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For Young Kids Orthodontics Isn’t Just About A Confident Smile

Every parent wants their child to be able to smile with confidence but for many that's not the only reason to investigate orthodontics at an early age. While the average age for orthodontic treatment is around 12 years old, at Brilliant Smiles Orthodontics we have a mission to focus on children 7 and up to follow up with the American Association of Orthodontics guidelines.  Why, you ask?

An orthodontic consult at an early age can catch future issues and adjust for them before they become problems. Some of these issues include:

• Airway Obstruction: well developed airways allow normal breathing through the nose when the mouth is closed. While this may sound trivial, nasal breathing is important because it’s now known to be vital to good health. Airway obstruction has been linked to developmental delays, sleep disorders, behavioral disturbances, and later can lead to hypertension, stroke, heart disease and even premature death. These sound scary but the treatment is easy if we are able to catch it early on!  We all can relate to our little ones that struggle with allergies!

• Crossbites: by age 7 most children’s permanent molars and incisors have come in. A trained eye can see early on if crowding or crossbites will be an issue as the rest of your child’s permanent teeth come in. The earlier treatment begins, the easier it will be because your child’s jaw is less developed at this early age and can be guided along the right path rather than working to reverse issues at a later age.

• Overcrowding: Traditionally, orthodontists would say wait until age 11 or 12 to treat a crowding problem, but the problem isn’t going to get any better by waiting. Early treatment has been proven to correct narrow arch and create space for the teeth as well as for the tongue so it may function correctly when swallowing. Plus, early treatment can avoid the need for future tooth extraction or jaw surgery.

The benefits to Early Orthodontic treatment are clear:

• Early treatment can regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct any habits that can cause bad bite later on, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment. Speaking of…

• Two Phase Treatment. Phase 1 works with your young child to make space for their permanent teeth. Phase 2 begins once they’ve arrived. Often children who undergo Phase 1 treatment have a much shorter Phase 2. This makes life easier for both them and you as their schedules get busier and busier.

Not every 7 year old will need early treatment, but if they need early treatment and if it is caught early on by a trained orthodontist, it could make a big difference in the outcomes of treatment later on by taking advantage of growth and also possibly by avoiding extractions.  Knowing the importance of early orthodontics is only part of the battle. Then the question is who do you talk to? At Brilliant Smiles Orthodontics we focus on your child’s individual needs and focus on early Orthodontic treatment to avoid extractions and also to take advantage of growth!

Contact us today for a free consultation! 

Think your child may need an orthodontic evaluation?

Give us a call and make an appointment for a free consultation. We can be reached at (321)779-0000. At Brilliant Smiles Orthodontics, early treatment can help give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for more self esteem as they go through their teenage years and through adulthood.

We get a lot of questions about Invisalign. Below we have answered the five most common questions we get about the clear aligners from patients who are considering the treatment for themselves or their child!

1) How does Invisalign work?

As an Invisalign provider, Dr. Goff at Brilliant Smiles uses precision technology to create a high-resolution, interactive image of your teeth and uses that to produce a comprehensive treatment plan that creates the pathway to your better smile. Every one-to-two weeks along the way you will get a new 3D printed aligner that applies just the right amount of force on your teeth. Each one is custom-made for your mouth to guide you toward your goal. Watch this video for a primer on the technology behind Invisalign and how it works.

2) How do I clean the aligners?

Caring for your aligners is easy. Rinse your aligners nightly and gently brush them with your toothbrush to keep them fresh and clean. There’s also a cleaning system available to keep your aligners clear. But, for the most part, you’ll only be wearing each custom-made set of aligners for about one to two weeks before being replaced so there isn’t enough time for them to get dingy if you brush them nightly.

3) What can’t I eat?

Trick question. There’s nothing you can’t eat! Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign doesn’t have restrictions on what you can’t chew while undergoing treatment. That’s because Invisalign appliances are removable. That said, we wouldn’t be doing our duty if we didn’t warn you against eating sugary snacks and encouraging you to brush after every meal. Otherwise, when it comes to enjoying all of your favorite foods, we say go for it! Just remember that you need to wear your Invisalign appliances 20 to 22 hours a day for best results.

4) Are they comfortable?

Dr. Goff will take a precise scan of your teeth and plan out every move needed to give you the perfect smile. The treatment plan is personalized to fit your mouth. There is no guesswork so every aligner is made to ensure the utmost comfort, and they’re precision trimmed so they don’t cut your gums. Also, the patented plastic material is flexible and forms a snug fit over your teeth.

5) Is Invisalign plastic safe?

The aligners are made from SmartTrack material, an FDA-approved, flexible plastic that was invented by bioengineers exclusively for Invisalign. They contain no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten so we are confident that the material is safe for your mouth.

...and one more for good measure: 6) Is Invisalign good for teens?

Yes. Invisalign is not just for adults who don’t want to wear traditional metal braces. And, the overall cost of Invisalign is becoming much more comparable to metal braces. If your teen wants the benefits that come with Invisalign, click below to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Are you interested in Invisalign for yourself or your teen child? Click below to book a complimentary consultation. We can’t wait to meet you!

Are you, as an adult, or someone you know dreaming of the perfect smile, but would like to see this new smile sooner rather than months, or even years later? Here at Brilliant Smiles, we can help achieve that with Acceledent!

What exactly is Acceledent?

Acceledent is a technology developed in 2009 with the goal of speeding up traditional orthodontic treatment. It is a hands free device you place in your mouth for just 20 minutes a day.

How does it work?

Acceledent produces a gentle vibration, resulting in a safe and fast bone reshaping and teeth movement. This SoftPulse Technology® is what helps shorten the time needed to finish your treatment by up to half the time. Yes, you read correctly, by up to 50%!

Why choose Acceledent?

If the shortened time frame has not convinced you yet, you will be delighted to hear that not only does it cut the duration of the treatment by up to half, but it also helps relieve the pain normally felt with just braces alone. It is very light and comfortable to wear and it is perfectly safe to use at any age.

Interested? Give us a call to learn more!

 Dr. Goff was the first provider of Acceledent in the Brevard county area, so you can trust that you’re in good hands at Brilliant Smiles! We’re happy to  answer any questions you may have about Acceledent. Call us for your consultation at  321-779-0000. We look forward to hearing from you! Brilliant Smiles serves the Melbourne, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Satellite, Titusville and surrounding areas in Florida .

It’s Never too Late to Achieve the Confident, Brilliant Smile You've Always Wanted

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. It is a common misconception that adults cannot receive orthodontic treatment like children and teens. Adult orthodontics is becoming more popular today and now there are more cosmetic choices available. Brilliant smiles Orthodontics offers adults multiple state-of-the-art treatment options to suit your needs.

So what kind of treatments are available to adults?

The first orthodontic treatment that may come to mind is the traditional metal braces. Today, this style of braces is also available in a clear “tooth colored” material. Lingual braces is another great option. They are also metal braces, however they are more discreet as they are behind your teeth instead of the front. Invisalign^®  is often the adult favorite because it can go virtually unnoticeable. They are clear trays made from the molds of your teeth. This treatment consists of multiple trays, with each one slightly moving your teeth.

Are there any benefits to adult orthodontic treatment?

Yes, many! Here are some to name a few:

• Confident smile: There is nothing like wanting to show off your smile. Misaligned teeth cause many adults to feel self-conscious about their smile
• Healthier gums: Food is more likely to get trapped and cause plaque buildup, which is harder to brush and appropriately floss, increasing the chances of gum disease (periodontal disease). Crowded teeth can cause redness and swelling of the gums.
• Stronger teeth: Teeth are constantly put under pressure. Crooked teeth can receive more wear and tear and a misaligned bite can mean uneven force on your jaw. Trapped food in misaligned teeth can cause the tooth decay.
• Overall Improvement of health: A misaligned bite, worn or missing teeth can make it more difficult to fully chew food, causing gastrointestinal problems. Inflammation of the gums has been linked to heart disease and diabetes.

Your time is valuable and we understand that as adult you many have a lot going on. You may think you don’t have the time for orthodontic treatment, but together we can work out a treatment that fits your lifestyle. Call us for a consultation at  321-779-0000. We look forward to hearing from you! Brilliant Smiles serves Melbourne, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Satellite, Titusville and surrounding areas in Florida.