Orthodontic Services
Sandusky Orthodontics is excited to serve our patients. Our ultimate goal is to craft you a perfect smile that you are proud to show off. After your first examination and completion of X-rays, we will be happy to discuss all of your options. We are proud to offer several different treatment options for straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. We understand the importance of showing you all of our options and discussing them thoroughly with you. We want you to find the best treatment option for you, no matter what you choose.
We are proud to offer the following services to achieve the smile of your dreams:
Retention
After you have worn your braces for the appropriate amount of time, we move into the retention stage of your treatment. It is VERY important not to skip this step, or all of your hard work will not pay off as you had hoped. Your teeth may shift around or move back to where they were instead of staying in place.
During retention, you will have to wear retainers as your teeth adjust to staying in their new place without braces. You should wear your retainers as recommended by your dentist. Some should be worn only at night, while others need to be worn almost all of the time.
Brushing your teeth is easier in this phase, since the retainers are removable. All you have to do is remove your retainer, and then you will be able to brush your teeth better than you were able to when you had braces. You should also brush your retainer thoroughly before placing it back to your mouth.
Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, is used for severe cases of bad bites, jaw bone abnormalities, and malocclusions. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is considered a dental specialty and helps complex cases involving the mouth, jaw, face, and skull. If your case requires surgical orthodontics, your orthodontist will work with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to provide you with the best and most comprehensive care possible.
Surgical orthodontics helps patients improve their bites, though it can also help with other aesthetic concerns, such as facial structure and symmetry. Surgery can only be completed after the jaw is finished growing. This typically happens by age sixteen for females and age eighteen for males.
Early Treatment
The earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix. The results are often better than if we wait and will require significantly less work. We may not need to keep braces on your child for as long when they are younger, which means less expense for you.
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist as soon as their dentist notices that there might be a problem, or before they are seven years old. We may not have to do anything at this age, other than monitor the child’s mouth. However, if we continue to watch your child, we can start treatment right away if something arises.
Early intervention can be beneficial. We will watch how your child’s mouth and teeth grow and develop, so if we see something that needs to be done, we can do it as soon as possible. We will also know exactly when to start treatment, if needed.
Adult Treatment
No matter your age, you deserve a smile that gives you confidence. Braces are not just for children anymore. With the latest advancements in technologies, we can get you the smile you deserve! Here at Sandusky Orthodontics, we work hard to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. We offer several different treatments that can be effective no matter how old you are. More and more orthodontic treatments are becoming available to give adults the smile that they want.
Orthodontic treatments are not just for your smile. Fixing your teeth can also dramatically change your oral health. When you have crooked teeth or a malocclusion (uneven bite), you may be prone to oral health problems such as gum disease and tartar buildup.
TMJ Treatment
At Sandusky Orthodontics, we are proud to offer temporomandibular joint dysfunction, otherwise known as TMJ, treatments to provide relief for our patients. TMJ is caused by an inflammation in the temporomandibular joint, which acts as a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull.
What are the symptoms of TMJ?
TMJ causes pain and discomfort along the jawbone and can make it painful to even move your jaw. While jaw pain and discomfort don’t always equate to TMJ, if you are also experiencing headaches, trouble chewing, or pain in the face, jaw, and ear, you’re more than likely experiencing TMJ.
Sleep Apnea
People who have sleep apnea never get the rest that they deserve. They have trouble breathing which constantly wakes them up throughout the night. Many people who have sleep apnea have multiple health problems. They are always exhausted. Being tired can affect people at home and at work. They may be miserable and have trouble concentrating. Sleep apnea can also affect their blood pressure, making them more likely to have strokes. There is a big risk with anesthesia since they have trouble breathing.