A white background with a few lines on it
orthodontic services

A "one-stop-shop" for dentistry and orthodontics allows a collaborative approach for treatment planning and successful outcomes. The Gallatin pediatric team monitors the functional development of your child's oral condition. You will be aware early on if your child will require orthodontic care. 


Adults are able to make an informed decision about whether traditional orthodontic care or invisalign is best for them. 


Once braces are applied, you return regularly for adjustments. When wires are changed, it's an excellent opportunity for your hygienist to clean your teeth without navigating around the wires, so you get better cleaning. 


Gallatin board-certified orthodontists achieve a beautiful, functional smile to last your lifetime. Common issues addressed and treated include: 


  • Crowding 
  • Cross-bites
  • Overbites
  • Underbites
  • Misaligned teeth

Orthodontic Consultation

The Gallatin Dental Group, Orthodontist team provides an orthodontic evaluation and consultation upon  recommendation from your primary dentist. Your dentist or pediatric specialist assess your teeth's alignment, growth, and development at each visit. They will suggest the right time for an orthodontic assessment. For children, this is sometimes by age six or later when adult teeth have emerged, depending on the presenting needs by age 10-12 years. 


Misalignment of the teeth or jaw determines if any orthodontist treatment is required now or in the future. The Orthodontist will review all x-rays and examine the face as a whole. We discuss the pros and cons of various treatment options and decide what is best for you or your child.

dental consultation
dental braces

Space Management

When there are large spaces in the mouth, teeth at either side may shift into the space over time. Your orthodontist may want to prevent or correct movement using these options: 

  • Space Regaining Appliances

These appliances push teeth back into position when they have shifted.

  • Band and Loop Space Maintainers

When a baby tooth is lost early, your orthodontist may use a band and loop space maintainer to ensure the permanent has space for proper alignment

  • Nance Appliance and Lower Lingual Holding Arch

These appliances hold teeth in position to prevent them from shifting into a gap left by missing or prematurely lost baby teeth.

Orthodontics for Kids

The Gallatin Dental Pediatric team keeps a close eye on your child's developing teeth because, contrary to popular belief, there are times when early orthodontic intervention is required. In these situations, a two-phase intervention is best: 


  • Improved nasal breathing (airway-focused orthodontics)
  • Prevent extraction of permanent teeth (taking adult teeth out to gain space)
  • Reduce the need for future jaw surgery
  • Allows face to grow optimally
  • Improved function and esthetics 
kid dental services

CROSSBITE APPLIANCES

A crossbite occurs because the top jaw is narrow compared to the bottom jaw. The top plate is the floor of the nose. When this palate is too narrow, breathing will be affected. Treatment is required to prevent breathing disorders. 


Crossbites prevent the normal function of the jaws, leading to the overworked tempero-mandibular joints-TMJ, causing dysfunction. Crossbites prevent the top and bottom teeth from being aligned adequately relative to one another, affecting the smile's aesthetics.


A crossbite appliance is worn to widen the top jaw relative to the bottom jaw and correct crossbites. Children's bones are malleable early on, so there is a window of time for effective treatment.


HABIT BREAKING APPLIANCES (thumb sucking, tongue thrust)

Thumb or finger sucking and tongue thrust habits cause a gap between the top and bottom front teeth. The best time to address these habits is by the time the permanent teeth start to come in.


Parents are often successful at breaking these habits with bitters on the fingers or a reward chart. But when all else fails, a Tguard appliance can be very effective.

 

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), in addition to the guard, helps resolve oral habits. OMT aims to retrain muscles in and around the mouth to obtain a normal posture for the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaws, reducing the need for orthodontic treatments. 

clear aligners

Orthodontics for Teens and Adults

BRACES

Traditional braces successfully realign teeth. Brackets fixed onto the teeth with wires apply force on specific teeth to gently move them over time. 


INVISALIGN®

Invisalign® uses a series of invisible aligners that change each week and slowly move teeth over time. 


Invisalign® is an effective option for responsible patients who wear and change their aligners as required. We love Invisalign® because you can maintain proper oral hygiene by removing the aligners for eating, brushing, and flossing. 

Share by: