Flippers are a temporary cosmetic "quick-fix". They work wonders for kids who are filming features and commercials, or whenever a change in the natural smile is desired. Flippers are not functional, however. That means flippers are not strong enough to be used for chewing, and they can't help support other teeth. They have no benefits to the growth and development of the child's teeth and mouth. They are strictly cosmetic.
• Bonding
Technology allows for a wide range of services that are cosmetic and functional. For example, thanks to dental bonding, dental filling materials are tooth-colored, not metallic. Dental bonding also allows for the repair of tooth fractures within minutes. Bonding may also be applied to cosmetically contour teeth that have developed misshaped or undersized.
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• Tooth whitening Tooth whitening is a service that has application in pediatric dentistry as well. Caution must be exercised, however, to avoid using chemicals that create sensitivity or changes in the enamel integrity. Children often show yellow or white spots in the face of one or more of the permanent incisors. These spots can be traced to several causative factors, but they can be removed or covered with micro-abrasion and/or bonding.
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• Retainers Early tooth movement may be applied using simple removable retainers designed to idealize the positions of one or more teeth in order to bring about a more attractive and more balanced smile. Sometimes, it is advisable to angle the teeth back to reduce the "bucked tooth" appearance. Sometimes, it is advisable to converge teeth that are excessively spaced. Early repositioning of one or more teeth porvides immediate cosmetic improvement, and can have long term benefits to general growth and development of the oral structure.
• The Crozats Working with the growth and development of the oral structure is an area of expertise that is practiced by Dr. Smith's associate, Dr. Conrad Sack. Dr. Sack is an orthodontist who specializes in orthopedic development of the mouth, offering an enhanced environment in which the teeth can develop with improved alignment and function. For more information, you can visit Dr. Sack's web site at
www.crozatdoc.com. The Crozat appliance is commonly utilized to maximize the development of the structure of the jaws and mouth.
