Orthodontics

We offer the most progressive methods of orthodontics. Dr. Westerberg, a general dentist, has been studying and performing orthodontic treatment since 1990. Beyond creating a pleasing, healthy smile, his treatment goal is to maximize stability of the teeth in order to avoid future problems such as relapse.

Most people know that orthodontics can make a smile more beautiful. In adults, orthodontics may also be recommended to address health issues. One example of this is severely crowded teeth- they are difficult to keep clean so are prone to disease caused by plaque.

The most common need for braces (orthodontics) is crowding- the size of the teeth is too big for the size of the arch. In the past, the first step of orthodontics was the extraction of some permanent teeth. The remaining teeth were pushed back with bands and wires. Contemporary treatment starts much earlier and works with nature. Children are growing rapidly, including their jaw bones. Simple appliances, similar to retainers, can direct the growth so the teeth have more room. The result is a broad smile that allows room for eruption of all teeth. This usually avoids the need for extractions and is more attractive than a narrow smile.

Invisalign is “braceless” teeth straightening system which uses clear aligners (snap on trays) to move teeth. This can be more comfortable and estetic. Visit Invisalign’s website for more details at http://www.invisalign.com/Sub/Pages/Patient.aspx