FAQ

3 folds - To restore Normal health and Function of Dental apparatus - To Improve and Enhance Facial Esthetics (Appearance and Smile) -To Enhance the Longevity of the Dental Apparatus Everyone wants a beautiful smile - and everyone ought to have healthy one. The orthodontist's goal is to achieve both for the patient. Crooked and crowded teeth are difficult to clean and maintain. This may contribute to conditions which cause not only tooth decay but eventual gum disease and tooth loss, bad breath etc. Other orthodontic problems can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue or misalignment of the jaw joints with resultant chronic headaches or pains in the face or neck When left untreated, many orthodontic problems become worse. Treatment by a specialist to correct the original problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years. The importance of an attractive smile should not be underestimated. A pleasing appearance is a vital asset to one's self confidence. A person's self-esteem often improves as treatment brings teeth, lips and face into harmony. In this way, orthodontic treatment can be beneficial to social and career success as well as improve one's general attitude towards life and the quality of life itself.

There is no clear-cut answer to this because each orthodontic problem determines its own best starting time. For this reason the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist at age 7. This may surprise you because orthodontic treatment is usually associated with adolescence. An early examination, however, allows the orthodontist to determine when a child's particular problem should be treated for maximum improvement with the least time and expense. In many patients early treatment achieves results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. Another plus is that early intervention frequently makes the completion of treatment at a later age easier and less time consuming. It is best to seek an Orthodontic consultation by 8 to 9 years of age.

This treatment is possible at any age, the only criteria is that your teeth and gums should be healthy. In our clinic we have patients of age range from 8 years to 58 years. But as the age advances the treatment is become more and more limited cause irregular and bad placement of teeth have already cause destruction of teeth and gums so it is advisable to start the treatment as soon as possible. But if you are adult and want the treatment you have to visit the center so that we can check the condition of your teeth and gums and can tell you that whether the treatment is possible or not. Because an adult's facial bones are no longer growing, certain corrections cannot be accomplished with braces alone. However, very dramatic facial changes are now being achieved with a combined approach of surgery and orthodontics for individuals who need this type of treatments.

In General, active treatment time with Orthodontic appliances ranges from one to two years. The actual time depends on the growth of the patient's mouth and face, the co-operation of the patient and the severity of the problems. Mild problems may require less time and some individuals respond faster to treatment than others. Orthodontic treatment time varies from 3 to 6 months up to 2½ years depending on the complexity of the problem. Each case is different and a consultation is necessary to determine the exact treatment time. After the braces are removed, a patient may have to wear a retainer for some time to keep the teeth in their new positions. The need for a retainer and the length of time it will be worn is determined by the orthodontist. Most patients remain under the supervision of the orthodontist following active treatment to assure that the teeth remain in satisfactory alignment.

Teeth and sometimes faces are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment; therefore it is very important that the treatment be properly done. Orthodontic specialists limit their practice to orthodontic treatment only. They have learned the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development by completing an advanced training program of 3 years after receiving a dental degree. Specialists use the most advanced techniques available today, and because of their extensive knowledge, they can select cost-effective methods and materials for correcting individual problems. In general if we have a heart problem we will go the cardiologist not the general physian or an orthopedic surgeon ( even they can provide an emergency care or a complete treatment) because he/ she have vast knowledge in this field than other and can provide a better result same one an orthodontist only can have better understanding of orthodontic problems and only he can provide a better treatment in this field, and only he/ she have the vision to predict the outcome come of treatment because of special experience in this field.

The actual cost of orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the problem as well as the type of appliance you choose. Many orthodontic problems require only limited treatment at relatively inexpensive fees. We will be glad to discuss fees with you before treatment begins. Convenient financing with an initial down payment and monthly installments can usually be arranged. Watch out for new insurance plans which may include orthodontic reimbursement. When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, be sure to keep in mind that there are many benefits of having a lifetime of beautiful and healthy smiles

Most malocclusions are inherited, but some are acquired. Inherited problems include crowding of teeth, too much space between teeth, extra or missing teeth, cleft palate and a wide variety of other irregularities of the jaws and face. Acquired malocclusions can be caused by thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting, the airway being restricted by tonsils and adenoids, dental diseases like caries and premature loss of primary or permanent teeth. Whether inherited or acquired, many of these problems, affect not only alignment of the teeth but facial appearances and oral functions like chewing, speech and mastication, as well as the longevity of dentition.

All active members of Indian Orthodontic Society (IOS) and American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) are Orthodontic Specialists. They have each met the exacting standards of education and experience required by the IOS and AAO for membership. The education requirement for IOS membership is Master of Dental Surgery (M. D. S.) in Orthodontics for 2 years or more in a recognized a Dental College in an Approved University. DIPLOMATE position of Indian Board of Orthodontics or American Board further signifies a person who has put in the required number of years in the practice of Quality Orthodontics and passed the stringent requirements of the 'Review Board'. Degrees like F.R.SH., M.R.SH., F.I.CD., F.A.C.D., etc. are not Orthodontic Qualifications and do not signify any Orthodontic Proficiency.

There are three basic reasons for obtaining orthodontic treatment: The first reason is that your teeth look crooked to you and you are embarrassed by your smile. The second would be that your bite is not correct and you have extra pressure on the gums, the teeth, and the joints. And the third reason is your dentist needs to perform some type of dental treatment that requires the teeth to be moved to facilitate restorative correction.

Custom-made appliances or braces are prescribed and designed according to the problem being treated. They may be removable or fixed (cemented and/or bonded). They may be made of metal, ceramic or both. All corrective appliances have one aim-to use gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper positions. Under this pressure the body builds new tissue to support the improved position of the teeth. There are a few inconveniences, but most patients adjust to braces quickly and wear their "tin grins" with pride. Certain treats such as Chikki, caramels and bubble gum are off limits; and the teeth may be a little tender after major adjustments. The good news is that the new techniques and the materials used by the orthodontic specialist today have not only greatly decreased the discomfort of wearing braces but have also decreased the frequency of office visits and overall treatment time.

The clear braces that Dr. Saurabh Gandhi uses are of the highest quality ceramic or saffire material and do not discolor. These braces are just as effective as metal braces, but they are far more attractive. There is an additional charge for these ceramic braces. Clear Aligners

Wisdom teeth do not usually affect the orthodontic treatment directly, but if they are impacted it is recommended they be removed to prevent future crowding.

If the teeth are very crowded, and they are protruding very far, sometimes removing teeth is an excellent choice for a patient. Typically, most orthodontists choose to extract two upper back teeth (premolars) and two lower back teeth (premolars) to accomplish the goals of treatment. Alternative extraction approaches may be indicated depending on the nature of the case.

Yes. It is normally more difficult to take care of the teeth because the braces are more difficult to clean around. However, it only takes 3 to 4 minutes around 3 times per day to keep them perfectly clean.

It does not hurt to place the braces on. There is a special instrument which will be used to remove the braces without pain, and the discomfort is minimal. you can call this a discomfort not pain.

More and more people are having braces including physicians, other dentists, lawyers, school teachers, and children of all ages. They are accepted by the population more than they ever have been and we don't feel there is the stigma associated with them that there once was. Even not a days we are having patients who want braces because it is in fashion.

Yes and no. If you follow the instructions for the care and maintenance of the braces, keep your appointments, and brush your teeth regularly, you should not have any problems whatsoever. There should not be any problems with marks underneath the braces because the braces are cemented with a cement that seals that area of the tooth.

A retainer is a simple, removable device that is fitted to your teeth to hold them in their corrected position after the orthodontist removes the fixed (bonded) braces that were used to straighten your crooked teeth. Initially our patients are advised to wear the retainer full time for a period of 6 months, subsequently there is a gradual phasing out with reduced wear time. We even offer different kind of retainer.

There are usually some minor changes following orthodontic treatment. These changes are normally insignificant in comparison to the original malocclusion. If you follow the instructions given to you and have wear retainer as told this is not going to take place.

Successful orthodontic treatment requires a co-operative effort between the orthodontist and patient (and the parent when the patient is a child or adolescent).The orthodontists provides the expertise, the treatment plan and the appliances to straighten the teeth. The patient must follow the doctors instructions carefully so that the teeth move properly and on schedule. Those patients who brush thoroughly; avoid hard sticky foods; wear their rubber bands and/or headgear as instructed; and keep their appointments usually finish treatment on time with good results. Regular visits to the family dentist should continue during orthodontic treatment because good dental care and fluoridation remain important. Proper nutrition is also essential. Successful orthodontic treatment is a partnership of efforts between all of those involved. Through this co-operative effort the treatment goal is achieved - a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.