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It's never too late to Em”brace” a beautiful smile. A healthy and attractive smile is priceless. The investment of time and expense will be well worth it.
If you need implants, bridges or crowns the orthodontic treatment creates a better bite for your dentist while straightening teeth and managing spaces. Adult orthodontics not only creates a better smile but also makes your teeth easier to clean. Often the orthodontic treatment reduces the amount of restorative dentistry needed, helps current existing restorations last longer and essentially pays for itself.
Thanks to modern orthodontics there are now a variety of orthodontic treatment options available to adults that are more convenient, more comfortable, more efficient and much less conspicuous than years ago. Tooth colored ceramic braces and removable clear aligners are examples of the latest appliances that are hardly visible and work faster. We provide all patients a free consultation to help share information and give a recommendation for a treatment plan catered to your specific needs.
Clear aligners have been available for orthodontic movement of teeth for over 20 years. Align Technology was the first manufacturer of clear aligners with Invisalign*, the best-known brand. It is not unusual for somebody to call their clear aligners "Invisalign" even though their aligners are made by a different company.
Clear aligners are a series of removable form fitting clear plastic tooth covers designed to move teeth a little at a time. They fit snugly over the teeth with some pressure to achieve this change.
An orthodontist can successfully treat many patients who require extensive treatment with Clear Aligners. Sometimes the orthodontist will combine the clear aligners with braces on some teeth in order to insure the best results possible. If you are interested in treatment with Clear Aligners, you are welcome to have a free consultation with Dr. Robert Shpuntoff.
Damon braces are a premium bracket system that is based on passive self-ligation. Passive selfligation orthodontic treatment benefits from less friction than traditional brackets and generally does not require metal or elastic ties around the brackets.
The benefits of Damon braces include:
You are welcome and encouraged to have a free consultation with us so that we can better inform you on the available treatment options.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency such as a severe allergic reaction, swelling that is increasing rapidly, difficulty breathing or inability to swallow, please call 911 or get immediate medical attention!
Generally, the office is open 6 days a week and only closed on Fridays. This office has a 24 hour a day answering service whenever we can’t answer the phones. The service can also schedule an appointment for treatment of the orthodontic problem. They contact Dr. Shpuntoff immediately if necessary.
At the start of your orthodontic care, our office will review with you how to handle most cases of broken or loose braces, as well as irritations due to your appliances. While some situations can be adequately managed until your next scheduled visit, others will require immediate professional attention. Keep in mind that loose and damaged orthodontic appliances are often the result of eating the wrong foods or harmful oral habits such as biting your nails or chewing on ice, pencils, and pens. However, there are occasions when even with normal usage and good care, a brace will break.
Common orthodontic concerns may include:
If you are concerned about whether or not your problem needs to be treated before your next appointment, please call the office and we will be happy to assist you.
“Early” treatment, also called “interceptive” treatment, means treatment that is performed while some baby teeth are still present. Interceptive treatment can be in a patient’s best interests if their problem is one that could become more serious over time if left untreated.
The objectives of interceptive treatment (Phase 1) orthodontic care are to influence jaw growth, create more space for crowded teeth, help to correct harmful habits, and improve facial aesthetics. With interceptive treatment the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth as well as the need for extractions of permanent teeth can be lessened. Interceptive treatment can also simplify the next phase of orthodontic care.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that your child’s first check-up with an orthodontist be performed when an orthodontic problem is first recognized, but no later than age 7. Why age 7? By then, your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate the developing teeth and the jaws, which in turn can provide a wealth of information. AAO orthodontists are trained to spot subtle problems even in young children.
You are welcome to schedule a free consultation if you think your child might be a candidate for interceptive treatment.
Invisalign* has led the forefront in research and development of clear aligners for over 20 years. It is the number one brand with over 6.7 million patients treated to date. When Invisalign is provided by a skilled orthodontist, the orthodontist is successful in treating some of the most complex orthodontic cases around. Invisalign* has the advantage of being less visible, removable to allow better hygiene, and it moves teeth faster with less over all discomfort than braces. This office has in an Itero* scanner which makes the process even easier and minimizes dental impressions.
Dr Shpuntoff has been a clinical researcher for Align Technologies since 2015 and has completed the Invisalign Masters training.
If you are interested in treatment with Invisalign*, Dr. Shpuntoff provides a free consultation. You can request an appointment by pressing this link: Request an Appointment or calling us at (718) 229-4155 .
There are times that the only way to correct a skeletal problem of the mouth is with jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery). If you have this situation, treatment is provided by a combination of Maxillofacial surgeons and the orthodontist. While there are times that the orthodontist can provide treatment that can compensate for the problems without surgery, true correction will still need the combined team effort.
You are encouraged to have a free consultation with us if you would like to know my opinion about your treatment options.
For more information, please feel free to explore additional information provided by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons by clicking here.
Mouthguards are protective devices that are worn for sports and martial arts. They help protect your teeth from injury. There are two types of mouthguards: Mouthguards that have to be boiled and fit to your current bite, and those that aren’t boiled and allow the bite to change with orthodontic treatment. If you have braces and use a mouthguard that was boiled, you can break your braces off of your teeth and push your teeth backwards.
Please let the office staff know if you want an orthodontic mouthguard.
There are many types of orthodontic appliances. Some supplement active treatment, and many are the active treatment.
Examples of appliances that supplement treatment include:
Active treatment appliances include:
A frequently asked question is “what is the best age for a child to start orthodontic treatment?”
The best answer might be that it depends on the child’s needs and “dental age”. Treatment can and often should be started before the last baby tooth has fallen out.
Very often the family dentist or pedodontist will recommend that the child be seen by an orthodontist because they are concerned about something. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that your child’s first check-up with an orthodontist be performed when an orthodontic problem is first recognized, ideally before the age of 7. Why age 7? By then, your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate the developing teeth and the jaws, which in turn can provide a wealth of information about prospective treatment. AAO orthodontists are trained to spot subtle problems even in very young children.
Early treatment addresses habits such as prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and certain swallowing or breathing patterns that can open or distort the bite. Early treatment is also helpful when the top jaw is too narrow, not developing in harmony with the lower jaw, or if permanent top teeth are behind the lower ones when closing the jaws. If a young child’s front teeth protrude excessively or very severe crowding is present a first phase of orthodontic care can also be beneficial.
If your child did not receive early orthodontic treatment, and no longer has a lot of baby teeth, an orthodontic consultation can be beneficial at this time.
You are welcome to schedule a free consultation if you think your child can benefit from treatment.
Teenagers are young adults who still live with their parents. They have strong opinions about everything, including their appearance. As they get closer to graduating High School, their appearances change with the adolescent growth spurt.
Their personal lives become more active and their available time for orthodontic treatment can be limited. Starting orthodontic treatment in the early teen years gives the orthodontist the ability to guide the adolescent growth and development of the jaws while straightening their teeth, thereby obtaining a better result.
For appearance conscious teenagers, this office provides both Damon Clear braces and Invisalign.
Open six days a week, we work well with your teenager’s schedule.
Dr. Shpuntoff provides a free consultation. You can request an appointment by pressing this link: Request an Appointment or calling us at (718) 229-4155.
Preserving and stabilizing the result of your orthodontic treatment is known as “retention” and the appliances used for this purpose are called “retainers”. Almost every individual who has undergone orthodontic care will need to wear some type of a retainer to ensure that teeth remain in position.
There are two major kinds of orthodontic retainers. Removable retainers that can be taken in and out of the mouth and “permanent" or bonded (fixed) retainers that are secured to the back of the front teeth. Dr. Robert Shpuntoff recommends the use of removable retainers nighttime for a lifetime.
It is important to know that permanent retainers require extra daily care to keep the teeth and gums around the appliance clean and healthy.
It is not unusual for a patient with "permanent" retainers to complain that their teeth have shifted. Permanent retainers are not permanent and wear out.
When patients are given bonded “permanent” retainers, Dr. Robert Shpuntoff still recommends the use of removable retainers at night to minimize this problem.
Removable retainers come in two forms. One is the Hawley retainer, an acrylic based appliance with a single wire that sits in front of the teeth to maintain the corrections along with some small clasps to stabilize it in the mouth. The other type of removable retainer is a vacuform “invisible” retainer, which is often called an “Essix” retainer. This retainer looks similar to a clear custom bleaching tray or dental aligner like Invisalign*. It is custom made of a thin transparent plastic that is fabricated to precisely fit over the teeth and prevent any unwanted shifting. While a Hawley retainer has the advantages of being quite durable and easy to adjust, an Essix retainer is less visible and can be easier to adapt to wearing.
Retainers work best when they fit properly and are not wearing out. After your first 12 months of retainer visits, Dr. Shpuntoff recommends that you have visits at least once a year to review your retainers and orthodontic results.
A reverse bite, or protruding lower teeth, is the term used to describe lower front teeth that sit in front of upper front teeth. It is often called an underbite. Severity can vary between a mild underbite, where the front teeth almost meet; to a situation where the teeth don't meet at all because the gap is so wide.
Diagnosis and treatment at an early age are important if one wants to minimize or eliminate the future need for jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery).
Once a patient has stopped growing, there are less treatment options and often the only way to correct a skeletal problem of the mouth is with jaw surgery. If you have this situation, treatment is provided by a combination of Maxillofacial Surgeons and Dr. Shpuntoff. While there are times that the orthodontist can provide treatment that can compensate for the problems without surgery, true correction will still need the combined team effort.
If your child is still growing and has a reverse bite, you are encouraged to have a free consultation with us. You can Request an Appointment or call the office at (718) 229-4155.
The main types of sleep apnea are:
Diagnosis of sleep apnea is usually done by a physician specializing in sleep disorders or by an ENT. The CPAP machine is not used on all sleep apnea patients and often oral devices are made by dentists like Dr. Shpuntoff to help a patient place their jaw into a position that maximizes their airway when they sleep.
Children with Sleep Apnea that has not been identified can be misdiagnosed as ADHD because ADHD is more common in children and has similar behavior patterns. When Dr. Shpuntoff treats growing children, the objective is ideal skeletal position and muscle function to help maximize the airway.
Dr. Shpuntoff routinely diagnoses and treats dental and skeletal issues that can affect the airway. Orthodontic treatment can make changes in the bite and jaw position that will reduce or eliminate sleep apnea.
If you would like to request a free consultation with Dr. Shpuntoff, you can call him at (718) 229-4155, or press this link Request an Appointment.
The most common type of braces seen today remain “metal braces”. Made of high-grade stainless steel these braces are significantly smaller and have a lower profile than their predecessors from years ago. Each brace, which is known as an orthodontic bracket, is individually bonded to the front of each tooth. Metal braces allow for efficient and highly controllable tooth movement.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), also referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMD), are the most common source of chronic facial pain and jaw dysfunction. Research has shown that most of these problems are neuromuscular in origin. The pain from this problem can be chronic and severe.
The manifestations of a TMJ disorder can vary from person to person with a wide range of symptoms possible, including earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), headaches (migraines), back and neck pain, vertigo, muscle spasms and joint tenderness as well as jaw pain, popping or grating sounds with jaw movement, jaw locking and limited jaw movement.
Dr. Shpuntoff treats each patient with a TMJ disorder based on their specific needs. This may include oral appliances such as night guards or bite plates. Often, it is orthodontic treatment with either braces or Invisalign*. The objective of treatment is to eliminate the pain and restore normal function.
Dr. Shpuntoff offers a free consultation to see if he can treat your problem. You can Request an Appointment or call the office at (718) 229-4155.
