What is an orthodontist?

All orthodontists are dentists, but only about 6% of dentists are orthodontists. An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists must first attend college, and then complete a four-year dental graduate program at a university dental school or other institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA). They must then successfully complete an additional 2- to 3-year residency program of advanced education in orthodontics. This residency program must also be accredited by the ADA. Through this training, the orthodontist learns the skills required to manage tooth movement (orthodontics) and guide facial development (dentofacial orthopedics).

Only dentists who have successfully completed this advanced specialty education may call themselves orthodontists. In the State of Illinois an added requirement is passage of an Illinois state orthodontic specialty examination.

Adults, Kids, and Orthodontics

Adults

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. One of every four patients in our office is over 21 with age ranging up to 88 years young! Special considerations for adult treatment are sometimes necessary. With our experience in treating adults, we are able to match specific treatment needs with the latest in technology in orthodontics and the related dental specialties. Orthodontics is often an initial step prior to having restorations placed or replaced so that your final dental result is as healthy, long lasting and aesthetic as possible.

Kids

At Graber Orthodontics, we can do our best for your children if we see them by age seven as we are able to evaluate their growth and development at an age where they are exchanging their baby teeth for the permanent teeth. Only a small percentage of children need treatment at this young age, but early evaluation and monitoring can prevent developing problems. Sometimes treatment is begun early when growth guidance is necessary. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, and thus minimize the need for later permanent tooth extractions. Early intervention can also reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, and help to correct harmful habits including thumb-sucking. In other words, in some cases early treatment can simplify or eliminate the need for later treatment.

Retainer Instructions

• Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
• Take your retainers out when eating, and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
• Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
• Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
• Retainer replacement is expensive; with proper care they will last for years!
• Remove retainers when swimming.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

Why SureSmile® will have you smiling even before your braces come off!

You're getting braces. And while you're excited about having that great smile, you may be nervous about wearing the wires and brackets. Well, there is a new orthodontic system that makes straightening your teeth with braces a lot faster and easier compared to conventional orthodontic treatment. It's called SureSmile and it's changing the way people feel about their braces.

Through the use of SureSmile technology, your orthodontist can offer you a "braces experience" that provides:

• Shorter treatment times
• Fewer office visits
• Less overall discomfort

Our technology-driven orthodontic process offers several important benefits that make the whole "braces experience" much easier for patients than conventional orthodontics!

Shorter Treatment Times

You've probably heard from friends or family members that wearing braces is a long-term commitment, taking two years on average. While that may be true of traditional orthodontic treatments, it's not true for SureSmile. Through the use of SureSmile's sophisticated 3-D imaging, treatment planning, and customized precision archwires, your orthodontist can reduce treatment time compared to that of conventional braces.

Fewer Office Visits

In addition to shortening treatment times, the greater efficiency of the SureSmile system also helps reduce the number of wire changes and adjustments you'll need, and that means fewer trips to the orthodontist. The SureSmile system's 3-D software lets your orthodontist analyze how to effectively and efficiently align your teeth. Through this software, personalized archwires are designed to move your teeth into proper alignment smoothly and directly, reducing the number of maintenance visits.

Less Overall Discomfort

Anyone who has worn braces will probably tell you that wire adjustments and changes were the least favorite part of the process because they usually caused discomfort. Fortunately, the SureSmile system is engineered to maximize therapeutic efficiency of each wire, significantly reducing the number of adjustments needed. This means fewer episodes of discomfort over the course of