The Samra Group

Ask The Experts: Dr. John M. Young
07/01/2007

Ask The Experts: Dr. John M. Young

Dr. John M. Young, Colts Neck Center for Orthodontics and Invisalign

Dr. John M. Young
Colts Neck Center for Orthodontics and Invisalign
Colts Neck, NJ

Dr. Young has been practicing in Monmouth County [Holmdel and Little Silver] since 1993, and is also an instructor and member of the Cleft Palate Team at Monmouth Medical Center. He has lived in Colts Neck since 1995 and opened his Colts Neck office in January 2006. Dr. Young and his wife Rosemarie have four daughters: Cassidy, 11, and 10-year-old triplets Jamie, Rebecca, and Courtney. For a complimentary consultation call (732)761-9700. What is the best age for a child to be evaluated by an orthodontist? Things have changed dramatically since I had braces (mid 1970’s). Back then, the rule of thumb was to wait until all of your child's teeth erupted. Today, however, The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children be evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7. That doesn’t mean that all children need to begin treatment at that age; some do, but most should begin treatment between ages 9–12, depending on their tooth eruption. The advantage of starting early is that appliances like palate developers and space maintainers can be used to minimize the time braces need to be worn. These appliances allow us to work with the growth of the jaw to prevent permanent tooth extractions in the future, even in cases of extreme crowding. Starting early also helps a young child's self-esteem by making their smile look better at an important age. Most of our patients finish treatments before they begin high school, and our final result is more stable and long-lasting with early treatment. This is because if we guide your child's permanent teeth into position as they erupt, they never become crooked and are less likely to move, providing a lifelong beautiful, healthy smile. What causes crooked teeth and bite problems? Both are referred to as malocclusion, which literally means “bad bite.” These problems are somewhat genetic – tooth size and shape, jaw relationships – and environmental, meaning that jaw and tooth development are affected by lifestyle and habits. Two great examples are thumb sucking and chronic mouth breathing; both can severely affect jaw size and tooth position. What percentage of children need orthodontic treatment? In the United States approximately 80% of adolescents need some type of orthodontic treatment. The percentage of children treated by an orthodontist in Monmouth County is slightly higher than that (82–86%). Is a referral needed for an orthodontic visit? We appreciate referrals from other health professionals (dentists, pediatricians, otolaryngologists); however, no referral is necessary to visit our office, and the initial examination is complimentary. What is Invisalign? Invisalign is an alternative that makes it easy to straighten teeth without brackets, bands, or wires. It is a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom made and programmed to move your teeth into their final position; they are made by 3-D computer-imaging technology. They are changed about every 2 weeks, and are virtually invisible. They are very effective and comfortable, and do not require you to change your busy lifestyle – you can eat your favorite foods, and brush and floss normally to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Most of our Invisalign patients are in treatment for 1 year or less. It is very popular with college students, brides-to-be, and parents who would like to improve their own smiles without wearing appliances. Can my child be treated with Invisalign? Invisalign is an option for teens, as long as all of their teeth have erupted (with the exception of wisdom teeth or third molars). Approximately 10% of our Invisalign patients are between 14–21 years old. How much does Invisalign cost, and is it covered by insurance? If provided by a specialist in orthodontics, it is highly effective in treating malocclusion. The cost depends on the kind of treatment and how long it takes. In our office, it is often similar to the cost of clear, traditional braces. If you have orthodontic insurance coverage, Invisalign is normally covered to the same extent as conventional braces.




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