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New Jersey Orthodontic Care
For
Children & Adults
The world of orthodontics, commonly known as braces, has been around for over 50 years. The popularity of orthodontics has skyrocketed over the past 15 to 20 years, in large part, due to its affordability and greater access to the general public. There are many misconceptions about the world of orthodontics that should be clarified. First braces are no longer the huge metal “railroad tracks” that existed many years ago. Due to advances in technology, braces are much smaller that in the past and thus more accepted. Secondly braces do not cause extreme pain and irritation. This is also due to the advances in technology; with braces being smaller and wires delivering much more gentle forces on teeth. As a result, the days of the patient being miserable during orthodontic treatment is a thing of the past. Lastly and most importantly, braces are just for kids. With the advent of clear, ceramic braces and a technology called “Invisalign,” orthodontics has become more and more popular with the adult population. This is especially important due to the fact that people are living longer and thus needing to maintain their teeth as long as they can. Braces can do this by helping prevent cavities and gum disease by putting teeth in a more cleansible and healthier position.
One thing that has made orthodontics more prevalent is the prevalence of treatment in adults. In the past, adults avoided treatment at all costs due to the stigma of braces being “just for kids” and also the lack of options to move teeth. Ceramic braces and “Invisalign” have eliminated most of the barriers that adults have to treatment. Ceramic braces work just like metal braces, but are made out of a material that blends with the tooth that it is attached to. Also with the new ceramic materials that are used today, the braces are crystal clear and no longer stain. Within the past 10 years, the field of orthodontics has seen its biggest change in how treatment is delivered. “Invisalign” is a set of clear, removable retainers called “aligners” that can move teeth. “Invisalign” works by a patented technology that moves teeth virtually on a computer and then fabricates clear, removable retainers that mimics these movements and thus can move teeth. Although not every orthodontic patient is a candidate for “Invisalign,” this new way of moving teeth has opened up orthodontics to a whole segment of the population that would not have pursued treatment otherwise.
In our ever complicated world, computers and technology have assumed a bigger and bigger role in most areas of our lives. One of these areas that this is the case is orthodontics. This is very important because straightening crooked teeth is becoming more and more important as people live longer and longer lives. It has been common knowledge for some time that straight teeth help reduce cavities and gum disease, which can both eventually lead to tooth loss, especially in the adult population. In fact, recent studies have shown that patients with periodontal/gum disease have an increased susceptibility to heart attack and stroke. Thus straight, more cleansible teeth will be more and more important as people are living longer and longer. As a result, orthodontic treatment will continue to become more and more popular for all age segments of the population.
For Comprehensive Orthodontic Care for adults and children in the Woodbridge New Jersey area and surrounding Edison and Perth Amboy New Jersey areas contact Dr. Scott D. Galkin. |