Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specializes in straightening your teeth and correcting bite and growth disharmonies. Properly aligned teeth and a balanced bite not only give you a beautiful smile, but also help to keep your mouth healthy in the future.

Our orthodontic team recognizes the needs of patients of all ages. There is no such thing as being “too old” to have a healthy beautiful smile, and we can help you achieve that goal in many different ways.

In addition to treatment with traditional braces, Dental Associates of Walpole is proud to be a Diamond Level Invisalign® provider. This designation puts us at the highest level which speaks to our team’s extensive experience, and staying current with the latest Invisalign® treatments.

At Dental Associates of Walpole, our experienced orthodontists work together to design the best treatment plan for each patient. We look forward to talking with you about your individual case.

iTero Scanner

We utilize a state of the art intraoral scanner. Often we are able to take a digital impression that eliminates the need for the usual putty-type impression. We digitally capture a detailed 3D scan of your teeth with this scanner. This process is more comfortable than the traditional impression.

Children

People are often surprised to hear that some young children need orthodontic care. Certain tooth eruption and skeletal growth disharmonies are best corrected with early orthodontic treatment, often as early as age seven or eight. With these conditions, treatment is most effective while the jaw is still growing. When our orthodontists recommend early treatment, the goal is to lessen the complexity of future orthodontic care.

The value of having pediatric dentists and orthodontists under one roof is that we are able to collaborate instantly on your child’s care. Early treatment may involve a simple orthodontic appliance, or an appliance in combination with some limited braces. Our orthodontists and staff have years of experience working with young children.

If you have any concern or questions regarding potential early orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to contact us.

Adolescents

The most common time for orthodontic treatment is between the ages of 11 and 15. By age 12, most if not all of the permanent teeth have erupted and are in place. This is when crooked teeth, gaps and bad bites can most easily be detected and corrected. Most adolescent treatments take between two and two-and-a-half years.

Young adolescents are often comfortable with the prospect of wearing braces, because their friends are doing it too! Children of this age are typically ready to take on the responsibility of caring for their braces. It is a period of rapid growth, and orthodontists can take advantage of these growth spurts to help shape the bite and teeth correctly.

Some teens may also be candidates for Invisalign® Teen. We are happy to be able to offer many different options for treating your teenager.

Adult

We understand how important a first impression can be, and want your smile to dazzle! Dental Associates of Walpole will help you get the smile you deserve.

You may be surprised to hear that approximately 25% of our orthodontic patients are adults, people just like you who want to smile with confidence. Because every patient is different, we’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs.

You may not know that orthodontic treatment does more than improve your smile. It also helps prevent severe tooth decay and periodontal disease that may occur as a result of crowding. Orthodontic care can help reduce irregular wear of your tooth enamel, which may result in cracked teeth and a need for a prosthetic in the future.

We offer a full range of adult treatment options to straighten your teeth and improve your oral health. From clear aligners using Invisalign® technology, to traditional ceramic and metal braces, we are confident that we can help you achieve and maintain the beautiful, healthy smile you’ve always dreamed about.

Invisalign®

A beautiful smile can help you look and feel better about yourself, significantly impacting your personal and professional life. We now know that straight teeth can create more than just a healthier mouth, but also a healthier you!

Invisalign® is available for both adults and teens and features a series of clear, removable aligners customized for you. The aligners are comfortable and convenient; enabling you to continue your daily activities with ease. Unlike traditional braces, they require no dietary restrictions. Simply remove the aligners prior to eating, brushing and flossing. Invisalign® will not interfere with your busy lifestyle, but fit comfortably in it. No one will know that you are straightening your smile, unless you tell them!

Our orthodontists are Elite Providers of Invisalign® treatment and can determine if Invisalign® is one of the options for you. This designation speaks to our team’s extensive experience treating patients with Invisalign®, and staying current with the latest Invisalign® treatments.

Contact our experts today to schedule a complimentary Invisalign® consultation.

FAQs & Tips

Fortunately, in orthodontic treatment there are no major/severe emergencies. Occasional glitches with the appliances can usually be temporarily fixed at home, eliminating the need for extra trips to the office.

Lost Separator

It is common and not a significant problem for a separator to come out. If your banding appointment is the next day, don’t worry at all. If the appointment for the banding is a few days away, call the office and we will schedule a time that is convenient for you to come and have the separator replaced. If it happens on a weekend you may wait until Monday to call.

Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment

It is during the first week after your braces are in place that you will likely feel the most soreness or discomfort. We recommend ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. If you take these as directed for the first few days you will stay ahead of the discomfort. Most of the early wires we use are reactive to body heat, so eating or drinking something cold can often provide some temporary relief.

Poky Wires

Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of the wax that you were given. If you need it you can always get more wax at a pharmacy. If this doesn’t resolve the issue you can cut it with new nail clippers or cuticle cutters that have been cleaned with alcohol. Please call us if you need help with a poky wire, we can always accommodate you to make you are comfortable. If you are unable to get to the office, feel free to cut and remove the whole arch wire, then give us a call and we will give you an appointment to put everything back in place.

Loose Brackets or Bands

A loose bracket or band is not something that needs immediate attention. As long as it is not uncomfortable, all you have to do is call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you. It is possible that we may be able to adjust the time of your next scheduled appointment so that we can replace the bracket or band. If it is uncomfortable, simply cut the wire with new nail clippers or cuticle cutters that have been cleaned with alcohol. Then give us a call and we will give you an appointment to put everything back in place.

Trauma

If you experience any trauma to the mouth while wearing braces, please see your pediatric or general dentist before the orthodontist. It is important for the dentist to make sure that the teeth have not been damaged. Then call for an appointment with us and we will check the braces.

Lost Aligner

Give us a call as soon as you can. In the meantime, try putting in your next aligner. If it fits, continue on with that one and call us. If your next aligner won’t fit, try putting the last one in and call us.