ALL about Orthodontics!

While everyone understands that a dentist takes care of teeth, not everyone is aware of what an orthodontist does. This confusion sometimes leads to misunderstandings about what Sanborn Orthodontics does for our patients and how exactly Dr. Sanborn can help them. Let’s take a closer look at a couple of the myths and misconceptions about orthodontics.

Perhaps the biggest misconception about the orthodontist is that we’re just like your family dentist. The truth is, we’re actually very different. While it’s true that both orthodontists and dentists care about helping you enjoy a lifetime of good dental and oral health, we go about achieving this goal in different ways. For instance, if you need to have a cavity filled, you probably won’t make an appointment to see me. Dentists are the health professionals to see if you’re concerned about a cavity or need a filling. A dentist can also treat gum disease, tooth decay, toothaches, and other common oral health problems.

People see an orthodontist for very particular services. Most of the patients we see on a daily basis are here because they have braces, or they need to be fitted with braces or another form of tooth-straightening device. In other words, they consult an orthodontist when they are concerned about the alignment of their teeth. As a child grows up, his or her teeth may come in crooked. This can happen for a number of reasons, so it’s important for an orthodontist to take a look at a child’s teeth at about seven years of age. At that age, it’s possible to detect any problems that have not become too advanced to treat easily. Your family dentist may also refer your child to an orthodontist once the adult teeth have fully grown in.

Another common misconception about orthodontists is that we only treat children. It’s true that when you visit an orthodontic clinic you’re apt to see a lot of young kids, but you’ll also see teenagers, college students, and adults. Because crooked teeth can be caused by a number of different factors, it’s entirely possible for someone to require orthodontic treatment at any age.

If you want to know more about the practice of orthodontics or what your orthodontist can do for you, then simply ask Dr. Sanborn. It’s best to get answers to your specific questions directly from the person who will be treating you. So check out our Facebookpage or website or call 252-727-0020 for your complimentary consultation appointment in Morehead City, NC.

When Should My Child See An Orthodontist???

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS recommends that children first visit the orthodontist at age seven—and we wholeheartedly agree! Even though treatment may not start that young, an early examination allows Dr. Sanborn to evaluate dental development and determine when and if orthodontic treatment is necessary.

One way to determine if a child needs our help is to look for bite and alignment problems.

Some Of The Problems We Look For at Sanborn Orthodontics:

1. Buck Teeth:  Do the upper front teeth stick too far out?

2. Deep Bite:   Do the upper teeth cover the lower teeth?

3. Underbite:  Do the upper teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth?

4. Open Bite:  Do only the back teeth touch when biting down?

5. Crowded or overlapped teeth:  Do the teeth have too much or too little space?

6. Misaligned front teeth:  Do the spaces between the upper two front teeth and lower two front teeth not line up?

7. Crossbite:  Do the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth?

Some Issues May Require Immediate Attention

If a child has any of the following problems, treatment may be necessary before the age of seven.

Speech problems

Difficulty chewing

Abnormal bite development

Clicking or popping in the jaw

Permanent teeth that are coming in crowded or overlapped

A thumb sucking problem

A teeth grinding problem

Issues biting cheeks or biting into the roof of the mouth

There Are Benefits To Early Treatment or Enrollment in our Guppy Grinz Club!!!

Please Share This Important Information

Now, will you help US get the word out? Please share this post with the people you care about—especially those with children. Together, WE can help others start early on the path to beautiful, healthy smiles!

Thank you for helping Sanborn Orthodontics make a difference!!!