TREATMENTS

• Fillings / Restorations
• CEREC Crowns and Onlays
• Dental Sealants
• Dentures
• Bridges
• Dental Implants
• Orthodontics including Invisalign
• Tooth Extractions

Orthodontics

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics, but there are other advantages of having your teeth in the correct position.  If your teeth do not bite properly, you can crack or chip the crown (the part of the tooth that you can see) or even destroy the bone that supports the tooth.  Oral hygiene is also improved when the teeth are straight because crooked and overlapping teeth are harbors for plaque and bacteria.

Starting Treatment for Your Child

Each orthodontic problem determines its own precise starting time. Dr. Walters recommends an orthodontic evaluation by  the age of 7, which will allow us to determine when a child's particular problem should be treated. This will help us gain the maximum improvement possible with the least amount of time.

In many patients, early treatment achieves results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. The following early warning signs may indicate that your child should be examined: 

Thumb sucking or finger sucking habit (after 2 years of age) Overlapping or crowding of permanent teeth Large spaces in permanent teeth Difficulty in chewing Open-bite and mouth-breathing habit Jaws that tend to click or pop Development of underbite, overbite or other abnormal bite

Why Start Treatment Early?

Orthodontics can start at any age. However, when we are young our bones are more flexible because they are growing and therefore haven't reached their peak bone density. This is something that begins to happen in our late twenties. So to guarantee the fastest treatment it is recommended to bring to start at an early age.

Bad Habits and Habit Breaking Appliances

There are many habits that can change the position and alignment of your child's teeth. Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing are primary examples of habits that must be addressed early in order to train the child to break the habit and to address changes in tooth alignment that have already happened.

Prolonged thumb sucking can cause a child to have an open bite. Tongue thrusting can cause a child to have flared front teeth. Mouth Breathing is a condition that can have a wide range of effects such as an elongated face and a high palate and narrow arch and therefore crowding. Also, frequent mouth breathing can dry the mouth and make your teeth more susceptible to bad breath, cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.

Dr. Walters is trained to treat many habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and infantile swallowing. Habits need to be addressed as early as possible. Bring your child for a consultation if you notice that he/she frequently displays one of these habits. Not only will Dr. Walters correct the alignment of the teeth, but he may also use appliances that will help break the habit.

Metal braces are the gold standard in orthodontic treatment, but aren't the only option to straighten your teeth. Dr. Walters and his staff offer several different treatments to perfect your smile without the obvious metal showing. Porcelain braces use brackets that are tooth colored to hold the wire and move your teeth. Invisalign (invisible braces) uses a series of clear plastic trays to move your teeth.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the most widely used system of straitening teeth. Small metal brackets are bonded to the tooth with a wire passing through them. The wire is usually held tightly to the brackets with small elastic o-shaped rubber bands. The rubber bands can be metal colored (the most discreet) or colorful, depending on what you like. Metal brackets are very strong and can withstand most types of treatment. They tend to be the most inexpensive treatment and can treat the most severe cases.

Clear Braces

Clear Braces are very similar to metal braces in their function. The only difference is that the brackets are tooth colored (less conspicuous than 'metal' versions). These brackets are nearly as strong as the metal counterparts and so they can treat almost all of the same cases (some exceptions exist).

Invisalign

Invisalign is a great treatment option for people who do not have severe problems and are concerned with aesthetics during the treatment. Instead of bonding brackets to the tooth, a series of strong plastic trays are fabricated.

Each tray is made to move your teeth slightly and is worn for a few weeks. Once Dr. Walters has determined that your case can be treated with invisalign, the most important consideration is your cooperation. They must be worn for at least 20 hours a day in order to achieve results.

How is it Done?

Step 1: Map out a treatment plan. You and Dr. Walters develop a treatment plan specifically for you. Then the doctor takes bite impressions of your teeth, which Invisalign will use to custom-mold a series of clear, removable aligners that will gradually move your teeth into an incredible new smile.

Step 2: Your aligners are created. Your aligners are created via precision computer mapping and design and are then shipped to Dr. Molayem.

Step 3: Wear your aligners. A new set of aligners is given every two to three weeks, moving your teeth little by little. Dr. Walters will check your progress after each set of aligners is given to you (or several sets of aligners can be given to you at once if it is difficult to come to the office as often). The aligners are removed to eat, brush and floss.

Each set of aligners is slightly different from the last one and progress your teeth towards a straighter more esthetic smile. Results are often achieved in 6 months to 1 year.