Orthodontic Treatment

Even though most people think of pre-teens and teens when they think of orthodontics, there are good reasons your child should get an orthodontic evaluation much sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.

Treatment & Other Information
When you visit one of our offices for a consultation, the doctor will evaluate and develop a diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan for your case. There will be no fee for this consultation, as a courtesy to your general dentist, who will receive a report of your visit.

Orthodontic treatment may take many forms, depending on age, severity of case, and objectives. In our office, we use the following terms to describe your treatment: Interceptive, Comprehensive, Adult.

Interceptive Treatment

Certain methods are used in the early mixed dentition (ages 6-9). These include reduction of tooth overlap, crossbite correction, reduction of severe tooth flaring, and space maintenance. Following this type of treatment, the patient is evaluated for any further treatment needs when permanent dentition is complete.

Other early treatment methods are used for the more complex conditions of the early/late mixed dentition (ages 8-12). Arch expansion and arch lengthening are examples of this type of treatment. Again, when the permanent dentition is complete, the patient is evaluated for further treatment.

Comprehensive Treatment

Full fixed orthodontic treatment (braces) is used in the late mixed/permanent dentition of adolescents (ages 10-adult) to correct the alignment and position of the teeth.

Adult Orthodontics

Adults now have the opportunity to have the orthodontic correction that may not have been available during their adolescence. In our office, approximately 25% of our new patients are adults; advancements in treatment methods and techniques make adult treatment better than ever. Arch alignment, reduction of tooth overlap and flaring are a few examples.

Esthetic orthodontic brackets, made of ceramic, are the choice of the majority of our adults. Our office also offers a state-of-the-art method of aligning less severe bite problems. With the Invisalign Aligner Systems, certain adult cases may be treated without the use of “braces”. These aligners are virtually invisible when worn by the patient to correct less severe malocclusions. Long-term retention follows all methods of adult orthodontics in San Antonio.

Benefits of Braces:

Better appearance of teeth smile and face
Improved self-esteem and confidence
Well-being and feeling of acceptance
A more even bite
Easier to clean teeth
Reduce risk of injury to protruding front teeth
Improve growth in a positive manner
Correct harmful habits
Better jaw alignment, proportion and function

Mirror Test Your Smile:

Look at your smile or your child’s smile in a mirror. If you see the warning signs of a bad bite, we can help you. Give our offices a call!

Top front teeth protrude or are “bucked”
Top front teeth cover more than 25% of the bottom front teeth when the back teeth are biting together
Top front teeth grow in behind the bottom front teeth
A weak chin or a prominent chin
A space exists between the top and bottom front teeth with the back teeth biting together
Crowded, overlapped, misplaced teeth or extra teeth
Some teeth don’t meet at all
Baby teeth falling out too early or very late
The centers of the top and bottom front teeth don’t line up
Often biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
Finger sucking or tongue sucking habit continuing after 6 years of age old
Difficulty chewing or biting with teeth that don’t meet evenly on both sides
Teeth wearing unevenly
Jaws that shift off center when the teeth bite together
Excessive spaces between teeth that persist after the top permanent canine teeth appear
Embarrassing teeth or smile often hidden by hands

What Makes Our Offices Special:

You are seen on time. We know your time is valuable.

You see the same orthodontist each month who knows what was done at your last visit and what you need next.

You receive personal attention from our orthodontist. We don’t deliver your care in assembly line fashion. We take enormous pride in the relationships we build with our patients and families.

We don’t take shortcuts when planning your treatment. We advise complete diagnostic tests (x-rays, photos and impressions of the teeth) at your consultation when treatment is indicated. There is no substitute for having all the diagnostic information. A lack of information can lead to improper treatment.

You are offered a choice of many payment options. You don’t even have to write a check because we can do it automatically for you if you desire.

You receive care in a stable practice. The same orthodontist, in the same locations for more than 14 years.

Your treatment is “state of the art”. Computer video imaging, cavity fighting adhesives, latex-free elastics and space age low force wires are all available.

Consultation Reservations:

If you would like to request a consultation reservation please call us.

by: Jeffrey Broobin

An important part of lifetime planning is the Power of Attorney. Valid in all states, these documents give one or more persons the power to act on your behalf. The power may be limited to a particular activity (e.g., closing the sale of your home) or general in its application, empowering one or more persons to act on your behalf in a variety of situations. It may take effective immediately or only upon the occurrence of a future event (e.g., a determination that you are unable to act for yourself). The latter are “springing” Powers of Attorney. It may give temporary or continuous, permanent authority to act on your behalf. A power of attorney may be revoked, but most states require written notice of revocation to the person named to act for you.
The person named in a Power of Attorney to act on your behalf is commonly referred to as your “agent” or “attorney-in-fact.” With a valid Power of Attorney, your agent can take any action permitted in the document. Often your agent must present the actual document to invoke the power. For example, if another person is acting on your behalf to sell an automobile, the motor vehicles department generally will require that the Power of Attorney be presented before your agent’s authority to sign the title will be honored. Similarly, an agent who signs documents to buy or sell real property on your behalf must present the Power of Attorney to the title company. The same applies to sale of securities or opening and closing bank accounts. However, your agent generally should not need to present the Power of Attorney when signing checks for you.

Why would anyone give such sweeping authority to another person? One answer is convenience. If you are buying or selling assets and do not wish to appear in person to close the transaction, you may take advantage of a Power of Attorney. Another important reason to use Powers of Attorney is to prepare for situations when you may not be able to act on your own behalf due to absence or incapacity. Such a disability may be temporary (e.g., due to travel, accident, or illness) or it may be permanent.

If you do not have a Power of Attorney and become unable to manage your personal or business affairs, it may become necessary for a court to appoint one or more people to act for you. People appointed in this manner are referred to as guardians, conservators, or committees, depending upon your local state law. If a court proceeding, sometimes known as intervention, is needed, than you may not have the ability to choose the person who will act for you. With A Power of Attorney, you choose who will act and define their authority and its limits, if any.

What if I move? Generally, a Power of Attorney that is valid when you sign it will remain valid even if you change your state of residence. Although it should not be necessary to sign a new Power of Attorney merely because you have moved to a new state, it is a good idea to take the opportunity to update your Power of Attorney.

Will my Power of Attorney expire? Some states used to require renewal of Powers of Attorney for continuing validity. Today, most states permit a “durable” Power of Attorney that remains valid once signed until you die or revoke the document. However, you should periodically meet with your lawyer to revisit a Power of Attorney and consider whether your choice of agent still meets your needs and learn whether developments in state law affect your Power of Attorney.

The opinions, statements and information contained and expressed in the foregoing article are solely those of the author. No position for or against, agreeing with or disagreeing with anything contained in said article is taken by US Attorneys Directory.com. We do not assume or accept any liability for the use of the information contained herein. This article is published solely as a service to attorneys, lawyers and the internet community. Anyone who does not accept this disclaimer is not authorised to read or use this article in any way.