One of the toughest things about being a parent is trying to anticipate your child’s needs in both the present and the future. If you’ve been thinking about orthodontics for your child, we don’t have a crystal ball, but we can still offer reliable information you can trust! The expert team here at Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics can help you understand what a long-term plan for your child’s orthodontic care might entail. The first step in any smile journey is a consultation with an experienced orthodontist. We offer this first visit free of charge, and while there’s no minimum age for a child’s initial evaluation, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends all children have one by about seven years old. Let’s look at what this involves and how a preventive approach can give your child’s smile the best possible start! Why are early evaluations important? By the time a child reaches seven years of age, they will generally possess a good mix of permanent and baby teeth. Examining their mouth around this time allows an orthodontist to diagnose and treat misalignments or a bad bite before they have the chance to cause more serious problems. This type of early intervention can also reduce the need for more invasive treatment options later in life. It’s summed up by something we call two phase treatment, a specialized service that allows us to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to a child’s oral health. This treatment method is often recommended for younger patients who are likely to need orthodontics in their tween or teen years. What is Two Phase Treatment? In simple terms, two phase treatment involves a child receiving orthodontic treatment at two separate times with a break or rest period in between. The first phase of treatment generally begins while the patient still has a mix of primary and permanent teeth, followed by a period of no treatment. The second phase of treatment will typically be initiated once most or all of the adult teeth have grown in. An Orthodontist can use two phase treatment to create a more optimal environment for a child’s permanent teeth as they emerge. This works by: When you schedule an orthodontic examination for your child in one of our state of the art offices, one of our doctors will provide a thorough examination of their teeth and jaws. They may recommend two phase treatment if it appears that: Your child will be prone to a particular problem we want to keep from developing in the first place (preventive treatment) your child already has a developing problem that we want to intercept as soon as possible (interceptive treatment) your child’s jaw bones may need some guidance as they grow (growth modification) By following the normal patterns of childhood growth and development, our Board Certified Orthodontists at Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics can improve and correct your child’s orthodontic issues at the most opportune time. Many common dental problems that can be treated relatively easily in a growing child may require more serious treatment as they age and their jaw bones stop growing. Initiating treatment in early childhood can achieve lasting results for many of these problems. It may even be able to lessen their impact in some cases! How Does Two Phase Treatment Work? Both you and your child are partners with us in their orthodontic journey. By understanding a bit about each phase and what goes on during the resting period, you’ll be able to see how two-phase treatment will work to improve your child’s long-term oral health. Phase One Phase One treatment sets a child’s jaw up to develop in a way that better accommodates all of their permanent teeth. It can also improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Phase One orthodontics has several benefits for young patients, including an improved ability to bite, chew, and digest food more effectively. It can also reduce the risk of oral damage over time due to crowding, misalignment, or malformed jaws. Resting Period Phase One treatment is the starting point for long-term stability, setting the teeth up to stay in the positions our doctors guide them to. The second phase of treatment will continue this stabilization process by moving the teeth into their final positions, but before this can begin, we need to let the permanent teeth finish emerging. Treatment is suspended during this time, giving the mouth a temporary break. During this period, we’ll help keep the teeth stable with a retainer. Phase Two We love it when a plan comes together and this phase is when it finally begins to happen! This phase is usually initiated once all of the patient’s permanent teeth have erupted and often includes the use of traditional braces or clear aligners. Once this phase of treatment is complete, we’ll provide the child with a customized retainer to ensure they enjoy their newly straightened teeth for many years to come. Give your child’s smile the best start with Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics Your child’s smile is as unique as they are. Our doctors know that what works for one may not be a good fit for another, which is why they create customized treatment plans for every patient. Your child’s treatment plan will be built around their specific needs and goals, ensuring they receive the highest-quality orthodontic care and a beautiful custom smile! If your young child is ready for their first orthodontic visit, get in touch today to schedule a FREE consultation. This is the perfect time to start your child on the path towards a healthier and happier smile.
Questions to Ask When Choosing an Orthodontist
Now that you’ve decided to pursue orthodontic treatment, you’re on your way to the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. But first things first—you’ve got to find a qualified provider you trust with your smile! With so many orthodontists out there, you may not be sure where to begin. That’s where we come in! Here at Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics, we want every patient to feel confident in their care from the first visit to the last. That starts with learning more about our team of experienced orthodontists! There are several factors to consider before trusting someone with your smile, so let’s take a closer look at what you should ask before choosing an orthodontist. “What is Your Orthodontic Background?” You only get one smile, so it’s essential to find an orthodontist with the skills, experience, and knowledge to treat your specific needs. That begins with learning more about their orthodontic background! This is especially important now that some dentists offer certain types of orthodontic care alongside their regular services. Although they may advertise clear aligners or other smile solutions, these are generally not the main focus of their practice. An orthodontic practice like ours, on the other hand, has one primary focus: delivering the best orthodontic care possible by using the latest technology and the most innovative treatments! This distinction matters. Why? To put it simply, an orthodontist is a dentist who has also undertaken several additional years of specialized training and education in: Orthodontic residency programs are very competitive and usually accept only the top students in any graduating dental school class. These programs last around 2-3 years and include full-time training focusing on the safe and effective correction of orthodontic issues. While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, most general dentists won’t possess the level of training and education that an orthodontist receives. Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics has a team of five exceptional orthodontists to keep Central Florida smiling! Drs. Dietrich, Kelso, Anthony, Ellis and Dixon have dozens of years of combined experience treating every orthodontic need. Drs. Dietrich, Kelso, and Anthony are also board-certified, a credential only 33% of orthodontists obtain. When you trust your smile to our expert team, you can be sure your orthodontic care is in the most capable hands! “What Treatment Options Do You Offer? Which Do You Recommend for Me?” Orthodontic offices vary in the treatments they choose to offer. All of our locations use the same state-of-the-art technology to give patients the most effective treatment with highly personalized results. We offer the following options for the best orthodontic experience possible. Metal braces Metal braces are one of the most popular treatment options and are available for patients of all ages. Today’s braces are much more comfortable than they used to be, and you can even customize them with fun-colored elastics! These orthodontic staples deliver excellent results and can be especially helpful in more severe or complicated cases. Clear braces Ceramic braces function the same way metal braces do but come with the additional benefit of semi-translucent or tooth-colored ceramic brackets. Both options blend well with your natural smile, especially when paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored wires and elastic ties. This makes them an especially attractive choice for our older teen and adult patients! In-Ovation self-ligating braces The In-Ovation system uses self-ligating brackets with spring-loaded doors, so there’s no need for ties and bands. They don’t require tightening, so they’re virtually painless, and your teeth can move freely without the added pressure of ties holding the archwires in place. This allows the system to work faster while also making it easier to keep your teeth clean and healthy! In-Ovation comes in three styles that look great and are comfortable to wear: In-Ovation R is smaller and has a lower profile than other self-ligating brackets. With no elastic or metal ties, you’ll experience less irritation, less plaque build-up, and less difficulty keeping your teeth clean. In-Ovation C is a translucent ceramic bracket that offers fast and comfortable treatment in an attractive “clear” package. In-Ovation L MTM offers a superb alternative to tray aligners for patients requiring movements of 6mm or less. L MTM self-ligating “quick clips” are completely invisible and work within a few short months to give you a perfectly balanced smile. Invisalign clear aligners Instead of brackets and wires, the Invisalign system uses a series of removable trays to gradually shift teeth into the desired positions. These aligners are made from a special thermoplastic resin and customized to fit over your teeth firmly but comfortably. Because the aligners are removable, Invisalign gives patients a bit more freedom and flexibility than traditional braces. They also allow you to brush, floss, and eat as you normally would! Invisalign clear aligners are often just as effective as braces when patients are fully compliant and wear the aligners exactly as directed. “How much will treatment cost? Does your practice accept insurance?” At Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics, the total cost of treatment is based on several factors, including how severe your case is, the estimated treatment time, and the orthodontic appliances required. We’re always transparent about what’s included in your treatment plan, so you’ll never have to worry about hidden fees! During your consultation with us, our treatment coordinator will present you with the treatment total and outline the payment options available to you. This includes no-interest in-office financing if needed. We also offer CareCredit and Springstone financing options with a $0 down payment and low monthly payments to make treatment more affordable. They also tend to come with a lower interest rate than traditional loans. Some are even interest-free if you qualify! These choices help you achieve a beautiful smile without breaking the bank. Our practice also accepts most major credit cards and insurance plans. If you have insurance that will be covering any portion of your orthodontic treatment, our office staff is always available to help you with insurance claims, questions, and paperwork. “How often will I have follow-up visits? How
Your First Visit to Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics: What to Expect
Welcome to Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics! We’re excited to help you take the first step toward improved oral health, but we know you may be feeling a little nervous about the treatment process, especially if you aren’t sure what to expect. We’re here to make this experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible for you, and that begins with your complimentary consultation. This initial appointment is one of the most important ones you’ll have with us! Let’s take a look at what you can expect from your first visit with our expert team. What’s included in your orthodontic evaluation? When you arrive at one of our conveniently located offices, you’ll be welcomed by our front desk team. After giving you a brief tour of the office, we’ll collect your diagnostic records. These will usually include a series of digital photographs and x-rays, which help us get a better idea of what’s happening with your teeth, facial features, and jaw relationship. It also allows us to determine the position of your erupted and unerupted teeth. Once we’ve collected the images we need, you’ll be introduced to one of our board-certified doctors! They are experienced orthodontists with many years of education and training in diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. You’ll receive a brief and painless oral examination after describing the concerns you have with your smile. Your orthodontist will use all of the information collected to make their initial diagnosis and create a customized treatment plan for you. We want you to understand every aspect of your diagnosis and treatment plan, so we’ll never rush you through this first visit! You can expect to spend about an hour with us, leaving plenty of time to perform the exam, discuss your diagnosis, and answer any questions you may have. We’ll also cover several important topics, including: Your smile is as unique as you are! You won’t find any cookie-cutter treatment here at Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics. We’ll provide you with a treatment plan that’s built around your specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. This approach helps ensure a rewarding smile journey with highly personalized results you’ll love! Investing in a healthier and happier smile Once you’ve decided on a treatment plan with your doctor, we’ll go over the financial particulars of treatment. Every patient has different needs and responds to treatment in their own way, so there’s no “one size fits all” answer for how much treatment will cost. Your fee will be based on the difficulty of your case, the expected treatment time, and the orthodontic appliances required. We are always transparent about the costs associated with orthodontic care, and will make sure you understand everything included in your plan before moving forward. We believe everyone deserves a healthy smile! Our treatment coordinator will present you with the treatment total and outline the payment options available to you. This includes no-interest in-office financing if needed! We also offer CareCredit and Springstone financing options with a $0 down payment and low monthly payments to make treatment more affordable. They also tend to come with a lower interest rate than traditional loans. Some are even interest-free if you qualify! These choices help you achieve a beautiful smile without breaking the bank. Our practice also accepts most major credit cards and insurance plans. If you have insurance that will be covering any portion of your orthodontic treatment, our office staff is always available to help you with insurance claims, questions, and paperwork. The next steps in your orthodontic journey Once your consultation is complete, you’re one step closer to achieving the smile you’ve always wanted! We’ll schedule an appointment for your doctor to place your new orthodontic appliance. This appointment generally takes about an hour, and our team will be available to you during this time to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. They’ll also walk you through caring for your teeth and your appliance during the treatment process, and answer any questions you have at this point. Depending on the type of appliance you have, we’ll want to see you for follow-up visits every 8-10 weeks or so. During these appointments, your orthodontist will assess the progress you’re making and ensure things are proceeding according to the treatment plan. If you’re wearing braces, we’ll make any necessary adjustments. Your doctor may choose to change the wire out at this time as well. These visits are an essential part of your treatment plan. We do our best to schedule them for a day and time convenient for you, but we also understand that things can come up unexpectedly! If you can’t make your appointment or will be running late for any reason, we simply ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule you. This allows our office to continue running smoothly and keeps your treatment plan on track! Your best smile is waiting for you at Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics Orthodontic treatment goes beyond straightening your teeth. It can improve your oral health, transform your smile, and boost your self-confidence, too! If you haven’t already scheduled your first visit, there’s never been a better time to get started. Get in touch with us today to set up a FREE consultation with our South Lakeland, North Lakeland, Bartow, Brandon, Riverview, or Winter Haven office!
