Hinsdale Family Orthodontics
Caring for Smiles of All Sizes
At CHT Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing exceptional orthodontic care for patients of every age.
Whether you're considering treatment for your child, teen, or even yourself, Dr. Carrie, Dr. Ami, Dr. Karen, and our caring team are here to guide you through a personalized orthodontic experience tailored to meet your individual needs.
Orthodontic health is important at every stage of life, and we're here to ensure that you and your family receive the highest quality care.
Orthodontics for Children
At CHT Orthodontics in Hinsdale, we’re passionate about making sure we see children around age 7 to assess if there are any developing issues to negatively impact permanent teeth or jaw development. Learn more about the importance of your child seeing an orthodontist at age seven in our blog.
Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children
Early treatment can help to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, which often lessens the chance of extractions in the future.
How to tell if your child may need early orthodontic treatment
- Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around age five, and will have all permanent teeth around age 13)
- Difficulty chewing and/or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Your child continues to suck his or her thumb after age five
- Speech impediments
- Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
- Developing Underbite (the upper front teeth bite behind the lower front teeth)
- Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner or even at all
- Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
What causes orthodontic problems, and how will early prevention benefit my child?
Orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth issues, protruding teeth, and bites issues can be caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits.
Most children lose all their baby teeth by age 13. By the end of their teen years, the jaw bones have developed and stop growing. Complex orthodontic procedures for adults often take more time and can involve tooth extraction or oral surgery. Receiving early orthodontic treatment as a child can help prevent the need for complex orthodontics as an adult, leaving little to no chance of extraction or surgery in the future.
If your child is between the ages of seven and eight and shows signs of needing orthodontic care, or you have been directed by your family dentist to visit the orthodontist, please contact our practice and schedule an free consultation. Our team will provide your child with an initial exam, and discuss with you the best steps to take toward caring for your child’s smile.
Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment
What is the Advantage of Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment?
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, and aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.
Most young children do NOT need Phase I treatment, but the doctors still recommend an initial evaluation at around the age of 7-8 so that they can determine if and when treatment may be necessary. If no treatment is necessary, then they will likely see your child on a 6-12 month basis for “growth guidance" or observation checks to ensure that the primary teeth are falling out normally and that the adult teeth are erupting as they should.
Phase One
Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles
The goal of Phase One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop.
An upper jaw that is growing too much, too little, or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age.
If children over the age of seven are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are usually candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around this age have severely crowded or blocked out teeth, early treatment can also help create necessary space.
- Planning now can save your smile later
Children benefit tremendously from early-phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life, or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws. - Digital records to determine your unique treatment
Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the type of appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Records consist of digital models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your child’s initial consultation, these records allow the doctor to determine if early treatment is necessary.
Resting Period
In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. Night time retainers may or may not be recommended depending on what was done in early treatment.
A successful first phase will have created more room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path.
At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be determined and accomplished in the second phase of treatment. Therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually on a 6-12 month basis, to monitor progress.
Phase Two
Stay healthy and ideal smile aesthetics
The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase Two usually involves full upper and lower braces or clear aligners.
The second phase usually begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and often requires braces or clear aligners on all the teeth for an average of 18-24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile.
Orthodontic Treatment for Adults
Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists finds that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21.
Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.
Common reasons why adults are considering orthodontic treatment
- A bad bite or malocclusion, which causes teeth to fit together incorrectly
- Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly leading to tooth decay or gum disease
- Abnormal jaw pain or pressure caused by crooked teeth
- Desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile
Treatment Options for Adults
For many adults, the thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage them from seeking treatment. However, today’s orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of options that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs. Types of braces include:
The difference between adult orthodontics and orthodontics for children and teens
The main difference between treating adults and children or teens is that the jawbones of younger patients are still developing whereas the jawbones of adults are set. Other differences include:
- Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Many adults have received some orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, but never completed their treatment. As an adult, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.
- Shifting due to aging or lack of retainer wear — Many adults see shifting as they get older and in other cases, they may have stopped wearing their retainers they received as a teen. In either case, we can help you get your smile back to a healthy and beautiful one!
- Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) —Adults are more likely than children to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease.
Why should you consider orthodontic treatment?
- Straight teeth are healthy teeth — Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to keep clean with flossing and brushing, and may help prevent other health problems.
- A beautiful, straight smile builds confidence — Orthodontic treatment can help boost your self-confidence, and give you a better quality of life and the freedom to smile without holding back! After all, a smile is the one accessory that you wear all the time!
- Mouths left untreated can get worse — Not receiving orthodontic treatment when it’s needed can create long-term health issues that cost you more in the end.
To learn more about the benefits of adult orthodontics, please contact our practice to schedule an appointment. We understand you have a busy schedule, and we will work with you to make sure each office visit is as convenient as possible.