1816 Eagle Drive, Bldg 200-A, Woodstock, GA 30189
Orthodontics
Our goal is to ensure that you are getting the dental care that you need. We know how busy your schedule can be and how difficult it is to juggle everything. So, we work with an orthodontist to accommodate any orthodontic care you may need, for adults and children. You can coordinate your orthodontic visits with your regular dental checkups, and we offer flexible scheduling times to make it easier for you, as well. This creates a wonderful opportunity for patients to receive opinions from both an orthodontist and restorative dentist who work closely together regarding your overall dental care.
Children's Orthodontics
It's best for the orthodontist to see your child by age seven to advise if orthodontic treatment is required for specific conditions, such as crossbites, that often occur. The child’s first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by this time and crossbites, crowding, and other problems can be evaluated. When orthodontic treatment is required early, our orthodontist can utilize a child’s orthopedic growth, and reroute incoming permanent teeth which assists with proper growth of the child’s jaw.
Interceptive Orthodontics
Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early orthodontic intervention can simplify later treatment during the teenage years.
What if I put off orthodontic treatment for my child?
Delaying treatment should be an educated decision. Therefore, it is always best to have an orthodontic consultation and understand treatment issues. In some cases, delaying treatment may not make any significant difference. In other cases, timing is very important and postponing treatment for a child with a jaw discrepancy, for example, may very well be faced with a compromised result that may not be as stable throughout their life.
Planning now can save your smile later.
In the 1980’s it was not uncommon to extract four bicuspids to create space for all the teeth to line up. Today, we use a non-extraction approach to orthodontics most of the time. Children grow rapidly, and it is very important to relate orthodontic care to their adolescent growth. Children can benefit enormously from an early phase of orthodontic treatment utilizing appliances that direct the growth relationship of the upper and lower jaws. Thus, a good foundation can be established, providing adequate room for eruption of all permanent teeth. Once again, an early correction may prevent later removal of permanent teeth to correct overcrowding and/or surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws. Leaving such a condition untreated until all permanent teeth erupt could result in a significant jaw discrepancy too severe to achieve an ideal result with braces.
Adult Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. One of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21. Surprisingly enough, about 75% of our orthodontic patients are adults!
Adults often may have periodontal disease that compromises their tooth stability, and may require periodontal treatment before, during, and/or after orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also limit the amount and direction of tooth movement that is advisable. In most cases, however, we get excellent results for our adult patients no matter what the treatment limitations may be.
Click here for general information to help you answer many commonly asked questions regarding orthodontics. However, every patient is different with individual needs, so take advantage of a complimentary consultation with Dr. Harden to find out the best treatment options for you or your child.
New Patients Always Welcome. To experience distinctly different dental care, call today and reserve your appointment with Dr. Harden and our wonderful staff. Fountain View Dentistry serves the Woodstock, Acworth, Canton, Kennesaw, and Marietta communities with general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry for all ages.
