Smile Designers | Scott D. Galkin, DMD

Is it good to have spaces between baby teeth?

drgalkin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:40:09 +0000

Spaces between baby teeth might not look the best, but spaces are the optimal way to allow the permanent teeth to fit in the mouth. Permanent teeth are generally bigger than the baby teeth that they are replacing. So having space between enables these bigger teeth to come into the mouth without being blocked. It is much better to have excess space than a lack of space for teeth as closing space is much easier to do than making space.

At what age should finger or thumb sucking be stopped in a child?

drgalkin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:12:16 +0000

Many infants suck their fingers, thumbs, or a pacifier. This is as part of their normal development. Unfortunately if these habits are not stopped by a certain age, they can cause damage to developing teeth and jaws. The general age that any oral habit should stop is age 2, this is the age when all of a child’s baby teeth should be in their mouth. If a habit continues after this age; a few majors dental issues will arise. First a narrow or constricted upper jaw will develop. This is a result of the constant inward pressure by the cheeks during the sucking action. Another result of a prolonged oral habit is flared or pushed out upper front teeth. This will give a presentation as “buck teeth,” which have much more of a chance to be traumatized if a child falls or hits his/her mouth. These are all reasons to make sure that a finger, thumb or pacifier habit is stopped as early as possible in a child’s development. If a habit persists; an orthodontist should be consulted and a strategy should be made to stop the habit and correct any dental issues that have formed.

How long do orthodontic retainers need to be worn?

drgalkin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 01:11:36 +0000

This is a question that Dr. Galkin gets asked all of the time. Retainers are given to orthodontic patients at the completion of treatment to keep their teeth from relapsing or shifting out of place. There is no time during one’s life when their teeth become “set in stone” and do not need need retainers to hold them in place. As a result of this, Dr Galkin tells ALL of his patients that retainer wear is life long or for as long as they want their teeth to remain straight. In other words, once a patient stops wearing their retainers they are at risk for having their teeth shift. And if teeth do shift, further orthodontic treatment might be the only option to put them back into place.

Can sports be played when wearing braces?

drgalkin — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:56:19 +0000

Yes, all sports can be played while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Although some additional precautions need to be taken. Since braces and wires are made of metal, a mouthguard should be worn during all sports/activities that may produce contact to the mouth. Wearing a mouthguard protects the lips and gums from any damage that may occur during athletic activity. Most mouthguards are made of rubber, which can lessen any impact or contact in or near the mouth. Special mouthguards are made for those people wearing braces, so ask your orthodontist which type of mouthguard would be right for you.

What type of schooling is necessary to become an orthodontist?

drgalkin — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:31:35 +0000

This is a question that Dr. Galkin get alot. After college, anyone interested in becoming an orthodontist must first attend dental school. Dental school is 4 years total. Many dental graduates choose to specialize and orthodontics is one of the many specialties that exist. Specialty training varies depending on the school that one attends and the specialty that they are pursuing. For orthodontics, specialty training is between 2 to 3 years. This is where one gets intensive training on treating patients orthodontically. Besides teaching how to straighten teeth, orthodontic specialty training focuses on how to deal and treat jaw and growth imbalances. Completing an accredited specialty program allows the graduate to apply for a specialty permit, with the state that they would like to practice in. Once they receive this permit, they are officially allowed to practice as an orthodontist.

Can kids wear Invisalign?

drgalkin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:02:02 +0000

The answer is maybe. 10 years ago, when Invisalign first become prominent in the dental world, the answer was no. But over the past couple of years, Invisalign has developed a product called “Invisalign Teen.” It is not for all teenagers. But for teenagers that fit the criteria, it is a great way to avoid having to wear conventional braces and wires. What makes “Invisalign Teen” special is that it has indicators that let the orthodontist know if the aligners are being worn the proper amount of time per day (22 to 23 hours). Also if an aligner is lost or misplaced, the first six are replaced at no extra cost. Only your orthodotnist can determine if “Invisalign Teen” is right for your situation, so ask Dr. Galkin if it something that would work for you or your child.

If I have fillings and crowns/bridges in my mouth, can I still get braces?

drgalkin — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:31:29 +0000

The answer to this question is yes. Even though a tooth may have a filling or crown on it, it still can be moved. The roots of these teeth are still present and this is why tooth movement will still work. Braces can be bonded or “glued” to fillings or crowns. The adhesives or “glues” that the orthodontist uses are specially made to work with filling or crowns that may be present. This enables almost everyone to have orthodontic treatment if they desire.

When should my child have all of his/her permanent teeth?

drgalkin — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:25:56 +0000

This is a question that Dr. Galkin hears all of the time. The textbook answer is age 12. But not every child acts like a textbook. What that means is that age 12 is an average and there are some children that gets all of their permanent teeth before age 12 and some who get them after. Dr. Galkin has seen 9 year olds with all of their permanent teeth and 16 year olds who still have baby teeth in their mouth. This is why it is best to see an orthodontist early, so that they can determine if your child’s teeth are forming correctly.

Do I need to see my regular dentist while going through orthodontic treatment?

drgalkin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:17:19 +0000

The answer is yes! Oral hygiene is important for everyone and is just as important if you are wearing braces. First braces and wires can make be a trap for plaque (which cause cavities and gum disease) and make it difficult to keep your teeth clean. Seeing your regular dentist can help patients with the necessary maintenance while wearing braces. Also moving teeth cause the gum and bone around the teeth to reform as the teeth move. It is very important that the dentist monitor both the gum and bone to make sure that they remain healthy while this occurs. It is recommended to see your regular dentist at least every 6 months while undergoing orthodontic treatment or more often if your dentists recommends. Ask your orthodontist or dentist what is best for you.

Are colored braces available?

drgalkin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:15:12 +0000

This is a question that Dr. Galkin gets asked all of the time. Because of the force that is necessary to move teeth; braces are made out of stainless steel or a ceramic material, both which do not have color to them. But the good news is that the elastic ligatures or “donuts” that hold the wires in place are made of all different colors. Since their main purpose is to hold the orthodontic wires in place, they are removed and replaced at each visit. This means that a patient can change the “color” of the braces at each of their appointments without changing the actual brace. Every color of the rainbow is available and it helps make braces an enjoyable experience for everyone.