Braces for All Ages in Portland

What orthodontic options does Dr. Baker offer for children?

While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting the orthodontist no later than age seven.

By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for Dr.Baker to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and potentially without the need for surgery.

Early treatment allows Dr.Baker to:

• Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw
• Monitor and help the permanent teeth come in straight
• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
• Create more space for crowded teeth
• Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
• Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

For parents, it's not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment.

Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:

• Loud breathing
• Thrashing in bed while sleeping
• Snoring
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• A hard time chewing or biting food
• Mouth breathing
• Finger or thumb sucking
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
• Crowded front teeth around age six to eight

Please contact Baker Orthodontics to schedule an appointment for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation with Dr.Baker. Early treatment now, if needed, will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future and give them the confidence they deserve.

What types of braces fo you offer for teens in Portland?

Braces, retainers, and everything else that you want to know about orthodontics!

You've just heard the three words that every teen dreads: “YOU NEED BRACES!”

Braces! What now?

Don't worry! Braces aren't nearly as scary as you may think. In fact, braces today come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past.

How long will I have to wear braces?

The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:

• Early treatment — Early treatment allows orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary. Not everybody receives early orthodontic treatment; in some cases it may be recommended that a patient wait to receive treatment.
• What needs correction — The amount of treatment and complexity needed to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently. While it may take one patient only 12 months to complete treatment, it may take another patient 24 months. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the show-stopping smile you expect.
• YOU! — Your willingness to use the appliances your orthodontist gives you plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always remember to take care of your braces and appliances and have excellent oral hygiene; this truly will help make your treatment shorter!

Braces Your Way!

Our practice offers a variety of choices when it comes to orthodontic treatments and styles to choose from. Some common options include:

• Clear braces
• Invisible aligners like Invisalign
• Metal braces- with options to add a vast amount of colors!

Orthodontic braces are a big part of life for many people your age. While braces may have had a bad reputation in the past, today's braces make it easy to look good and feel good while in treatment! Dr.Baker and his excellent team will help guide you through the entire process. Please contact us to schedule your next orthodontic checkup.

Does Dr. Baker offer orthodontic treatment for adults?

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.

Common reasons why adults consider orthodontic treatment:

• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
• Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly causing an unattractive smile, tooth decay, or gum disease
• Abnormal jaw pain, or pressure that is caused by crooked teeth or unbalanced jaw structure
• Desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile

Treatment options for adults

For many adults, the thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage them from receiving treatment. However, today's orthodontic treatment options have greatly advanced and offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs. Types of braces include:

• Clear braces
• Self-ligating braces
• Invisible aligners like Invisalign
• Metal braces- these are much smaller than they used to be in the past and if you are looking for color, there are a vast amount of color options that can be added to your braces!

The difference between adult orthodontics and orthodontics for children and teens:

The main difference to remember when treating adults or children and teens, is that in younger patients the jawbones are still developing. For adults, these bones have stopped growing, which may mean the possibility of orthognathic surgery to align the jawbones to correct the bite and possible airway problems. Other differences include:

• Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) — Adults are more likely than children to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease.
• Worn or missing teeth — Over time teeth can become worn down and shift into different positions that can only be corrected with orthodontic care. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift and tilt, creating a bad bite and increasing the possibility of gum disease.
• Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Many adults received some orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, but never completed their treatment. As an adult, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.

At Baker Orthodontics, we also recognizes that adults and children have different needs, and require a different level of attention and care. Dr.Baker and his excellent team will work with you to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatment options, and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

Why should you consider orthodontic treatment?

• Straight teeth are healthy teeth — Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to keep clean with flossing and brushing, and may help prevent other health problems.
• A beautiful, straight smile builds confidence — Orthodontic treatment can help boost your self-confidence, giving you a better quality of life and the freedom to smile without holding back!
• Mouths left untreated can get worse — Not receiving orthodontic treatment when it's needed can create long-term health issues costing you more in the end.

To learn more about the benefits of adult orthodontics please contact us to schedule an appointment. We understand that you have a busy schedule, and we will work with you to make sure each office visit is as convenient as possible.