Orthodontics in Middletown

At Middletown Dental, we strive to offer comprehensive dental services so we can meet all of our patients' diverse needs. If you are plagued by a smile marred by crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth, we have the orthodontic treatment option you need to enjoy a healthier, more attractive smile.

There's a lot to know about orthodontic treatment, and we've put together several questions that we hear most frequently from our patients. If you have others you don't see here, please call us at (732) 495-4444 to arrange a commitment-free consultation with Dr. Pradeep Sukumar.

Orthodontics

• Do you offer orthodontics for children and adults?
• Why should I straighten my teeth?

Traditional Braces

• When do you recommend traditional braces?
• At what age do you evaluate my child for orthodontics?
• What is early orthodontic treatment for children?

Invisalign

• I want straighter teeth but don't want braces. What do you suggest?
• How does Invisalign work?
• How often do I need adjustments with Invisalign?
• How long does Invisalign treatment take?
• What happens after Invisalign treatment?
• What are my options if I can't get Invisalign?

Do you offer orthodontics for children and adults?

We’re proud to include orthodontics for both adults and children in our menu of services. Orthodontics in Middletown, NJ focuses on aligning the teeth and correcting the dental bite, which improves both aesthetics and function. We offer options for both traditional braces and contemporary invisible braces.

One significant benefit for our patients in having Dr. Sukumar complete their orthodontic treatment is that he can also closely monitor their oral health.

Why should I straighten my teeth?

Perfectly aligned teeth improve more than just your confidence; did you know that straight teeth also positively affect your oral health?

Teeth that overlap are harder to keep clean, and this increases your risk of developing issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. A misaligned bite can contribute to painful joint problems. Properly aligning your teeth is another step on the path to optimum oral health. 

When do you recommend traditional braces?

Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires to align your teeth. This is the most effective way to correct malocclusions, or bite issues such as a crossbite, overbite, or underbite. Dr. Sukumar will adjust your braces at our Middletown, NJ dental office every two to four weeks to ensure that proper alignment is taking place.

Many adults are understandably concerned about the aesthetic impact that brackets and wires will have on their smile. Fortunately, we can make adult orthodontic treatment less apparent for adults by using clear ceramic brackets that are less noticeable than metal brackets that you’re probably used to seeing. 

At what age do you evaluate my child for orthodontics?

With the appearance of your child’s first permanent molar at about age six, they enter into what is called the mixed dentition stage, meaning they have both permanent and baby teeth. We recommend an evaluation at around age seven because the position of the first molar helps Dr. Sukumar predict the future alignment of all your child’s teeth.

If he determines that there’s potential for crowding or a misaligned bite, early orthodontics can help take advantage of your child’s growth to correct these issues. For example, if your child loses a baby tooth too soon, Dr. Sukumar may recommend an appliance called a space maintainer that holds space for the permanent tooth that will erupt in the future. Without a space maintainer, adjacent teeth can shift and block the path for the permanent tooth that can result in future misalignment. 

What is early orthodontic treatment for children?

Some children may benefit from early intervention with orthodontics. The purpose of early orthodontic or Phase One treatment is to ensure that there is enough space in your child’s jaws for all teeth to erupt properly.

We recommend early orthodontic treatment as needed because some moderate or severe orthodontic problems like growth discrepancies, malocclusion, and spacing problems are much easier to fix when we address them early on. Some benefits of Phase One treatment are

• Simplify and shorten future orthodontic treatment
• Reduce the need to remove permanent teeth in the future
• Correct harmful oral habits
• Improve speech development
• Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
• Improve aesthetics and self-esteem

Even if your child isn’t ready to start orthodontic treatment, seeing them from an early age helps us to establish a trusting relationship with them as their children's dentist. 

I want straighter teeth but don't want braces. What do you suggest?

If you’ve been living with teeth that overlap, you know how it affects your confidence; however, you may not find the thought of wearing metal braces attractive either. The good news is that modern orthodontics offers solutions for adults who want to straighten their teeth with discretion, and Dr. Sukumar is well qualified to help!

At Middletown Dental, we offer Invisalign, which uses clear plastic aligners to move your teeth instead of brackets and wires. The aligners are comfortable to wear, and virtually invisible so no one will know you are straightening your teeth. They’re also removable, so you won’t have to change your diet or home care routine during your treatment. Patients appreciate the efficiency and discretion that Invisalign offers.

How does Invisalign work?

Patients who may not want to wear braces might benefit from Invisalign clear braces at our Middletown, NJ dental office. This innovative treatment uses clear plastic aligners to straighten your teeth instead of brackets and wires. To achieve the best results, you need to wear your aligners at least 22 hours per day, but they can easily be removed for eating as well as brushing and flossing.

Aligners fit snugly and are hardly noticeable because they’re clear. They are comfortable and don’t interfere with your daily activities or cause any discomfort the way brackets and wires sometimes do.

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Most Invisalign cases can be finished within 15 to 18 months and typically require fewer visits to your dentist because you’ll change your aligners every two weeks at home. Invisalign is an efficient and effective treatment for many teen and adult patients.

If you’d like to learn more about how orthodontics can benefit your smile and which options may be right for your needs, contact Middletown Dental today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Sukumar.

How often do I need adjustments with Invisalign?

The good news is that, since we don't use brackets or wires to move your teeth, treatment with Invisalign clear aligners doesn’t require adjustments.

Instead, we will make follow-up appointments every four to six weeks so Dr. Sukumar can check to make sure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

What happens after Invisalign treatment?

When you’re considering Invisalign treatment, it’s best to look at it as a two-phase process. During the first phase, you wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day as instructed by Dr. Sukumar; during the second, you wear a customized retainer every day that is designed to maintain the position of your newly straightened teeth.

The length of time required each day to wear the retainer is based on individual needs, but everyone needs to wear a retainer after any orthodontic treatment. Not wearing it as instructed allows your teeth to shift back into their original position gradually, and you may need retreatment to correct the relapse.

What are my options if I can't get Invisalign?

If Invisalign is not right for your needs, Dr. Sukumar offers clear brackets that can help disguise orthodontic treatment for adults. He can help you determine what type of treatment is best for you during a consultation and examination. There may be other cosmetic options available to you as well, such as porcelain veneers or dental crowns.