Orthodontics - For Children and Adults

Orthodontics is the movement of teeth into proper alignment using wires, springs and rubber bands. Treatment at our offices in Perry Hall, Pikesville, and Glen Burnie, MD normally takes from eighteen to thirty months, with most cases lasting about two years. We practice non-extraction orthodontics which means simply we do not extract sound, permanent teeth for orthodontic alignment. We only move teeth during orthodontics, we do not remove teeth. I prefer the esthetic result with all teeth present. (Occasionally we do remove wisdom teeth during orthodontic treatment)

Our patients also like the fact that we do not use head gear. We have a method to move the teeth that we find to be less burden than headgear and all inside the mouth.

For adults who wish to align the front teeth merely for esthetics, rather than place veneers, we offer

Six Months Orthodontics

We create room by slenderizing the teeth, removing 1/2 millimeter of enamel from either side of your teeth. This allows us to align your teeth in a very short time, about six months. There is no sensitivity, and no increased incidence of decay. Obviously, if the esthetic problem is spacing, there is no need for slenderizing.

At what age should we evaluate a child for orthodontic care?

If, by age eight or nine, your child’s teeth are noticeably distorted, that is a good time for an orthodontic evaluation. If the teeth are causing your child social problems at school, or there is a need for early palatal expansion to alleviate a crossbite, we initiate treatment for one year only to solve the cosmetic or cross bite problem. We remove all bands and brackets, and re-evaluate the situation after all permanent teeth are in, at age 12 or 13. Usually the second phase of treatment with bands, brackets and wires is then necessary. With this two phase technique, early problems can be solved, and your child is in braces for just two to two and a half years in total.

INVISALIGN

We provide invisalign orthodontic care. A simple examination can determine if you are a candidate for this new system of invisible braces.