Children Braces Wanamassa NJ
Kids can need braces for any number of reasons, including crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth, or a “bad bite” (known as malocclusion). Malocclusion is when there’s a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws. When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it’s called an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger, it’s called an underbite. Or when the upper jaw is too narrow for the lower jaw it is called cross bite
Sometimes tooth and jaw problems can be caused by losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. But often they’re inherited, so if you or someone in your family needed braces, it’s likely that your kids will, too.
Often, your child’s dentist will be the first to notice problems during a regular visit and recommend that you see an orthodontist (a dentist who specializes in correcting jaw and/or teeth alignment problems). The orthodontist can decide whether your child does indeed need braces and which devices would be best.
The American Association of Orthodontist (AAO) recommends that children are evaluated by an orthodontist to rule out any of the above mentioned jaw discrepancies.
Children’s orthodontic treatment could be in several phases.
Phase I orthodontic treatment:
This is also called “interceptive treatment”. It is usually done when the child is 7-10 years old. It addresses and corrects one or two urgent problems (habits, jaw problems, severe crowding). Treatment time is usually 9-12 months. The goal of this treatment is either to eliminate the problem completely or to improve it so that full braces later will not be needed or will be shorter and easier.
Phase II orthodontic treatment:
This treatment is few years after Phase I.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment:
This is full orthodontic treatment that will address all the teeth and bite issues. Average orthodontic treatment is about 24 months.
Retention:
Any orthodontic treatment has to be retained. Whether the teeth are straight naturally or with orthodontic treatment, unfortunately teeth will move with time. In order to minimize that movement retainers need to be worn. Ideally for a life time.
MEET OUR STAFF
Sezer Olcay, DMD
Dr. Sezer Olcay, graduated from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine, and also simultaneously received a Masters in Education with a focus on Leadership in Professional Education. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Olcay completed a General Practice Residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey and continued her Orthodontic training at The Montefiore Medical Center Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York.
Dr. Olcay is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists and Northeastern Society of Orthodontists. Formally Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is the first specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. Orthodontic treatment can focus on dental displacement only, or can deal with the control and modification of facial growth. In the latter case it is better defined as “dentofacial orthopaedics”.
My goal is to provide you with the most advanced and the highest standard of orthodontic treatment that improves your smile and makes you look beautiful and confident. My commitment is to quality utilizing the latest techniques and most advanced materials. I establish a relationship with each patient that is built upon mutual respect and trust.
Meka Harris, DMD
Dr. Meka Harris graduated with a dental degree from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine in 1995. While in dental school, she simultaneously earned from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, a Masters Degree in Education, with a focus on Leadership in Professional Education.
After graduating from dental school, Dr. Harris completed a General Practice Residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, NY where she was selected as a Chief Resident. She then continued her Orthodontic training at SUNY Stony Brook, where she was awarded the University’s Distinguished Teaching Fellowship, and was responsible for teaching orthodontics to the undergraduate dental students.
Dr. Harris is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Northeastern Society of Orthodontists, and New Jersey Dental Association. She regularly attends continuing education courses, and stays on top of current advancements in the field of orthodontics. The office utilizes the latest in technology, combined with a warm friendly approach to dental care. She has been practicing at Ocean Orthodontics since 2003, and is honored to be able to help patients transform their smiles and improve their confidence.