 Your dentist may have
discussed with you the benefits of having healthy teeth
and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are
hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth
decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other
orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of
tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive
stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth,
or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic
headaches and face or neck pain. Treatment by an orthodontist
can be less costly than the additional care required to
treat dental problems arising as a result of orthodontic
problems. For most people, a beautiful smile is the most
obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come
off, you'll feel more self-confident.
It's best for the orthodontist to see children by
age 7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required
and the best time for that patient to be treated.
The first permanent molars and incisors have usually
come in by that time and crossbites, crowding and
other problems can be evaluated. When treatment is
begun early, the orthodontist can guide the growth
of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early
treatment, when necessary, can also regulate the width of the upper
and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent
teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions,
reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct
thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing
or speech problems. In other words, early treatment
can simplify later treatment.
At Gersch Orthodontics we are proud to use In-Ovation
self-ligating bracket - the orthodontic market's premier
self ligating bracket with the INTERACTIVE clip. It's  revolutionary
low friction design allows your teeth to move more comfortably
and easily than traditional braces. With shorter office
visits, more time between appointments, small design and
greater comfort, achieving your perfect smile at Gersch
Orthodontics will be faster and easier than you ever thought
possible.
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age,
and adults especially appreciate the benefits of
a beautiful smile. One of every five patients in
orthodontic treatment is over 21. Adults also may
have experienced some breakdown or loss of their
teeth and bone that supports the teeth and may require
periodontal treatment before, during and/or after
orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also limit the
amount and direction of tooth movement that is advisable.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
Invisalign®
Invisalign is another option that is available to older teenagers and adult patients with cosmetic concerns. Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable  aligners to straighten you teeth. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. Gersch Orthodontics was one of the first orthodontic offices in the United States to use Invisalign and has been nationally recognized for Invisalign treatment and expertise. Click here to learn more about Invisalign.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and are therefore “invisible” (like
Invisalign) when you smile. Lingual braces are  100% customized to match the shape
of your teeth and the metal appliances are created uniquely for you. Lingual
braces are a new generation of orthodontic braces for teens and adults. Similar
to Invisalign, these are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors/actresses,
musicians who play wind instruments and adult professionals. Be sure to ask Dr.
Gersch what the best option is for you!
Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic
or plastic. They may be removable or they may be
brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant,
gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth
to a corrected position. This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are
the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed
around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are
clear or metallic color. You can choose the color
of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable
than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less
discomfort to patients. At Gersch Orthodontics we also pride ourselves
on always being up to date on the latest in technology...from
brackets with less friction (self-ligating) that allow
treatment times to be faster, to fully digital records
(digital x-rays, photos and models), being able to pay
online, and email and text message reminders about your
upcoming appointments! These are just a few of things we
try to do to always make your treatment easier, more convenient
and more comfortable.
 Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years,
depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and
face and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at
different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic
treatment, so the time to case completion may differ from
the original estimate. The patient's diligent use of any
prescribed rubber bands or headgear is an important factor
in achieving the most efficient treatment. Interceptive,
or early treatment procedures, may take as few as six months.
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