Oral Cancer
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist by at least age seven or sooner if something is obviously wrong before age seven. Fortunately, most young patients don’t need anything more than observation while the permanent teeth are growing into place.
Many young patients have problems, which will not, or should not wait. Most orthodontic problems are inherited and cannot be prevented; however something can usually be done before these problems become more difficult and more expensive to manage.
It is recommended you consult with an orthodontist prior to having your dentist remove any baby teeth or permanent teeth. To ensure the best overall dental and facial development, all patients should have an orthodontic consultation sometime between the ages of four and seven.
Dr. Montoya offers early examinations and observation consultations. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Classifications of Teeth
The classification of bites is divided into three main categories: Class I, II, and III. This classification refers to the position of the first molars, and how they fit together.
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Class I Class I is a normal relationship between the upper teeth, lower teeth and jaws or balanced bite. |
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Class I normal |
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Class I crowding |
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Class I Spacing |
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Class II
Class II is where the lower first molar is posterior (or more towards the back of the mouth) than the upper first molar. In this abnormal relationship, the upper front teeth and jaw project further forward than the lower teeth and jaw. There is a convex appearance in profile with a receding chin and lower lip. Class II problems can be due to insufficient growth of the lower jaw, an over growth of the upper jaw or a combination of the two. In many cases, Class II problems are genetically inherited and can be aggravated by environmental factors such as finger sucking. Class II problems are treated via growth redirection to bring the upper teeth, lower teeth and jaws into correct position.
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Class II division 1 |
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Class II division 2 |
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Class III
Class III is where the lower first molar is anterior (or more towards the front of the mouth) than the upper first molar. In this abnormal relationship, the lower teeth and jaw project further forward than the upper teeth and jaws. There is a concave appearance in profile with a prominent chin. Class III problems are usually due to an overgrowth in the lower jaw, undergrowth of the upper jaw or a combination of the two. Like Class II problems, they can be genetically inherited. Class III problems are sometimes treated via surgical correction of one or both jaws.
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Class III functional or dental |
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Class III skeletal |
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Orthodontic Problems
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Overjet Upper front teeth protrude |
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Deep bite |
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Underbite |
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Open bite |
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Crowding |
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Excess Spacing |
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Mid-Line Misalignment |
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Crossbite |
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Phases of Treatment
Phase1: Treatment usually takes 12 to 18 months and is done between the ages of 7-9. A variety of appliances may be used to correct specific problems.
Maintenance Phase: During the time between the first and second phase the patient will be seen every few months per year. This is to monitor the eruption of the permanent teeth and loss of primary teeth.
Phase2 (if required): During the first phase of treatment Dr. Montoya has no control over 16 unerupted permanent teeth. If they grow in and problems still exist, further treatment, known as Phase 2, will be required. A separate fee will be quoted at that time. Treatment usually takes 12-24 months.
Full Treatment: If you decide to wait, treatment will be started when all permanent teeth have erupted. Full treatment usually takes 18-30 months. The length of treatment depends on the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic problems.
Proper Braces Care and Brushing Techniques
Brushing and flossing your teeth can be challenging when wearing braces but it is extremely important that you do both consistently and thoroughly.
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Foods to Avoid During Treatment: Eating proper foods and minimizing sugar intake are essential during orthodontic treatment. Your braces can be damaged by eating hard, sticky, and chewy foods.
- Hard foods : Nuts, Candy, Hard Pretzels
- Crunchy food: Popcorn, Ice, Chips, etc.
- Sticky foods: Gum, Chewy Candy (Skittles, Taffy, Gummy Bears, Caramel, etc.)
- Chewy food: Bagels, Hard Rolls, etc.
- Foods you have to bite into : Corn on the Cob, Apples, Carrots (cut these foods up into smaller pieces and chew on back teeth)
- Chewing on Hard Objects (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will add time to your treatment.
Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest survival rates, with thousands of new cases being reported each year. Fewer than half of all people diagnosed with oral cancer are ever cured.
Moreover, people with many forms of cancer can develop complications-some of them chronic and painful-from their cancer treatment. These include dry mouth and overly sensitive teeth, as well as accelerated tooth decay.
If oral cancer is not treated in time, it could spread to other facial and neck tissues, leading to disfigurement and pain.
Older adults over the age of 40 (especially men) are most susceptible to developing oral cancer, but people of all ages are at risk.
Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, but the tongue appears to be the most common location. Other oral structures could include the lips, gums and other soft palate tissues in the mouth.
Warning Signs
In general, early signs of oral cancer usually occur in the form of lumps, patchy areas and lesions, or breaks, in the tissues of the mouth. In many cases, these abnormalities are not painful in the early stages, making even self-diagnosis difficult.
Here are some additional warning signs:
- Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
- Unusual bleeding or persistent sores in the mouth that won't heal.
- Lumps or growths in other nearby areas, such as the throat or neck.
If a tumor is found, surgery will generally be required to remove it. Some facial disfigurement could also result.
Prevention
Prevention is the key to staving off oral cancer. One of the biggest culprits is tobacco and alcohol use. Certain kinds of foods and even overexposure to the sun have also been linked to oral cancer. Some experts believe certain oral cancer risk factors are also hereditary.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is one of the best defenses against oral cancer. Maintaining good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups, are highly recommended.
Orthodontist - Keller
1730 Rufe Snow Drive
Keller, TX 76248
817-427-2237
