You may have heard of Invisalign or even Invisalign Teen, but now there’s a treatment designed specifically for your little one’s smile: Invisalign First. These nearly-invisible aligners provide gentle, yet effective care for kids aged 6 to 10.
Invisalign First allows me to treat a broad range of teeth straightening issues in growing children, including crowding of teeth and large gaps between the teeth. Yet Invisalign first offers the added benefits of:
Easier brushing and flossing – the aligners are removable!
Greater comfort as the system works with aligners and not brackets or wires that can rub and poke
Can be implemented even if your child still has baby teeth
Either with Invisalign first or more traditional technologies, early orthodontic treatment has many benefits including identifying and preventing issues before they become more significant problems.
At O’Neill Orthodontics we focus on your child’s individual needs – there is no universal treatment plan for tiny mouths. We will work with your child and your family to create a treatment plan that addresses your child’s best interests.
Our unique office is located in New Freedom, PA – we’re an easy drive for all our PA and Maryland patients and provide top-notch care in a sophisticated, tech savvy office. Dr. Nancy O’Neill is a Board Certified Orthodontist and a graduate of the University of Maryland. If you’re looking for excellence, you’re looking for O’Neill Orthodontics. We can’t wait to meet you.
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!
Are you considering orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth but don’t like the idea of traditional braces or plastic aligners? Lingual braces might be an option for you. Lingual braces offer a discrete alternative to other forms of orthodontic treatment. What sets lingual braces apart is in their placement on the back of the teeth.
Why lingual braces?
Patients have many reasons to forgo the traditional braces route. They might be in a professional position and feel braces are too distracting. Or, some adults think they look immature with metal brackets bedazzling their smile. Plastic aligners are a better cosmetic option but they also aren’t for everyone. The idea of removing the aligners and the process of switching them out bothers some people.
If you’re looking for the cosmetic advantages of plastic aligners and the permanence of traditional braces O’Neill Orthodontics has the perfect solution for you. Lingual braces offer the best of both worlds.
There is a growing interest in lingual braces because of these great features, although not every practice offers them. Placement requires additional training and experience. At O’Neill Orthodontics, Dr. O’Neill has the advanced education and experience necessary to treat you with lingual braces.
Treatment with lingual braces
Essentially, lingual braces are like traditional braces but they are placed behind the teeth in order to hide them. The inside or reverse side of teeth are referred to by orthodontists as the lingual side, hence the name. They are also sometimes called “inside braces.”
Lingual braces can correct many of the same problems including misalignments, closing gaps, as well as most orthodontic problems. People who play sports or a wind instrument opt for lingual braces because their placement will not interfere with performance.
The process is also very similar to traditional braces. We take a scan or impression and use that detailed cast to custom brackets for your teeth. We then bond the brackets to the lingual side and then place the wires.
Your lingual braces are permanent but not visible.
Caring for your lingual braces
Cleaning your teeth with lingual braces is just as important as traditional braces. We recommend you brush twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Floss at least once a day. You can also use a water irrigation device (water floss) to flush between brackets and your teeth. Keep up on your regular dental cleanings as well.
Your food choices are also similar to regular braces. Foods that are too sticky or chewie and too hard or crunchy can damage your braces or cause them to become loose, lengthening treatment time.
Are lingual braces right for me?
Lingual braces are not for everyone or for every situation. Dr. O’Neill will help you decide if lingual braces are the right choice. She will explain your options and how they differ from both traditional braces and plastic aligners.
Contact O’Neill Orthodontics today for a consultation to find out more about lingual braces and whether they are a good esthetic option for you.
Our unique office is located in New Freedom, PA – we’re an easy drive for all our PA and Maryland patients and provide top-notch care in a sophisticated, tech-savvy office. Dr. Nancy O’Neill is a Board Certified Orthodontist and a graduate of the University of Maryland. If you’re looking for excellence, you’re looking for O’Neill Orthodontics.
*Note: While Dr. O’Neill can spot airway obstruction, she will always refer your teen to a specialist to diagnose. If diagnosed with Sleep Apnea or Airway Obstruction, Dr. O’Neill is certified and an expert with treatment!
In our continuous effort to provide the best orthodontic care for our patients, we are excited to include PROPEL® technology in our dental practice. PROPEL® stimulates bone remodeling, allowing the teeth to move faster and more predictably into their ideal position. This innovative technology allows Dr. Nancy O’Neill to finish treatment more effectively and efficiently. This means less time in treatment for both patients in traditional braces or using Invisalign™ aligners. PROPEL® works with the patient’s own biology by stimulating the bone surrounding the teeth. Patients will finish their treatment with exceptional results in less time and with fewer treatment visits. What is PROPEL® Orthodontics? PROPEL® Orthodontics provides innovative devices and procedures to shift teeth as quickly and painlessly as possible. The PROPEL® System can be used in combination with current orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign® and traditional braces, to help move teeth into the desired position 50% faster than teeth can move with Invisalign® and traditional braces alone. Dr. O’Neill is a PROPEL® Orthodontics provider, so you can enjoy a perfect smile faster than ever before. Why PROPEL®? The PROPEL® System uses a procedure called Alveocentesis™ to make orthodontic systems, such as Invisalign® and traditional braces, more efficient. Alveocentesis™ stimulates the production of alveolar bone in the maxilla and mandible, the upper and lower jaw, so as teeth shift into alignment, the bone that holds teeth in place can better adjust to shifting teeth. An increasing number of adults are seeking the variety of orthodontic treatments available to straighten their teeth. Many adults can receive orthodontic treatments without the worry of bone growth or development and still achieve beautiful results, but severe malocclusion, such as an overbite or cross bite, may provide an added concern during orthodontic treatments. In addition to less bone development, adults heal more slowly, and their teeth shift at a slower rate. PROPEL® Orthodontics can help with all of these factors while on your journey to achieve a perfect smile. How can PROPEL® Orthodontics help me? At O’Neill Orthodontics, Dr. O’Neill provides PROPEL® Orthodontics to help facilitate and expedite the orthodontic process, especially in adult patients whose avuncular bone can no longer produce new bone to accommodate shifting teeth. The PROPEL® system will help both your teeth shift and tissues heal faster than they ever could with orthodontic treatment alone. PROPEL® Orthodontics can also help produce faster results in patients whose bone growth is still active, such as in teens and young adults. With PROPEL® Orthodontics, Dr. O’Neill can help: Shift teeth faster Heal tissues faster Stimulate alveolar bone development Supplement and enhance the process of orthodontic treatments
At O’Neill Orthodontics, we strive to make sure every patient has the right treatment plan and options. The benefits of Accelerated Orthodontics, as stated above, are clear – so contact us today to see if you or your child is an ideal candidate. Our consultations are complimentary and we happily accept insurance.
Our unique office is located in New Freedom, PA – we’re an easy drive for all our PA and Maryland patients and provide top-notch care in a sophisticated, tech savvy office. Dr. Nancy O’Neill is a Board Certified Orthodontist and a graduate of the University of Maryland. If you’re looking for excellence, you’re looking for O’Neill Orthodontics.
*Note: While Dr. O’Neill can spot airway obstruction, she will always refer your teen to a specialist to diagnose. If diagnosed with Sleep Apnea or Airway Obstruction, Dr. O’Neill is certified and an expert with treatment!
The same impressive Invisalign technology adapted for children who have mixed adult and juvenile teeth, aged 6 to 10-years-old.
At O’Neill Orthodontics we highly recommend having your child seen by an experienced orthodontist around their 7th birthday. Why so soon? Early orthodontic treatment isn’t for everyone but in specific cases, a child comes to us with moderate to severe orthodontic issues that just can’t wait for later treatment. This is referred to as Phase 1 treatment or early interceptive treatment and is performed before all of a child’s permanent teeth have erupted, a situation called early mixed dentition (a mixture of primary/baby and permanent teeth.)
As a parent, we know it’s hard to imagine your little one in braces at such an early age. That’s why we’re excited to tell you that Invisalign is now an option for our younger patients in need of Phase 1 treatment!
Children ages 6-10 can now be treated by Invisalign First for issues typically solved via arch expanders, or partial metal braces. The new Invisalign First clear aligners are designed specifically to address a broad range of younger patients’ problems. Early treatment can prevent more severe problems or alignment issues that could get worse later on while providing a foundation for permanent teeth to begin to erupt.
Invisalign First uses the same comfortable clear aligner and scanning technology as adult and teen Invisalign treatment. At the same time, Invisalign First clear aligners expand on key innovations and have been specifically designed for growing patients with new and unique features and functionality. The Invisalign First aligners were created exclusively for younger patients with shorter tooth crowns and what the company calls its Eruption Compensation feature that makes it possible to treat erupting or changing dentition. In other words, Invisalign First can accommodate baby teeth falling out and permanent tooth growing in all while adjusting your child’s teeth according to the plan Dr. O’Neill has laid out.
The technology has the same benefits Invisalign has always offered: no food restrictions, no change in brushing or cleaning, and less chance of emergency visits. We know your child’s health is precious – this technology was extensively tested prior to release and Dr. O’Neill has found it to be a great tool for early orthodontic treatment.
If your child is approaching their seventh birthday or recently passed that fun milestone, click below for a complimentary consultation at O’Neill Orthodontics and ask us about Invisalign First!
Our unique office is located in New Freedom, PA – we’re an easy drive for all our PA and Maryland patients and provide top-notch care in a sophisticated, tech-savvy office. Dr. Nancy O’Neill is a Board Certified Orthodontist and a graduate of the University of Maryland. If you’re looking for excellence, you’re looking for O’Neill Orthodontics.
Click below to make a complimentary consultation appointment. We can’t wait to meet you.
*Note: While Dr. O’Neill can spot airway obstruction, she will always refer your teen to a specialist to diagnose. If diagnosed with Sleep Apnea or Airway Obstruction, Dr. O’Neill is certified and an expert with treatment!
Every parent wants their child to be able to smile with confidence but for many, that’s not the only reason to investigate orthodontics at an early age. While the average age for orthodontic treatment is around 12 years old, we at O’Neill Orthodontics have a mission to focus on children 7 and up, keeping with the American Association of Orthodontics’ guidelines. Why, age seven, you ask?
Early Orthodontic treatment has many benefits. An orthodontic consult at an early age can catch future issues and adjust for them before they become problems. Some of these issues include:
Crossbites: by age 7 most children’s permanent molars and incisors have come in. A trained eye can see early on if crowding or crossbites will be an issue as the rest of your child’s permanent teeth come in. The earlier treatment begins, the easier it will be because your child’s jaw is less developed at this early age and can be guided along the right path rather than working to reverse issues at a later age.
Overcrowding: Traditionally, orthodontists would say wait until age 11 or 12 to treat a crowding problem, but the problem isn’t going to get any better by waiting. Early treatment has been proven to correct narrow arch and create space for the teeth as well as for the tongue so it may function correctly when swallowing. Plus, early treatment can avoid the need for future tooth extraction or jaw surgery.
Airway Obstruction: well-developed airways allow normal breathing through the nose when the mouth is closed. While this may sound trivial, nasal breathing is important because it’s now known to be vital to good health. Airway obstruction has been linked to developmental delays, sleep disorders, behavioral disturbances, and later can lead to hypertension, stroke, heart disease and even premature death. These sound scary but the treatment is easy if we are able to catch it early on!* We all can relate to our little ones that struggle with allergies!
The benefits of Early Orthodontic treatment are clear:
Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct any habits that can cause bad bite later on, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment. Speaking of…
Two-Phase Treatment. Phase 1 works with your young child to make space for their permanent teeth. Phase 2 begins once they’ve arrived. Often children who undergo Phase 1 treatment have a much shorter Phase 2. This makes life easier for both them and you as their schedules get busier and busier.
Not every 7 year old will need early treatment, but if they do need early treatment and if it is caught early on by a trained orthodontist, like Dr. O’Neill, it could make a big difference in their overall treatment outcomes. Phase one orthodontics allows Dr. O’Neill to take advantage of your child’s growth to guide his or her teeth and jaw, possibly avoiding future extractions.
Knowing the importance of early orthodontics is only part of the battle. Then the question is who do you trust to give you an accurate and individualized opinion? We at O’Neill Orthodontics focus on your child’s individual needs – there is no universal treatment plan. We will work with your child and your family to create a treatment plan that addresses your child’s best interests.
Our unique office is located in New Freedom, PA – we’re an easy drive for all our PA and Maryland patients and provide top-notch care in a sophisticated, tech-savvy office. Dr. Nancy O’Neill is a Board Certified Orthodontist and a graduate of the University of Maryland. If you’re looking for excellence, you’re looking for O’Neill Orthodontics. We can’t wait to meet you.
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation! Click below to request an appointment:
*Note: While Dr. O’Neill can spot airway obstruction, she will always refer your child to a specialist to diagnose. If diagnosed with Sleep Apnea or Airway Obstruction, Dr. O’Neill is certified and an expert with treatment!
