Our Treatments & Services

TREATMENTS AND SERVICES

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Early Treatment • Child/Adolescent • Adult Treatment • Invisalign • Orthognathic Surgery

 

 

EARLY

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. As an experienced orthodontist, Dr. Trammell can clearly determine whether developmental issues should be addressed by Early Orthodontic Treatment (often referred to as Phase I).

Phase I is indicated for a small percentage of patients, usually under the age of 10 years.  The goal of Phase I treatment is to intervene in the case of unfavorable developmental issues and certain bite problems. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions in the future.

Early treatment would be indicated to create the following advantages:

  • Prevent and intercept orthodontic problems
  • Correct developmental issues that can result in a shorter course of therapy
  • Improve outlook and attitude by increasing self-image and pride
  • Treat majority of problems when child is most cooperative, not during the independent teenage years
  • Improve chances of avoiding extraction and surgical procedures
  • Utilize baby teeth for anchorage
  • Utilize orthopedics when sutures are actively adjusting
  • Guide eruption of permanent teeth, regulating space where needed
  • Rotate teeth as erupting, before differentiation to prevent relapse via periodontal fibers
  • Eliminate adverse habit patterns (tongue, thumb, etc)
  • Avoid fracture of protruding teeth
  • Prevent impaction of canines with early expansion
  • Improve chances of good speech development
  • Change functional factors (lip strain, tongue posture, etc) that can morphologically change and worsen the dental problem
  • Utilize early expansion to help eliminate some breathing problems; early maxillary orthopedics can help increase nasal airway

Frequently, early intervention will not be necessary, except for careful monitoring of your child’s dental development. Dr. Trammell screens your child’s growth and development to determine the ideal time for orthodontic intervention, if needed, as issues present. These evaluation appointments are always free of charge as Dr. Trammell’s gift to your family to provide you the best care at the perfect time.

CHILD/ADOLESCENT

While your child’s treatment will be specifically customized by Dr. Trammell to meet their personal needs, the majority of our patients begin their orthodontic treatment between the ages of 11 and 15. This is an ideal time in life for braces or Invisalign Teen!

Patients experience a great deal of physical growth and biological changes naturally during these years which makes the pre-teen and teenage years the perfect opportunity for Dr. Trammell to change tooth positions and bite issues in the most time efficient manner. Since so many parents choose to take advantage of these benefits, your child can maximize the psychological and social benefits of going through their orthodontic treatment alongside their peers.

An added benefit to adolescent treatment is the ability to take advantage of insurance benefits that sometimes have age limitations. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and have our Financial Coordinator check your insurance benefits!

ADULT

Did you know about 1/3 of Dr. Trammell’s patients are adults? Because society places such strong value on the appearance of teeth, and with technological advances making treatment options faster and less noticeable, more adults are opting to change their smiles than ever before.

While the cosmetic benefits of treatment are both valid and compelling, they pale in comparison to the long term health benefits! Here are just a few of the health risks that may arise from crooked or overly spaced teeth, overcrowding, overbites or underbites, jaw joint disorders, and incorrect jaw position:

  • Headaches
  • Earaches
  • Problems with chewing, speaking, and/or biting
  • Gastrointestinal problems from inability to chew food properly
  • Jaw pain
  • Trouble cleaning the teeth properly, leading to plaque and food accumulation between teeth
  • Increased incidence of tooth decay and periodontal disease
  • Gum and bone erosion
  • Irregular wear of the tooth enamel
  • Facial pain
  • Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD, often incorrectly called “TMJ”)

Perhaps you needed braces as a child but never had the opportunity. Maybe you didn’t need braces in your youth but have developed problems as you’ve aged. Whatever the reason for choosing orthodontic treatment as an adult you can now start your journey to the perfect smile in the capable and experienced hands of Dr. Trammell and his team.

 

INVISALIGN

 

 

Clearly Different

 

Are you interested in aligning your smile without the appearance of braces? Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. Others may not even notice you’re wearing them, making Invisalign treatment a seamless fit with your lifestyle.

Your aligners will include no metal and are custom made for your teeth. They work in a series of trays that gradually shift your teeth into place. Each tray is manufactured so that the teeth are slightly straighter than the previous tray. You will wear each set of aligners for 22 hours a day, changing to a new set of aligners every 2 weeks, as directed by Dr. Trammell. Each set of aligners will gently and gradually shift your teeth into place, according to your treatment plan, until you reach your beautiful new smile.

In addition to less visible treatment, Invisalign patients enjoy blissfully brief office visits and less risk of additional appointments for repairs as there are no brackets that could come loose or wires that could poke. Invisalign aligners are removable, so there are no food restrictions at all (hello popcorn!).

Schedule your complimentary consultation today so Dr. Trammell can determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign and simulate your result to give you a sneak peek at your future smile!

 

 

RETENTION

 

Why do I need retainers?

  • Retention is the final part of your orthodontic treatment.
  • Once your teeth are in their final position, your retainers keep them there. Your teeth could move to a less desirable position without your retainer.

Retainer Wear

  • We would like you to wear your retainers as prescribed by Dr. Trammell. 
  • If your retainers still feel tight after having them in for 5 minutes, this indicates that you may need to wear your retainers more frequently. Please call us so we can give you new instructions.
  • Please bring retainers to each appointment.
  • Keep your retainers clean. Brush your retainers just like you do your teeth. If plaque and tartar build up on your retainers, soak in denture cleaner or 1 part vinegar and 1 part water.
  • No gum chewing, while wearing your retainer (it will stick to the plastic).
  • Always keep your retainers one of two places: in your mouth or in your case. Don’t leave them lying around or wrapped in a napkin where they can get lost or thrown away. Never put them in hot water or near a hot surface.
  • Keep your retainers away from pets.
  • You should wear your retainers indefinitely with the frequency required to maintain your result.
  • You can call any time you have orthodontic concerns. 

What if?

  • When retainers are not worn as instructed, your teeth will move, preventing the retainer from fitting properly.
  • Your retainer should fit comfortably and snap in securely. If it doesn’t, or you are unable to wear the retainer for any reason, call our office the next business day.
  • If you break or lose your retainer, call our office on the next business day for an appointment. Breakage, loss, or improper care will result in additional charges.
  • Maintaining your result is up to you! If you fail to wear your retainers as instructed (for any reason: choose not to, hurts, lost, broken, or forget, etc.) your teeth can rapidly move out of position!  Be responsible. Wear as instructed and call for an appointment if something prevents you from wearing your retainers.

ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY

Some dental problems are due to an underlying skeletal discrepancy that cannot be addressed with orthodontics alone. The only way to successfully treat these types of skeletal discrepancies is with orthognathic surgery to reposition the relationships of the upper and lower jaws.

While orthognathic surgery may sound like an intimidating treatment plan, rest assured that  Dr. Trammell works closely with your dentist and an oral surgeon to coordinate each step of your treatment. With over 20 years of experience correcting the most complicated orthodontic problems, you couldn’t be in better hands than those of Dr. Trammell!