An orthodontist is a dentist who has taken two to three years of specialized orthodontic training after completing dental school. A trained orthodontist is able to diagnose abnormalities with dental and jaw alignment and provide treatments to correct these issues. Orthodontists have to pass written and oral examinations to be licensed practitioner in the state of Illinois.
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing, preventing and treating abnormalities in the jaw and teeth. No matter the treatment used, the end result is the same: an improved bite and smile.
Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist for my treatment?
Orthodontists have specialized skills in treating jaw and dental issues that normal dentists may not have. Choosing an orthodontist will give you the most effective treatment possible.
What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment?
Undergoing orthodontic treatment can provide plenty of practical perks. Teeth that have been properly aligned are easier to clean, chew food more efficiently and reduces the possibility of dental injury.
But the most important benefit?
A great smile and the self-esteem that comes with it. What are some of the early warning signs of a bad bite? If your child lost his/her baby teeth early or late, had pacifier or finger-sucking habits after turning six years old or has developed jaws, teeth and a chin that are out of proportion with the rest of his or her face, your child may have a bad bite. Other warning signs are difficulty chewing, large gaps between teeth and sound with jaw movement.
How do I know if I or my child requires orthodontic treatment?
If your child shows any of the symptoms listed above, he or she can benefit from orthodontic treatment. If you or your child also show a reverse bite (where all the lower teeth bite in front of the upper teeth,) cross bite (where one or more lower teeth are in reverse bite,) deep bite (where the upper teeth completely overlap the lower teeth,) or are missing teeth, there could be benefits from having orthodontic treatment.
When should I schedule an orthodontic consultation?
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests that children should make their first visit to the orthodontist before reaching the age of seven. By that time, he or she will have enough permanent growth to provide thorough examination of the jaw and teeth. You can schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation with us here.
Can jaw growth correct teeth crowding in children?
Unfortunately, no. After permanent molar teeth erupt around age six, the space available for teeth to grow stays the same or diminishes with time.
What causes teeth misalignment ?
Teeth misalignment is mostly caused by genetics, but can also be exaggerated by finger or pacifer sucking, gum disease, cavities and the early loss of baby teeth.
The braces and arch wires apply gentle pressure to shift teeth into proper position over the treatment time. Braces are made up of brackets, which are ceramic or metal pieces attached the teeth, and wires, which connect the brackets and move teeth into the optimal position.
Can my smile look worse before it looks better during treatment ?
Yes. Because tooth movement can vary, it is possible for spaces to open and close during treatment. However, the end result will be a good-looking smile.
Is it possible to fix orthodontic issues without braces ?
In some cases, yes. Our office offers treatment with Invisalign and Invisalign Teen clear aligners for some cases. Sometimes, a combination of braces and alternative treatment can be used. However, please be aware that Invisalign licensing their product to general dentists without special training in orthodontics. If you want the absolute best treatment for your smile, we recommend visiting an orthodontist for your Invisalign training.
Generally, no. After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a while but can be treated with pain medication such as Advil or Tylenol. But braces do not have to hurt to work!
Does this treatment require shots ?
No, orthodontists do not need to give shots during treatment. Can I still play sports during treatment? Absolutely, but it is highly recommended that patients use a mouth guard while playing contact sports.
Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces ?
Yes. Regular check-ups and cleaning from your family dentist is extremely important to treatment. Are there foods I cannot eat while wearing braces? We will explain the complete care instructions once the braces are on, but hard food, gum and sugary substances should be avoided to prevent emergency appointments and broken braces.
How often should I brush my teeth while wearing braces ?
You should brush after every meal and before bed. Also, flossing with braces once a day will help prevent gum disease and cavities.
What do rubber bands do ?
Rubber bands help align your teeth in a way that braces cannot. Patients need to wear their rubber bands consistently or risk slowing down the treatment considerably.
What are some ways to make braces less noticeable ?
Clear braces such as Invisalign can definitely help in this situation and lingual braces, which are attached behind the teeth, are also difficult to notice.
Why is consuming juice or soda harmful for people wearing braces ?
Juice and soda are high in acid and sugar, which can erode the enamel of your teeth and feed bacteria In between the teeth.
What do space maintainers do, and why do they need to applied after the loss of baby teeth ?
Space maintainers keep adjacent teeth from moving into the space vacated by lost teeth. Using space maintainers is important because it can prevent neighboring teeth from shifting and making permanent teeth from becoming stuck underneath the jawbone.
Can you be too old to wear braces ?
If you do not have gum problems and issues with the bone tissue around your teeth, you can receive orthodontic treatment. Make a complimentary appointment with us to review your options for orthodontic treatment.
Will orthodontic treatment affect my daily routine ?
In order for a treatment to succeed, patients must abstain from food and drinks high in sugar and acidity and that stick to teeth. These foods can get trapped in braces, causing cavities and possibly dislocating the brace.
How long does orthodontic treatment take ?
Treatment length varies between patients, but the nationwide average is 27 months. Maids in Georgia are available at https://www.castle-keepers.com/. If my child has early treatment known as Phase One, will additional treatment be necessary? Phase One treatment creates a better environment for the growth of the permanent teeth. After the emergence of the permanent teeth in a patient, Phase Two treatment finishes the work that began in Phase One with full braces. This combination of treatments ensures a high level of quality during the child’s dental growth.
A headgear is used to make space for permanent teeth by applying gentle pressure to the upper teeth and jaw.
Will any teeth have to be extracted during treatment ?
It could be necessary to remove a tooth if it is interfering with treatment. However, tooth extraction recovery lasts only a few days and any spaces created by removing the tooth will be closed by the end of the treatment.
What is serial extraction ?
On occasion, a child’s permanent teeth do not have the space to grow properly. This means baby teeth must be taken out in sequence.
Can teeth become misaligned after orthodontic treatment ?
Your teeth can move around to some extent throughout your lifetime, but wearing retainers can minimize this problem.
My child does not want braces. What should I do ?
Bring the child to the orthodontist to dispel the myths behind braces and to discuss possible alternate treatment. Do not force your child to receive braces if they still do not want to as they could ignore the doctor’s orders and jeopardize treatment.
How much will this cost ?
Our initial consultation is free of charge. The fee of a treatment depends on multiple factors, but we strive to make treatment affordable for every family. We accept all major dental insurance and have many financing options available.
Do you need a referral from a family dentist to see an orthodontist ?
A referral is not required, but communication between the family dentist and orthodontist can ensure a better treatment. Do you use recycled braces? Absolutely not! We believe every patient should have their own braces to achieve the best result possible. We use high-quality 3M Unitek braces that are individually sterilized and packaged in the factory before arriving to our office.
What is instant orthodontics ?
Instant Orthodontics cannot be called orthodontics because it is not performed by someone with formal orthodontic training and it does not move any teeth. Instead, the top half of the teeth is covered with material to make them look straight while leaving the teeth crooked. These may fix the aesthetic issues of the teeth, but leave the patient susceptible to dental issues later in life.
Orthodontist Dr. Yarmolyuk provides Public Aid (
All Kids) orthodontic treatment to the residents of Cook county (Chicago, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, Elk Grove Village, Palatine, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich, Wood Dale, Addison, Elgin, Mount Prospect, Hoffman Estates, Skokie, Evanston, Lincolnwood, Franklin Park, Berwyn, River Forest), Lake county (Gurnee, Waukeegan, Grayslake, North Chicago, Round Lake, Fox Lake, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Zion, Antioch, Mundelein, Lake Zurich, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Libertyville), Du Page county (Aurora, Wood Dale, Bensenville, Roselle, Elmhurst, Addison, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Villa Park, Naperville, Downers Grove, Burr Ridge, Barlett), McHenry county (Woodstock, McHenry, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Cary, Huntley, Fox Lake, Harvard), Kane county (South Elgin, Burlington, Carpentersville), Boone county (Belvidere), Lee county (Dixon, Sterling) DeKalb county (DeKalb, Sycamore), Will county (Aurora, Joliet, Tinley Park, Kendall county (Oswego, Bristol), Winnebago county (Rockford, Rockton, Loves Park, Cherry Valley) counties and other Illinois communities.