Do I Need Orthodontic Treatment?

Braces. You remember friends wearing them years ago when you were kids, but you managed to dodge that bullet, right? As an adult, however, your teeth look less than perfect, and you'd love your dental bite to improve. Could orthodontics help you? Find out from Dr. Shaina DiMariano, your orthodontist in Folsom, CA. She offers smile alignment options perfect for you as an adult patient.

What is orthdontic?

It's the formal name for the kind of dental treatment which moves teeth into healthier, more functional and better looking positions. At DiMariano Family Dentistry & Orthodontics in Folsom, your orthodontist offers a wide range of treatment options for smile alignment needs such as:

• Gaps
• Crowding
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Openbite
• Missing teeth
• Congenitally misshapen teeth
• Tooth tipping and rotation
• Protruding front teeth, or overjet

However complex or simple the smile issue is, your orthodontist uses principles of vector physics to re-align teeth. Once that goal is accomplished and proper balance among teeth, bones and muscles is achieved, the dentist fine tunes aesthetic factors. That's where an orthodontist's artistic skills come into play.

Qualifying for braces

If you and your dentist agree that orthodontic correction is in order, you'll undergo a complete oral examination, including X-rays, a three-dimensional CT scan, oral impressions, photos and something called an articulated model. This replica of the upper and lower arches of your teeth help Dr.DiMariano see exactly where she needs to change the positions of your teeth.

Kinds of braces

Metal braces, with their brackets, arch wires, and ligatures, remain the main stay of orthodontics. However, over the years, dental science has developed more aesthetically pleasing braces:

• Tooth-colored ceramic braces
• Lingual, or tongue-side, braces which are hidden from view
• Invisalign, a customized series of clear, removable aligners
• Palatal expanders to open jaw width, creating more room for crowded teeth

After Dr. DiMariano finishes her orthodontic evaluation, she will recommend a type of braces and a treatment plan which will achieve your smile goals best.

The American Association of Orthodontists says that 20 percent of American orthodontic patients are adults. So, if you end up wearing braces of any kind, you won't be alone. Plus, you'll enjoy the full benefits of a correctly aligned smile and the self-confidence it creates.

For more information and a consultation with Dr. DiMariano, contact her office staff in Folsom, CA, at (916) 983-6655.