VI.  WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE AN ORTHODONTIST?
THE GREATEST
a.  How long have you been an orthodontist?     4 YEARS
b.  Do you have to be strong to be an orthodontist?   NO
c.  Do you get tired of working on people's mouths?    NO
e.  Have you ever seen someone have an allergic reaction to their braces?   NO
f.  Is it difficult to explain to kids what's wrong with their bite and what needs to be done?
VERBALLY YES, BUT WITH COMPUTER PROGRAMS, IMAGING AND MODELS IT APPEARS TO BE A LOT EASIER
g.  Are kids easier to work with than teenagers?
THIS DEPENDS ON THE KID
h.  If there is a problem with braces, can kids explain the problem to you?
MOSTLY YES, THEY HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT A BAND IS AND WHAT A BRACKET IS AND HOW THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS FIT TOGETHER SINCE WE EDUCATE PRIOR TO PLACEMENT OF THE BRACES
i.  Do you put the braces on all at once or do you put them on a little at a time?
IT DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON THE NEEDS OF EACH CASE
j.  How do you help kids get used to braces?
WE TRY TO TEACH THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT BRACES BEFORE WE GET STARTED AND THEN WE PLACE THE BRACES AND DO A COMPLETE SHOW AND TELL.  WE ALSO USE VERY SOFT WIRES INITIALLY TO MAKE THE PROCESS AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE.
k.  Do you recommend any books to them to help them with braces? Do you know of any books with characters with braces that kids would like?
WE HAVE BOOKLETS PROVIDED BY SOME OF THE DENTAL SUPPLY COMPANIES AS WELL AS BOOKLETS FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTICS. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON A CARTOON STRIP, THANKS TO YOUR IDEAS.
l.  Do you take pictures of them during their visit?

OFTEN IT IS INTERESTING TO PLOT THE CHANGES OR WATCH WHAT HAPPENS IN MORE COMPLEX CASES SO THAT WE CAN SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OUR COLLEAGUES.

m.  How often do you take x-rays?
AT THE BEGINNING OF TREATMENT, AGAIN WHEN WE WISH TO DETERMINE THE POSITION OF THE TOOTH ROOTS AND AGAIN AT THE END OF TREATMENT PRIOR TO REMOVAL OF BRACES TO DETERMINE THAT OUR RESULTS ARE STABLE AND THAT WE HAVE NOT PRODUCED ANY ROOT DAMAGE.
n.  What happens when kids loose a tooth when their braces are on?
GENERALLY THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM AS THE BABY TEETH DO NOT HAVE BRACES ON THEM. IF THEY DO WE CAN SIMPLY WAIT FOR THE PERMANENT TEETH TO COME THROUGH BEFORE WE CARRY ON WITH THE TOOTH MOVEMENT.
o.  Do people call you for emergencies a lot?   NO
p.  What are some of the emergencies people have with their braces?
WIRES POKING INTO THE CHEEKS, A BAND THAT HAS COME LOOSE, A BRACKET THAT HAS COME OFF OR A WIRE THAT HAS SNAPPED
q.  Do you get to know the patients pretty well?  Do they e-mail you?
VERY WELL, I LIKE TO KNOW ALL THE COOL THINGS THAT THE KIDS ARE GETTING UP TO. I LIKE TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR PROGRESS AT SCHOOL, THEIR INTERESTS AS WELL AS THEIR SPORTING EVENTS.
s.  What can kids do if their lips get hurt by the braces?
WE SUPPLY LITTLE ENVELOPES OF WAX THAT KIDS CAN ROLL INTO SMALL BALLS AND PLACE OVER THE WIRE OR BRACE THAT IS CAUSING DISCOMFORT
t.  Do you recommend any special machines for cleaning teeth and braces?
YES WE DO, BUT ADEQUATE INSTRUCTION IN THE USE OF A REGULAR DENTAL TOOTH BRUSH, INTERPROXIMAL CLEANERS AND FLOSSING IS USUALLY ADEQUATE FOR MOST KIDS TO MAINTAIN THE TISSUES IN THE MOUTH
u.  I heard that soda is bad for braces.  Is that true?
TOO MUCH SODA CAN HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE TEETH DUE TO BUILD UP OF PLAQUE RESULTING IN DECALCIFICATION AND DAMAGE TO THE ENAMEL OF THE TEETH
v.  What are some of the things kids tell you they are afraid of with their braces?
THEY ARE AFRAID OF THE DAY THE BRACES ARE REMOVED. THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY WILL COME OFF OR WHETHER IT WILL BE SORE.
w.  I heard that there are guards to put on if you play a wind instrument or play sports.  Are these guards a good idea?  Are they hard to use?  Are they expensive?
THEY ARE A GOOD IDEA TO PREVENT LACERATION OF THE LIPS AND TONGUE
y.  What do you think of computer imaging?  Is it the same technology as when the police show what a missing kid would look like when they are older?  Does it help kids work harder to take care of their braces?
THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT THE POLICE DO FOR MISSING KIDS. THIS IS HOWEVER BASED ON GROWTH ESTIMATES AND CANNOT BE ACCURATE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL. SOME PEOPLE MAY PUT ON WEIGHT OR CHANGE UNEXPECTANTLY AND THIS CANNOT BE FORECASTED BY THE IMAGING MODALITIES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.
z.  Which part of getting braces do kids like the least?
FITTING THE BANDS
 
 

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