All Orthodontists are dentists but according to a survey carried out by the American Dental Association, only 6% of the dentists are licensed Orthodontists. Although some dentists may place braces or Invisalign, only a trained Orthodontist can diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities efficiently. The difference between normal dentists and an Orthodontist is quite similar to that between a family doctor and an OB/GYN. Once one achieves a university degree and earns specialty status, an Orthodontist focuses their attention exclusively on orthodontic problems excluding every other dental treatment like fillings, cleanings, crowns, etc. which makes them distinguished problem-solvers for orthodontic issues affecting Clifton patients.
Our Board Certified Orthodontist, Dr. Muhammad Abey, serving patients in our comfortable and affordable Clifton location, is experienced with children and adult orthodontics. He completed his orthodontic residency at NYU and later became a Clinical Associate Professor at the NYU Dentistry Department of Orthodontics. After years of working in private practice in NJ, he joined Dr. Sokolina to offer comprehensive treatments for our patients.
At our Clifton, NJ office, we offer orthodontist-dentist combined treatment to our patients. This means that all treatments carried out are overseen by both a dentist and an orthodontist so that your long-term dental care is always of the highest quality. This approach minimizes the chance for complications and can prevent the creation of new dental problems in the future.
When you come in, Dr. Abey will carry a full examination prior to any treatment to observe how your child swallows, their oral muscles and how they use their tongue. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children should get a check-up with an orthodontist before the age of 7.
If your child is older than 7, it’s certainly not too late for a check-up. As patients’ physiological development and treatment needs differ from person to person, it is advised to choose a board-certified Orthodontist like Dr. Abey to develop a personalized treatment plan for them.
It is especially important to choose a top orthodontist – as poor orthodontic treatment can result in breathing problems and sleep apnea. Our dentist, Maria Sokolina DDS, oversees all orthodontic cases to make sure that no unusual side effects occur. It is common for patients to continue with dental care after their orthodontic treatment is completed. At Harmony Dental our whole team is here to support you for years to come.
Children’s mouths are constantly changing and evolving with time. It is good to keep a watch for these common problems and if you notice any, we recommend to book an appointment with our orthodontist for a check-up.
A crossbite of front teeth often develops during childhood and if not corrected, it will remain into adulthood. If left untreated, a crossbite can cause serious health issues such as gum disease, tooth decay and stress on the jaw.
A crossbite of the back teeth, or posterior crossbite refers to when the top back teeth bite down into the bottom back teeth. It happens to up to 16% of kids and often requires orthodontic treatment to fix.
If your child has overcrowded teeth, it could possibly be caused by an underdeveloped jaw. Overcrowded teeth can cause problems when it is time for the adult teeth to come through. To prevent any issues with the growth of their adult teeth, it is important to consult with our Orthodontist who will be able to realign your child’s teeth.
When your child has an open bite, it means that their top and bottom teeth do not meet when the back teeth are closed together. The cause of an open bite can be genetic or functional from habits such as thumb sucking or chewing on objects. If you suspect that your child has an open bite, set a time to meet our Orthodontist.
If your child has protruding teeth, it means that their upper front teeth are protruding out towards the lip more than the bottom front teeth are. This dental problem can easily be fixed with Orthodontic treatment.
A deep bite is when the top front teeth overlap the bottom front teeth by a considerable amount when the teeth are closed. Another name for this condition is ‘Overbite’. If left untreated a deep bite can cause excessive wear to teeth and gums resulting in more serious dental issues. If your child has an overbite, it is essential they see an Orthodontist who will be able to realign the bite.
If your child has an underbite, their bottom front teeth will be protruding out further than the upper front teeth. An underbite can be genetic but it can also be caused by excessive thumb-sucking, use of a pacifier or extended bottle feeding. If your child suffers from this condition consult with our Orthodontist.
Gaps may appear in your child’s teeth if their teeth are too small for their jaw bone or for a number of other reasons relating to tooth growth. If your child’s teeth have grown with gaps, consult with our Orthodontist who will be able to give your child a straight, beautiful smile.
Oral habits that develop during childhood can have devastating effects on the development of a child’s mouth. Thumb sucking, finger biting, nail-biting, finger sucking and tongue thrusting can all contribute to long term damage for tooth development. If you notice your child has any bad oral habits, consult with our Orthodontist to monitor any signs of damage.
As a caring parent, it is your responsibility to get a good Orthodontic treatment for your child. Clifton’s leading Orthodontics specialist Dr. Abey is proud to treat patients of all ages.
Soreness and mild pain are common after dental or orthodontic treatment. Hydrogen peroxide and salt solution can be used as a rinse to help deal with pain. Over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin can also be used as a last resort to manage pain and inflammation, but patients should always be aware of allergies before use. If gums begin to bleed it is usually a sign of infection and should be treated carefully. Pay close attention to the affected area when cleaning, making sure to use a Listerine rinse regularly.
In addition, following the removal of braces, many people will notice spaces developing in between their teeth. This is completely normal and is no reason to panic! Your teeth are just naturally expanding into a broader smile. Retainers are also commonly used after braces are removed to ensure teeth remain straight and correctly aligned.
If you or a loved one is considering braces or having issues with existing braces, feel free to schedule a consultation or fill out the form below to start your path towards better oral health. For more information on the services we provide at Harmony Dental Arts located in Clifton, New Jersey, check out our FAQ.
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