Interview with an Orthodontist

Everywhere you go, everywhere you look, you will find that braces are becoming more and more trendy-and not only in teenagers anymore either.

An interview with Orthodontist Dr. John B. Gerard revealed that adults and children between the ages of seven to ten are getting braces. Taunting names like "Metal Mouth" and "Brace Face" have nearly diminished, as braces have become a worldwide trend, giving many people the chance to show off to their friends. Mainly gaining popularity in the 1990's, the use of braces increased when a concern for appearance became significant. Not only has it improved appearance, however, Dr. Gerard stated that "Braces help prevent other problems related to the teeth, such as cavities and gum disease, especially in small children."

Generally, only four simple steps are required in order to ensure the decision for applying braces. First, is consultation. "The diagnosis is determined and future treatment is then discussed with the patient," explained Dr. Gerard. Next, is the process of creating a record for the patient. "During this step, we take x-rays of the individual's teeth and form models. This ensures that we are able to plan each step carefully and precisely." Third, come the appliances. "Any tool that we utilize in the patients mouth to help straighten the teeth is an appliance. From expanders, to lip bumpers, to butterflies, all these appliances are used to help make it easier to insert braces onto the patient's teeth." Lastly, is treatment, where the orthodontist not only helps the patient's teeth become straighter, but healthier as well.

The best thing about braces is that people love the colors that braces' ties offer. "The colors come and go," told Dr. Gerard, "but there are over twenty colors for patients to choose from. Girls prefer flowery and pastel colors, while boys stick to almost anything, but most still like the darker colors, the blacks, the blues, the browns."

Having braces is fun and easy, but keeping them clean, well that's a different story. People with braces have to take a longer time cleaning their teeth, because of the wires and ties. They must carefully remove debris, floss, and check to see if the bacteria and plaque have been removed. Tools, fondly known as the "Christmas tree," (interproxmial brush) help to further remove food.

"Back in the 1960's, it used to take three to four years before a patient's braces could be removed. Now, the length has dramatically lessened to one and half to two years." With faster and better equipment, it has created a more efficient procedure and allowed the wait to diminish by nearly two times! "Orthodontics is an exciting profession, because of the improvements in technology. The greater use of computer, along with special alloy wires, allow the teeth to move quicker, while technology, such as "invisalign" allows users to straighten teeth with nearly undetectable aligners."

Dr. Gerard jocularly explained how the Invisalign worked, telling that initially, the doctor will take an impression of your teeth, which are then submitted to Invisalign. Then, they interpret your doctor's instructions into precisely customized "braces", actually called aligners, for you.

Interested in how the teeth actually move with the wires, he told that Biology was a major component in making it happen. Two kinds of bone cells, called osteoblasts (break down bone) and osteoclasts (build up bone), work together to remodel the patient's teeth in response to the force put upon it by braces.

Orthodontics is very worthwhile, but the work behind it was hard, too. Dr. Gerard said, "After high school, it takes approximately ten to eleven years to become an orthodontist. I attended University of Connecticut for four years, then I went to dental school for another four years, and lastly I had three years of residency. In the meantime I was also able to complete my Master's, which I am happy I did."

When asked why he chose orthodontics as his profession, he gladly told that while he loved and enjoyed the sciences, "the most rewarding part was working with and helping my patients. The patients that I see want to be there, and they don't come because they are in pain. Not only that though I am able to first handedly see the changes in each patient. They smile more, are less self-conscious, and their self esteem rises. Being an orthodontist is truly an enriching job."

In fact, Dr. Gerard described that orthodontics is not only a science. "It is both an art and a science, because in addition to medical and dental science, it also involves the art of creating beautiful smiles." This artistic process is one of many of Dr. Gerard's unique talents, which his patients immensely appreciate.

Dr. Gerard loves working with his patients, but his job does not always go smoothly. A patient's cooperation is key to making the braces work for him/her. "Sometimes not every patient cooperates with oral hygiene and his/her diet may break the braces. This may cause the treatment to be slower and less efficient." However, overall, Dr. Gerard "looks forward to work and loves every minute of it." So if you're up to it, try braces so you, too, can flaunt your teeth with pride.