Is orthodontic treatment strictly cosmetic?

No, malocclusion negatively affects the ability to process and break down food. Mastication is the first step of the digestive process. Mechanical breaking down of food into smaller pieces increases surface area of food and facilitates enzymatic processing in the digestive system. The amount of total digestion appears to be related to how well the food is masticated. When given fresh carrots or celery, subjects with Class 3 malocclusions had the greatest mastication difficulty, followed by Class 2 subjects, Class 1 subjects and subjects with normal occlusion.

(Angle Orthodontist, 2002;72:21-27.)
 

When should I attempt to stop a finger sucking habit?

The ideal age for discontinuing sucking habits is around 24 months. Continuing the habit beyond 24 months increases the risk of developing posterior crossbites, increased overjet and anterior openbite. Professional assistance in habit discontinuation may be warranted if the habit continues to 48 months of age or beyond.

(Journal of the American Dental Association, 2001;(December);1685-1693, Sanders.)

Are pegged-small laterals, palatally impacted maxillary cuspids, infraocclusion of primary molars, enamel hypoplasia and congenitally missing second bicuspids related?

Yes. They could be considered a syndrome. Early diagnosis of one abnormality may indicate increased risk for others.

1(The Angle Orthodontist, 1998;68(3);267-274 , T. Baccetti,)
2(British Journal of Orthodontics, 1994;21(May);169-174, Mossey et al,)

My ten year old child's upper canine teeth have not appeared yet, should I be worried?

Yes, if they cannot be palpated on the buccal and a panoramic radiograph indicates that the unerupted canine cusp tip is overlapping or mesial to a completely developed lateral incisor. There is a good chance that the permanent canines may impact palatally. Extraction of the upper primary canines may be indicated.

1(Journal of the American Dental Association, 1999;(April);521-527, Sanders.)
2(British Journal of Orthodontics , 1993;20(August);215-223, Power et al,)

What is the relationship between orthodontics, caries and periodontal disease?

Proper orthodontic treatment in patients with excellent oral hygiene and the absence of significant periodontal disorders should not pose any significant periodontal risk. In the presence of poor oral hygiene, fixed orthodontic appliances and tooth movement can contribute to increased caries risk and significant deleterious periodontal consequences. Teamwork among the family dentist, the periodontist and the orthodontist is essential during treatment planning and execution.

(Journal of the American Dental Association, 1999;(April);521-527, Sanders.)

A more recent article suggests that orthodontic therapy results in small detrimental effects to the periodontium.

(Journal of the American Dental Association, 2008;(April);413-422, Sanders.)

Are TMD symptoms at a young age predictive of worsening problems late on in life?

Usually not. A sample of 367 untreated children were surveyed twice with a four year period between surveys. More than half of the subjects who reported TMD or neck pain at the first survey, did not report these symptoms at the second survey. Joint noise was not reduced as often as the other symptoms. The study concluded that TMD symptoms tend to diminish with time in nearly half of the symptomatic subjects.

(Journal of Orofacial Pain, 2000;14;224-232.)

If a parent declines orthodontic treatment for their child's overbite, will his bite deteriorate?

Usually not. A sample of 47 untreated children with Class II Division I, deep overbite malocclusions who declined orthodontic treatment, showed that on an average of 11.5 years later, the absence of orthodontic correction will not usually lead to measurable occlusal deterioration in the young adult. This study did not discuss traumatic injuries in these untreated children.

(Angle Orthodontist, 1999;69(1);33-38, Feldmann et al,)

Where does root resorption occur most frequently as the result of orthodontic treatment?

The maxillary anterior teeth are the most resorbed teeth in the dentition with 25% of those affected undergoing greater than 2 mm of root resorption. Posterior teeth are relatively unaffected. Dilacerated maxillary laterals and pointed teeth in general, showed greater root resorption. Blunted teeth had less resorption. Adults have significantly more resorption than children in the mandibular anterior teeth only. Increased tooth length and overjet were correlated with greater root resorption for the maxillary anterior teeth. Asian patients had less root resorption than whites who had less resorption than hispanics. Patients who underwent 4 first premolar extraction therapy had greater resorption than those patients who were treated nonextraction. There were not differences between the sexes.

(American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2001;(May);505-515, Sameshima & Sinclair)

Do Class II malocclusions ever self correct?

No, a longitudinal study of 40 untreated Class II malocclusions showed that no untreated Class II malocclusions changed to Class I.

(American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2002;(December);598-607, You et al,)

What can be done to decrease braces discomfort?

Patients over 80 pounds can be given 400mg of Ibuprofin one hour before their appointment and again six hours after their appointment as needed.

(American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2001;120:20-27, Bernhardt et al)
 
 

You may schedule an orthodontic appointment with Dr. William Trepp in his Severna Park, MD office by calling 410.696.4624 or in his Clinton, MD office by calling  301.868.6200. Written inquiries should be mailed to: 69 Robinson RD, Severna Park, MD 21146, USA or 8918 Woodyard RD, Clinton, MD 20735, USA