Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Robert A Eckelson on Braces
Dr. Robert A Eckelson is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Braces.
Q. Can one be too old for braces?
A. As long as you are healthy, you can receive orthodontic care at any age.
Q. How much does braces cost?
A. Orthodontic treatment costs are usually a reflection of the severity of the dental problem, how long it will take to treat the individual and what extra care or appliances are necessary. I have successfully treated some bites with simply a popsicle stick, as I mentioned above. Some problems involve the combined efforts of other dental specialists and modalities which ultimately affect the overall cost.
Q. When will one begin to see changes in his/her teeth after the braces are put on?
A. It is hard to see changes soon after appliances are placed. This is due to the fact that multiple teeth and groups of teeth are usually moving at the same time, so determining which have actually moved and which ones have not is difficult. However, if one does not look hard at their teeth often, small changes are usually detectable in a few weeks.
Q. Will one need to have teeth extracted for braces?
A. Tooth extraction is sometimes necessary. Baby teeth sometimes hang in there too long and need to be removed. Large teeth or extra teeth may make it necessary to remove tooth units. The proper diagnosis of tooth placement in the individual’s face is the usual reason for tooth extraction or not.
Q. How long will it take to complete the treatment?
A. Most orthodontic treatment can be completed in 15-18 months. Sometimes treatment can take longer due to individual situations like thick bone, long teeth, poor or no growth and poor cooperation or sickness.
Q. Can a person wear braces even though that person may have crowns and missing teeth?
A. We can treat folks who have crowns and missing teeth. Sometimes treatment will involve cutting existing bridgework so that spaces can be closed, eliminating large restorations in the future. We now have various methods whereby teeth can be moved through long spaces to close gaps and prevent the need for large restorations after orthodontic treatment. We also move hopeless teeth to correct positions so that the ultimate replacement tooth will be in harmony with the individual’s future correct smile.
Q. How can I prevent my child from being embarrassed by wearing braces?
A. Most children seem to want to have braces "like their friends" but some are a bit resistant to the idea. We try to explain to the kids that this is a temporary situation which will only last as long as it has to get their smile healthy. The discomfort of wearing orthodontic appliances is almost nonexistent today. Advil and over the counter analgesics are all that are necessary today due to space age flexible wires and smooth , forgiving braces. We encourage kids to eat regular food at the beginning to get the teeth more comfortable faster and encourage parents to not bring the braces to the attention of the young patient often so that they do not dwell on them any more than they have to.
Q. How to contact Dr. Eckelson if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
951 N.W. 13th. St. #3-B
Boca Raton, FL 33486
Phone: 561-391-6415
Email:dreckelson@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.doceck.com/
