How Treatment Works

Orthodontics For Adults

Orthodontics For Children

Orthodontics is the specialized field of dentistry that focuses with the treatment of malocclusion, which is another way of saying “bad bite.” With a bad bite, your teeth, lips and jaws do not line up the way they should. Your teeth may be crooked, your bite may not function correctly, and your jaws may appear unbalanced. Most malocclusions are genetic or inherited, but some problems are acquired or develop over time from harmful habits such as thumb sucking.

Why Treatment Is So Important
Without treatment, existing problems may worsen and new problems can occur. It is difficult to clean and maintain crooked and crowded teeth. This inability to properly care for teeth can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and premature tooth loss. A malocclusion can also cause chewing difficulty, improper wear of tooth surfaces, and overall stress on bone and gum tissue. Jaw joint problems, or TMJ, can develop causing chronic headaches, facial pain, and discomfort. With proper orthodontic treatment, these problems can be eliminated and avoided, often for much less than the costs of the additional dental care required to treat such problems.

In any case, it is important to seek orthodontic treatment as soon as possible to ensure a beautiful, lasting smile that will function properly while enhancing your appearance, self esteem, and confidence!

How Treatment Works
At Cornali Orthodontics, we use braces, aligners, corrective appliances, and retainers to treat all types of orthodontic problems. They work by applying gentle, continuous pressure to slowly move the teeth and jaws into their correct position. We use the highest quality materials available to ensure the best treatment with the least amount of patient discomfort. To ensure your safety and privacy at all times, Cornali Orthodontics strictly adheres to the guidelines set forth by the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) and the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Overall treatment time is dependent on the severity of the problem. It is imperative to comply with the orthodontist’s instructions between visits. Practicing good dental hygiene is a must. This includes brushing and flossing on a daily basis and avoiding certain foods and snacks that are not allowed while in braces. Patients who follow instructions and keep their appointments will achieve excellent results within the estimated treatment time.

Orthodontics For Adults
Orthodontic treatment can be beneficial at any age. In our office, approximately one in every four patients is over age 18. Adults with strong bones and healthy supporting gum tissue react well to treatment and achieve amazing results. We now offer clear, aesthetic brackets that make wearing braces even more appealing. Additionally, Cornali Orthodontics is a certified provider of Invisalign, the new invisible alternative to traditional braces. During a complimentary consultation, we will discuss every treatment option available to meet your needs and arrive at a desirable, personalized treatment plan.

Children
Most parents wait until their children are teenagers before taking them to the orthodontist. However, since early detection of orthodontic problems can yield easier correction, it is important to see an orthodontist early. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This allows the orthodontist to locate subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth and correct them before they become more severe. Even if a child’s teeth appear straight, problems may exist that only an orthodontist can detect. Additionally, early treatment can develop space for erupting permanent teeth which prevents the need to extract teeth in the future to alleviate crowding. Most actual treatment occurs between the ages of 9 and 14, but seeing your orthodontist early is an excellent preventive measure for future complications.