Category Archives for Phase One Treatment

Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment: Baby Teeth and Braces

Does your child need two-phase orthodontic treatment? Many parents wonder if their children should get braces before or after all their baby teeth are gone. In many cases, children may only need braces once all their adult teeth are in. However, in others, an orthodontist may suggest treatment before all their baby teeth are out.

So how do you know when your child should get braces? The answer depends on the individual case and what your orthodontist recommends.

Let’s take a closer look at braces for children and when the best time to get them is.

Getting Braces with Baby Teeth

The American Association of Orthodontists advises all children to visit an orthodontist by age seven for an evaluation. This is because braces can correct certain alignment issues before all the baby teeth are gone. Addressing issues at this stage of development can create the space needed for adult teeth to come in correctly.

Plus, the earlier the treatment, the less invasive and costly braces may be down the road. That’s why your orthodontist may suggest your child early orthodontic treatment. Once adult teeth erupt, braces become a more involved and lengthy process.

Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment: What It Is and Why It’s Used

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is beneficial when a child has severe issues requiring more than just one set of braces. This type of treatment involves two distinct phases. The first phase is when some of the baby teeth are still present. The second phase is after the permanent teeth have grown in.

The goal is to correct any underlying issues before the permanent teeth arrive so they can align properly.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment

The main benefit of two-phase orthodontic treatment is that it allows for more precise corrections than one-phase would allow. This means your child can avoid potential problems caused by jaw issues, misalignment, or overcrowding.

Additionally, the second set of braces will require a shorter treatment time. This is because the initial phase helps to prepare the mouth for the second phase. This reduces the amount of time needed for adjustments later on.

On the downside, it tends to require more visits than a single-phase treatment since two separate phases are involved. Furthermore, it tends to be more expensive than a single set.

Since this type of treatment is quite complex, you will want to ensure you find an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Yazji.

Conclusion

Depending on the severity of your child’s orthodontic issues, they may need braces before their baby teeth fall out. However, this is not always the case, and only an experienced orthodontist can make this determination. Some patients require early orthodontic treatment to prevent mayor issues that can be corrected more easily at an early age.

Two-phase orthodontic treatments can offer many benefits, but they also come with certain drawbacks—namely, cost and complexity. Nevertheless, it may be your best option if your child has severe dental issues.

Ultimately though, it’s important to discuss all options with an experienced orthodontist. They can answer your questions and help you determine what course of action works best for you and your family. Contact us today with any questions you have about braces for children

Spacers for Teeth: What You Need to Know | Orthodontist for Kids

If you’re getting spacers for teeth, there are a few things you need to know before you begin. Not everyone will need spacers, but if you do, it’s important to prepare and understand the process.

In this article, we will describe what spacers are, what they’re for, and how to prepare for receiving them. We will also cover the basics of taking care of your teeth while you have spacers.

What Are Spacers for Teeth?

With orthodontic treatment, spacers are pieces of metal or rubber placed in between your teeth. They have very small and only measure about a millimeter in width.

Spacers for teeth create more space for the brackets that braces use. So if you have crowded teeth or don’t have enough space between them, spacers can help make room.

Preparing for Spacers

During your consultation, your orthodontist will let you know if spacers are necessary for your treatment. If your orthodontist recommends spacers, the next step is to schedule an appointment to have them placed.

Once your spacers are in, you may feel some discomfort. However, this is common and will subside within a few days. You can take Tylenol and other over-the-counter pain medications if you have difficulty eating or feel uncomfortable.

What You Can Eat with Spacers

To avoid pain and soreness, eat cold and soft foods while you have spacers for teeth. This can include foods like soup, applesauce, mashed potatoes, ice cream, and yogurt.

Avoid certain foods with spacers, such as:

• Hard or sticky candy
• Chewy food like beef jerky
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Gum

Essentially, avoid anything that is hard to chew or bite down on. Spacers and braces can make it difficult to eat these types of foods. Therefore, it’s best to steer clear until you have completed orthodontic treatment.

Maintaining Oral Health with Spacers

Resume brushing your teeth even if your mouth is sore in certain areas. Spacers will not move, so you don’t have to worry about them coming loose.

Use a soft toothbrush and gently brush around them. You may need a water flosser to help clean your teeth and gums.

During this time, ensuring your teeth and gums remain healthy will help reduce the risk of developing cavities. Plus, practicing good oral care habits will set you up for success once you have braces.

Final Thoughts

Spacers for teeth are small pieces of metal or rubber placed between your teeth to create room for braces. You may experience some soreness and discomfort while you have spacers. However, this is temporary and should go away within a few days.

To ensure your teeth stay healthy with spacers and during orthodontic treatment, brush normally and avoid sticky and hard foods. With proper care, spacers can help prepare you for braces and a beautiful smile.

If you are interested in learning more about spacers for teeth, Dr. Yazji is here to answer your questions. Schedule a consultation at one of our three convenient locations in Brickell, Weston, and Miami. We also offer virtual consultations for orthodontics.

Does My Child Need an Orthodontic Expander Before Braces?

If your child needs an orthodontic expander, using one can bring significant benefits down the road. But how do you know if an expander is necessary and what type is best for them?

It all depends on your child’s mouth and treatment plan. For example, some children need expanders to correct a narrow palate or crossbite. Others may require them to create more space for crowded teeth, while some children won’t need one at all.

This article will discuss if a child needs an expander before getting braces and which type of expander might be best for them.

What Is an Orthodontic Expander?

An orthodontic expander is a device used to expand or widen your child’s jaw or palate. This extra space allows their adult teeth to grow normally. There are two types of expanders, including:

• Removable: A removable expander is a small device your child can take in and out of their mouth. This type of expander is for children who have a narrow palate.
• Fixed: A fixed expander bonds to the back molars and cannot be removed without an orthodontist. This expander is for children with more severe issues.

Your child may need an expander if:

• They have a narrow palate: A narrow palate can crowd the teeth and cause problems with speech and chewing.
• They have a crossbite: This occurs when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, which can lead to tooth wear and gum disease.
• They have severe bite issues: When the teeth don’t meet properly, it can cause pain and difficulty chewing.

What Are the Benefits of an Orthodontic Expander?

If your child needs an expander, there are several benefits to using one, including:

• Creating more space for crowded teeth: This can help prevent the need for extractions in the future.
• Improving speech: An expander can help with speech problems caused by a narrow palate.
• Correcting a crossbite: This can help improve the function of the teeth and prevent gum disease.
• Preparing for braces: An expander can help create more space for the teeth, making braces more effective.

Helping Your Child Get Used to an Orthodontic Expander

It is common for children to feel uncomfortable or have trouble speaking clearly when they first start using an expander. However, these feelings usually go away after a few days.

To help your child acclimate to their new expander:

• Start with short periods: If removable, have your child wear the expander for 30 minutes to an hour at a time.
• Provide soft foods: To avoid irritating the gums, give your child soft foods to eat while adjusting to their new expander.
• Encourage positive thinking: Help your child see their expander as a positive thing that will help their teeth and jaws grow correctly.

Final Thoughts

If you’re unsure if your child needs an expander, talk to their orthodontist. They will be able to assess your child’s mouth and create a treatment plan that is best for them.

Dr. Maria Yazji is an award-winning orthodontist dedicated to helping children achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. Contact us today if you have any questions about expanders or want to schedule a consultation for Weston, Brickell, or West Miami. We look forward to hearing from you!

Bite Problems in Children and Adults

Do you have bite problems? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people suffer from bite problems, which, if left unresolved, can cause other issues down the road.

These problems can include speech difficulty, tooth decay, and difficulty biting down or chewing food. Many people think that these problems will correct themselves over time, but this is often not the case. Therefore, bite correction needs to be done with orthodontics, and it’s essential to do so early in life to avoid future problems.

This article will discuss bite problems in children and adults and what orthodontic treatment can do to help correct them!

Common Bite Problems

First, let’s identify some of the common bite problems that can occur in both children and adults:

• Underbite: A patient has an underbite when the lower jaw extends out further than the upper jaw.
• Overbite: This type of bite can wear down the front teeth. It occurs when the upper jaw extends out further than the lower jaw.
• Crossbite: A kind of malocclusion that happens when one or more teeth on one side of the mouth don’t fit properly against the other side.
• Open bite: It’s one of those jaw alignment issues that need to be addressed at the earliest. It occurs when there’s a gap between the lower and upper front teeth when the mouth is closed.
• Crowding: It happens when too many teeth are in too small of an area.

Issues Caused By Bite Problems

When bite problems in children and adults are left uncorrected, it can lead to some further complications down the road. These problems include:

Speech Problems

Speech problems occur when you have trouble articulating certain sounds or words due to misaligned teeth. You may also struggle with chewing food properly and swallowing because your teeth aren’t lining up correctly, making biting into things difficult.

Tooth Decay

If your teeth are constantly rubbing against each other due to bite problems, it can lead to tooth decay. In addition, the enamel on your teeth will start to wear down over time and make them more susceptible to cavities.

Jaw Pain

Problems with your jaw joint can cause pain in your face and head, as well as difficulty opening wide enough to eat comfortably. Jaw pain may also lead to headaches and be an unwelcome distraction throughout the day.

Orthodontic Treatments For Bite Problems

If you’re experiencing bite problems, you must seek professional treatment from an experienced orthodontist right away so they can help correct the issue. There are a few different orthodontic treatment choices that will help:

Braces and Invisalign^®

Regular braces are the most common treatment for fixing bite problems. Braces gradually move your teeth into the correct position over time. Invisalign^® is a newer treatment that uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth instead of traditional metal wires and brackets.

Headgear

Headgear is an older method used to correct overbites by keeping your upper jaw from growing too much or developing an underbite due to it being pulled forward when you bite down. Thankfully, it’s usually worn at night while sleeping so that it’s not a distraction during the day.

Tooth Repair

If a tooth is causing alignment issues, it may need to be extracted or replaced with an artificial one made from porcelain veneers or composite resin material. Tooth repair will also stop any additional tooth decay caused by misaligned teeth.

Final Thoughts

The best way to find out which treatment is proper for you is to talk with an orthodontist. They will examine your teeth and jaw and determine what’s causing your bite problems. Then they can recommend the best course of action to correct them!

Call Dr. Yazji, your local orthodontist in Weston and Miami areas, and find out which orthodontic treatment you need to correct your bite.

Dr. Yazji Orthodontics is dedicated to helping you reach your bite and smile goals. We offer various services that can help align your bite and teeth, such as braces and Invisalign® clear aligners.

Schedule a complimentary orthodontics appointment and discuss your bite problems today! We have convenient locations in the Weston community, Brickell, and West Miami.

The Best Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Tamarac

Interceptive orthodontics is a phased treatment plan for young children between the ages of 7 to 11 years. Early orthodontic treatment is believed to result in less treatment later and is used to correct bite and other alignment problems while the teeth and jaw are still growing and more receptive to realignment.

Best Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children

Tamarac residents choose Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics to diagnose and correct crooked and misplaced teeth at any age. Using the latest technologies and advances in orthodontics, Dr. Yazji offers the best children’s orthodontic treatment in Tamarac.

The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that all children receive an orthodontic assessment by age 7 or sooner if a problem has presented itself. Dr. Yazji has the skills and experience necessary to conduct a comprehensive children’s orthodontic evaluation of the alignment of your child’s teeth and jaw. Malocclusion refers to the imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed, and is the focus of early orthodontic assessment. Some of the malocclusions that Dr. Yazji will evaluate include:

• Misaligned teeth
• Protruding teeth
• Uneven bite
• Teeth crowding
• Uneven development of the upper and lower jaw
• Extreme tongue thrust habits
• Narrower dental arches

Interceptive orthodontics refers to early orthodontic treatment, which is beneficial because it “intercepts” a developing problem early on and can correct the underlying cause by guiding the growth of the jaw and facial bones. Interceptive orthodontics for Tamarac children can provide more space for the growth of incoming permanent teeth while ensuring that a child’s permanent teeth are aligned properly as they come in.

Although some malocclusions are genetic, others can be the result of accidents or habits such as thumb-sucking. Whatever the root cause, Dr. Yazji can assess and recommend an individualized orthodontic treatment plan for children to bring about their healthiest and happiest smiles.

To set up an orthodontic assessment for your child, or if you are interested in learning more about Dr. Yazji’s treatment options for Tamarac residents, please call Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics at (954) 217-3737 or visit their website for more information.