For Children and Adults

Orthodontics for Children

All patients first visit with Dr. Crawford is always complimentary. A complimentary panoramic radiograph is also taken and reviewed at the first visit. At Dr. Crawford’s Dallas, TX office we use digital radiography so there is very little exposure to radiation. The clinical visit in combination with the panoramic view of the teeth and jaw is very helpful with identifying particularly challenging situations like missing teeth, impacted teeth and other anomalies of the teeth and supporting jaw structure. These tools help Dr. Crawford identify the unique factors for each patient and help her decide the best timing for intercepting a developing problem if one exists.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have their first orthodontic check-up no later than 7 years of age. By this time, the first permanent molars and incisors are usually coming in (erupting). Many developing orthodontic problems like dental crossbites, crowding of the teeth, eruption pattern problems and developing bone problems, which are sometimes better treated at any early age, are easy to identify at this time. If there is a family history of severe orthodontic or skeletal problems Dr. Crawford likes to see these patients as soon as a potential problem is noticed or no later than 5 years of age. There are a few conditions that involve orthopedic movements that are most easily treated very early. In most cases no treatment is needed in very young children but Dr. Crawford wants to confirm this.

When treatment is begun early, the orthodontist can help guide the growth of the jaw and eruption pattern of the developing permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, decrease the necessity or even avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, help correct thumb-sucking or other digit habits, and help eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment. Early treatment does not eliminate the need for orthodontic treatment during the teenage years.

Most teenagers will truly benefit from comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Ideally, Dr. Crawford likes to do one phase of orthodontic treatment when the permanent second molars are beginning to erupt which usually takes place between the ages of 12 and 14. The goals of orthodontic treatment are to provide the best bite relationship possible with the most efficient and comfortable appliances in the least amount of time. The estimated active treatment time is based on the level of complexity of the malocclusion or “bite problem.” The “active” treatment phase of most teenage orthodontic treatment plans takes place over approximately 18 months. It is not that the teeth don’t look beautiful long before the end of the 18 month time period; it takes several months for the bones around the teeth to settle and for the bite relationship to be refined.

Following the “active” treatment time to align and position the teeth, the “retention” phase begins. Regardless of whether a patient is treated with traditional braces or with Invisalign appliances, retention is a necessary part of treatment. For the first 2 months following the “active” treatment phase, Dr. Crawford usually asks the patient to wear the retention appliances full time except for while they are eating and cleaning their teeth. Then she reduces the time the retention appliances are worn to “all the hours the patient is home and during sleep.”

After the first 6 months of the retention phase, Dr. Crawford reduces the retainer wear time to evenings and nights for the following 6 months. One year after the active phase of treatment has stopped, the patient can usually wear the retention appliances while sleeping, but Dr. Crawford cautions the patient that the pressures of school and work sometimes don’t allow for enough sleeping time. All patients are asked to use their retention appliances enough to keep their teeth straight. Dr. Crawford shares that as long as the retainers fit well the alignment of the teeth should be relatively stable.

Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. Some adults are looking for purely esthetic improvement of the front teeth while others are seeking improved function and esthetics. The literature reports one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment today is over 21. In Dr. Crawford’s Dalls, TX practice, almost half of the patients in active treatment are adult.

Because many adults have orthodontic problems that have been left untreated for some time there can be excessively crowded or spaced teeth, teeth that have suffered from severe enamel loss due to an improper bite, gum tissue problems and sometimes even missing teeth. With the advances that have been made in dental health care over the last 20 plus years, the number of people losing their teeth has significantly declined. When you take this into consideration and add to it that our life expectancy has increased, it is more important than ever to maintain healthy teeth in order to keep our teeth for our entire lifetimes. And last but not least, the literature supports that there is a relationship between healthy teeth and gums and our overall body health.

All patients' first visit with Dr. Crawford is always complimentary. At each patient’s first visit, Dr. Crawford likes to do a limited examination and listen to your treatment goals. A complimentary digital panoramic radiograph is also taken and reviewed at your first visit. After listening to your concerns and goals, Dr. Crawford will inform you of all the treatment options she sees for you. In order for the patient to make an informed choice about the treatment approach, it is often necessary to gather information from study models, photographs, and other radiographic imaging to fully inform you of your options. With each treatment option presented, estimated treatment costs and treatment time will be provided.

Once you have made your decision Dr. Crawford and her staff will guide you through the sequence of events needed to start your treatment. The preparation work required to properly plan your treatment is critically important to the success of your treatment.

Imagine trying to build a beautiful building without the proper plans. Just as it is with any other beautiful structure, if the foundation is not prepared properly anything placed upon it will fail. The same is true with orthodontics at any age. Before adult orthodontic treatment begins we request information regarding the health of the bone and gum tissue supporting your teeth. Many times adults have experienced some breakdown or loss of the gum tissue and bone that supports the teeth. They may not even be aware that they have issues that need the attention of a specialist because usually there is little or no pain associated with most periodontal problems. If Dr. Crawford sees evidence of a periodontal problem she will refer you to a gum specialist for a more detailed evaluation of the bone and gum tissue supporting your teeth. Periodontal treatment is sometimes needed before, during and/or after orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also limit the amount and direction of tooth movement that is advisable.

Adult orthodontic treatment is often part of an overall treatment plan to improve the appearance and health of the teeth. Many times there will need to be a collaboration of two or more doctors to help the patient achieve the results they desire. Jaw surgery is more often required for adult orthodontic patients for the most ideal result because their jaws are no longer growing.

Orthodontics utilizes art and science to create beautiful smiles at any age. Dr. Crawford prides herself on listening to her patients' goals for treatment and then proposing options for each patients unique treatment plan based on the all the factors unique to their situation. She looks forward to helping you achieve the results you desire.