Misalignment of teeth begins at a young age. This is why it is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists that children should get their first orthodontic screening before they turn seven years old. It is the right time to assess the health of their teeth and mouth, whether they have malocclusions or none. At Exeter Orthodontics, we believe that this is crucial for children’s overall oral health as it can prevent worse diseases or disorders in the future. Our team of orthodontists suggest that the earlier they are evaluated, the sooner it is for us to know if braces are necessary. If not, then this will determine what kind of treatment plan is best to take. It is common among children to feel scared of orthodontic clinics and apparati, but with our child-friendly environment and high standard procedures, we can alleviate the fear of your kid/s.

Not all overcrowded teeth result in a bigger problem. In some cases, they only grow into expanding mouths. Unfortunately to some, they continue to squeeze especially when not treated early. Other problems also include open bite, crossbite, overbite, and underbite. Through the evaluation of our Harrisburg orthodontist, he will be able to determine which among the problems occur in your child’s teeth. This means he will tell you whether braces are needed or not.

It is important to know that the phases of orthodontic treatment will depend on the development stage of your kid’s teeth. Our Harrisburg orthodontist may recommend two phases if your child’s primary teeth will most likely bring a negative impact to the birth of his/her permanent teeth. The first phase is done between ages seven to ten years old. This is when the jaw bones and palette of children are still flexible. The second phase is done when the child reaches twelve. This is when adolescent braces can align the permanent teeth to the right places, making your child’s smile straighter and better. Each phase may last up to 30 months, although it will depend on the severity of teeth disorder. If you think your child needs braces, visit our clinic at Harrisburg and see how our orthodontists can help him/her.

The process of fixing a misaligned teeth through small brackets and wires is perhaps one of the top most terrifying dental procedures for a number of people. Even the thought of going through the painful first few days may make you want not go on with the operation. At Exeter Orthodontics, however, we do not only focus on high quality treatments but it is also our job to make our patients feel at ease before we start the process and on the moment they sit on the dental chair. We assure them that there may be pain, but there is also a reward waiting for their teeth afterwards.

Is your set of teeth also a candidate for braces? If so, you will have to find an orthodontist. If you are around Eastern Pennsylvania, you can visit our office or you can check out our site where team of specialists will be very willing to assist you. The best time to have your teeth fixed is now, otherwise you will have to go through worse dental issues. As the adage goes, the earlier, the better.

One of the most common signs of being a candidate for braces is the bad bites. When you experience bad bites, it means that your teeth are not at their correct position. Thus, you find it hard to chew. In addition to this issue, your stomach will also find it a bit difficult to digest your food.

Crooked teeth also result in speech problems that may only get terrible when you do not have it fixed. Perhaps you have noticed that the sound you produce is different from those who have properly aligned teeth. At Exeter Orthodontics, there is an increasing number of patients who visit our clinic for this reason as it has a significant effect in their lives, especially with people whose daily routine needs talking and interaction. Moreover, braces are also effective in uplifting a patient’s self-confidence. We have been in the industry for years but we still find it amazing how our clients slowly become confident in talking face to face.

Having a healthy set of teeth has a lot of advantages. It gives us the confidence to talk and smile and it also allows us to chew our food properly. To a lot of us, it makes us feel more attractive and we feel that we can carry any conversation during social situations. These are only a few of the reasons why it is important to find the right orthodontist when you want to fix a set of crooked teeth. At Exeter Orthodontics, we have been consistent in our commitment to thousands of patients -- to give only the right dental solutions at high standards. We have multiple clinics in Eastern Pennsylvania that have given hope to an increasing number of patients, from children to adults. If you also long for a reliable orthodontist in your city, here are some tips that may help.

If you have a prospect orthodontist, you have to be sure of his or her authenticity. Some of us may feel awkward to check their license, but this is still necessary to avoid scams. If you are planning to visit the dental clinic, you may also observe how the specialists treat each other, especially the employees. If they treat everyone with respect and kindness, then this could mean they are also professional when dealing with patients.

You may also opt for referrals. If you have a family dentist or you know a dentist you is trusted by many, then he or she may be the right person to ask referrals from. Since they are in the same field with orthodontists, it is highly possible that they know one who can do the job right.

However, if you think asking for referrals is time consuming, the most convenient step is to check the worldwide web. In one search, you will be presented with more than enough dental clinics or orthodontists to choose from. To avoid scams and fake dental offices, you should take time in reading reviews from clients who have experienced their services. A reliable orthodontist or clinic will also be willing to answer your queries even at their online office.

One of the common ways orthodontists treat teeth crowding problems and crossbites in the mouth is thru the use of a palatal expander. The device is attached to the back area of the mouth or to the upper jaw through a bonding system to the teeth or through the use of bands around the teeth. Palatal expanders are usually worn by the growing patient before braces are recommended. This way, there is more room for additional teeth in the mouth through the gradual work of the expander.

At Exeter Orthodontics, we view palatal extenders as effective method for getting more space in the mouth for more teeth before braces are worn. We also recommend the use of a palatal expander rather than baby teeth extraction. The device involves a small screw found at the center. To stimulate jawbone growth or space, the screw is turned daily using a special key. The turning is only at .02 angles every day so it is not painful for the child.

Pros of palatal expander

• With palatal extenders, your kid won’t have to undergo surgery just to remove unwanted teeth or excess tooth on the mouth.

• Because the nasal passages are increased with the device, snoring is reduced including mouth breathing. We typically recommend palatal extenders for mouth breathers as it can be a cause of sleep apnea.

• When detected and treated earlier, your child can do away with unnecessary tooth extraction, thereby saving natural teeth.

• With the use of palatal extenders, treating orthodontic issues becomes easier for us. The treatment also becomes cheaper with early intervention.

Cons of the device

Just like any other device or orthodontic treatment, a palatal expander has its downside that you need to be aware of if you are considering this option. For one, palatal expanders can be uncomfortable for the child and it may take a longer amount of time before you see the results. Another thing to consider is the timeliness of the treatment. This orthodontic treatment should be initiated before puberty and doing it after this stage may already be challenging. It also requires utmost attention for caring and cleaning.

Most of the orthodontic treatments such as braces, palate expanders, smile correction treatments are recommend for young children. Opting for these treatments at a young age ensures that the treatment is successful as it makes use of the natural growth in children. Moreover the duration of orthodontic treatments is less when they are done at a young age. Undergoing orthodontic treatments at a younger age eliminates the need for painful extractions and surgeries at a later stage.

Exeter orthodontics is a popular orthodontic clinic in the regions of Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley. We have a highly dedicated team of orthodontists, who are highly-qualified and have years of experience in working with patients across all age groups. Our orthodontists at Exeter office, Brandon office, Lansdale office and other offices across the region are child-friendly and device best treatment plans suitable for children.

Here are some of the dental appliances used by orthodontists at Exeter Office and other clinics to treat problems of malocclusion and brighten the smiles of our patients.

Braces – Braces are the most common type of orthodontic devices for children. Most of the children need braces to straighten their teeth and achieve a beautiful smile. Braces are available in a lot of materials, such as stainless steel, ceramic, plastic, or combination of different metals. Parents can choose any type of braces depending on their preference and budget.

Invisalign aligners – Invisalign aligners are modern alternative to braces. These aligners are invisible trays, which are worn over the teeth. These trays put pressure on the teeth and gently move them to the desired position.

Temporary Anchorage Devices – Also known as TADs, these devices are used to move teeth. They consist of mini-screws, which are temporarily fixed inside the bone of the mouth. These screws provide a center point to move the teeth in the desired direction. They provide greater tooth control when compared to other devices.

Rubber Bands - They are also called as elastics and are available in a range of colors. Elastics provide greater force to move teeth and jaws.

Retainers – Retainers are used to retain the shape of the teeth after braces are removed. Most of the retainers are removable devices, which are made of plastic. They provide support to the teeth to retain their new position.

There are a lot of other devices such as headgear, palate expanders etc. that are used by orthodontists at our Exeter office and other offices. We use latest devices to ensure high-quality care with minimum pain and long lasting results.