Gifted Smiles: Making a Difference One Smile at at Time

Gifted Smiles is a program of the 48ͼ�� Foundation (48ͼ��F) that provides necessary orthodontic treatments to children of families who lack access to care.

General Eligibility Requirements

• Your child is 18 years old or younger.
• Your total family income is 200% of the poverty level or less. (See chart below.)
• Your child receives regular dental care and has good oral hygiene.
• Your child is not currently in orthodontic treatment or in between phases of treatment.
• Your child has not received previous orthodontic treatment.

The post Gifted Smiles appeared first on 48ͼ��.

X-rays and dental imaging are used during the initial consultation to go beneath the visible surface, revealing the intricate details of your oral anatomy. From diagnosing complex orthodontic issues to crafting precise, personalized treatment strategies, dental imaging provides insights into the underlying structure of your teeth and jaw for effective treatment planning.

In this article, we’ll explore the critical role of in-person consultations, including X-rays and dental imaging, in orthodontic treatment. We’ll discuss how these tools contribute to accurate diagnoses, effective treatment plans, and successful outcomes. Whether you’re considering braces, aligners, or any other orthodontic treatment, 48ͼ�� can help you understand the importance of the initial steps.

Why Do In-Person Consultations Matter?

Because each smile is unique, effective orthodontic treatment must be highly personalized. In-person consultations allow your orthodontist to thoroughly examine your oral health, going beyond what they may see at a glance, evaluating your teeth, jaws, bite, and overall facial structure. This hands-on evaluation allows them to identify orthodontic issues that could significantly influence your treatment plan.

In-person consultations also provide invaluable direct, two-way communication with your orthodontist. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, goals, and preferences directly with your doctor, and it allows your orthodontist to explain the potential treatment options, considerations, and expectations.

An in-person consultation also provides the chance for immediate feedback. Questions can be answered on the spot, and any concerns can be addressed directly, ensuring you receive clarity and peace of mind right from the start. Your orthodontist can also provide instant advice on what to expect during the treatment process, how to prepare for it, and how to manage any immediate oral health concerns.

The Role of X-Rays and Dental Imaging in Orthodontics

X-rays and dental imaging provide a window into the complex world beneath the surface of your smile. These diagnostic tools are essential for uncovering the hidden aspects of your oral anatomy, ensuring that your orthodontic treatment is effective and precisely tailored to your unique needs. Orthodontists use several types of X-rays and imaging techniques:

• Panoramic X-rays offer a broad view of the teeth, jaws, sinuses, and nasal area, helping to identify issues like impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, and wisdom teeth development.
• Cephalometric X-rays provide a side view of the face, showcasing the teeth in relation to the jaws. This imaging is invaluable for planning tooth movement and understanding the relationship between different parts of the face and skull.
• 3D Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scans offer a comprehensive, three-dimensional view of the teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways, and bone in a single scan. This detailed image is used for complex diagnoses and treatment planning, including implant placement, jaw growth evaluation, and airway assessment.

X-rays allow orthodontists to see the positioning of the teeth’s roots, the health of the bone, and any issues that could impact treatment, such as compromised oral health, underlying dental conditions, or skeletal abnormalities. This detailed information is vital for designing a customized treatment plan that addresses the functionality and aesthetics of your smile and bite, while minimizing potential complications during treatment.

Beyond their role in initial diagnosis and planning, X-rays and dental imaging are helpful tools for monitoring treatment progress. They allow orthodontists to track changes in tooth position, bone health, and jaw alignment over time, ensuring that treatment is progressing as expected.

The Importance of In-Person Imaging for Successful Treatment

The precision and success of orthodontic treatment doesn’t only rely on the expertise of the orthodontist but also on the quality and clarity of the diagnostic tools they use. In-person imaging, including X-rays and dental scans, is pivotal in ensuring that each treatment plan is as effective and efficient as possible.

Accuracy and Precision

In-person imaging provides unparalleled accuracy and precision. The detailed views that panoramic X-rays, cephalometric analysis, and 3D CBCT scans provide allow orthodontists to assess tooth positioning, bone structure, and root alignment. This level of detail is essential for identifying the most effective treatment and for customizing the approach to your specific anatomy.

Hands-On Evaluation

While virtual visits can be convenient, in-person appointments allow your orthodontist to physically examine your mouth and facial structure, providing crucial information that cannot be captured through virtual consultations or photographs alone. This data helps orthodontists identify irregularities, asymmetries, or structural problems that may impact your treatment. This face-to-face time with the orthodontist also allows you to discuss your concerns, get answers to your questions, and learn about your treatment options, fostering trust and ensuring clear communication throughout your orthodontic care.

Customized Treatment Planning

Orthodontic treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The detailed insights gained from in-person imaging enable orthodontists to tailor treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs. Imaging provides the data to customize every aspect of your treatment, whether it’s determining the optimal placement for braces or aligners, planning surgical interventions, or predicting how the teeth will move over time. Your orthodontist will use the information they gain from your in-person consultation to determine the best orthodontic appliances, treatment duration, and adjustments required to achieve optimal results.

Risk Assessment and Management

One of the most significant advantages of in-person imaging is detecting potential issues before they become more serious problems. X-rays and scans can reveal hidden decay, root resorption, bone loss, and other conditions that might not be visible during a standard examination. Dental imaging also enables orthodontists to assess potential risks associated with orthodontic treatment. By identifying these issues and potential risks early, orthodontists can adjust treatment plans to address them, preventing complications and ensuring a smoother, more predictable treatment process.

How Advanced Technology Enhances Orthodontic Imaging

The evolution of technology has significantly impacted every field of medicine, including orthodontics, particularly in the realm of diagnostic imaging. Today’s advanced imaging technologies offer unprecedented clarity and detail and improve the patient experience by making the process more efficient and less invasive.

Advanced imaging technologies can be integrated with digital treatment planning tools, allowing orthodontists to simulate treatment outcomes, adjust treatment plans in real time, and even customize orthodontic appliances. This collaboration between imaging technology and treatment planning enhances the effectiveness of orthodontic interventions, ensuring that patients receive the most accurate and personalized care possible.

Advances in imaging technology have also focused on enhancing patient safety and comfort. Reduced radiation exposure, non-invasive scanning methods, and faster imaging times contribute to a more patient-friendly diagnostic process.

Embrace the Power of Orthodontic X-Rays with an 48ͼ�� Orthodontist

As we’ve explored, orthodontic X-rays and dental imaging are essential components of the orthodontic treatment process, offering the accuracy, precision, and customization necessary for successful outcomes. It’s a step in the process and the cornerstone of effective, personalized orthodontic care.

48ͼ�� orthodontists utilize advanced imaging technology to achieve the best possible results for every patient. We encourage anyone considering orthodontic treatment to prioritize in-person consultations, as visiting with your orthodontist and completing dental imaging can revolutionize your treatment process. You deserve the most thorough and personalized approach to care, and if you’re thinking about starting orthodontic treatment, schedule an in-person consultation with an 48ͼ�� orthodontist today to take the first step toward the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

The post Beneath the Surface: The Critical Role of In-Person Consultations and Orthodontic X-Rays appeared first on 48ͼ��.

The post Are there different mouthguard designs for different sports? appeared first on 48ͼ��.

In early 2017, (48ͼ��) collected data in an independent survey* that delivered a clear message: 99 percent of parents whose children play organized sports felt youth should be required to wear mouth guards in order to play. Yet 37 percent of parents said their child never wears a mouth guard while playing sports. This includes games, practices and recreational play.

“While most parents support the concept of their children wearing mouth guards to protect their smiles, the reality is that many teeth are knocked out each year due to sports-related injuries,” says Nahid Maleki, DDS, MS, president of the 48ͼ�� (48ͼ��).

“Particularly with a new school year beginning soon, we hope these survey results will educate parents and coaches, and inspire young players to get in the habit of wearing a mouth guard for the sake of protecting their healthy, beautiful smiles,” says Dr. Maleki.

Pain in the Mouth; Costs to Repair Lost Tooth Far Exceeds Parent Perceptions

A mouth guard is one of the most inexpensive pieces of protective gear available to young athletes, especially when compared to the high cost of restoring a knocked out or broken tooth. According to the study, parents estimate it would cost $1,142 to replace a damaged permanent tooth, but in reality, costs to treat one knocked-out tooth over a lifetime can range from $5,000 to $20,000**. Parents and patients may not realize that restorations may have to be repeated periodically, which amplifies repair or replacements costs

Which Sports Should Require Mouth Guards?

The study revealed misconceptions about which sports pose a significant risk to the mouth. It found that most parents want mouth guards required for football (83 percent) and hockey (76 percent), sports that have long been associated with injuries. However, less than half of parents want mouth guards required for basketball (49 percent). A 2007 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association ranked basketball as the sport at the top of the list for the highest rate of dental injuries for both men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletes.

In fact, just 40 percent of parents believe injuries to children’s mouths are most likely to occur playing basketball, and 35 percent playing baseball. Lack of knowledge about mouth injuries could affect how organizations or schools approach mouth guard use by young athletes. In reality, and according to mouth guard manufacturer Shock Doctor, one in four injures on the basketball court occurs above the neck.

“What we learned from this survey is that that some parents forget, or are simply unaware, that sharp elbows or a baseball to the mouth can cause serious damage,” says Dr. Maleki. “The 48ͼ�� encourages all players to wear a mouth guard – no matter the sport.” Oral injuries can happen during high-risk contact and collision sports, as well as other activities such as gymnastics or skating.

And it’s not just negligence during games; the recommendation extends to sports practices. Forty percent of parents reported that their child’s sports practices are less structured than games, and generally have few or no medical personnel nearby. Parents also said that they believe players are more likely to “showboat” at practice than at a game, which increases the chance of injury.

No More Excuses

“Every parent knows there can be a lot of resistance coming from children who don’t want to wear a mouth guard,” says Dr. Maleki.

Yet, leaving mouth guard use up to a child isn’t always reliable. Among parents whose children do not always wear mouth guards, the vast majority reported in the survey that they “give in” frequently and allow their child to play a sport without one.

Nearly half of the parents surveyed think it is more difficult to get their child to wear a mouth guard than it is to eat all their vegetables without complaining.

“These data underscore how important it is for coaches, parents and young players to be on the same team when it comes to understanding the critical risks of playing sports without a mouth guard,” says Dr. Maleki. “New advances in mouth guard technology have made products affordable and easy to wear. Young athletes currently in orthodontic treatment should talk to their orthodontist about the type of mouth guard to wear during treatment.”

*The 48ͼ�� commissioned Wakefield Research to conduct the 2017 48ͼ�� Sports Survey among 1,000 U.S. parents whose children play organized sports. The survey was conducted in January 2017 using an email invitation and an online survey. The overall sampling error rate for this survey is +/- 3.1 percent at the 95 percent level of confidence.

**Sports Health, “Common Dental Injury Management in Athletes,” vol. 7, no. 3, May-June 2015, p. 250.

The 48ͼ�� (48ͼ��) is open exclusively to orthodontists – only orthodontists are admitted for membership. The only doctors who can call themselves “orthodontists” have graduated from dental school and then successfully completed the additional two-to-three years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program.

When you choose an 48ͼ�� orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that you have selected a specialist orthodontist, an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics who possesses the skills and experience to give you your best smile. Locate 48ͼ�� orthodontists through at aaoinfo.org.

The post Guarding Your Grin: The Importance of Mouth Guards appeared first on 48ͼ��.

The December 2018 issue of the reports on an 8-year-old boy in Greece who had a gap between his two permanent front teeth. According to that article, his parents did not consult an orthodontist. Instead, taking matters into their own hands, they used a tiny rubber band to pull their son’s teeth together. The gap was gone after two days, but so was the rubber band. The parents assumed it broke. They were happy with the outcome and unconcerned about the rubber band.

One little rubber band caused extensive damage.

On the surface the DIY treatment seemed to be a quick, easy and inexpensive approach to close a gap. Unfortunately, the DIY treatment resulted a long-term, difficult and costly fix. One little rubber band caused extensive damage. It worked its way up the teeth and under the gums and destroyed the tissues that hold the teeth in place. The rubber band in effect pushed the two front teeth out of the gums and bone. The teeth were loose and looked longer (think Bugs Bunny). In addition, the patient experienced pain and swelling in the gum tissue around those teeth.

The youngster visited the pediatric dentistry department of the Dental School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. After his teeth were stabilized with a wire, his next stop was the school’s department of periodontology. He was diagnosed with acute, severe gum disease. X-rays showed more than 75% of the bone that held the boy’s teeth in place was lost. But why? The rest of the teeth and gums were healthy. After three weeks of no improvement, gum surgery finally revealed the culprit: the missing rubber band. The boy’s next stop for treatment was the school’s department of orthodontics.

Sadly, even with professional help, the boy’s two front teeth could not be saved.

But this story has a happy ending. Thanks to the high quality of care provided by the team of dental specialists, including orthodontists, pediatric dentists, periodontists, and dentists specialized in operative dentistry, the youngster sports a healthy and beautiful smile today.

How they did it.

Tooth movement came first. Orthodontists moved the lateral incisors (the teeth next to the front teeth) forward to take the places of the front teeth. The remaining upper teeth moved forward, too. Once in position, the new front teeth were built up so that they looked like front teeth. As well, the pointy canine teeth were re-shaped to look like lateral incisors. And the first premolars were modified so that they would look like the canines.

Most people would never guess what it took to give the patient good function and a natural appearance. Truly, his smile is a testament to the science and artistry of those on his care team.

One small rubber band – multiple complications.

It took three years and nine months of treatment to repair the damage caused by an elastic band that well-meaning parents had their son use to close a gap between his front teeth.

Advice from the experts – see an orthodontist.

One of the article’s co-authors, Dr. Ross Brenner, says in a regarding the boy’s case, “Patients and parents should know use of an elastic gap band to close a space between two teeth may result in severe periodontal destruction and eventual tooth loss. Prior to any tooth movement, patients are urged to see an orthodontist to find out their best plan.” The wholeheartedly agrees.

Read the and view photos for the full story.

When you choose an 48ͼ�� orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that you have selected a highly skilled specialist. Orthodontists are experts in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics – proper alignment of teeth and jaws – and possess the skills and experience to give you your best smile. Locate 48ͼ�� orthodontists through Find an Orthodontist at .

The post The Risks of DIY Braces: An Orthodontic Case Study appeared first on 48ͼ��.

If your dentist focuses his/her practice on providing only orthodontic treatment (prevention, diagnosis and treatment of facial and dental irregularities), and is a member of the 48ͼ��, then he/she is an orthodontist. If your dentist provides general dental services such as cleanings, fillings, and overall management to maintain or restore oral health, then he/she is probably not an orthodontist. Use Find an Orthodontist to locate 48ͼ�� orthodontists. The 48ͼ�� only admits educationally qualified orthodontists as members.

The post Is my dentist an orthodontist? appeared first on 48ͼ��.

The post Will a mouthguard be uncomfortable? appeared first on 48ͼ��.

The type or brand of “appliance” (the formal name for devices like braces, aligners, etc.) used in orthodontic treatment is not as important as the skill in the hands person using the appliance.

Do be sure to seek out an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are dentistry’s specialists in moving teeth and aligning jaws to achieve a healthy bite. by graduating from dental school, and then successfully completing an additional 2-3 years of education in orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only people who have attained this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists are accepted for membership in the 48ͼ��. By choosing an 48ͼ�� member, the public is assured that the doctor truly is an orthodontist.

Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.

The post What brands of treatment are approved by the 48ͼ��? appeared first on 48ͼ��.

Today’s standard metal braces are much smaller and sleeker than those of even a generation ago.

Please review your options with an orthodontist at an in-person consultation to determine what type of treatment will be best suited to your needs.

Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.

Membership in the 48ͼ�� (48ͼ��) is your assurance that the doctor is an orthodontist because the 48ͼ�� accepts only orthodontists as members. To be an orthodontist means the individual must first graduate from dental school, and then successfully complete an additional 2-3 years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only orthodontists are eligible for admission into the 48ͼ��.

Use the  service to locate nearby members of the 48ͼ��.

The post I don’t want old-fashioned braces. What are my options? appeared first on 48ͼ��.

Patients should be aware that “do-it-yourself” treatment substantially increases the risk of irreparable damage.

For example, rubber bands can work their way under the gumline and, over time, if forgotten or not removed, can strangle the root of the tooth, and kill the tooth. That could lead to the need for an extraction.

If a tooth has rotated, something within the oral cavity caused it. Please consult an orthodontist to understand what has caused your tooth to turn, and how it can best be corrected.

Find members of the 48ͼ�� near you using .

Do be sure to consult with a member of the 48ͼ�� (48ͼ��). 48ͼ�� membership is your assurance that the doctor is an orthodontist because the 48ͼ�� accepts only orthodontists as members. To be an orthodontist means the individual must first graduate from dental school, and then successfully complete an additional 2-3 years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only orthodontists are eligible for admission into the 48ͼ��.

Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.

The post I have one turned tooth. Will a rubber band help align it? appeared first on 48ͼ��.