliaries (“gadgets”) that rotate, tip, and torque the teeth into their desired positions. Another common step in the alignment process is “repositioning” individual brackets. Sometimes brackets cannot be put in the right place on the first day because of the bite, the alignment, or the shape of the teeth. However, after the teeth have been partially aligned, brackets can then be moved to better positions.

The third goal of treatment is correcting the bite or making certain that the upper teeth fit with the lower ones. This must be accomplished in all three planes of space, front to back (overbite or under-bite), side to side (cross-bites), as well as top to bottom (open bite or deep bite). Making the upper match the lower is accomplished with wires, rubber bands, springs, or very rarely, surgery. When the bite is right, the backs of the top teeth rest lightly on the fronts of the bottom ones. (There are also some specific functional relationships that must be “just so” at the end of treatment, but the specifics are beyond the scope of this article.)

The “When do I get my braces off?” question usually arises during the third or “bite phase” of treatment. By that time the crowded, crooked teeth are gone and the patient is generally happy with how things look. Admittedly, the first half of treatment is more exciting than the last half. It is during the final phase however where the bite is corrected so that the results will be healthy and stable.

If you are wondering if you’re getting close to getting your braces off, compare what you see in your mouth with this list:

1. Are the teeth straight?
2. Are the spaces between the teeth closed completely?
3. Do the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth appropriately (not too deep, but no visible space between them)?
4. Are the outer cusps of the upper teeth resting on the outside of the corresponding ones in the lower?
5. Is the overbite or under-bite corrected?

If it is obvious that your teeth are still crooked, have spaces between them, or you still have a deep bite or overbite, you probably still have some time remaining. If your treatment time is longer that was originally estimated, ask yourself if you have everything you can to achieve your orthodontic goals. If you have specific questions about your smile, ask Dr. Boschken to explain what objectives remain in your treatment. Dr. Boschken is hoping for the most perfect results and your braces will come off when the best result is achieved and not before. Good luck, and keep smiling!

http://www.drboschken.com/about/boschken.shtml

How Do I Know If I Need Orthodontics?

Did you know that visibly crooked teeth are not the only reason to take your child to visit Dr. Boschken? There are some subtle things to look for as well, which may indicate the onset of more serious orthodontic issues. Many orthodontic bite situations are much easier to address if they are corrected during a child’s development.

Waiting until facial development is complete or until the permanent teeth have come in can make correction of many orthodontic issues more challenging. Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontic care, but addressing issues early is almost always the ideal choice.

Are you wondering if you or your child might have need for orthodontic care?  Here are some of the most common early conditions to watch for that can indicate the need for an orthodontic evaluation:

• Difficulty when chewing or biting
• Chronic mouth-breathing
• Sucking the thumb, fingers, or any other oral sucking habits that continue after age 6   
• Overbite – when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by more than 5mm
• Top front teeth that cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth while biting
• Underbite – when the top front teeth go behind the bottom front teeth when biting
• Crowded, crooked, overlapped, misshapen, misplaced teeth or extra teeth of any size
• Crossbite – when one or more teeth tilt toward the cheek or toward the tongue
• The center of the top and bottom teeth don’t line up
• Uneven teeth-wearing
• Baby teeth that are lost early for any reason
• Mouth discomfort
• Clicking in the jaw joints
• The jaw shifts off-center while chewing or biting
• A jaw that protrudes, or recedes, too much
• Difficulty speaking or enunciating clearly
• Chronic biting of the inner cheek or roof of the mouth
• Asymmetrical facial structure
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth

If you notice that either you or your child has any of these conditions, they could be signs that there is a risk of orthodontic or health problems. The sooner these problems are addressed, the wider and brighter you will be able to smile going forward! We happily provide complimentary evaluations and records and would enjoy hearing form you (408) 225-6660!www.drboschken.com

Why are teeth sometimes crooked?

There are several reasons why our teeth are crooked or overlaped. Some of us have a small mouth and insufficient room for our teeth, which creates crowding and causes teeth to shift. Some of us are born with upper and lower jaw structures that  aren’t the same size or are malformed. Most often, crooked teeth are inherited traits just as the color of your eyes or hair.
Further causes of crooked teeth are:

•  the early loss of baby teeth
•  the loss of adult teeth
•  continual pressures on the teeth and gums
•  misalignment of the jaw after a facial injury
•  childhood habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged use of a bottle or pacifier.

Did you know that having crooked teeth is not solely a cosmetic issue, it can lead to serious health problems as well? Crooked teeth can:

• interfere with proper chewing and contribute to headaches
• make keeping teeth clean more challenging and thereby increases the risk of tooth decay, cavities, gingivitis or tooth loss
• cause undo stress and strain on the jaws muscles, increasing the risk of breaking a tooth!

Orthodontic treatment procedures can help correct crooked teeth, and here at Boschken Orthodontics we have custom services that will meet your individual needs.  We want you to be proud of your smile!