Dr. Thomas Christie and staff members will post thoughts and research information in this section. You will also hear from some parents who have experienced The Orthodontic Center in addition to adult patients.
Please let us know your thoughts by clicking on comment at the bottom of each entry or just read the posts to learn more about us. If you are looking for information on specific subjects, go to the listing to the right and click.
If you would like to chat with us further, then please call us at 203.259.3341.
Facial Growth Forecasting
With facial growth forecasting, the avoidance of extractions and incorrect orthopedic procedures is the ultimate reward.
Here is how the facial growth forecasting works:
1. We perform an oral examination of your child and if necessary obtain appropriate diagnostic records including models, photographs and x-rays.
2. The information is then sent through our data center which correlates worldwide growth information. The result is a Facial Print that is unique for every person.
3. Using the Facial Print “formulas,” we can accurately plot the individual’s total facial growth.
4. We will be able to conduct a separate analysis of tooth space, breathing, and possible third molar impaction, as well as the child’s total skeletal height at maturity.
Upon completion of this evaluation process, we will formulate a unique therapy plan designed specifically for your child.
If you have any questions about this or any other orthodontic procedure, please call us at The Orthodontic Center so we can help you.
Posted by Valorie | Comment (0)
Early Treatment of Orthodontics
For many years, orthodontics waited until all of the permanent teeth were in to begin treatment of children. Many disadvantages were evident with this waiting, however. In many cases, permanent teeth needed to be removed in order to gain enough room to align the teeth properly. Because of this, facial profiles often became less attractive. Faces may have become “flat” in appearance; smiles could have shown too much gum tissue; lips could have become pencil thin rather than full and attractive; noses may have looked larger that they really were, etc.
As orthodontists, we have always had the option of treating early but in the past, long term advantages were minimal because our treatment basically amounted to holding or maintaining space. If the jaws were too small, there was not enough room for all the permanent teeth!
Because of my extensive research on the topic of early vs. later orthodontic treatment, our pracitce, The Orthodontic Center in Fairfield, Connecticut, has for the last 16 years used early treatment to not only hold space but to gain space. This has been accomplished through the use of accurate “Facial Print” growth predictions to maturity. Treatment is now planned from maturity for the rest of the child’s life.
Because of the effectivenes of the Facial Print technology, I recommend that children be seen for the first time at four or five years of age to check facial development and then in most cases, treatment doesn’t begin until the patient is six or seven years old.
For more information about the FACIAL PRINT, go to “How We Keep You Smiling” on this site or call us at The Orthodontic Center, 203.259.3341
Posted by Dr. Christie | Comment (0)
The Orthodontic Center in Fairfield, CT
All parents would probably like to know what the future holds for their children. Success. Health. Happiness. Unfortunately, for most things in life, the future is unpredictable, relying on personalities, environment and even to some extent, luck.
But there is one aspect of your child’s future that you can control and that is the ability to identify facial growth patterns and embark upon an orthodontic treatment plan that will provide your child with enhanced appearance at maturity.
Through the use of computer based technology, we can project entire facial and jaw-growth at an early age. This information is then used for early preventative orthodontics and eliminates invasive and costly therapy. With facial growth forecasting, the avoidance of extractions and incorrect orthopedic procedures is the ultimate reward.
Dr. Thomas Christie, Director
Posted by Dr. Christie | Comment (0)