Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental provides pediatric orthodontic services at our Massapequa Park, Nesconset, West Islip, and Northport, NY locations. Contact us to learn more and schedule your appointment.
Our orthodontists are proficient in treating both children and adults with metal braces, clear braces and Invisalign. Having braces isn’t just about improving your smile, but it’s also about improving your overall dental health and confidence. Orthodontics may be used to correct malocclusions such as crossbites, underbites, deep bites, crowded and crooked teeth, as well as other flaws of the teeth and jaws.
Most importantly, our doctors are excellent in treating and recognizing early or interceptive orthodontics. This is often called phase one. Early treatment can be very effective with helping proper development of the child’s jaws so there is space for future eruption of permanent teeth and to improve the relationship of the upper and lower jaws. Having early treatment can often prevent trauma and more difficult orthodontic treatment such as the removal of adult teeth or even surgery. For some children treating early can prevent more serious problems. Often treating early means an expander or braces but for many children treating early can be close monitoring and simple treatments such as a space maintainer or retainer.
Please complete the orthodontic forms online prior to your orthodontic appointment.
Radiance Clear Braces
Radiance Clear Braces combine technology with beauty, providing a way to effectively straighten your teeth and look great for the duration of your treatment. These clear braces can address nearly all orthodontic needs without interruption to your treatment or active lifestyle. The many options available make these clear braces a great choice to address your specific aesthetic concerns.
Radiance Plus ceramic braces are made from pure grown sapphire, making them not only strong but also stain-resistant so they stay clear and radiant throughout your treatment.
Invisalign®
Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your orthodontist plans out for you. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every one to two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.
ORTHODONTICS FAQS
Orthodontists are experts at treating bite problems, or malocclusions (“mal” = bad, “occlusion” = bite). These can include teeth that are crooked (misaligned) or crowded (too close together, due to insufficient space in the jaw). Malocclusions can also result when the upper and lower jaws don’t fit together as they should, whether from premature loss of the baby teeth, developmental abnormalities, or other causes.
The American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have an orthodontic examination by age seven. By that age, it’s usually possible to tell if braces or corrective appliances will be needed—and because the teeth and jaws are developing rapidly at this time, it’s quicker and easier to treat certain conditions now, rather than waiting. Orthodontists can also offer effective treatment for children with persistent thumbsucking, mouth breathing and tongue thrusting habits.
To help people get a better and more functional bite, orthodontists use a variety of appliances including braces, clear aligners, and removable appliances. All of this “hardware” may sound complicated, but it has been carefully designed to exert gentle, steady pressure on the teeth—just enough to move them into better positions in the jaw. Because of their expertise in jaw growth and development, orthodontists may also employ devices such as palatal expanders, headgear, and removable functional appliances as part of an overall treatment plan. These devices help guide a child’s growing jaw in a way that can prevent more complex orthodontic problems down the road.
Adelberg Montalvan’s orthodontists are board-certified, which means they’re among the best in the field. Because they’re in the same building as your child’s pediatric dentist, they’ll work together closely to coordinate the best possible care.
Invisalign is an orthodontic system that uses clear plastic aligners to straighten the teeth instead of traditional brackets and wires. The benefits of Invisalign include aesthetics (aligners are virtually invisible!), ease of brushing and flossing, no dietary restrictions, and fewer emergency appointments. Not all patients are candidates for Invisalign; during your consultation, we’ll determine whether you or your child would benefit from Invisalign and review your options with you.
Invisalign is an excellent orthodontic treatment option for any child, teen, or adult who is a candidate for it. It’s just as effective as traditional metal braces, but because your aligners can be removed, you can continue eating your favorite foods and oral hygiene is easier. Best of all, Invisalign aligners are thin and clear, making them virtually invisible.
It’s not uncommon for children to need two phases of orthodontic treatment. This is more effective than waiting until children reach adolescence because when the jawbone is still growing, it’s easier to influence its development—starting too late can limit what an orthodontist is able to do to correct bite issues. If we see that a child has crowded teeth, a first phase of orthodontic treatment can expand the jaw to provide more space for adult teeth to erupt and sometimes even prevent the need for braces altogether. Children with missing or extra teeth also require early intervention from an orthodontist.
During your child’s initial consultation, one of our orthodontists will examine your child’s teeth and jaw, take x-rays and photographs, and put together a treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs.
The average time in braces for most patients is about 1-2 years. Some of the factors that influence the treatment time needed include a patient’s age, complexity of the bite, and compliance with home care instructions and appointments.
We get this question a lot! Our orthodontists are experienced in treating patients of all ages. Many parents and children love going through the experience of getting orthodontic treatment together!
Over the course of treatment, your child will be supplied with a series of aligners. Each aligner will make slight adjustments to tooth position, a process that is mapped out in advance by your doctor, specifically for your child’s situation. When the aligners are placed on the teeth, they cause the teeth to gradually shift from their current position. After approximately one to two weeks, you will begin using the next set of aligners, which will continue the teeth straightening process.
Invisalign clear aligners are completely removable and virtually invisible. You’ll watch your child’s smile transform before your eyes as he or she continues to enjoy the sports, food and activities that he or she loves.
Early Treatment
While there are many orthodontic problems that orthodontists agree are best treated after all permanent teeth have come in, early treatment can be in a patient’s best interests if their problem is one that could become more serious over time if left untreated. The goal of early treatment is to intercept the developing problem, eliminate the cause, guide the growth of facial and jaw bones, and provide adequate space for incoming permanent teeth. A patient may require a second course of treatment after all permanent teeth have come in to move those teeth into their best positions.
Early orthodontic treatment can take many forms. The orthodontist could prescribe a fixed or removable “appliance” – a device used to move teeth, change the position of the jaw, or hold teeth in place in order to bring about desirable changes. Sometimes no appliances are necessary. Rather, removal of some baby teeth may help the permanent teeth erupt better. The extractions will be timed to take best advantage of a patient’s growth and development.
Regardless of how treatment goals are reached, the bottom line is that some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated early. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems much more difficult.
Braces
In an age of broad orthodontic treatment options, traditional metal braces are still the most common treatment option for kids and teens. With this type of treatment, very small metal brackets are glued to the teeth and are then connected with a thin wire, which is adjusted or changed at regular intervals to gradually straighten your teeth and correct your bite – making them a very effective and reliable treatment option.
Modern metal braces are much smaller and more comfortable than ever before. You’ll often see metal braces jazzed up with colorful elastic modules to make them fun and fashionable for your kids!
Invisalign® Teen
At your child’s consultation appointment, your orthodontist can determine whether or not your child is a candidate for Invisalign Teen. In most cases, they are as effective as traditional metal braces. A series of Invisalign aligners are custom-made for your child to move the teeth in the sequence determined by your doctor.
Contact your local office to schedule an appointment.
