Virginia Orthodontist

Many people often wonder why are braces so important for dental health? The reason why this question is often posed is primarily because of the discomfort that generally goes along with braces. Initially, they seldom see the benefit of getting braces. However, there are several oral health as well as overall health advantages to braces. What this orthodontic treatment will do is correct whatever dental problems that an individual might have, such as reshaping and realigning teeth. Some other problems that braces can fix are a protruding jaw line, an overbite or underbite, and the prevention of irregularly sized teeth, just to name a few.

Given this information and the practicality of braces, the next question that generally follows is the length of time the braces have to be on. Actually, that answer will vary depending on the person and the severity of their teeth. However, typically the average time frame is about two-three years. When patients hear that, some tend to shy away from getting the procedure. In response to that apprehension, new developments in the field of orthodontics have made it possible to shorten that time frame drastically. This new method is called Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (AOO) or Wilckodontics.

The Wilckodontics procedure will shorten the length of the treatment down to a period of three to eight months. This has become a very attractive alternative to teenagers and adults alike who do not want to keep traditional braces on for such an extended period of time. Wilckodontics is feasible for just about anyone, no matter the age, just as long as all of their permanent teeth are available. It is a type of mild invasive surgery combined with the traditional or lingual bracket system. An oral surgeon would go into the gum and adjust the affected bone so that any teeth realignment that needs to happen can occur at a much faster pace with the aid of the brackets attached to the teeth. Additionally, because the patients’ teeth are shifting or moving through bone that has been softened the discomfort that is normally associated with braces is markedly reduced. An added bonus is that patients can even choose which bracket system they want, from metal, ceramic, lingual, and even speed braces, if they are concerned with how they will look with braces. Although this procedure costs more than conventional orthodontic treatment, because of the added surgical expense, many cite the advantage of being able to get the braces off in less than a year, and to be able to resume their normal life, as the best benefit. To learn more about Wilckodontics, visit our website at www.sabaortho.com. To get started, you will need to schedule a consultation appointment with an orthodontist trained and experienced in Wilckodontics, who will then refer you to an oral surgeon who is also trained in this technique.

People have been getting braces for decades in order to correct crooked, misaligned, even buckteeth. A smile is usually a person's calling card; it can lower or heighten a person's self-esteem depending on the condition of his or her teeth. Getting braces is a difficult decision for some individuals, primarily because of the cost associated with them, concern with keeping them in for a two or more years, along with a significant shift in a person's normal routines such as eating and diet. Both adults and teenagers that have a smile that they want to correct, tend to be put off by traditional metal braces because of aesthetics. To deal with this issue, many dentists have created alternatives to traditional braces.

Lingual braces are a new development in the orthodontics and are becoming a desired alternative to traditional braces. This type of orthodontic treatment differs from regular braces in that the brackets and wires that are normally on the front of the tooth are instead attached to the backside of the tooth.

Lingual braces are an advanced and modern evolution in the field of orthodontics. For many people the reason for choosing lingual braces aside from the functionality of the treatment, is that it will realign your teeth and give you a straighter smile, without them showing. When you smile, no one can see the braces. That is the biggest advantage of lingual braces over traditional braces. Interestingly enough, people who need braces do not get them because of the not-so attractive look of a lot of wire and metal in your mouth. Teenagers are at a very impressionable time in their life, where their self-image is being developed and many do not like the idea of being taunted by their peers. Conversely, adults shy away from traditional braces because they do not want to look like an adolescent when they smile. So not only are you getting your smile fixed, but also, you can still maintain a certain aesthetic value in the process. Read more about Lingual Braces

A smile can make life pleasanter for both the person who smiles and the person perceiving the smile. However, there are a lot of people who are embarrassed to smile because they have teeth that are not aligned properly, crooked or with a lot of spaces. All these defects can be corrected with dental braces. Dental braces use brackets fixed to the teeth with a band. A wire that runs from bracket to bracket help to exert force, that over time aligns the teeth as desired. 

When this sort of treatments first started, the braces, the band and the wire were visible and quite often inhibited people from smiling and exposing their treatment to the world at large. Technology has since improved, so that such braces are not visible and such hidden braces are fixed behind the teeth. Treatment with braces can last from a couple of months to a couple of years depending on the severity of the problem. The braces need to be adjusted regularly to ensure the proper alignment of the teeth.  

Hidden braces are also called as lingual braces and are fixed to the inside of the teeth. The mechanism in such braces is the same as the conventional braces and use is made of brackets and wires, which however are not visible to other people. In such braces the brackets have to be individually designed for each teeth and the braces are fixed to the teeth with cement. The arch wire is then fitted between the brackets and adjusted periodically to correct the teeth alignment.

Hidden braces work in the same way as normal braces. They are a much better cosmetic solution, as they are never seen and the person wearing them need not worry about smiling and announcing to the world that he or she is using braces to correct teeth defects. Normal braces do have a tendency to have food particles caught in them and this can at times be embarrassing. Even if food particles do get caught in hidden braces, they are not visible to outsiders because the braces themselves are not visible. 

It takes time to get used to hidden braces, because the tongue always feels they are an obstruction. There can also be speech problems that may take some time for the person wearing the braces to overcome. Cleaning of the braces, because of their location is also not easy and does require some effort. Such braces are also more expensive because each tooth needs a custom fitted bracket.

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Phase I (Interceptive) Orthodontic treatment
The goal of Phase one treatment is to develop both jaws to ultimately accommodate all permanent teeth and to correct upper and lower jaws so that they fit each other correctly.

Some children may develop early jaw problems as early as age four. Your dentist can recognize the signs that early orthodontic treatment for your child may be necessary, he may see: one arch smaller than the other arch, or larger, too narrow or even too wide.


Most phase one treatments begin at the age of seven, this allows the specialist to take advantage of the child’s still developing bone growth. Orthodontic appliances are used to encourage bone growth, these appliances are sometimes glued in place; other times are removable. Most dentists know the benefits of early orthodontic treatment but are unsure of the ideal time to start with phase one treatment. Dr. Saba offers complimentary consultation, so we, at Saba orthodontics, encourage you to take advantage of this. Early interceptive treatment can prevent the removal of adult teeth to correct overcrowding and eliminate the need for surgical procedures to expand or align the upper and lower jaws. We have found that children aged 7-8 to be the most compliant of all our patients!

Phase II (Braces) Orthodontic treatment
Post Phase I treatment, Phase II may be suggested. This treatment can accomplish the ideal healthy, functional and esthetically pleasing results that will last a lifetime.

Phase II includes braces of all types, metal, ceramic even the removable Invisalign. Dr. Saba also is one of the few orthodontists in this area to offer behind the teeth braces – Incognito. This technology is relatively new to the states, less than five years.

What we sometimes hear from parents is that they will skip Phase I and wait until all the baby teeth have come out and all the permanent ones are in place. This mindset usually ends up being regretted. In a case like this, Phase II will end up being a longer and more costly route to go, often times involving extractions of permanent teeth. 

To learn more about two phase Orthodontics visit our website at www.sabaortho.com, or call
us at (703) 404-SABA.

A perfect smile represents confidence and success in both your private and professional life.  With Incognito – Lingual braces, you can achieve that perfect smile in less time.  Incognito braces sit on the back of your teeth instead of the front, like traditional braces. They are also customized entirely for you.  Just like no two people are alike no two Incognito braces are alike. 

Incognito is the most popular lingual device in the European Union, USA and Russia. Advantages that make it extremely attractive to adults and adolescents  are quick results with minimum efforts.  After impressions are taken from your mouth, Dr. Saba, a certified Incognito provider, studies exactly how she wants to move your teeth resulting in excellent results and a more convenient and comfortable orthodontic experience.  She relays this information with the lab that will manufacture your Incognito brackets from gold.

The Incognito lab uses computer aided design technology resulting in a state of the art appliance, this technique works for patients with all kinds of different malocclusions. It is completely invisible, easy to keep clean and the only one who knows you are having orthodontic treatment is you.  The wide bracket bases improve adhesion and the gold alloy used to make these braces is very hard and as thin as possible, this in itself is a big advantage  in patient comfort.  

Who can wear Incognito Braces?

If you qualify for tradition metal braces or Invisalign, you can wear Incognito braces

If you are an: Athlete and play contact sports and are worried about having lip injury while playing sports from the traditional braces.  Professional and in constant contact with customers.  Musician, and the traditional braces may make it uncomfortable for you to play your musical instrument, or just don't want to show your braces, you can wear Incogntio.

If you are self conscious of your appearance and would not feel confident wearing traditional braces or if you are about to get married and want to have straighter teeth by your wedding day without showing your braces, Incognito is the best option for you.

Dr Shadi Saba offers this treatment in her Sterling,Va office.  Call today for a free consultation (703-404-SABA). To learn more about Incognito visit our website at Incognito Braces: Sterling Ibraces

Q. What is Wilckodontics (AOO)?

A. Wilckodontics, also known as Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics, involves a periodontal procedure combined with orthodontics to reach end results of straight teeth 3 to 4 times faster than conventional orthodontic treatment.

In the 1950s, periodontists were using corticotomy procedures to increase the rate of tooth movement. An oral corticotomy is a type of surgery where cuts are made in the jaw bone that surrounds and supports your teeth, called the alveolar bone. In the 1990s, the Drs. Wilcko, using CT scans, concluded that a marked reduction in mineralization of the Alveolar bone was the reason for the accelerated tooth movement following corticotomies. In 1995, Drs. Wilcko patented the AOO (Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics) technique.

Unlike a usual corticotomy, AOO doesn't just cut into the bone, but decorticates it – that is, some of the bone's external surface is removed. The bone then goes through a phase known as osteopenia, where its mineral content is temporarily decreased. The tissues of the Alveolar bone release rich deposits of calcium, and new bone begins to mineralize in about 20 to 55 days. While the bone is in this transient state, braces can move your teeth very quickly, because the bone is softer and there is less resistance to the force of the braces.

Research has shown that the results of AOO are as stable and long-lasting as conventional orthodontic braces. There seems to be more Alveolar bone present in patients who have undergone AOO, compared to before surgery, which is advantageous if your profile needs to be built up to improve your facial aesthetics

Pros and Cons of Wilckodontics:

Pros:

• Shortened treatment time (3-4 times)
• Decreased chance of root resorption following orthodontics
• Increased Alveolar bone providing better support for your teeth and facial profile
• Less likelihood for relapse
• You can choose from metal, ceramic, or gold brackets, or even Invisalign.
• Since teeth are moving through a softened bone, there is less discomfort associated with teeth movement (following each orthodontic adjustment) compared to traditional orthodontics.

Cons:

• More expensive than conventional braces
• Being a mildly invasive surgery, it has its risks
• Expect some swelling and tenderness immediately after surgery
• Need to recover for a week and must stay away from school or work.

Dr. Saba works very closely with oral surgeons who perform the corticotomy procedure. Typically the braces are installed on all your teeth prior to your visit with the oral surgeon for the corticotomy procedure. On your follow up visit with the oral surgeon, after the removal of all the stitches he will then refer you back to Dr. Saba for the placement of arch wires to initiate tooth movement. Patients who undergo Wilckodontics procedure must visit their orthodontist every two weeks as opposed to the usual 6-8 weeks office visit frequency seen with the traditional orthodontic treatment. It is recommended that the patient takes one week off from work/school to recover from the surgery. The surgery can be done under local anesthesia, and it can take two to three hours for both upper and lower arches.

Dr. Saba believes that AOO technique can correct most orthodontic problems, except for situations where the lower jaw has overgrown the upper jaw and the chin protrudes. Dr. Saba treats both adults and adolescents with Wilckodontics as long as they have healthy periodontium. Those who have had dental bone loss, periodontal disease, root damage or root shortening are not candidates for this procedure. The same types of braces (metal, or ceramic) as well as retainers are used in AOO as in traditional orthodontics.

To find out if you are a candidate for Wilckodontics contact Saba Orthodontics today or call (703) 404-SABA (7222) for your complimentary consultation! You won't regret it!

What mouth breathing problems does your child have and what is the treatment for orthodontic patients?

There are several reasons a child may be breathing through his mouth rather than his nose. The following are a few reasons for such altered breathing pattern:

While there is a genetic inclination to develop allergies, research has shown that early treatment of allergic disease can alter the course of allergic symptoms for a lifetime.

The adenoids and tonsils may be enlarged in response to infection of the nose and sinuses. Since allergy predisposes to infection, allergies should be controlled before the adenoids and tonsils are removed. It is best to follow the recommendations of your pediatrician or your allergist for the best time to remove enlarged tonsils or adenoids

Asthmas, nasal polyps, foreign bodies, deviated nasal septa, are among other reasons a child may have difficulty breathing through his nose.

Treatment of nasal airway obstruction and mouth breathing should involve a multi-disciplined approach. The orthodontist is uniquely qualified to monitor the growing face and treat an undesirable growth pattern, with growth modification techniques. Dr. Saba has been actively involved with treating children with mouth breathing conditions in Loudoun County for the past eight years. She works very closely with other health care professionals such as otolaryngologists, allergists, and pediatricians ensuring early detection and treatment of breathing conditions.

Research suggests that an altered respiratory pattern, such as breathing through the mouth rather than the nose, could change the posture of the head, jaw and tongue. This in turn can affect the growing face. The alterations will occur in the muscles associated with the face, jaws, tongue and neck. The abnormal pull of these muscle groups on bones of the face and jaws slowly deforms these bones, eventually creating an open bite, where the front teeth cannot meet when the mouth is completely closed. The earlier in life this abnormal breathing condition takes place, the greater the alterations in facial growth will be.

The greatest increments of growth occur during the earliest years of life. By age nine most of the growth of the upper jaw in a forward and lateral direction is completed, and by twelve, 90 percent of the growth of the lower jaw has already occurred. Consequently, if a child has chronic nasal obstruction during the early critical growing years, facial deformities result, some subtle, some more noticeable. An Orthodontist is a dental specialist who is trained to diagnose and treat such conditions early on to avoid future complications that would require radical treatments such as jaw surgery.

If mouth breathing is not detected and/or treated early in childhood, by adolescence, the undesirable changes in growth of the facial skeleton, i.e. skeletal open bite, will manifest itself. The condition described as skeletal open bite is characterized by excessive vertical growth of the upper jaw (especially in the back of the mouth), coupled with backward rotation of the lower jaw, as well as excessive eruption of upper and lower molars. This type of open bite can be treated by an orthodontist, before the growth of the facial skeleton is complete. The treatment involves a growth modification strategy using extraoral appliances, or intraoral removable appliances to achieve ideal results.

Dr. Saba recommends examining all children no later than age seven for an orthodontic evaluation. Her goal is to eliminate all habits and any unusual breathing patterns before adolescence. Dr. Saba believes that significant growth modification is possible only in patients who are still growing actively, i.e. prior to loss of all baby teeth.

For more information contact Dr. Saba at her Virginia orthodontic office or call (703) 404-SABA (7222) for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation!

The Six Month Smiles is so called because it straightens the teeth in just 6 months.  It consists of  wearing a specially-designed brace for a period of 6 months.  Many patients are especially attracted to this treatment option by the fact that the 6 month smile braces are more discreet than other types of braces.

This treatment incorporates the very latest in orthodontic technology and methods which will reposition one's teeth quickly and safely. As the treatment's main focus is the teeth shown during a smile you are not waiting for all the teeth in your mouth to be moved. To achieve this, specially designed wires made from nickel titanium are used to ensure that the treatment is fast and effective.

What can the treatment be used for?

The Six Month Smiles treatment can be used for anyone with any of the following dental diagnoses:

Teeth that are Crowded and overlapping each other – This dental problem creates an unesthetic appearance and most importantly interferes with good hygiene, which can lead into future periodontal disease (gum disease).

Overbite – the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth considerably, in a vertical direction.

Spacing – there are large, unsightly gaps between the teeth

Overjet – the upper front teeth jut out, creating an unesthetic situation and exposing the front teeth in danger of trauma from sports injury.

Underbite- the lower teeth protrude (creating a cross bite situation).  This can lead to excessive wear of the enamel of all the teeth involved with cross bite.  Excessive wear will lead to future need of full mouth cosmetic work such as crowns and veneers.

Openbite – when there is no contact between the teeth of opposing arches.  This creates a difficult situation to bite into food and be able to grind food particles effectively.

Misplaced Midline – the middle lines of both sets of teeth aren't in alignment with each other.  

Crossbite – the teeth do not bite on the right side of each other.  This will lead to excessive wear of the enamel of the teeth.

At first your orthodontist will collect all diagnostic records and determine if you are a candidate for the Six Month Smiles.

On your next visit your unique Six Month Smiles Braces will be fitted. These are special wires and white brackets which will come straight from the 6 Months Smiles lab in the US.

Once your 6 Month Smiles Braces have been fitted you should expect to return to your orthodontist approximately every four to five weeks for shorter appointments. During these 10 to fifteen minute sessions your braces will be adjusted – this will continue until you finish your treatment.

Advantages of Six Month Smiles

•    Reduced treatment time, sometimes by up to 75%
•    Less discomfort, since teeth are moved slowly.
•    More cost effective, usually half as much as for Invisalign or traditional braces.
•    More esthetic than regular braces as the appliances are tooth colored.
•    If you want a ‘last minute' perfect smile for an upcoming event in six or so months time you can use Six Month Smiles to achieve this.

Six-Month Smile™ braces offer patients with poorly aligned teeth an attractive alternative to traditional braces, crowns, veneers, and Invisalign. If you have always been looking for a faster alternative to the traditional braces and did not want to compromise your natural tooth structure while creating a perfectly even smile,

Saba Orthodontics has the answer!  Call our office at (703)404-7222 to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Saba and see if you qualify for the Six Month Smiles braces.  Visit our  Virginia Orthodontist office today!

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from Virginia Orthodontist. Let us know what you think!

Read It Now Here