About Orthodontics

At Tooth Engineering, Dr. Ruelf understands that every child wants to have a smile that looks beautiful and leaves them feeling confident with their appearance. But having straight teeth means even more than just a beautiful smile. Correcting misaligned teeth is also recommended for dental health as it helps prevent damage to the teeth over time and also helps in the prevention of food entrapment.

While every child develops differently, it is advised to have your child evaluated for orthodontic needs around the age of 7. Early evaluation is valuable because it provides an opportunity for the jaw and permanent teeth to be provided guidance prior to settling into their fixed positions.

How Orthodontic Treatment Works

Orthodontic appliances are typically made from either metal, ceramic or plastic and can be both removable (i.e., Invisalign) or directly bonded to the teeth (i.e., braces).  By placing a persistent and gentle force in a controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. Today, advancements in braces allow patients to choose either clear or metallic brackets as well as the color of the ties that hold the wires in place. There are also recent advancements in braces technology that allow for quicker and more predictable orthodontic movements.

The duration of treatment may range from 1-3 years depending on the complexity of the case. Also, patients tend to respond differently to treatment which also accounts for a certain degree of variability in results as does the degree of compliance to instructions provided by the dentist or orthodontist.

Scheduling an Orthodontic Evaluation

You may schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Mike by either calling us at 813-264-6000 or completing the contact request form provided on this page.