Dr. King Answers: Why Don't You Use Headgear in Treatment?

Orthodontic headgear was
popular during the 1960s, 1970s
and 1980s. Not so much now.

Q: Why don’t you use headgear in treatment?

A: Orthodontic headgear was an extremely popular treatment used in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The back of the head or neck is used as an “anchor” to move the upper jaw backwards for patients with protruding overjet [AKA horizontal overlap]. Patients were requested to wear the headgear for 12-16 hours per day for an effective change to occur.

As the art and science of orthodontia has evolved, many other treatment options are available to create similar change. Furthermore, the actual effectiveness and long-term stability of headgear results has been questioned by many leading practitioners.

In our modern era, young patients most often lead very busy schedules -- full of academics, athletics, arts, etc. -- leaving little time to actually wear a headgear. Night wear is exceedingly difficult, due to varied sleep postures, so it is virtually impossible. Plus, who wants to wear that crazy metal contraption to school?

Keep smiling, and see you soon -- but not for a headgear!
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SOURCES: Dictionary.com, Pinterest [photo], Wikipedia

Dr. King Answers: If My Daughter Has Crooked Baby Teeth, Will She Need Braces When She Gets Older?

Q: If my daughter has crooked baby teeth, does that mean she will probably need braces as she gets older?

A: Crooked baby teeth do not always mean that adult teeth will be crooked, too. It is important to distinguish between crooked teeth and overly crowded teeth.

Crooked teeth are just not straight; perhaps they are twisted, flared or tiled. But, typically, there is enough room for them to fit in the mouth.

Overly crowded teeth [see image] are almost always crooked -- but the key difference is that there is not enough room to fit them all in the mouth. Crowded baby teeth are never followed by straight permanent teeth.

Stop by for a free consultation, and I”ll help you figure it out. Keep smiling, and see you soon!
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SOURCE: Invisalign [illustration]

Dr. King Answers: Can Treatment Time Be Cut by Tightening Braces More Often?

Q: If braces are tightened more often and more rigorously, will treatment time be reduced?

A: Fantastic question! There are many factors that contribute to total treatment time in braces. The singular, and most important, factor is accuracy of brace positioning on the teeth.

I personally place each and every brace on every patient for this reason. Artistically and technically, correct brace positioning is, by far and away, the best way to create efficient and beautiful results. In fact, it is our No. 1 focus at King Orthodontics.

In the beginning of treatment, more frequent visits and more intense tightening are actually detrimental. There are not gains and, in fact, only potential harm by damaging the roots and creating unnecessary discomfort. Perhaps, at the very end of treatment, more frequent visits and/or more rigorous tightening can help close stubborn spaces.

Keep smiling, and see you soon for a free consult!