CHOOSE ORTHODONTICS...
and a beautiful smile!
WHO SHOULD CHOOSE BRACES?
If you want a straight, beautiful smile, you should choose
braces, but it's not the only reason. Certain orthodontic problems can actually cause
serious damage to the health of your teeth and gums if left untreated. These problems
include:
*Crowded teeth. These teeth are extremely difficult to
clean and can provide virtual traps for bacteria which cause tooth decay, gum disease and
eventual tooth loss
*Teeth with spaces or missing teeth. Gaps between your teeth,
especially if caused by a lost tooth, can result in healthy teeth tipping and
"growing" into the spaces to fill the gaps. As a result, these healthy teeth may
loosen and the supporting bone can deteriorate.
*Protruding teeth. Aside from being unattractive, these teeth
don't meet properly during chewing, leading to an abnormal wear of your biting
surfaces and excess stress on the supporting bone and gum tissue.
*Misaligned jaw joints (TMJ). If your teeth don't fit
together properly, the uneven pressure on your teeth may cause ear, face or neck pains,
headaches, sore jaw muscles, and clicking noises when you chew or speak.
These and other dental problems can be corrected with orthodontic
treatment by Dr. Steven Scher.
TMJ
If you suffer from headaches, neck pains, sore jaws or clicking
noises when you chew or speak, you might have TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder).
When teeth don't fit together properly, the reaction is to
attempt to "even out" the bite by grinding or clenching your teeth. This stress
tightens your jaw muscles and results in pain and clicking, or TMJ disorder.
Dr. Scher's orthodontic evaluation can pinpoint if you have TMJ,
what is causing it, and how it can be relieved. With the right diagnosis and treatment,
most people can have relief from the symptoms of TMJ disorder.
ORTHODONTICS: A SMART INVESTMENT
When you consider the lifelong personal and professional benefits
of a healthy, attractive smile, orthodontics is the best investment you'll ever make. A
new smile can increase your self-confidence, improve your appearance and promote better
dental health.
The cost of your treatment will depend on your individual problem
and the type of appliances needed. Many orthodontic patients require only a limited
treatment that gives you the maximum value for your investment.
Whatever your needs, our office will work with you to develop an
affordable financing plan of monthly installments.
BRACES FOR CHILDREN
Although most orthodontic problems are inherited, they can be
corrected with modern orthodontic treatment.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the
proper age for a child's first visit to the orthodontist is 7 years of age---whether or
not a child has an orthodontic problem!
An early examination can uncover existing or potential conditions
that may respond to simple orthodontic treatment. This early treatment could sometimes
eliminate the need and expense of full orthodontic treatment at a later time.
More importantly, straight teeth are healthy teeth. An investment
in orthodontics is an investment in a lifetime of good dental health.
About 4.4 million adults and children receive orthodontic
treatment yearly. It is further estimated that 54 per cent of all young people ages 12 to
17 have malocclusions that could benefit from orthodontic treatment.
HOW BRACES WORK
Orthodontics is the area of dentistry that treats dental and
facial irregularities. These irregularities often result in malocclusions (the problems
with the way the teeth fit together).
All braces, whether fixed or removable, are custom made and use
gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper position.
Orthodontic treatment can have a long-range effect on facial
appearance and oral health. At the patient's first visit, Dr. Scher conducts a thorough
evaluation of the patient's facial bones and jaw structure. This is done with x-rays,
photographs, and plaster models which are used throughout the course of treatment.
Orthodontic treatment normally takes 1 to 3 years depending on the structure of your mouth
and face and how cooperative you are in following the doctor's advice.
During treatment, the patient follows careful home care and has
regular appointments so that the teeth and gums remain healthy. After the braces are
removed, you wear a retainer for a limited time to hold the teeth in their new position.
The success of your orthodontic treatment requires a partnership between Dr. Scher and you
in order to obtain a healthy, beautiful smile.
BRACES FOR ADULTS
With advances in the techniques and materials of modern
braces, it's no wonder that about 1/4 of today's orthodontic patients are adults.
Dr. Scher uses a variety of braces to make you look good during,
as well as after, treatment. Many braces are made of plastic and porcelain and come in
colors that blend right in with your teeth. There are even removable braces which can be
worn only at night as well as braces which can be hidden on the inner side of your teeth.
The wires used now are thinner too, making them almost "invisible."
Teeth can be straightened at any age. What's required is the
desire to have healthy teeth that can last a lifetime.
Choose the Specialist: Dr. Steven L. Scher
Dr. Scher has the extensive knowledge and experience needed to
guide your tooth movement and give you a healthy, attractive smile. He uses the most
advanced techniques to correct your individual problem and move your teeth quickly and
gently. As a specialist, he can develop a treatment plan for you that takes the least
amount of time at the lowest possible cost.
Dr. Scher is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics
and a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society, the American Association of
Orthodontics, the American Dental Association, the Norwalk Dental Society and the
Northeastern Society of Orthodontics. Dr. Scher received his D.D.S. degree from New York
University and completed his postgraduate orthodontic training at New York University. He
researched and studied Temporomandibular Joint Disorders at the Foundation for Continuing
Education for two years in Burlingame, California.
Our Office: Comfort, Convenience and Quality Care
Since 1972, our office has earned a reputation for quality
care and personalized service. Dr. Steven Scher has helped hundreds of child and adult
patients to better dental health and more attractive smiles.
Our office provides a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere where
you can enjoy the latest and most gentle techniques in orthodontics.
Visit or call us for more information.
Dear Friend:
Over the years, I have seen what orthodontic care has done for
hundreds of children, teenagers and adults suffering from crooked, crowded, unevenly
spaced, protruding or misaligned teeth. Not only do patients gain straight, healthy teeth,
but they also feel better about themselves and benefit socially and professionally from
their new smiles.
As a dentist specializing in orthodontics and providing treatment
for TMJ disorders, it's exciting for me to work in a field of dentistry that has such an
important impact on people's lifestyles and health.
Every day, new and improved methods and techniques are being
introduced in orthodontics that make wearing braces more comfortable and attractive. This
website is designed to help you to better understand orthodontics and explain some of your
options.
Your teeth were meant to last a lifetime. I'm glad I can help
patients enjoy the benefits that come from having a healthy smile!
Yours for better health,
Steven L. Scher, D.D.S.
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