Orthodontics – Franklin Park, IL

Phase 1 Orthodontics

Phase One orthodontics, also known as early treatment, typically begins when children are eight or nine years old. By starting to address these issues early on, we can help make room for their permanent teeth to grow in properly and lessen the chance that they will need serious orthodontic intervention as teenagers.

How to Tell if Your Child May Need Early Orthodontic Treatment:

• Crowded front teeth at ages seven or eight
• Teeth that are gapped or misaligned
• Shifting jaw when your child opens or closes their mouth
• Protruding front teeth that extend away from each other
• Difficulty biting and chewing
• Speech impediments
• Continuous thumb-sucking after age five
• Early or late loss of baby teeth

What Causes Orthodontic Problems & How Will Early Treatment Benefit My Child?

Orthodontic issues like jaw growth issues and bite problems can be inherited or caused by trauma, thumb-sucking habits, or the early or late loss of baby teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends bringing your child in for their first examination with a specialists around seven years old, while they have a mix of baby and adult teeth. That way, their orthodontist can intervene early on if they spot any developing issues.

Adult Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment is relevant for adults as well as teenagers. Many patients who are older either weren’t able to get orthodontic treatment as a child because it was too expensive, or due to the lack of awareness surrounding these issues in the past. This has left an estimated one in five patients over the age of 21 with untreated orthodontic problems. If you have dental insurance or now have the opportunity to receive the treatment you need to improve your oral health, know that it’s not too late!

Health Effects That Can be Corrected with Orthodontic Treatment:

• Misalignment of the bite which can cause jaw pain and abnormal tooth wear
• Teeth are crowded or spaced apart which can result in tooth decay and gum disease
• Missing teeth resulting in bone loss and shifting of neighboring teeth

Treatment Options for Adults

As an adult, if the thought of needing to get metal braces is keeping you from investing in orthodontic treatment, know that that traditional braces aren’t your only treatment option! Today, we offer aesthetically-pleasing, discreet options as well, like tooth-colored braces and Invisalign clear aligners.

Why Should You Consider Orthodontic Treatment?

• Improve Your Oral Health: Teeth that are straight won’t accumulate as much plaque and tartar that’s hard to remove when you brush and floss your teeth.
• Boost Your Confidence: A straight smile can boost your confidence and allow you to smile without feeling embarrassed.
• The Threat of Worsening Orthodontic Problems: When you don’t treat orthodontic issues, they can become worse, leading to permanent damage to your smile.
• Incomplete Treatment as a Teen: If you received an orthodontic treatment as a teen but never completed it, you can easily jump into the swing of treatment as an adult.

Invisalign®

At Grand Dental in Franklin Park, we’re proud to offer Invisalign clear aligners, which is a discreet, custom-tailored orthodontic treatment that’s great for both teens and adults. Each customized, clear tray acts to gently and strategically shift your teeth into their ideal position, addressing crowded and misaligned teeth as well as bite problems. You’ll need to wear them for at least 22 hours each day, only removing them when you eat, drink anything besides water, or floss and brush your teeth.

Learn About Invisalign

Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces that utilize brackets and wires to straighten teeth are great for patients who have moderate to severe dental and bite misalignment problems. They work together to gradually shift your teeth into alignment over the course of 12 to 24 months. Every few weeks, you’ll visit our dental office for a quick progress check and to adjust the archwire of your braces that places pressure on your teeth to help them continue to shift. After your treatment, we’ll discuss what type of retainer you’re eligible for and how long you should wear it.

Tooth-Colored Braces

Tooth-colored braces are designed identically to traditional braces, they just use different, more discreet materials. The brackets are made of clear ceramic, and the archwire is made from a clear or tooth-colored substance to blend-in with your smile. Teens and adults often choose this appliance option because it’s able to achieve similar results as metal braces without changing the appearance of their natural smile too much.

Expanders

We also provide fixed or removable expanders, which are orthodontic appliances that change the size and shape of your mouth. They’re responsible for gently applying force via a spring-loaded device or a screen to expand your mouth and provide a foundation for a properly aligned bite.