Poway Orthodontist
Orthodontics
in Poway, CA
Early Diagnosis and Treatment Yields Long-term Benefits
Malocclusion or irregular jaw alignment can lead to crooked smiles with awkward gaps or overcrowded teeth. Im Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers state-of-the-art method that allows us to correct alignment issues early-on.
This approach starts when children are as young as 7 years of age, so that we can create the right amount of space for their permanent teeth to grow in properly. The result is a healthy well-functioning bite pattern with less orthodontic work needed by the time your child is in his or her teens (an age when patients may be a bit more self-conscious and less compliant during treatment).
How Orthodontics
Can Help Your Child
The Benefits of Managing Orthodontic Needs Early
More Than Just
a Beautiful Smile
Orthodontics Build the Foundation for Oral Health
Did you know that straight teeth are a strong underlying component of good oral health? According to the American Dental Association, gapped or crooked teeth are a strong predictor for increased risk of oral health problems such as gum disease, periodontitis, TMJ and jaw pain.
If your child’s bite doesn’t align properly, he or she will likely develop a less-than-straight smile. Through advancements in modern dentistry, this is totally preventable. The expert interceptive orthodontics offered at Im Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Poway will help you avoid development issues and extensive dental work for your child when they reach their teen years. Not only will you establish a healthy environment for permanent teeth to grow in, this phased approach to orthodontics is typically a more pleasant experience too.
Your First Consultation
Big Decision
We offer a complimentary initial consultation for our Poway orthodontics services. This consultation appointment with Dr. Torin Chenard includes an examination, photographs, and an x-ray when necessary. These tools are used to develop a treatment plan, which we present in a clear and simple way to patients and parents. During the consultation we will also discuss financial information, insurance options, and payment plans. Our goal is to make orthodontic treatment as accessible as possible for all family members.
Choosing an orthodontic practice is a big decision; one that will impact a patient’s smile and self-confidence for a lifetime. Im Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers a full service orthodontic practice. In our practice, orthodontics is not an afterthought. Our team is dedicated to exceptional orthodontic care. Our orthodontist, Dr. Torin Chenard, is a talented and caring professional who works closely with both our pediatric dentists and dentists from other offices to offer a full range of care for all patients.
Early Prevention in Poway
A Healthy Foundation for Your Child’s Smile
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist as early as age seven. At this point the orthodontist will evaluate whether your child will need orthodontic treatment.
Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two will begin around age 11 or older). The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as underbite. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions in the future.
Life with Braces
It’s important for you to know how to take care of your braces properly throughout your entire orthodontic treatment. There’s nothing our Poway team loves more than helping our patients be everything they can be with a smile they can’t wait to share.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
- Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods You Can Eat with Braces
- Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
- Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
- Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
- Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
- Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake
Pain Relief
Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let our Poway team know.
Loose Wires and Bands
The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.
Taking Care of Your Braces
Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.
Types of Braces
Traditional metal braces: Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Clear braces: Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
Expert Orthodontic Care in Poway
Your Child Is in Good Hands at Im Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
We are proud to offer expert orthodontic services to the children (and adults!) of Poway, CA from Dr. Torin L. Chenard.
Dr. Chenard is a board certified orthodontist who has been practicing in San Diego since 2006. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UCSD and earned his dental degree at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He completed his orthodontics residency and TMJ fellowship at the University of Rochester thereafter.
Dr. Chenard provides top-notch orthodontic treatment to children and adults in a comfortable, caring, and professional manner. His expertise includes Invisalign, clear braces, self-ligating braces, and traditional braces. In addition to orthodontics, Dr. Chenard also specializes in TMJ disorders (TMJ pain and teeth grinding) and dentofacial orthopedics which involves the guidance of facial growth and development. He is an active member of American Association of Orthodontists, California Association of Orthodontists, and Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists.
In his free time, Dr. Chenard enjoys traveling, fishing, mountain biking, camping, freediving, and surfing. He also participates in the UCSD Flying Samaritans dental group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free health care for underserved populations in Mexico. Dr. Chenard has participated in dental mission trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Nepal.
