235 North Northwest Highway
Palatine, IL 60067
Szatkiewicz, Richard D.D.S.
323 N Seymour Ave
Mundelein, IL, 60060-2305
Dr. Anthony Markiewicz,P.C
852 North Route 83,
Mundelein, IL, 60060
(847) 566-2811
Lake, Jacob S D.D.S.
3074 W Il Route 60
Mundelein, IL, 60060-4270
Anthony R Markiewicz Ltd
852 N Il Route 83
Mundelein, IL, 60060-9159
(847) 566-2811
A. Orthodontic Dentistry or Orthodontics is described by the American Association of Orthodontics as the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
A. An orthodontist is a dentist who has undergone specialized orthodontic training to diagnose, prevent, and treat dental and facial irregularities in patients.
Within the U.S., orthodontists are required to complete a two- to three-year advanced residency program in orthodontics following the completion of their four-year graduate dental program. Each of these programs must be accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
A. Most problems are inherited, including tooth size and jaw size. These orthodontic problems may lead to crowding of teeth or spacing of teeth.
Overbites, underbites, extra or missing teeth, and irregularities of the jaws, teeth and face also are inherited.
Other orthodontic problems can be caused by accidents, pacifier or thumb sucking, dental disease, or the premature loss of either the primary or permanent teeth.
A. A number of childhood habits can lead to orthodontic problems, such as thumb or finger sucking, sucking on a pacifier, sucking on a lip, mouth breathing (often caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids), fingernail biting, and "tongue thrust."
A. The orthodontic dentist will advise the parent as to when to schedule an evaluation. It generally will be when the child is between the ages of seven and ten.
An early consultation is advised to identify any potential problems that require treatment. Delaying treatment can multiply some orthodontic problems.
Between the ages of 8 and 12, jaws are still growing; after that, the jawbones begin to harden and it may be more difficult to correct certain conditions.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
How's your occlusion today? When your jaws meet nicely and teeth are configured properly in your jaw, that's occlusion. When the fit's awry, it's called a malocclusion .
About 2,000,000 Americans know malocclusion inside and out. So what's wrong with a little overbite? For 20% of us, it's a handicap, for 5%, it's a physical and mental hardship. That's why there's orthodontics.
The upper jaw, or maxilla, is part of the skull and it doesn't move. In children, the maxilla is joined at the root of the mouth by soft tissue that grows into one bone mass by about age 17. Our upper teeth are a little bigger than the lowers. We call the lower jaw the mandible. When the maxilla and the mandible work properly, they chew, grind, and tear our food, facilitate normal speech, swallowing, and basic oral health. When your jaws don't align well, you may not be able to eat, breathe or communicate normally.
Orthodontic theory, and attempts at bite correction, can be traced to ancient Greek and Roman cultures. But until dentists could agree on the problem, each rigged his own correction device. Some of these 19th century "designer" orthodontic appliances were fanciful, some merely crude.
The early orthodontist Edward Angle classified occlusions into three types. His principles are still the standard today.
In any case, seeing your dentist on a regular basis is very important. In the case of Class Iis and IIIs, seeing an orthodontist could make a big difference in your self-esteem and make your life much easier.
With more adults seeking treatment their parents couldn't afford when they were youngsters, this is a very exciting time in orthodontics—we have a world of new orthodontic materials that work better and faster.
Heavy metal bands? Most of us have heard the news about braces. They're lighter, smaller, easier to clean—dare we say it—almost comfortable. Plastics and bonding adhesives mean no more heavy metal bands around teeth. Wire and brackets can be "super-glued" directly onto the teeth (Look, Ma, no bands!).
NASA's missile technology has given us Nitinol, a "memory" metal that retains its shape better than stainless steel. Arch wires made of Nitinol exert a light, steady force that stands up to the push and pull of orthodontic appliances. And lingual braces, glued to the back (tongue side) of the tooth, are proving effective in closing moderate gaps. It's like having invisible braces.
The best part of new orthodontics for your orthodontist, though, is a willing, and eager patient. Home care is critical to any orthodontic treatment plan. Careful, constant cleaning, wearing your retainers, and avoiding foods that make a mess of all the handiwork is a must. Most adult patients appreciate the investment of time and energy and tend to go about home care with vigor.
If you're considering adult orthodontic braces, use our search area above to find an orthodontist in your town. Whether nature planned your smile a little off, or a missing tooth changed the geography over the years, you now have the option of a bite made in heaven.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
