Orthodontic care

Orthodontics at the Children's Dental Health Center

The Children's Dental Health Center also offers orthodontics. With education in Bioprogressive and Bioesthetic dentistry, Dr. Steinmetz is offering a wide range of orthodontic therapies. We offer braces, retainers, expanders, space maintainers, and even restorations to enhance orthodontic appearance. Orthodontics is a commitment and we would like to explore all options of treatment for your child, so please call to set up a records appointment. At this appointment we will take models, pictures and x–rays of your child's teeth. When Dr. Todd has finished a treatment plan, he will meet with you and your child to discuss a future with orthodontics.

Bioesthetic Dentistry

Bioesthetics is the study of the human chewing system in its natural form and function. Studies based on healthy teeth with little or no wear, minimal preservation, and maximal comfort, show a stable jaw joint with relaxed facial muscles. Bioesthetics works on a collective system of the entire face inestad of individual areas. This is the outcome of Bioesthetic therapy. The biologic premise that a stable jaw provides for optimal dental health drives the orthodontic treatments offered by Dr. Steinmetz at the Children's Dental Health Center. Basically we would like to see your child maintain a stable jaw joint through orthodontic treamtent, and on through their lifetime.

Goals of Bioesthetics

Correct an unattractive smile, crowded teeth
Prevent or correct worn or broken teeth
Minimize headaches, migraines, and even sore neck muscles
Eliminate jaw grinding, popping, clicking and soreness
Fix teeth grinding, gum recession and difficulty chewing
Treat the entire facial chewing system rather than just the visible teeth

Financial arrangements

Orthodontic treatment is a big financial decision which is why we do not ask for full payment up front. We ask that you pay half of your total fee as a down payment and then we will finance the remainder of the balance over the amount of time estimated for your child to be in orthodontics. This is interest free financing and early payoff is appreciated but not required. You are welcome to discuss other payment options beofre treatment starts.

We will file orthodontic claims with your insurance company. We are willing to work with any insurance company for up to sixty days, and if no payment is acquired in that time you will be held financially responsible. We will gladly reimburse you if your insurance comes through after the sixty days.

Appointment information

Please keep in mind that many appointments will be made during school hours.
If wearing headgear or a retainer, please bring them with you to each appointment.
If wearing elastics, please do not remove them before your appointment. Also, please continue to wear elastics until Dr. Todd says it is okay to stop.
If unable to brush your teeth before your appointment, you will be able to use our hygiene room to do so before your appointment begins.

Care for fixed orthodontic appliances (expanders, retainers, habit breaking appliances)

A fixed orthodontic appliance is cemented in and is only to be removed by the dentist.
Make sure to keep the appliance clean. A waterpik can help with preventing food build–up and infection. Also, do continue to floss with your appliance. Avoid foods that are excessively sticky such as taffies and caramels. Anything that is difficult to get your teeth apart once you bite into it has the potential to pull out fixed appliances.
Speaking with a fixed appliance can be a challenge for the first week. Speak out loud as much as possible to get accustomed to the appliance.
A pain reliever such as Tylenol, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or natural remedies can help ease any discomfort that may occur.

Care for removable orthodontic appliances

If you forget to wear your retainers at bedtime, then you will need to wear them all day and all night the following day.
If you lose or break your retainer let our office know right away. Any lapse in wearing these retainers over a several day period can result in the teeth shifting and a loss of the orthodontic results achieved.
To keep removable applicanes clean brush with toothpaste each time you brush your teeht. Soak your appliances in a denture cleaner such as Efferdent two to three times per week, or as needed, for a deep clean.
When not in use store your retainer out of reach of animals.
If your retainer begins to cause discomfort please let our office know right away so we can make any adjustments that are needed.

Care for braces

Good dental hygiene is even more crucial during orthodontic treatment. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the faster your teeth will move. Also, cavities can form around the braces on the teeth.
Flossing will take extra time when you first get your braces. However, just like with sports or playing a musical instrument, the more you practice, the more efficient you become. Flossing promotes gum health and prevents cavities from forming between the teeth.
Use your proxibrush or waterpik at least once per day, during regular brushing time to ensure all food build–up is gone.
Braces should be completely clean after brushing. If there is a milky white build–up on them, brush again until build–up is gone.
Change your toothbrush when it begins to show wear (typically every three months).
There will be certain eating restrictions to adhere to while wearing your braces. Anything excessively sticky or crunchy should be avoided as these types of foods can pull bands or brackets off of the teeth. Examples of these foods include chewing gum, popcorn, caramels, taffies, jolly ranches, etc. Also, you will want to refrain from biting into foods such as apples or corn on the cob. Biting into anything hard can cause brackets to loosen or fall off of the teeth. If eating these foods you will need to cut them into pieces.
Wearing a mouth guard is advised during physical activity. If the mouth is bumped, braces can cut the lips. Mouth guards made specifically for braces can be purchased at most pharmacies.
Use soft wax over the braces to help make a buffer between the braces and the lips when needed.
A pain reliever such as Tylenol, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or natural remedies can help ease any discomfort that may occur.

Troubleshooting

If wires, braces, or bands break or become loose, please call our office right away.
Please call if soreness does not go away after a few days.
Please call if any appliance is lost. Lack of wearing orthodontic appliances can result in loss of progress achieved with treatment.
If you run out of or misplace elastics, please call our office right away and we will mail extra to you.
If a wire becomes loose, try to place it back into any hole you can find and let us know right away.
Please leave a message with your name and number if the office is closed and we will contact you as soon as possible. Also, for after–hours emergencies, please call Dr. Steinmetz at 587-9497 581-4082.

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