Orthodontic braces and aligners convert crooked smiles with poor bites into straight, healthy teeth. At the office of Dr. Louis Turnage in Gaffney, SC, your dentist and his team offer careful orthodontic evaluations and treatment plans which really work. Know the whys and hows of braces for your child.
For the best oral health
Not only is a well-aligned smile well-received, it inspires self-confidence. Unfortunately, not everyone has that perfect set of teeth. Gaps, overlapping and rotated teeth, bite problems and more impact personal appearance and oral health.
Common problems associated with crooked teeth include:
- Headaches and ear pain
- Jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ/TMD)
- Excessive wear on tooth enamel
- Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
- Increased occurrence of tooth decay and gum disease because poorly aligned teeth are difficult to clean properly
- Poor speech and language development in children
- Uneven facial symmetry
- Mouth breathing
- Biting the inside of the cheek
- Protruding front teeth or receding jawline
Does your child need braces?
To ward off long-term problems, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. The actual treatment may not proceed for some time--between the ages of eight and 14 on average when most permanent teeth have erupted.
However, it is advantageous to use the fluidity and growth of a child's jaw to properly align crooked teeth. As such, dentists such as Dr. Turnage in Gaffney, SC, practice what is called interceptive orthodontics. Space maintainers and palatal expanders are examples of orthodontic appliances that help the youngest of patients toward treatment goals without prolonged use of complex wires, brackets and rubber bands.
So, we invite you to bring your child to the office for a complete evaluation to include an eyes-on inspection of teeth and gums, X-rays and oral impressions as needed. Dr. Turnage will outline his findings for you and propose a treatment plan, including a timeline, as needed.
Your child's treatment
We offer conventional metal and ceramic braces--the typical choices for children and teens. However, for older teens (and for adults, too), Dr. Turnage frequently recommends Invisalign or Clear Correct acrylic aligners.
Invisalign and Clear Correct aligners are invisible, thin and removable, making them a favorable option for the older orthodontic patient. Treatment times are shorter than with conventional braces, and patients have easier hygiene routines and few to no dietary restrictions.
Come see us
At the dental practice of Dr. Louis Turnage in Gaffney, SC, we offer state of the art preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental services for patients of all ages. To arrange an evaluation with this experienced dentist, call us at (864) 489-4708.
