• Early Treatment

  There are several ways that kids can benefit from seeing an orthodontist at an early age. But it's important to recognize that early evaluation isn't necessarily followed by early treatment; in most cases, if orthodontic work is needed, we simply monitor your child's growth patterns until we see that it's time for treatment to begin. This gives us an opportunity to get the best results in the most efficient way, and to help prevent future problems.

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  Although every child's development is different, in most kids the first adult molars have typically started to emerge by around age six. This, along with other developmental markers, lets us get a handle on the basic alignment of the teeth, from front to back and side to side. It may also be possible at this point to determine whether there is adequate room in the mouth for all of the permanent teeth — and, if not, to take action.

• Adolescent Treatment

  There are several good reasons why adolescence is the optimal time for orthodontic treatment, though occasionally even earlier intervention is called for. One has to do with the development of the teeth: There's no set timetable for every kid, but generally by the age of 11-13 the deciduous (baby) teeth have all been lost, and the permanent ones have largely come in. This is the time when we can go to work correcting the problems that cause a bad bite (malocclusion), improper tooth spacing or poor alignment.

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  Orthodontic problems don't improve with age — they simply become harder to treat. It's easier to treat many orthodontic problems during adolescence because the body is still growing rapidly at this time. Whether we use standard braces, or appliances like palatal expanders, we can create an improved appearance and function in a short period of time. In later years, when the bones of the face and jaw are fully developed, many conditions become more difficult (and costly) to treat.

  There's even a social element to getting orthodontic treatment in adolescence. If you need braces, you're not alone! Chances are you'll see some of your classmates in our office, and you may even make new friends as you go through the process together. When it's done, you'll have a smile that you can really be proud of, and benefits that will last your whole life.

• Adult Treatment

  We're seeing more and more adult orthodontic patients these days, and it's not hard to figure out why. Appliances that are barely noticeable have been developed to give adults more discreet choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. And many adults realize that investing in a smile makeover can have significant benefits, socially and professionally. Straightening teeth can be an important part of that confidence-boosting makeover process.

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  Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there's no such thing as being too old for braces. However, orthodontic treatment for adults is different in two important respects: For one thing, the growth and development of the jaws is complete in adults, so changes in actual jaw structure can't be accomplished with orthodontic appliances in the way they can with a growing child.

  Secondly, periodontal (gum) disease is more prevalent in adults than in children. While you are wearing the orthodontic appliances, gentle forces will be applied to your teeth so they can move through their surrounding bone. Periodontal health plays a key role in all of this; if the gum tissues are not healthy during orthodontics, bone loss can result and weaken the long-term prognosis of your teeth. So any gum disease must be brought under control before orthodontic treatment begins. And to maintain your periodontal health, you will need to make sure to have regular professional cleanings during the orthodontics while maintaining good oral hygiene at home.

• Retention

  When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months,but really lasts the rest of your life! Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you've put in so far. You will wear your retainers all the time for 21 hours a day for the first year you have them off. Then we will cut you back to 12 hours for about 6 months,then to just nights for as long as it takes to keep your teeth straight. You spent time,money and a lot of effort to get your teeth perfect and we want to help you keep them this way!

• Jaw Surgery

  Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) treats and corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the jaws and the teeth. Often, these abnormalities cause difficulty associated with chewing, talking, sleeping and other routine activities. Orthognathic surgery corrects these problems and, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, will improve the overall appearance of the facial profile.

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  Using the latest in digital imaging technology, we will demonstrate the overall functional and aesthetic benefits of orthognathic surgery. Computerized treatment planning minimizes treatment times, recovery periods and the overall efficacy of your surgery. State-of-the-art materials such as titanium plates and miniature screws provide stability, strength and predictability to your treatment. These advances in technology, procedures and equipment reduce post-surgical recovery time, thus allowing patients to return to their normal routines soon after the surgery.

  Orthognathic surgery may be unnecessary if orthodontic treatment can correct the problem. With the latest advances in orthodontics, this is sometimes the case. We will determine if orthognathic surgery is the correct treatment option for you.

• TMJ

  Did you know that over 40 million Americans suffer from Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) at some point in their lives? TMD is a disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw joint," which can cause reoccurring debilitating pain in the jaw if left untreated or misdiagnosed.

  The TMJ is the jaw joint that connects the mandible (lower jaw) to the temporal bone of the skull. It assists in the basic opening and closing movements of the jaw and is one of the most intricate joints in our bodies. Excessive stress placed on this joint can lead to inflammation, pain and ultimately TMD.

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  While the most common cause for TMD is misaligned teeth, other risk factors include: trauma to the jaw, stress, breathing problems and sinus problems. Some common symptoms include:

  • Persistent headaches and facial pain
  • Ringing in the ears/hearing loss
  • Stiff neck
  • Back aches
  • Eye pain/vision problems
  • Clicking/popping in the jaw joints
  • Limited ability to open the jaw
  • Pain when opening the jaw
  • Tooth grinding
  • Numbing in the fingers and hands

  While these are some common symptoms for TMD, these symptoms may be a result of other conditions. Therefore, a thorough examination is recommended to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Testimonials from our patients

"We use Dr. Astuto. I went there as well. Obviously years ago. Cali's teeth turned out great was in them about 2 years. Sam got his on a few months ago (age 12) He kept waiting until he lost almost off his baby teeth. He would see him every few months at no charge (all consultations included)."
Amee'

"Dr. Astuto is a perfectionist, which is exactly what you want when it comes to your children's teeth! I chose him just several months ago when I decided to pursue braces, as he has done all 3 of our kiddos and their teeth look amaze balls!"
Karen

Tracy said: "We LOVE Steve Astuto!! He did my braces and all three out of four of my children! In my opinion, he is the best in town!"