Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and Orthodontics

Orland Park’s Dr. Cynthia Wong is an experienced provider of orthodontic care to people with all sorts of health conditions. One of the issues in children which has the biggest impact on the structure of their jaws and teeth is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JNA). Care for these patients requires collaboration between orthodontists and oral surgeons.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which causes the body to attack its own joint lining. When the joints swell, the bones can become deformed under pressure, particularly in children. Among the affected joints is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jaw to the head. Problems in the TMJ can lead to pain, teeth grinding, difficulty opening the mouth, and clicking sounds when the mouth moves. In children with JNA, it can also cause the lower jaw to become deformed, resulting in overcrowding of the front teeth and an open bite.

Orthodontic treatment for people with JNA varies on a case-by-case basis and is done in response to which part of the head an oral surgeon operates on. In some cases, headgear or functional appliances may be used to relieve pressure from certain areas. People with rheumatoid arthritis are especially vulnerable to gum disease and need to be careful to keep braces very clean. If they are having difficulty using non-motorized brushes, we can help them to find alternatives.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.

 

Common Retainer Options

Retainers are used during the final phase of orthodontic treatment. When kids and adults wear retainers correctly, the hard work and time that went into creating a straighter smile will be rewarded. Retainers help keep teeth straight and straighter teeth are easier to clean and reduce the chance of developing cavities. There are two types of retainers Dr. Cynthia Wong will address with patients depending on his or her needs.

• Removable Retainer – a removable retainer is the most common type, but depending on the individual, it may not always be the best choice. A removable retainer is crafted from a clear plastic that is formed by heat and a model of your teeth.  Removable retainers can be virtually invisible, and easy to wear.


• Fixed Retainer – also known as a bonded retainer, a fixed retainer consists of a wire being bonded to the back of the six bottom teeth. Bonded retainers tend to protect fewer teeth than removable retainers, but are ideal for the patient that may forget to wear his or her retainer at night.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic treatment or retainers, please give us a call. To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Options for Guiding Canines

When it comes to malocclusions, a rare but serious problem is impaction of the canines. Put simply, this means that the upper canine teeth are unable to descend into their proper position. At Dr. Cynthia Wong’s orthodontic practice in Orland Park, we’re prepared to help solve this problem.

Children are assessed for their risk of impacted canines at a very young age. If the risk is caught before all the baby teeth fall out, we have more options. Palate expanders can be used to provide the mouth with more room for canines to descend. In some cases, it is appropriate for baby canines to be removed early so that permanent canines that have already erupted without descending can move into place. If the patient is still a teenager, it is possible to guide the canines into place using specialized orthodontic wires. A ballista spring is a looped piece of wire that resembles the round end of a safety pin. It is able to guide the canine teeth downward without putting pressure on the front teeth that could pull them back up.

Sometimes, the canines are not exposed enough to have brackets placed on them. In these cases, the patient will need to undergo a minor bit of gum surgery in which a flap of tissue is cut away from the unerupted canine, providing room for the orthodontic bracket. Once the canines have descended, they can be guided into their place in the arch with more typical orthodontic treatment.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.