Functional Orthodontic services

Everyone knows that orthodontics can straighten your teeth and improve your smile. But did you know that orthodontic treatment can also improve the health of your gums, provide better support to your muscles and joints, and in some cases improve breathing and airway development?

Straight teeth are pretty, but correctly positioning those teeth in three-dimensional harmony with your muscles and joints is the key to a smile that is not only beautiful, but functional and comfortable as well.

Dr. Rich has been studying and correcting bites with orthodontic treatment for over 20 years. A beautiful cosmetic result is extremely important to her, but as with all her other treatment offerings, Dr. Rich’s approach begins with the consideration of the overall health of the client and how orthodontic treatment might contribute to the improvement of other related systems or conditions, including joint and muscle function, periodontal health, and airway development.

Dr. Rich offers a full range of orthodontic solutions for children, teens, and adults. The type and extent of treatment is different for each individual. Some people have no need for orthodontic treatment at all, while others may need a combination of treatments over a period of time to in order to restore both beauty and function to their smiles.

Orthodontic treatment for adults

There is no age limit on orthodontic correction. And while it is true that the teeth can move more quickly in children and teens, adults of all ages – including seniors – are not excluded from the benefits that orthodontic treatment can provide.

In cases where the bite is stable and functional in the back, and there is only a small amount of crowding in the front, Dr. Rich will often prescribe a series of clear aligners to straighten and align the crowded teeth. She has certifications in both the Invisalign and Clear Correct systems, and is well-versed in the most effective applications of these systems. Clear aligners or “invisible braces” are not always the most appropriate treatment for every case, but they can effectively correct many different kinds of crowding and offer patients a wonderful alternative to traditional braces.

Can teeth move after orthodontics?

Yes, they can. As we age, our teeth naturally tend to crowd. This is mostly due to the constantly changing forces within our mouths. Many of us often experience increased periods of clenching or grinding throughout our lifetime due to stress, or other factors. This habit alone can cause significant tooth movement over time. But other oral habits can shift tooth position as well. Some of these habits are:

  • Smoking
  • Constantly drinking with a straw
  • Holding the tongue between the teeth (often in a misguided effort to break a clenching habit)
  • Mouth-breathing as a result of allergies or other breathing issues
  • Tongue-thrusting habits during speech or swallowing.

For anyone of any age who has undergone orthodontic treatment, we recommend the wearing of final retainers at night for life in order to prevent regression due to habits that may develop, or cannot be broken, after treatment has been completed.

In cases where the actual shape of the arch is too narrow to allow alignment of the teeth or proper support of the muscles and joints, Dr. Rich uses removable retainers to slowly expand and lengthen each arch, making space for the teeth and allowing the lower jaw to come forward if needed. Depending on the individual, clear aligners or traditional braces may be used to complete final tooth rotation and alignment into a beautiful, straight smile.

Many of the adult orthodontic cases Dr. Rich treats are TMJ-related. Often these patients may have already had orthodontic treatment as a child that involved the removal of permanent teeth and the use of headgear to push the molars back to make room for erupting teeth. While many people who have had this kind of orthodontic treatment never experience any complications, for some the consequent repositioning of the lower jaw into a more backward position can contribute to the development of TMJ disorders.

In these cases, restoration of function and esthetics is more complicated, but not impossible. Advanced computerized diagnostic testing is used to help determine the correct functional position for the teeth, joints, and muscles, and a removable splint may be used for a period of time to allow the joints and muscles to adjust to the new position before beginning any orthodontic correction.

Orthodontic Treatment for Children and Teens

Even though orthodontic treatment can be performed at any age, the ideal time to evaluate if orthodontics might be necessary is between the ages of 7 and 9. Some of the permanent teeth have already erupted at this age, and x-rays begin to show how the rest of the adult teeth are developing, where they are currently positioned, and how big they might be. Crowding and other issues can be very apparent at this stage, and using retainers to expand and lengthen the arches can often allow the rest of the teeth to erupt normally – significantly reducing or even eliminating the amount of orthodontic treatment that may be needed to finish correcting final tooth alignment as a teenager.

Narrow arches often develop in children at this age due to airway or allergy issues that cause them to breathe through the mouth most of the time. The tongue is the muscle that creates a beautiful, wide palate as we grow by resting against the roof of the mouth. However, if breathing is inhibited at night or during the day, and the mouth is open much of the time, the tongue lies on the floor of the mouth, the cheeks fall in, and the arches do not widen appropriately to accommodate the incoming adult teeth.

Dr. Rich often works in conjunction with pediatric physicians to determine if enlarged tonsils and adenoids, or allergy issues, present any ongoing breathing problems that might cause the teeth to regress after orthodontic treatment. Early diagnosis and intervention of childhood breathing disorders can not only help develop a strong and healthy bite, but may also help to prevent or cure obstructive sleep apnea issues as an adult.

With the exception of the wisdom teeth, all the adult or permanent teeth are usually fully erupted between the ages of 10 and 14. For those children whose teeth did not align completely on their own, or through retainer therapy, this is the ideal time for final alignment with braces if it is necessary or desired.

For all children and adults wearing aligners, braces, or removable retainers, keeping the teeth clean is very important. Regular coaching on home-care techniques is provided at each orthodontic appointment, and for some clients, extra cleanings during the orthodontic treatment may be necessary to maintain oral health.

To schedule an orthodontic evaluation,
or to inquire further about Dr. Rich’s treatment philosophy, please call 503-228-6870.

Orthodontic cases are not always complex, but records may need to be obtained before an evaluation can take place.
A brief email exchange may begin the process, but ultimately a telephone conversation will be necessary to adequately address all the information needed to schedule the appropriate appointments.