Ken Fischer, DDS, Braces you can Trust
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Serving the Villa Park - Orange - Orange Park Acres communities of Southern California since 1975.

Who Does Braces Help

While anyone with mal-aligned (crooked) teeth can enjoy the benefits of orthodontic treatment, who really needs to have braces? Slightly crowded, rotated, spaced, or otherwise crooked teeth do not have to be straightened to be healthy. An orthodontist should determine the need for treatment based upon one of two concepts: can or should the teeth be straightened to be healthy, or does the patient have a strong desire to improve the way the teeth look. People who have teeth that do not function properly jeopardize, not only the future health of their teeth, but the health of their gums and jaw joint as well. Even when a person's crooked teeth may not threaten their oral health, improving the esthetics of their smile strengthens their self-image and well-being.

Contemporary practice of orthodontics supports two phase treatment which means an early, initial phase of treatment begins before all of the baby teeth have been lost, to be followed by a second phase of treatment when the permanent teeth are all erupted. It is important for everyone to know that not all children with crooked teeth should have treatment early! Dr. Fischer encourages parents to have their children screened for orthodontic problems between the ages of 6 to 8. However, Dr. Fischer only recommends early treatment when there is an existing skeletal imbalance that should be corrected at this age. While early, phase one treatment does not normally prevent later treatment, it is advantageous because the mature face will be better balanced, the permanent teeth are easier to straighten, and, in many cases, the extraction of permanent teeth can be prevented.

One-half of Dr. Fischer's practice is made up of adult patients seeking optimum smile esthetics, improved oral health, or resolution of an annoying TMJ (jaw joint) complaint. Since Invisalign has eliminated an adult's esthetic objections to orthodontic treatment, many adults now seek treatment to enhance other dental restorations or simply to improve the way their teeth look.