Orthodontic Treatment Information

For each patient who needs treatment, there is an ideal time for it to begin in order to achieve the best results. At Dr. Emmanuelli orthodontic offices in Mayagüez, Cabo Rojo and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, our goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.

The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that all children have an initial orthodontic evaluation at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. Orthodontic treatment may not be needed at this early stage, but an early examination can determine the most advantageous time to begin treatment.

By the age of 7, most children have a mixture of baby teeth and permanent teeth. While your child’s teeth may appear straight to you, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. Children may experience dental crowding, too much space between teeth, protruding teeth, and extra or missing teeth and sometimes jaw growth problems. Other malocclusions (literally, “bad bite”) are acquired and can be caused by thumb or finger-sucking, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents or poor nutrition. Whatever the cause, we are usually able to treat most conditions successfully.

Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. While your child’s teeth may appear straight to you, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.

For those patients who have clear indications for early orthodontic intervention, early treatment gives us the chance to:

o Guide jaw growth
o Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
o Correct harmful oral habits
o Improve appearance and self-esteem
o Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
o Improve the way lips meet

It’s not always easy for parents to tell if their child has an orthodontic problem. Here are some signs or habits that may indicate the need for an orthodontic examination:

o Early or late loss of baby teeth
o Difficulty in chewing or biting
o Mouth breathing
o Thumb sucking
o Finger sucking
o Crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth
o Jaws that shift or make sounds
o Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
o Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
o Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face

Early Treatment

Give your child a head start on a great smile.

Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at this time ensures the greatest result and the least amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.

Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.

Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment are:

• Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
• Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
• Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
• Preserving space for unerupted teeth
• Reducing the need for tooth removal
• Reducing treatment time with braces

Your child’s secret to a great smile (and less time spent in braces!) is early interceptive orthodontic treatment. This means bringing your child in for an orthodontic exam as early as age 7 – while his or her teeth and facial bones are still growing.

Dr. Emmanuelli has over two decades of experience working with children. He can enhance your child’s smile before little problems become big ones. He can also ensure that your child spends a fraction of the usual time wearing braces.

At about age 7, the first permanent teeth begin to replace baby teeth. Many problems may occur at this age which, if left untreated, can become difficult to correct later or even cause irreparable damage to permanent teeth. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends orthodontic exams no later than age 7 to check for the following conditions:

• Excessive wear & chipping of front teeth

• Severe crowding

• Habits: finger/thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting

• Crossbite of front & back teeth

• Eruption problems & space management

With Dr. Emmanuelli and his caring staff, your child will get above-and-beyond personal attention that can make every visit a relaxing, fun and positive experience. Give your child the best chance for a straight, beautiful smile.

Give your teenager a reason to smile – with confidence.

Does your teen avoid smiling because of a not-so-perfect smile? This can have a profound effect on his or her self-confidence, self-esteem and social interactions.

Once Dr. Emmanuelli assesses your teen’s oral health and orthodontic needs, he’ll create a personalized treatment program. Dr. Emmanuelli's comprehensive orthodontics for teens includes metal braces, clear ceramic braces, palatal expanders and removable, fixed and clear retainers. He also offers a new system of self-ligating braces that can shorten your teen’s treatment time by up to six months.

Some mature teens may be candidates for Invisalign. Dr. Emmanuelli places clear removable aligners on the teeth instead of conventional braces. They’re virtually invisible and they can be removed for eating, cleaning and flossing.

Treatment at Any Age

An attractive smile is a wonderful asset for people in all stages of life. It contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image—important qualities at every age. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve a person’s general attitude toward life.

You may be surprised to learn that straight teeth are less prone to decay, gum disease and injury and they collect less plaque. When teeth are properly aligned, it is easier to keep teeth clean which results in healthier dental hygiene.  

Untreated orthodontic problems can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints, sometimes leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck. Treatment by an orthodontist to correct a problem early may be less costly than the restorative dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.

Adult Treatment

Today, orthodontic treatment is a viable option for almost any adult and one in five orthodontic patients is an adult. You’ll be pleased to learn that orthodontic treatment will fit in with your current lifestyle. 

The new techniques and appliances we use greatly reduce discomfort levels, decrease the frequency of visits, shorten treatment time and may allow you to choose from several options. Your options may include metal braces, translucent braces or transparent aligners that can be worn at night to improve mild cases of misaligned teeth. As many of our adult patients would say, it’s never too late to have a beautiful smile!

Imagine the smile you really want
– at any age.

Your adult orthodontic problem may still be correctable. That’s because orthodontic forces move teeth the same way for a 40-year-old as a 10-year-old. Dr. Emmanuelli can help you achieve the straight, attractive, confident smile you’ve always wanted.

He offers several esthetically acceptable braces for adults, including Invisalign “invisible” aligners. Invisalign is a state-of-the-art alternative to traditional braces that can give you a straighter smile without metal appliances. With Invisalign, a series of clear, removable, custom-made aligners gradually move teeth just like braces do. Invisalign can benefit both adults and mature teens and address many problems, including:

• Teeth-crowding • Crooked teeth • Gaps
• Overbite, deepbite & buckteeth • Space closure
• Relapse of previous orthodontic treatment

So if you have avoided orthodontic care because you think you’re too old for braces or your smile is beyond help, talk to Dr. Emmanuelli.