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Orthodontics is commonly thought of as just braces. It is, however, much more than that. Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of facial irregularities. It is the treatment of malocclusions or "bad bites". There are a wide range of orthodontic appliances and treatments that can be effective. It is important to be able to tailor the treatment for each individual patient's needs.
An Orthodontist is a dentist that has fulfilled at least two years of graduate orthodontic training in a program accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). The parent organization for the specialty of Orthodontics is the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). Dr. Belden was trained at Tufts Dental School and completed his training in the Orthodontic program at Tufts Dental School. His training included study in growth and development, genetics, anatomy, biomechanics of tooth movement, and techniques of using braces and orthopedic appliances to promote a healthy oral environment.
It is important to see children at a young age, so that developing problems can be corrected early, often preventing a severe problem later. The AAO suggests that every child have an orthodontic checkup by age 7, or sooner, if a potential problem has been detected. At that time the orthodontist is usually able to determine if there is a problem and if it may need to be treated.
- Difficulty chewing
- Obvious facial imbalance
- Mouth breathing
- Missing or misplaced teeth
- Early or late loss of teeth
- Excessive spacing between teeth
- Oral habits such as thumb sucking
- Teeth that meet unevenly or do not meet at all
It is never too late to gain some orthodontic improvement! Age is not a barrier to having orthodontic treatment. Some improvement can always be accomplished. In fact, some of the most rewarding improvements can be made for adults.
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