/blog/ Orthodontics by Crutchfield’s Office Blog, for information on SureSmile™, Damon™ System and other Orthodontics processes and Information. en crutchfieldservices@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-04-11T21:45:42+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/invisalign-or-suresmile1/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/invisalign-or-suresmile1/#When:21:45:42Z When considering orthodontic treatment, there are basically two choices: braces or clear aligners. Which is better? Which is faster? The discerning patient will make opt for Damon Braces and SureSmile.           Invisalign or SureSmile?       People considering orthodontic treatment in Chantilly, Centreville, South Riding, Oakton and Fairfax have basically two choices—braces or Invisalign.  Which is better?  Which is faster?  Orthodontic treatment with braces, especially the Damon Braces System, gives the orthodontist more control of the tooth position in three planes of space.  Invisalign, on the other hand, while clear, is slower, harder to control and does not enable the orthodontist to make fine adjustments as the treatment progresses.  Invisalign basically tips teeth into position and tipping teeth is generally an unstable move.  The key is controlling the position of the teeth roots.       Now there is a better alternative—orthodontic care with SureSmile.  While orthodontic treatment with Suresmile requires braces, the treatment time is tremendously faster, more accurate and allows the orthodontist to move the teeth faster, more efficiently and more precisely.  SureSmile enables precise root positioning for better function and stability.  Basically, it moves your orthodontic result from good to great.  Yes, you have braces.  But, the time in braces is far outweighed by the result.  So, while Invisalign may seem like an attractive orthodontic treatment, it may not give you the smile and bite you desire.    www.OrthodonticsbyCrutchfield.com    www.SureSmile.com   2012-04-11T21:45:42+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/early-orthodontic-treatment/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/early-orthodontic-treatment/#When:11:34:36Z It seems that every 8 year old child in Chantilly, Centreville, South Riding, Oakton, Herndon and Fairfax has braces. Phase I orthodontics as it is known. But, is all of this early orthodontic treatment necessary at such an early age? Does it really make such a difference that it is necessary for the patient to endure and the parent to pay? You may be suprised.                 EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT    If you are the parent of a 6-year old or older, you may be observing that every child your child’s age in Chantilly, South Riding, Oakton, Fairfax, Centreville and Herndon is starting to get braces or some other orthodontic device.  Does this mean you are behind as a parent?  No.  Early treatment, or better known as 2-phase treatment, can help in some cases.  In the first phase of treatment, some early orthodontics is done then everything is removed waiting for more teeth to erupt.  The second phase occurs when the majority of the permanent teeth have erupted.  While this may seem noble, the fact is that the overall benefit is minimal.  It has been shown in studies that there is really no advantage to doing early treatment.  The only time where it has been shown to be beneficial is in an underbite situation (lower teeth in front of the upper teeth) and facial deformities like cleft lip and palate.  In fact, recently a representative of the American Association of Orthodontists said to be wary of the expected outcomes of early treatment.  The results are no better, no more esthetic, and no more stable and do not make a difference in non-extraction vs. extraction treatment.  In addition, 2-phase treatment takes longer and is more costly to the patient.   Therefore, the overwhelming majority of younger patients have no need to have early treatment.  There is, however, a financial gain by the orthodontists.  A good article to read was in the Wall Street Journal titled “The 8-Year-Old With a Perfect Smile” at the following link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703326204575616460332062620.html       www.OrthodonticsbyCrutchfield.com     2012-04-11T11:34:36+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/is-all-orthodontic-treatment-the-same/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/is-all-orthodontic-treatment-the-same/#When:16:58:58Z When comparing orthodontic treatment and the cost of braces, the fee should not be your main deciding factor. Not all braces are the same and not all orthodontic treatment is the same.   IS ALL ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT THE SAME?   Is all orthodontic treatment the same?  Are Oakton braces the same as Chantilly braces?  Will a Centreville orthodontist do the same treatment as a Herndon orthodontist?  Is South Riding orthodontics the same as Fairfax orthodontics?  The answer is no.  All orthodontic treatment is based on the marriage of science and art.  There are different orthodontic treatment philosophies and treatment modalities.  Therefore, orthodontics is not a commodity.    It is not the same from office to office and orthodontist to orthodontist.  So, what is one to do?  It is important to get different opinions and not just shop price.  Like most things, you get what you pay for.  Therefore, the following are points that you may use to compare:   1.       Friendly office environment because you will be going to the office frequently   2.      The doctor has experience and is a specialist in orthodontics with an advanced degree in orthodontics and not a general dentist dabbling in orthodontics   3.      The doctor is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and Board-Certified as well as a member of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics   4.      The orthodontic techniques and technologies, such as the Damon bracket system, SureSmile wire technology and digital and 3-D orthodontics and are the best in orthodontics, are used for optimal patient care   5.      The orthodontist uses 3-Dimensional radiography for diagnosis and treatment planning   6.      The office uses the latest in sterilization procedures and their sterilization systems are spore-tested by an outside agency   7.      The office offers flexible and convenient payment terms   8.      The orthodontist and staff are active contributors to and supporters of the local community including sports teams, musical productions and interests of the patients   9.      The orthodontist is available for any emergencies   10.   There are open lines of communication with voice, text or email reminders of appointments and office events   Proceeding with orthodontic treatment is not a decision to be taken lightly.  It is important to do your homework.  Compare orthodontists and orthodontic offices.  The choice will become obvious.  Good Luck and Catch the Wave!    www.OrthodonticsbyCrutchfield.com 2012-04-10T16:58:58+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/orthodontic-advertising/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/orthodontic-advertising/#When:13:42:33Z When searching for or choosing orthodontic treatment or braces in Northern Virginia, you can easily be mislead by website content and search engine ads. First, general dentists, who are not trained orthodontic specialists, will advertise that they do orthodontics. Just because a dentist does Invisalign does not mean they have the proper training and ability to diagnose and treat bad bites or provide straight teeth. The orthodontic treatment has to be tailored to your particular needs. Another example of misleading orthodontic advertising is dentists or orthodontists whose ads or websites state that they do specific orthodontic treatment techniques. The biggest example of this is an unscrupulous orthodontist or dentist advertising that they do SureSmile or Damon braces. SureSmile and Damon are very technique-sensitive. There is much training that is required to use them. However, some orthodontists will advertise them on their websites in hopes of getting you to inquire about these techniques in their office. They will then tell you that you are not a candidate for SureSmile or Damon braces. Next comes the sales pitch for a generic orthodontic treatment. An orthodontic “Bait and Switch” if you will. What to do? Make sure you use an orthodontist, not a general dentist, who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a member of the College of Diplomates of the American Board. Next, it is important that they are qualified providers of the specific treatment techniques that they advertise. For instance, you can go to www. SureSmile.com or http://www.damonbraces.com for a list of those orthodontists who are recognized by the company as being qualified providers of their service. Remember, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). 2011-05-11T13:42:33+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/orthodontists-dentists-whats-the-difference/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/orthodontists-dentists-whats-the-difference/#When:18:55:51Z When considering orthodontic treatment in Northern Virginia for yourself or your child, it often is very confusing.  Who is the best professional to provide the best orthodontic care?  There definitely is a difference.  A cosmetic surgeon, for example, has not had the extensive training of a plastic surgeon.  An orthodontist has completed four years of dental school as well as another 2-3 years of specialty training.  An orthodontist does nothing but orthodontic treatment.  General or family dentists who “dabble” in orthodontics have not had the training or experience to provide you with the best care.  They probably will not be able to use the best supplies or techniques because it is not cost-effective for them.  Even though some dentists proclaim to be orthodontists, they are not and cannot be recognized as an orthodontist by the American Dental Association.  The choice is actually an easy one.  An orthodontist is a specialist and a general dentist is not. 2011-01-14T18:55:51+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/cost-of-braces/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/cost-of-braces/#When:13:59:58Z If you are shopping around for the cost of orthodontic care or braces, it is very important to make sure you are getting the best care, not the cheapest price. Orthodontic treatment is not a commodity.  It is not the same everywhere.  Even the braces themselves vary.  The orthodontic process is as important as the result.  Is the person doing the braces an orthodontist or just a family dentist dabbling in orthodontics?  Is the orthodontist a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics?  Is the office staff friendly and helpful?  Are the braces and associated materials used the best quality and the most comfortable?  Are sterilization and radiation safety practices up to par?  These and many more questions need to be answered before making a final decision.  The cheapest fee for orthodontic treatment may mean cuts are being made in some of these areas. 2010-12-16T13:59:58+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/invisalign-or-suresmile/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/invisalign-or-suresmile/#When:14:30:02Z People considering orthodontic treatment in Northern Virginia have basically two choices: braces or Invisalign.   Which is better?  Which is faster?   Orthodontic treatment with braces gives the orthodontist more control of the tooth position in three planes of space.  Invisalign, while clear, is slower, harder to control and does not enable the orthodontist to make fine adjustments as the treatment progresses.    Now there’s a better alternative: orthodontic treatment with Suresmile.   While orthodontic treatment with Suresmile requires braces, the treatment time is tremendously faster, more accurate and allows the orthodontist to do the fine-tuning that takes orthodontic treatment from good to great.    Yes, you have braces.  But, the time in them is far outweighed by the result. 2010-05-10T14:30:02+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/suresmile-orthodontic-technology-at-its-best/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/suresmile-orthodontic-technology-at-its-best/#When:17:28:51Z Suresmile orthodontic treatment is the latest and greatest in orthodontic treatment technology. Suresmile orthodontic treatment is the latest and greatest in orthodontic treatment technology. It’s revolutionizing orthodontic treatment by providing our patients with a faster (on average 34% faster) and better (following American Board of Orthodontics standards) result. The basis of Suresmile technology is virtual orthodontic treatment.  After braces are placed on the teeth, they’re scanned into our computer and a digital model of the patient’s teeth is produced.  This enables me to analyze a patient’s bite in three dimensions as well as evaluate the all-important esthetics of the teeth, allowing me to move the teeth into their best possible positions and to American Board of Orthodontics standards. After completing the positioning of the teeth, specialized orthodontic wires are generated to make the movements happen in a timely and efficient manner.  Suresmile will make conventional orthodontic treatment obsolete. OBC and Suresmile technology are a dynamic combination! For more information go to Suresmile.com. 2010-04-28T17:28:51+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/invisalign-why-we-dont-use-it/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/invisalign-why-we-dont-use-it/#When:17:25:56Z Things to consider before selecting the popular Invisalign orthodontic treatment It seems almost all Northern Virginia orthodontists and general dentists use Invisalign on their patients.  Invisalign, which uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move teeth, seems to be the panacea for all Northern Virginia orthodontic treatment.  We, too, used to use Invisalign many years ago.  But, found that it did not always produce the intended orthodontic result in the anticipated time.  The problem is not with the product but the process.  The aligners incrementally move the teeth by tipping them into place.  The roots cannot be aligned adequately with the crowns.  Not having the roots in line with the crowns leads to instability.  Therefore, Invisalign does not have the 3-dimensional control that can be gained with braces.  That is why we use Suresmile, which provides the ultimate control and fastest movement of the teeth. The other problem with Invisalign is inconsistent wear by the patient.  Since the aligners are removable, the patient has control of the orthodontic process.  This may be fine as long as the patient is a dedicated wearer.  But, if the patient does not wear the aligner at work or when they socialize, they can limit their orthodontic progress.  In fact, if not worn as prescribed, they can actually digress. A person who is considering orthodontic treatment must be honest with themselves as to whether their lifestyle, work or self-discipline is conducive to orthodontic treatment with removable orthodontic devices like Invisalign.  They are probably better off with fixed orthodontic braces for a more predictable and timely orthodontic treatment. 2010-04-19T17:25:56+00:00 http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/orthodontic-treatment-for-adults/ http://orthodonticsbycrutchfield.com/index.php/blog/orthodontic-treatment-for-adults/#When:10:12:06Z Adults Need Orthodontic Attention Too. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), almost 1 million adults are currently in orthodontic treatment across the country, double the number from just ten years ago. Why? Technological advances mean braces are less noticeable, painful, and time-consuming. Presenting yourself well means taking care of your entire well-being, and having a good smile is an important component. As we get older, facial muscles begin to droop. Smile lines drop and it’s not unusual for more of your lower teeth to become visible. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear patients say middle age is the first time they've noticed how crooked their teeth were. Is treatment for adult orthodontics any different from treatment for kids? The answer is yes and no. Essentially, the process of moving teeth is the same. But when working with a more mature mouth, there are different considerations. According to the American Dental Association, by age 35 three out of four adults have some form of periodontal disease. This is significant because it can damage the underlying support structures that hold teeth in place. When gums and bone become soft or weakened, teeth begin to move around in the mouth. In general, adult corrections take slightly longer than kids' because an adult's mouth and jaw are no longer growing and problems may be more challenging. Until recently, adults often wore braces for two to three years. Now, however, the time has been decreased to between 6 and 18 months. New SureSmile and Damon System technologies have decreased treatment time and discomfort significantly. Improving your smile is a great confidence booster at any age. It’s also an excellent strategy for avoiding health issues later in life. 2009-09-23T10:12:06+00:00