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Please see the article below:

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) – If you or one of your children has ever had braces, you know they can be expensive and timely. Now, orthodontists are seeing an alarming trend in teenagers trying to speed up the process by making their braces at home. In many cases, the results are disastrous. A simple YouTube search reveals dozens of videos of teenagers and other young people proudly showing how they claim to make their own braces at home using things like paper clips, hair bands and super glue. Doctors say this is incredibly dangerous.

Dr. Guy Deyton has been an orthodontist for decades. The Northland doctor thought he’d seen it all until he saw one of the most “clicked on” YouTube videos out there. The video depicts a girl proudly showing off hairbands she says she uses to close the gap in her front teeth. The video has been viewed more than a million times. “She is using hair bands! She doesn’t understand that if she is doing it inappropriately, she could lose her two front teeth,” Deyton said. The tutorial is one of countless videos and blogs from young people demonstrating how to make do-it-yourself braces. The people in the videos promise it’s an easy and inexpensive way to fix your teeth within weeks. For Deyton, these videos are the stuff his nightmares are made of.

“In one video I saw, she used a paper clip and super glue,” Deyton said. “I am so horrified and fearful that they are going to do harm to themselves.” And after researching images and cases of “DIY braces gone wrong,” he has reason to be fearful. In addition to teeth falling out, Deyton says DIY braces can cause devastating infections and, in some cases, disfigurement and permanent tooth loss.

Olivia Judah, 13, is one of Deyton’s patients. “I just got my braces on last November,” she said. Olivia’s dad was with his daughter during a recent checkup when Deyton told them about the DIY braces trend. He was in disbelief. “It sounds pretty horrifying,” Olivia’s father, Robert Judah, said. Olivia says she would rather have crooked teeth than take the risk with DIY braces.

However, there are plenty of people who are taking that risk, with countless people watching their tutorials on YouTube. “I feel like after looking at this I need to go do public service announcements and warnings … If you don’t know how to move your teeth, you could lose your teeth.” Deyton said. If money or insurance is an issue, Deyton said, there are plenty of resources in the area that offer dental work at free or greatly reduced rates.

By Chris Oberholtz and Alexis Del Cid

In the San Francisco bay area:

•The University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry offers dental services at a reduced rate. http://www.ucsfdentalcenter.org/new-patients

•The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco also offers dental services at a reduced rate. http://www.dental.pacific.edu/dental-services/clinics-and-services

•The Contra Costa Dental Society can provide useful information about local dental services. http://www.ccdds.org/Default.asp

•Smiles Change Lives, an international nonprofit, promotes increased self-esteem and improved oral health for children in need of orthodontic treatment whose families cannot afford the full cost of braces.

Home

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Phase I Versus Phase II Orthodontic Treatment

So what exactly is Phase I orthodontic treatment?  It is early interceptive orthodontic care that precedes the placement of full-mouth braces.  Active Phase I treatment usually takes between 12 to 18 months to complete and it can range from a simple retainer or headgear to placing braces on the front teeth and expanding the arches.

When is Phase I orthodontic treatment done?  Typically it is done when the front teeth, or the four upper and the four lower incisors are in place.  This is usually between the ages of 7 and 9 depending on how rapidly these teeth erupt and the severity of the orthodontic problem.

What happens after Phase I orthodontic treatment has been completed?  In most cases, retainers are placed to provide the young patient’s teeth with a resting period while the remaining permanent teeth erupt.  Periodic recall appointments are scheduled every 3 to 6 months to supervise the eruption of the permanent teeth and to monitor the correction achieved during Phase I treatment.

What is Phase II orthodontic treatment and why is it necessary?  Even though a child may have completed a first phase of orthodontic treatment, over half of the adult or permanent teeth have yet to erupt.  The permanent teeth erupt into the mouth in two time periods.  Usually, from about age 5 to about age 8½, the front four upper incisors, the front four lower incisors and the four back 6-year molars erupt.  That accounts for 12 out of 28 teeth (not including the wisdom teeth).  The remaining permanent teeth erupt into the mouth from about age 11 to age 13.  Every tooth in the mouth has an ideal location in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue and other teeth.  When this equilibrium is established, the teeth have the best chance of functioning properly, remaining healthy and looking attractive.  Phase II involves placing braces on all of the teeth and this phase of orthodontic treatment takes between 18 to 24 months to complete.  Final retainers are then delivered to hold the orthodontic correction.

What are the advantages of two-phase orthodontic treatment?  The primary goal of two-phase treatment is to maximize the potential for an ideal, healthy and functional bite, and for an aesthetic and pleasing smile.  Two-phase treatment can accomplish the following:  improve jaw discrepancies, create more space for erupting teeth (thus encouraging proper alignment and reducing the need for extraction of permanent teeth in some cases), eliminate abnormal muscle habits, correct harmful crossbites, realign crooked or protrusive front teeth (thus reducing the chance for traumatic injury), and improve the young patient’s facial appearance (often resulting in enhanced self-esteem).

Are there any disadvantages of doing two phases of orthodontic treatment?  Usually a child will begin Phase I orthodontic treatment at age 7 or 8 and eventually complete Phase II at about age 14.  Obviously this a relatively long span of time (6 to 7 years) and some children feel like they have spent innumerable years going to the orthodontist and even show signs of burnout during Phase II.  The other factor is expense.  The cumulative costs of Phase I and Phase II orthodontic treatment are often as much as 50% more than waiting and just doing a single phase of treatment at age 13.  For this reason, some orthodontists may try to simplify Phase I and only place space maintainers to help alleviate crowding.  Many space maintainers can be billed under “dental” insurance instead of “orthodontic” insurance thus deferring some costs until later.  In addition, some orthodontists will delay the start of treatment until age 12 or so and treat a child in one long phase by starting with a headgear when only a few baby teeth remain and then place full braces a year or so later once the last few permanent teeth erupt.

By Gary Reichhold, DDS

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What is the difference between x-rays using film and digital x-rays?

Originally, all x-rays used film to produce the images.  Like the film you use in a camera, it had to be treated properly and images had to be developed in a darkroom or a large darkbox.  As technology developed, digital x-rays were introduced, using digital sensors rather than film, to produce images that are available immediately and need no development.  Digital x-rays have some clear advantages over the old-fashioned use of film.  For example:

• Digital x-rays expose patients to far less radiation than film x-rays, so they pose less of a health risk.
• The images produced by film x-ray are often less clear than digital, and this sometimes results in the need to retake some x-rays, meaning more radiation.
• Digital images can easily be edited, enhanced, and quickly viewed so that patients can be treated more efficiently.
• Film x-rays require the use of hazardous chemicals for development, resulting in dangerous environmental waste.

As you can see, not only are there significant differences between film and digital x-rays, but those differences really do make a difference.  We are committed to minimizing radiation exposure for our patients and to providing our patients with the best technology, which is why we now offer digital x-rays exclusively in our office!

How do we approach the use of dental x-rays with due caution in caring for patients?

We always balance the need for x-rays with patient safety needs, with the ultimate goal being better dental health for the patient.  We carefully consider patient safety together with patient benefit, as with any technology for patient care.

If x-rays come with risks, why have dental x-rays taken at all?

When we take an x-ray, it’s because there’s a health benefit we can’t provide without it.  Dental x-rays enable us to diagnose orthodontic problems and potential other dental health issues that need attention.  Left unattended, these dental health issues could cause bigger health problems that far outweigh potential exposure to the relatively low amount of radiation from our digital x-ray technology.

What safety precautions do we take for dental x-rays?

• We now exclusively use digital x-ray technology in all of our cases, which as we have outlined is better and safer than high-speed film.
• We follow the American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines for x-rays.
• We make every effort to utilize existing x-rays when they’re current and accurate.  For instance, since we have the ability to easily share digital files with virtually all of our referring general dental offices and other dental specialists such as oral surgeons, we can frequently use an x-ray that’s been taken for another purpose and avoid the patient having to have another x-ray taken.  This is one of the conveniences and efficiencies of working with other state-of-the-art dental practices

What should my response be as a patient concerned about my dental health?

First, know that as your orthodontic provider, we share your concern for your dental and overall health.  Please feel free to talk to us about any concerns that you may have and to get the information you need to weigh the need for an x-ray with any potential risks.  Remember, our use of dental x-rays is to provide you with dental health benefits that you could not get otherwise, in the form of accurate and timely diagnosis of orthodontic problems and other dental health issues that need attention.  Lastly, if you have further questions about general information about dental x-rays, we encourage you to visit ADA.org.

By Dr. Gary Reichhold

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Orthodontists are Highly Trained Specialists

Orthodontists are highly trained specialists that have received 2 to 3 years of additional education after dental school in an accredited orthodontic residency program (as opposed to a few weekend courses for many general dentists).

The additional education an orthodontist receives concentrates on growth and development and in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of malocclusions.  This extra specialized training would be similar to the extra years of training a cardiologist would have in their medical residency after their general medical education.  Obviously, they would be much better prepared than your family physician to safely perform surgery on your heart and to properly react to any unexpected complications.

Another thing that differentiates an orthodontist from a general dentist is experience.  Because an orthodontist specializes in straightening teeth and creating beautiful smiles, they treat hundreds of new cases each year.  A general dentist on the other hand may see only a handful of cases per year in between all of the other things they are doing.  Due to an orthodontist’s combination of specialized training and greater amount of experience, the orthodontist is more able to recognize the difference between a simple case and a complex one.  Just as important, when a case becomes more challenging, orthodontists are more prepared to properly handle unexpected problems as they arise.

Lastly, there is the issue of value.  Based on the advanced training that orthodontists have and their experience treating patients with braces and Invisalign aligners, their fees usually are higher than those of general dentists.  However, as the old adage states, “you get what you pay for”.  As stated above, most general practitioners don’t have the expertise or the experience to treat cases efficiently.  Although it may be more affordable to have a general dentist straighten your teeth, the result likely will not be what you truly expected and the treatment time likely will be longer than if you had been treated by an orthodontist.

In closing, there are many well trained and highly capable general practitioners that can treat less complicated cases with great results.  However, there are many advantages to seeing an orthodontist when it comes to creating the beautiful smile that you’ve always wanted!

By Gary Reichhold, DDS

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Flexible Spending Account for Braces

An important rule of flexible spending accounts is that the money which is allocated for the plan year must be used within that plan year.  Any money which is not spent will be forfeited and lost.  Furthermore, some plans require that the money be allocated on a monthly basis throughout the plan year as opposed to one lump sum payment.  Please consult with your employer regarding specific plan requirements and restrictions.

If you have a flexible spending account that you would like to apply towards orthodontic treatment and you believe that your child may need treatment soon, it is important to contact your orthodontist well in advance of either the enrollment period or the expiration of the plan year.  Most orthodontists will be happy to evaluate any members of the family for which the monies have been or will be allocated.  Advance notice will allow your orthodontist to properly time orthodontic treatment so that you can take full advantage of your flexible spending account dollars.  If you think you’re facing a big bill for braces or some other medical expense, now is the time to plan!

By Gary Reichhold, DDS

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DIY Braces is a Dangerous Trend

St. Louis, April 17, 2016 – “Do it yourself” orthodontic treatment is a dangerous new trend on social media and consumers may be putting their teeth, gums and jaws in harm’s way by trying to self-treat. In January of 2015, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) responded to the dozens of videos, websites, and social media posts suggesting that consumers try straightening their teeth by themselves with a widespread consumer alert. Today, the online conversation has changed, as the message against doing self-treatment is loud and clear. But doctors warn that the problem persists.

The ‘quick fix’ offerings include everything from rubber bands and dental floss promoted to close a gap between teeth, to faux-braces made out of paper clips, and retainers made from modeling clay, to name a few. Many of these have the potential to cause extensive damage to teeth, bone and soft tissue that could require expensive and extensive restoration by a multi-disciplinary team of dental specialists.

Yet despite warnings, there continue to be instances of individuals trying new ways to “do it yourself.” Amos Dudley, a digital design student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology was recently able to fabricate clear aligners using 3D printing technology. But Dudley is quick to point out in an interview in the blog OrthoPundit, “I don’t see it being a good idea unless a human verifies the results somewhere along the chain, and is involved in checking the progress of the procedure, and making course corrections.”

“I’d advise against making your own aligners,” Dudley said on Gizmodo.com. “For something as important as important as the health of the teeth,” he told OrthoPundit, “…there’s still a lot of value in the analytical eye of a professional.” Dudley also warns visitors to his blog to not try his method, which was designed as an experiment in the disruptive possibilities of 3D printing technology. He clearly notes: “Do not attempt anything written here….”

The story of Dudley’s creativity went viral, but media outlets covering the story also concurred that self-treatment is not a great idea. “A focus only on alignment and not on function or health often results in an unstable result with long-term dental health compromises,” said orthodontist Brent Larson, DDS, MS in the blog “How Stuff Works.” This could result in loss of the supporting tooth root, gum recession, or, in the worst case, loss of teeth.” A Washington Post article concludes, “DIY fixes may seem like an inexpensive alternative, but unfortunately the adage holds up: you get what you pay for.”

Dr. Larson concurs. “DIY solutions are always tempting because of the possibility of saving money. But this isn’t like home remodeling where if you get into trouble you can always call in a professional later,” he said. “With DIY orthodontics, by the time a problem is recognized, damage has likely been done that is not reversible, even with professional help. The best solution to obtain a healthy, beautiful smile is to visit an orthodontist – many will do an initial consultation at no cost – and talk about professional treatment options. Most orthodontists will have flexible options to make treatment affordable.”

One of the most serious concerns is that consumers are being told that by simply putting a special rubber band around teeth that gap, the space will close. Because of the known risks, orthodontists consider the unsupervised movement of teeth using just rubber bands to be below the standard of care, and it can result in permanent tooth loss. A photo in the September 2014 issue of The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics shows damage caused by a submerged elastic. The British Orthodontic Society has also recently issued an official warning against DIY orthodontics.

“We realize that cost is a concern for many families and that has likely fueled interest in ‘DIY’ orthodontics,” said Morris N. Poole, DDS, president of the American Association of Orthodontists. “To help families who truly cannot afford treatment, we have created a national organization called Donated Orthodontic Services (DOS) that helps qualified low income children receive orthodontic care at no cost. Orthodontists across the country routinely donate their time to treat children in need.”

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. After graduating from dental school and then completing the required two-to-three years of specialized education in an accredited orthodontic residency program, orthodontists are eligible for membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). For more information or to find AAO member orthodontists in your area, please visit mylifemysmile.org.[/st_text][/st_column][/st_row][st_row id_wrapper=”elm_5c20fb6e6992b” ][st_column span=”span12″ id_wrapper=”elm_5c20fb6e698eb” ][st_text id_wrapper=”elm_5c20fb6e698a9″ ][st_text id_wrapper=”elm_5c20fb6e69867″ ][/st_text]

Press Release dated April, 17, 2016 by the American Association of Orthodontists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwFY9x22knc

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Most people think of orthodontic treatment as being expensive.  The typical costs for braces or Invisalign treatment for the average teenager is anywhere from $5000 to $7000 depending on where you live and the complexity of the treatment.  Clearly that’s nothing to laugh at!  To most people, that’s a lot of money.  However, when you consider that the average treatment time is anywhere from 18 to 24 months, it really brings the value into the proper perspective relative to other areas of dentistry.

For example, the cost for a single crown or a porcelain veneer is likely in excess of $1000.  The same is true for a root canal on just one tooth.  These procedures typically take just a few hours from start to finish to complete.  Consider that orthodontic treatment takes several appointments of anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes every 8 weeks over the course of 18 to 24 months, and it becomes clear that the costs for orthodontic treatment are actually quite reasonable.  Add in the fact that most orthodontists offer no-interest financing and it becomes even more of a bargain.

One way that people try to cut the costs of orthodontic treatment is to seek care through a non-specialist or through a clinic.  Non-specialists are usually general dentists who offer orthodontic treatment as an adjunct to their other routine dental services.  Unfortunately, most general dentists have very little advanced training in orthodontics, so they clearly lack the experience that most certified orthodontists have.  They may have taken a few weekend courses on orthodontic treatment, but they really are not truly equipped to take on most orthodontic cases.    Typically their main focus is simply to “straighten the teeth”.  All orthodontists are required to have at least two years of advanced training and many have had at least three years.  Orthodontists are highly trained specialists that not only have the ability to straighten teeth; they understand the importance of providing good function and long-term stability for every patient they treat.

The other avenue that people may choose to reduce orthodontic costs is to go to a dental clinic.  There is one prominent dental clinic in California that provides dental services and some specialty services such as orthodontic treatment.  Their fee for orthodontic treatment is often less than $5000, so it’s much more affordable to many people.  Unfortunately, what people don’t realize is that there may be an orthodontist on staff in the office only one day a week (and often only one or two days a month) and this orthodontist is frequently fresh out of school.  These young orthodontists often use these dental clinics as a stepping stone to their next orthodontic practice, so there tends to be a high turnover of specialists in these clinics.  That leads to discontinuity in patient care which in turn leads to extended treatment times and poor results.  How do I know this?  I see it regularly in my own practice.  The influx of people who start their orthodontic treatment in these clinics and transfer to my practice (and I’m sure to other well-qualified orthodontists) is astounding!

What we see is people who are very dissatisfied with their orthodontic treatment and they want to see that it’s done right.  Their complaints range from ridiculously long waits in the reception room to continuous modifications in the treatment plan due to changes in the orthodontists (one leaves and a new one takes over).

Orthodontic treatment is something that should not be taken lightly.  It is a very long process that should be entrusted to an expert who can complete the treatment in a timely fashion to the highest level of competency.  Also, since it is a long process, it is essential that the patient feels comfortable throughout the entire experience with the individuals providing the treatment.  There is really nothing worse than entrusting your child to the care of someone who really doesn’t have the qualifications necessary to complete your child’s treatment to the highest standards.  No one wants to find out after two years that the treatment results are compromised and you truly “got what you paid for”.

By Gary Reichhold, DDS

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Benefits of Working with a Trained Orthodontist

When I was a dental student, I had a keen interest in orthodontics.  I had braces on my teeth when I was in college, so the memory of the day when my braces were removed was still fresh in my mind.  I remember smiling all day long and thinking how cool it would be to be an orthodontist.  The idea of creating beautiful smiles seemed like a really rewarding profession to me, so I decided to forge ahead and focus on someday becoming an orthodontist.  However, my dental school didn’t outwardly encourage their students to delve too deeply into orthodontics.  It was almost as if there was this unwritten rule that “orthodontics was best left up to the orthodontic specialists themselves”.  There was little attempt at educating their dental students in the fine art and science that is orthodontics.  My dental school had it right all along.  I didn’t understand this way back then, but I certainly do now.

It wasn’t until very early in my orthodontic training that I learned what braces were really all about.  You see, straight teeth are important, but proper function is equally important.  When a patient is first evaluated by an orthodontist, several measurements are taken to help determine how best to treat that patient.  It is not a “cookie-cutter” process because everyone’s bite is different.

For example, if a person has severe crowding, it is usually necessary to remove some teeth to alleviate the crowding and create sufficient space so that the remaining teeth can be straightened.  On the other hand, if in another person there are spaces between the teeth, no teeth will need to be removed and the spaces can simply be closed.

Growth is another important factor in how some people are treated.  If a child has a large overbite, it is still common to have the child wear a headgear at night to help retract the upper front teeth.  However, if an older teen or an adult has a large overbite, there is little or no growth left.  Thus a neckgear will not be effective in an older person.  Therefore, sometimes it makes sense to remove two upper side teeth so that the upper front teeth can be retracted to eliminate the overbite.  These are examples of different methods to establish the proper function of the teeth.

Straightening teeth is basically a given.  It’s simply a natural part of the entire orthodontic process. The hard part is determining how to establish the proper function.   As I stated earlier, most dental schools are not in the process of educating their students in the area of orthodontics.  It takes someone with advanced training in orthodontics to truly know how to not only straighten the teeth, but to make them fit together properly as well.

For many years, the task of providing people with quality orthodontic treatment was left up to the orthodontists themselves.  Yet there always have been a small percentage of general dentists who have dabbled in orthodontics to help supplement their income.  For most general dentists however, providing a service like orthodontic treatment to their own patients wasn’t worth their while.  The reason was simple, most general dentists felt that they never were adequately trained in orthodontics and it wasn’t worth carrying the necessary inventory of braces to truly make it cost effective.

With the advent of Invisalign, things are changing in the area of orthodontics.  Invisalign is a relatively new way of straightening teeth.  In essence, a series of clear aligners are custom-made by a company called Align Technology for each patient that very gradually move and straighten the teeth.  It’s still in its infancy relative to braces.  It was developed in the late 1990’s, and it wasn’t until the early 2000’s that it became readily available to orthodontists.  It’s so new in fact that most orthodontists today had to take special courses just to learn how to use it in their own practices.

More recently, Invisalign has been introduced to general dentists.  With the down-turn in the economy and the fact that there is minimal inventory required since the aligners are manufactured elsewhere, many dentists are now turning to Invisalign as an easy way to help supplement their income.  Remember though that straightening someone’s teeth and providing the proper function are two entirely separate things.  As a colleague recently said to me, “just because they’re straight doesn’t mean it’s great”.  How true, how true.  Unless it is a simple case, it really is best to leave it up to the orthodontic specialists themselves to straighten teeth and obtain optimum function.

By Gary Reichhold, DDS

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Effects of Energy Drinks on Your Teeth

Sports and energy drinks can include anything from sports beverages to vitamin waters to highly caffeinated drinks. What they all have in common is added ingredients that say they “do” something extra, whether it’s increase energy and alertness, boost nutrition or even enhance athletic performance. But are they good options for children?

There certainly are health benefits to consuming juices, sports drinks and flavored waters, which can contain valuable ingredients such as vitamin C and other antioxidants. These drinks also can replenish nutrients lost during a sporting event and lower the chance of heart disease and cancer. However, recent studies suggest that these drinks can damage tooth enamel, thus elevating the risk of decalcification (scarring of the enamel) and cavities (actual holes through the enamel). This is especially true for children in orthodontic treatment – whether it be braces which are fixed to the teeth or Invisalign which are removable aligners. The sugars and acids in these drinks can accumulate around the braces on the teeth and beneath the clear Invisalign trays and truly wreak havoc! The photo above is of a patient’s teeth after consuming sports drinks while wearing his Invisalign trays. These trays essentially acted as “bleaching” trays and unfortunately severe damage occurred.

Even one sport or energy drink a day is potentially harmful. After consuming one, it is important to rinse with water immediately afterward or chew some sugar-free gum. The teeth should not be brushed because the acid within the drink softens the enamel and brushing the teeth may actually damage this softened enamel. It also is important to note that it takes the mouth approximately 30 minutes to bring its pH level back to normal. The best thing to do is to wait an hour, then brush to remove sugar that lingers on the teeth and gums.

There are many sports drinks, energy drinks and flavored waters out there today. It is highly recommended that you take the time to carefully read the labels. Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check for sugar content and citric acid in the ingredients. Lastly, teach your children not to be so quick to believe the hype when it comes to sports and energy drinks. For athletes and non-athletes alike, nothing beats a well-balanced diet. Most children who eat well, stay hydrated and get enough physical activity and rest will have plenty of “natural” energy.

By Dr. Gary Reichhold

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The Truth About Orthodontists

Perhaps the biggest misconception about the orthodontist is that they’re just like your family dentist. The truth is they’re actually very different. While it’s true that both orthodontists and dentists care about helping you enjoy a lifetime of good dental and oral health, orthodontists go about achieving this goal in different ways. For instance, if you need to have a cavity filled, you probably won’t make an appointment to see an orthodontist. Dentists are the health professionals to see if you’re concerned about a cavity or need a filling. A dentist also can treat gum disease, tooth decay, toothaches and other common oral health problems.

People see an orthodontist for very particular services. Most of the patients we see on a daily basis are here because they have braces or clear aligners, or they need to be fitted with braces or another form of tooth-aligning device. In other words, they consult an orthodontist when they are concerned about the alignment of their teeth. As a child grows up, his or her teeth may come in crooked. This can happen for a number of reasons, so it’s important for an orthodontist to take a look at a child’s teeth at about seven years of age. At that age, it’s possible to detect any problems that have not become too advanced to treat easily. Your family dentist may also refer your child to an orthodontist once the adult teeth have fully grown in.

Another common misconception about orthodontists is that they only treat children. It’s true that when you visit an orthodontic office you’re likely to see a lot of young kids, but you’ll also see teenagers, college students and adults. Because crooked teeth can be caused by a number of different factors, it’s entirely possible for someone to benefit from orthodontic treatment at any age.

If you want to know more about the practice of orthodontics or what your orthodontist can do for you, then simply ask us here at Tanner & Reichhold Orthodontics. It’s best to get answers to your specific questions directly from the people who will be treating you. While you’re sure to find internet resources helpful, there really is no substitute for the personal attention you’ll get during your appointment at our office.

By Dr. Gary Reichhold

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