While not all children need treatment, there are some instances where early treatment is necessary to fix problems that are affecting their oral health, growth and development. Dr. Doyle treats every child as if they were her own; never recommending unnecessary treatment. She firmly believes in treating little problems before they become big problems that may require more invasive and costly procedures in the future if not addressed.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends having your child’s first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. By this age, your child’s teeth have developed enough so that subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging permanent teeth can be recognized and treated. So whether it is for peace of mind or because you know your child needs an evaluation, come in for a complimentary consultation.
One of Dr. Doyle’s favorite parts of her job is working with children. Prior to opening Doyle Orthodontics, she practiced for several years in a pediatric dental office treating young patients of all ages. Her practice experience combined with extensive training in orthodontics ensures that your child gets the best treatment possible.
Being a teen isn’t easy! With school, sports, and all the activities and social pressures they face, their smile is the last thing they need to worry about. While we can’t help with homework or getting ready for the next big game, we can assure that they will love their new smile! Dr. Doyle strives in making every effort to ensure that the trip to the orthodontist is time efficient, convenient, and a positive experience for her patients and their busy lifestyles. When you come to our office, you’ll quickly realize that you are now part of our close knit family, and we will always treat you as such- providing personalized care.
At Doyle Orthodontics, we also recognize teens as unique individuals and provide a variety of treatment options to meet their individual needs and individual smiles. And best of all, with the innovative approaches to orthodontic care that are available today, we do this in the shortest time possible.
Regardless of our age, we’re all entitled to have a smile that we can be proud of. Gone are the days where being an adult is seen as a barrier to receiving orthodontic treatment. In fact, 25-30% of today’s orthodontic patients are adults. There are lots of reasons why you might consider treatment as an adult. Perhaps you are noticing tooth wear as a result of an improper bite. Or maybe you just want to feel more confident about your smile. Regardless of the motivation, Dr. Doyle will work with you to find a solution tailored to meet your needs and situation. Our office is truly meant for all ages.
Adult orthodontic treatment has become much more convenient and comfortable in recent years. Advances in appliance and wire technology have made having braces as an adult much easier. At Doyle Orthodontics, we understand that many busy adults are looking for the most effective, efficient adult orthodontic treatment possible. We offer the highest quality clear braces and adult Invisalign appliances that can help you achieve the bite and smile you deserve in the shortest time possible.
Though many orthodontic problems can wait to be corrected after all the baby teeth have fallen out, there are some orthodontic problems that are better corrected at a younger age. The goal of early treatment (often referred to as Phase 1 treatment) is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as an underbite. Early treatment can also help to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, reducing the complexity of orthodontic treatment in the future.
Orthodontic problems that are often better corrected early are: severe crowding, eruption problems, open bite, deep bite, crossbite, large “overbite,” underbite, narrow jaws, harmful habits and severely protruded front teeth.
Two Phased Treatment Plan
Phase 1 (early treatment) occurs when the child still has a mix of primary and permanent teeth. It is usually started between the ages of 7 to 10. Phase 1 treatment typically ranges from 6 – 12 months in duration.
In most cases, additional treatment will still be needed to align new, permanent teeth and address bite problems not fully corrected in Phase 1. This additional treatment using a full set of braces is called Phase 2.
In between Phase 1 and Phase 2, your child may need to wear retainers or a holding wire to maintain teeth and jaw positioning. Your child will see the orthodontist for periodic checks to evaluate his/her jaw development and eruption progress and to decide on the best time to start Phase 2 treatment.
Surgical orthodontics or orthognathic surgery, is a combination of orthodontics and jaw surgery to correct dental and skeletal deformities in adult patients. Typically, jaw growth stops by age 16 in females and 18 in males. In order to receive orthognathic surgery, the jaw must be done growing. The need for surgical orthodontics occurs when the jaws do not line up correctly, and a proper bite cannot be achieved with orthodontic treatment alone. Orthognathic surgery will help properly align the jaw, and orthodontic braces will then be used to move the teeth into their proper position.
How will I know if I need jaw surgery?
Dr. Doyle can tell you if orthognathic surgery is needed as part of your treatment. Depending on the severity of your case and the alignment of your jaws, you may or may not need surgery.
How does orthognathic surgery happen?
Braces are generally placed initially for a period of 8-12 months to begin aligning the teeth. When you are then ready for the procedure, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon will perform your orthognathic surgery, and the surgery will take place in a hospital. Orthognathic surgery can take several hours depending on each individual case. Once the surgery is complete, you will have about a two-week rest period. Since orthognathic surgery is a major treatment, we recommend that you schedule some time away from work and school during the healing process. After your jaw has healed, your orthodontist will once again “fine-tune” your bite, and most braces are removed within six to 12 months following surgery. After your braces are removed, you will wear a retainer for one year full time, and then to bed lifetime, to help maintain your new smile.
We are happy to answer any remaining questions you may have, and provide you with additional information. Please contact our office for an initial examination to find out more about your specific treatment options.
