Wiesemann Orthodontics Answers Your Common Orthodontic Questions
New to braces? Dr. Wiesemann can help.
Get answers to the most common orthodontic questions from people like you in Bowling Green, KY, Russellville, KY, Portland, TN and White House, TN.
If you don't see your question listed, always feel free to call our office, and our helpful team members can answer all your questions.
Answers to Common Questions
- Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems.
- Other oral problems are caused by thumb- or finger-sucking, dental disease, accidents, the early or late loss of baby teeth, or other causes.
An orthodontist is a general dentist with two to three more years of full-time training in orthodontics, resulting in a nationally accepted specialty certificate.
An orthodontist like Dr. Ryan Wiesemann limits his practice only to straightening teeth and correcting jaw problems.
Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Wiesemann recommend that every child first visit an orthodontist by age seven or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist, or the child's physician.
By this age, Dr. Wiesemann can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
That's important because some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if found early at Wiesemann Orthodontics.
Most orthodontic patients at our Bowling Green, KY, Russellville, KY, Portland, TN and White House, TN office begin active braces treatment between ages 9 and 14.
Absolutely. A growing percentage of our patients are adults. New, more cosmetic appliances are making adult treatment much more comfortable and convenient.
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every four orthodontic patients today is over age 18.
Thanks to today's smaller, less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliances (including metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign), adults find treatment appealing.
Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is from one to two years.
Actual treatment time is affected by your rate of growth and the severity of the problem.
This can be determined through a free consultation at our Bowling Green, KY, Russellville, KY, Portland, TN and White House, TN office.
Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important in keeping treatment time on schedule.
Selecting an orthodontist in Bowling Green, Portland, Russellville or White House who can help you achieve your smile dreams is important.
Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.
This means they're better qualified to give you the smile of your dreams than you could get from aligners in the mail.
Orthodontics helps to improve the comfort of the bite, makes it easier to brush and floss your teeth for good dental health, improves long term health of teeth and gums, and many times helps to balance the facial musculature. The positive self-esteem benefits are immeasurable.
Dr. Wiesemann received three years of additional specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth and completed a one-year orthodontic fellowship.
Only those with this formal education may call themselves "orthodontists," and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
Dr. Wiesemann from Wiesemann Orthodontics has achieved this specialization and is an active member of the AAO.
The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on many factors, including how complex the problem is and how long treatment lasts.
Dr. Wiesemann will be glad to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options with you before treatment begins.
The good news is that braces are more affordable today than ever. Our staff also works with insurance companies and offers payment plans that meet your family's budget.
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain.
A bad bite can wear down teeth, make it hard to chew and talk and create stress on supporting bone and gum tissue.
Without treatment, many problems become worse and can require additional dental care later in life.
Orthodontic treatment is a partnership between the doctor and patient.
Dr. Wiesemann provides custom-made fixed or removable appliances that use gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper positions.
Your job is to follow your orthodontist's instructions, keep scheduled orthodontic appointments, and maintain excellent oral hygiene to get the best results.
You will also need to see your general dentist as recommended to continue your general dental care.
Not necessarily. Research suggests that wisdom teeth don't always cause teeth to shift.
In most cases, wisdom teeth are removed for general dental health reasons rather than for orthodontic health.
Your family dentist or Dr. Wiesemann can help determine whether or not your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
If you notice an unwanted change in your smile or bite, contact us for a free consultation.
You might need an orthodontic tune-up to regain proper alignment.
Dr. Wiesemann will recommend how long to continue wearing your retainers, whether they are removable (the kind you put in and take out) or fixed (bonded behind your teeth).
Wearing your retainers as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment.
There are many reasons teeth may move following orthodontic treatment. Teeth are not set in concrete, they're in bone.
Because the bone around your teeth is continually changing (breaking down and rebuilding), your teeth may shift after your braces are removed.
By wearing your retainers, your teeth are more likely to remain where Dr. Wiesemann has placed them through braces treatment.
The small changes that happen after braces are removed are due to settling in as you use your teeth for biting and chewing.
The more serious and unwanted changes may be traced to genetics or later-than-normal growth, which is unpredictable.
Movement is most common in lower front teeth. This is particularly true if the teeth were extremely crowded before treatment. Changes in tooth position are a lifelong and naturally occurring phenomenon.
The best way to keep your teeth from shifting is to wear your retainers as prescribed. If you notice movement after your braces are removed, please contact Wiesemann Orthodontics.
The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires, you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.
The fact is that throughout your lifetime, even though you have had orthodontic treatment, you can expect changes in tooth position.
Many factors at work may cause teeth to shift. Such changes are different for everyone, and most of the time, they are hardly noticeable.
However, on occasion, changes can occur that are disappointing to both the patient and Dr. Wiesemann. Changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment.
They are a natural process. We expect changes in our bodies as we grow older, and teeth are no exception.
To help control and limit these changes, retainers are prescribed after your braces are removed.
No. Retainers stabilize and preserve the alignment of teeth and jaws that orthodontic treatment achieved.
Many people wear removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives. Ask your orthodontist for guidance about your long-term retainer use.
Orthodontics helps improve the comfort of your bite, makes it easier to brush and floss your teeth for good dental health, and improves the long-term health of teeth and gums. The positive self-esteem benefits are immeasurable.
Phase 1 treatment is delivered early and before all permanent teeth have erupted. The purpose of this early care is to start correcting harmful malocclusions or poor bites that may be more difficult or impossible to correct later. If we identify a problem causing functional, aesthetic or physiological concerns, Phase 1 treatment may be a good option for your child.
Having Phase 1 treatment doesn't mean you won't need conventional orthodontic treatment at a later time.
Examples of Phase 1 treatment include:
- Correcting individual tooth or jaw crossbites
- Correcting severe underbites
- Correcting severe overbites
Phase 2 treatment is what you probably think of when you think of orthodontic treatment. It may start while the last baby teeth are falling out and continue until the 12-year molars have been evaluated or straightened. This treatment usually lasts between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years.
Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components.
When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape, which applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.
- Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or are bucked
- Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
- Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)
- The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
- Crowded or overlapped teeth
- The center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up
- Finger or thumb-sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old
- Difficulty chewing
- Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
- The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
- Spaces between the teeth
Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist for routine cleanings and dental checkups.
No. However, it is recommended that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouthguards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.
No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers and orthodontic wax can be provided to help prevent discomfort.