Orthodontic Treatment and Wisdom Teeth

The purpose of orthodontic treatment at Gonzales Orthodontics is to correct malocclusion, also known as crooked or crowded teeth, as well as correcting the bite. In the past, Orthodontic practices  have recommended that wisdom teeth be removed, especially in cases of severe crowding. The wisdom teeth, also known as third molars are the last teeth to form, and erupt between the ages of 13 and 20. In some cases wisdom teeth are impacted, which means the teeth never break through the gum tissue. Impacted wisdom teeth often happen when the mouth or jaw is too small to accommodate all the teeth. The cons with impacted wisdom teeth can be infection, and some orthodontists and dentists may want them extracted to prevent any possible future infections. 

Old Myths Die Hard

In the past many people thought that when the wisdom teeth erupted they would set off a "domino effect" of crowding. Therefore, anybody that had orthodontic treatment would need their wisdom teeth removed. In the early 90's a few landmark studies disproved this theory.  The study showed that whether or not you have wisdom teeth (some people are born without them), your  teeth can still shift and get crooked and crowded, unless you are wearing a retainer.  Thus, we do not recommend getting the wisdom teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons anymore. However, there are several other reasons for getting them extracted.

Justification for removing wisdom teeth

Dr. Gonzales will tell you in some cases, the mouth or jaw is too small to fit the wisdom teeth.  In which case causes the third molars to grow in the wrong way, either tilting in the jaw, or sideways. Impacted wisdom teeth inevitably happen from lack of room for the teeth to come in. The gum flap above the wisdom tooth can become infected and cause swelling, and tend to be painful. The biggest problem that can occur is periocoronitis, a potentially dangerous infection that develops on the area around the impacted wisdom tooth, or even if it has erupted.

Orthodontists usually base their decision to have wisdom teeth extracted on each patients individual case. To learn more about the impact wisdom teeth have on orthodontic treatment, or to schedule a visit, please visit our website at: www.drdantegonzales.com.

Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease

• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw

• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you have been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

To X-ray or Not X-ray?

A recent study published in the scientific journal Cancer associates dental X-rays with an increased risk of developing meningioma, the most commonly diagnosed brain tumor in the U.S. The study caught the attention of many major news outlets and seemed to have create a small panic in the general public that were getting routine X-rays at their dental offices.

The study included 1433 meningioma patients and a control group of 1350 control group individuals. The cancer patients reported having regular bitewing, full mouth, and or panorex dental x-rays. The results showed that patients with meningioma were twice as likely than the control patients to have had bitewing x-rays.

When the general public hears this type of information, they are not always given the full picture to keep things in perspective. In addition, they are not always told how the study was conducted and more importantly, do not always have the science and research background to critically analyze the studies that are cited.

In response to this study, the American Dental Association, Division of Sciences, carefully reviewed the study and noted some major weaknesses in the study design and interpretation of the results:

1. The findings are based on patient recall of x-rays taken decades ago, not the actual doctor's charts.  People's memories can be unreliable. 

            2. The results of the study did not appear to be dose-related. As one would expect, the higher the dose, the higher the chance of getting cancer.

            3. The study was observational, meaning it cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between dental x-rays and meningioma.

            4. Advances in x-ray technology over the last several years has greatly reduced the amount of radition exposure per x-ray taken.

Considering the weaknesses of the study, and the small size of the reported effect, this study should not raise significant concerns. The study does not suggest that dental x-rays cause brain tumors. However, it does remind us that dental x-rays should only be taken when the patient's dental health and treatment will be affected. We should always return to the old acronym we learned in dental school: A.L.A.R.A. In other words, clinicians should always follow the ADA guidelines to help ensure radition is kept At Levels As Low As Reasonably Achievable.   

Next Month (April) Is National Youth Sports Safety Month

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why Gonzales Orthodontics is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards.. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. 

Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports

• Wear a helmet

• Stretch before and after a game or practice

• Wear protective eye wear

• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin

• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to make sure that your mouthguard is custom fit to ensure stability, retention, and functions properly.

Does Dental Esthetics Have Any Influence on Finding a Job?

Almost all dental professionals can tell you that improving the alignment of your teeth and your bite will result in improved function and longevity of your teeth. A proper bite (occlusion) can improve biting, chewing, longevity, and the ability to clean your teeth.  However, most patients go through orthodontic treatment motivated by dental esthetics.  Most parents and patients understand the psychological and social gains from orthodontic treatment.  In addition to improving the function and esthetics of your teeth, a recent study asked the question . . . Can the esthetics of your smile have any influence on  finding a job?

The study, which was published in the Journal of  the American Association of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics,  asked that simple question. The methodology of the study was based off of a 2011 study by Henson et al, that looked at the influence of dental esthetics on the perceptions of adolescents with regard to various attributes. In the adolescent study the photographs of teens with ideal smiles were seen by their peers to have superior athletic performance, leadership capability, popularity, and academic performance.  The results indicated that orthodontic treatment not only resulted in improved esthetics but also might provide social benefits to these adolescents.

Using a similar methodology,  a hundred different human resources personal were asked to evaluate smiling facial photos of adults: one photo where their smile was ideal and one where it was not.  In fact, the patients had all had orthodontic  treatment and their own non-ideal smile was edited back into their smile so as to compare the same photograph of a person  with a different smile.

The hundred persons responsible for hiring staff for their companies were asked to evaluate the individuals on 4 criteria:  likelihood of being hired,  intelligence, honesty, and efficiency at work.  The results of the study showed that employers tended to rate the "job applicants" with ideal smiles as more intelligent and more likely to be hired.  Honesty and efficiency at work were not statistically different in either group. The study had another interesting finding: the older the evaluator the less likely they were to be influenced by the person's smile.  This result suggests that  the younger evaluators  may be more influenced by esthetics and the media.

This study , along with many others done before it, suggest that not only can orthodontic treatment improve the health of your teeth and  the function of your bite, but the improved esthetics also have social benefits. And according to this study, possibly monetary benefits as well.