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The Orthodontic Examination at the Panama Dental Center |
Primitive orthodontic treatments have been around for millennia, but only within the last few decades have they become widespread. During the last few decades procedures were primarily used for children and teens with bite and alignment problems. Recently many adults, including numerous public figures, have taken advantage of new technologies and old desires to improve their aesthetic image. The Panama Dental Center recommends a orthodontic exam for all children by
the age of seven so that any potential problems can be corrected while the bone and connective tissues are still extremely malleable. Even though early childhood intervention is desired over 30% of today's orthodontic procedures are performed on adults.
Malocclusion is the dental term used to denote incorrect contact between your upper and lower teeth, when you bite. Malocclusion can foster a variety of speaking and eating disorders and often distorts the development of a well aligned jaw line or pleasing smile pattern. So procedures in this arena could be classified as both restorative or aesthetic depending on the respective problem.
No matter what your age the Panama Dental Center can maximize your teeth's ability to perform their biting and chewing functions and create a well-aligned smile. Our orthodontics procedure involves repositioning of the teeth and underlying roots, providing better support for the crown of the tooth. Our state of the art treatments insure and provide greater aesthetic appeal, increased comfort, and reduced treatment time.
Orthodontic treatment can also rejuvenate your facial appearance by reshaping the jaw, neck and lips, especially when combined with surgical reshaping of the neck, face or head. In addition, well-aligned teeth insure the proper processing of foods making oral hygiene easier to maintain. Orthodontic treatment restores function and the aesthetics of a beautiful and attractive smile. An orthodontist practices a dental specialty, that typically requires an additional two to three years of education after becoming a general dentist.
During your first Panama Dental Center orthodontic evaluation your orthodontist may use one or several of the following methods to assess your problem and then develop an individualized treatment plan:
•Perform a visual oral, facial, and functional evaluation examination.
•Take several facial and interior mouth photographs.
•Take full panoramic and cephalometric series of X-rays showing the
positioning of the face, jaw and teeth.
• Make cast impressions and models of your teeth and bite.
The Panama Dental Center staff will then study the results of this evaluation to formulate your personal orthodontic condition and any needed treatment plans. During your second visit, your orthodontist reviews the treatment plan and estimates the number of months for the active phase. The usual treatment phase lasts two years and following treatment, you may be required to wear a retainer for a period of time.
The duration of orthodontic treatment varies based on your age, the procedure and how closely you follow your treatment plan. Younger patients may respond more quickly to treatment than older patients, because the bones supporting young teeth are more pliable than those supporting older teeth. Adults, however, tend to follow treatment instructions more consistently than pre-teens.
So if you’d like to discuss getting orthodontic treatment for yourself for your child, call the Panama Dental Center today. And since we know that procedures of this duration can be expensive we have a number of different payment plans, that can be tailored to your current and future budget so call us today for a better smile and more self esteem.
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