Orthodontics – Aurora, IL

Phase 1 Orthodontics

Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two will begin around age 11 or older). The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as underbite. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of needing extractions in the future.

Learn About Phase One Orthodontics

How to Tell if Your Child may Need Early Orthodontic Treatment:

• Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
• Teeth that don't come together in a normal manner
• Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
• Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
• Difficulty chewing and/or biting
• Your child continues sucking his or her thumb after age five
• Speech impediments
• Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around age five, and have all permanent teeth around age 13)

What Causes Orthodontic Problems and How Will Early Treatment Benefit My Child?

Orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, and bad bites can be inherited or caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7. At this age, children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, and the orthodontist can identify orthodontic problems at their earliest stages. Our team will provide your child with an initial exam and take a panoramic x-ray. That way the orthodontist can recommend the best options to care for your child’s smile now, and in the future.

Adult Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.

Health Effects That Can be Corrected with Orthodontic Treatment:

• Misalignment of the bite which can cause jaw pain and abnormal tooth wear
• Teeth are crowded or spaced apart which can result in tooth decay and gum disease
• Missing teeth resulting in bone loss and shifting of neighboring teeth

Treatment Options for Adults

For many adults, the thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage them from receiving treatment. However today’s orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of lifestyle and aesthetic choices to meet your needs. Grand Dental Orthodontics offers:

• Invisalign Clear Aligners
• Tooth Colored Braces
• Traditional Metal Braces

Why Should You Consider Orthodontic Treatment?

• Straight teeth are healthy teeth — Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to keep clean with flossing and brushing, and may help prevent other health problems.
• A beautiful, straight smile builds confidence — Orthodontic treatment can help boost your self-confidence, giving you a better quality of life and the freedom to smile without holding back!
• Mouths left untreated can get worse — Not receiving orthodontic treatment when it’s needed can create long-term health issues costing you more in the end.
• Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Many adults received some orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, but never completed their treatment. As an adult, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.

Invisalign ®

Invisalign is a popular, discreet orthodontic treatment that utilizes clear, customized aligners to gently shift your teeth into their ideal alignment. The average treatment time for patients is typically between nine to 24 months, depending on the severity of the orthodontic issues you face. To achieve the best results and stay on track with your treatment timeline, you’ll need to wear your trays for 22 hours every day, only taking them out when you eat, drink and brush and floss your teeth.

Learn About Invisalign

Metal Braces

Traditional wire and bracket orthodontics can be especially beneficial for patients with moderate to even severe crowding, misalignment and malocclusion problems. Braces can be attached to the teeth to help reposition and realign them for a straighter, healthier smile. Brackets work in conjunction with a thin metal wire that is adjusted at each of your orthodontic appointments. This traditional orthodontic option is ideal for kids, teens and even adults undergoing treatment.

Learn About Traditional Braces

Tooth Colored Braces

Tooth Colored Braces are made out of clear plastic or ceramic materials. They provide the same benefits and treatment as traditional braces only they are more discrete. Since the brackets are clear it is less obvious that the patient is wearing braces. Patients love this option because they provide all of the reliability and strength of metal braces while maintaining a more aesthetic, natural smile.

Phases of Orthodontic Treatment

There are three distinct phases of orthodontic treatment: the planning phase, the active phase, and the retention phase. This is why it often takes between 6 and 30 months to complete treatment. The exact timeframe patients can expect will vary from person to person based on the type of braces in Aurora, the severity of malocclusion, and how well the individual follows and commits to the customized plan.

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Expanders

An “expander” is a general term for a variety of orthodontic appliances that aim to modify the size and shape of the mouth or maintain space. These appliances can either be fixed (permanent) or removable depending on the treatment plan. Expanders apply gentle force to change the shape of the mouth as necessary, they may be spring loaded or screw activated. The goal of expander usage is to create an even and properly aligned bite.

Light Force Brackets

As part of a patient’s orthodontic treatment, we can use Light Force brackets that are custom-made to fit each individual tooth. More aesthetically pleasing than traditional metal, they are translucent so that they blend in more seamlessly with smiles. By using these brackets, we can avoid traditional dental impressions and instead, take a digital scan that produces a three-dimensional model that personalizes a patient’s treatment so that their needs are met and more predictable results are achieved.

Dental Monitoring

Patients who want to minimize the number of times they visit our dental office in Aurora for orthodontic treatment can appreciate our new dental monitoring system. Relying on the technology of smartphones, patients can easily upload photos of their smiles each week to a particular app. The artificial intelligence used will then identify oral structures and any problem areas as well as monitor tooth movement to provide dentists with a remote view of a patient’s orthodontic progress.

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