Towards the beginning of this year, I made the decision to do Invisalign. My jaw had started popping out of place regularly & I kept chipping and re-chipping one of my teeth—b/c my bite had changed.
I was not altogether happy about having to do this BECAUSE I’d already “done the time” back in middle school with 2 years of metal braces AND a long stint of having to wear “HEADGEAR”. This was in conjunction with a perm gone wild, so suffice it to say, 8th grade was the stuff of middle school legend.
It occurred to us that, although both of us AND our kids have had braces, we’ve never done an episode about orthodontics.
And we SHOULD because according to the American Association of Orthodontists, approximately 4 million children in the United States wear braces each year. This represents about 50-70% of children between the ages of 11 and 14.
Braces have become fairly commonplace since back in the day, and not just for kids but for adults (like me). Since the odds are in your favor that your child might get them, we thought it would be helpful to talk with someone in the know. So my orthodontist, Dr. Alexandroni, or Dr. Alex, graciously agreed to have this conversation. His practice is called Atlas Orthodontics & it’s local here in Murfreesboro, TN. (Office staff & atmosphere)
INTRO: Welcome, background, family, location
As a young boy Dr. Stefan Alexandroni came to the US as a refugee from communist Romania along with his parents and younger sister. The family first settled in Washington state but then moved to California where Dr. Alex completed high school, college, and his advanced education, including being board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. From a young age, Dr. Alex developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“My relationship with God defines the core of who I am and what I hope to be,” says Dr. Alex.
He’s been married to his wife Cristina for ______ yrs, and they have 6 children. When he’s not crafting beautiful smiles, he enjoys learning, teaching, cooking, photography, fitness, and chicken farming. He loves being active outdoors and enjoys training for and competing in triathlons.
First, a definition: what’s an orthodontist? a specialist dentist who focuses on straightening teeth, correcting bite problems, and aligning jaws. (the word “ortho” means to straighten…)
Of all the specialties, what made you want to focus on orthodontics?
What’s your patient demographic? Kid to adult ratio?
Over 30% are adults.
Teeth tend to shift as you age (particularly after age 50); also grinding teeth contributes to movement…
Are braces still seen mostly as a “teenager thing”? Is the perception/stigma of having braces changing?
When we were in middle school (early 80s), braces came with nicknames like “brace face” or “metal mouth.” There were always stories about people getting “locked together” if they both had braces and kissed (didn’t actually KNOW anyone this happened to, but it was this big thing to watch out for). Maybe some of this came from the John Hughes movies that showed all the awkwardness of that age, even without something in your mouth that made you “stand out” when all you wanted to do was blend in.
By the time our kids had braces (in mid to late 2000s), it seemed like something a lot more kids were doing, so they didn’t seem to experience the same hassles.
It’s not all vanity, vanity. While having a nice smile contributes to self-confidence, getting braces is not all about appearances. What are some other reasons parents come to you for corrective alignment?
*story of Ben in Africa*
*Bob in W Tenn*
Dental alignment can affect chewing, speech, and overall oral health. (Say more about this.) (braces can correct speech impairment?)
When might you first start to notice that a child is probably headed toward braces? Is this something you can tell at early ages? If mom & dad had braces, will child automatically need them too?
For the majority of children, delaying treatment until all the adult teeth have come in is preferable (around age 12). Recommend an orthodontic evaluation beginning at age 7. This is the time when the adult bite can be determined and any tooth or jaw development issues can be identified.
Is there anything you can do to prevent needing braces or is it just a matter of genetics/fate? For example, discouraging pacifiers/thumb sucking?
How would you encourage a child who’s unhappy about or against getting braces?
*story of Tracy*
Compliance makes all the difference in how long you might need to wear braces. What are some ways to foster compliance in your kids? (rubber bands, retainers, etc.)
Cost. Braces, like most dental work, aren’t cheap. When you think about it, the whole process can be 2 yrs of consistent visits, maintenance, oversight, products, etc, which is a lot of work/time for an orthodontist. Often, there’s follow-up afterwards with retainers, etc. too.
Can be a wide range, from $3000 to $10,000, depending on what type is used and what add’l processes are needed. (palate expanders, etc.)
Most practices work with patients on cost, with payment plans. Also dental insurance may cover cost of braces, particularly if the need can be shown to be affecting health issues (TMJ etc).
Getting your braces off day.
Cause for celebration! Coincides with them changing & maturing in so many other ways. I remember it having changed their look, making them look older.