A guideline for necessary orthodontic treatments for teens in Brooklyn is that it is never too late to get started. The teen years can pose particular challenges regarding self esteem, image and confidence, and those related to your teen’s smile and tooth position, health and jaw function, don’t have to be among those adding to the anxieties of this stage for your child or adolescent’s development.

By the teenage years, most permanent teeth have grown into place and the structure of the jawbones has formed. Issues of spacing and crowding are best treated when both baby teeth and permanent teeth exist to help regain or create the space needed to fit your child’s jaw but there are any number of options for treatment even after all permanent teeth have come into place.

The proper treatment and the best time to begin can only be determined through a consultation and examination by Dr. Susan Liebman. She is a board-certified orthodontist who spent her childhood growing up in her father’s dental practice. Since then, her lifetime goal of having the same knowledge and skills as her father to change people’s smiles and improve their appearance and self-confidence is achieved every day at Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics. Dr. Liebman, with the compassion of being a parent of two herself, is well aware that treatment begins at whatever point her patients present, with the unique combination of life events and demands that all must factor into providing the best treatment possible for the long term health and well being of her patients while being something they can easily manage with.

Self-Confidence Gets a Boost from Orthodontic Treatment

When your son or daughter exhibits a reluctance to smile, or shies away from selfies and group photos, the underlying reason can be dental related. Teen treatments that remedy conditions including overbite, underbite, crossbite, or protruding teeth can boost your child’s self-esteem and build a new confidence in themselves. The “tween” and “teen” years are when an adolescent’s psyche is at its most fragile. Recognizing oral health problems and pursuing remedies can go a long way to making a young person feel good about themselves.

Taking That Big Step Towards Better Oral Health

After speaking with your child and coming to an understanding that orthodontic treatment for teens in Brooklyn can turn their whole life around, the next step is to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Liebman at Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics. Along with a thorough examination, Dr. Liebman will listen to your child, respond to their concerns and answer any questions before she designing and recommending a proper course of treatment which can involve braces, and can take various forms including metal, tooth colored,(clear-ceramic), Invisalign, clear aligners, removable and often taking a shorter amount of time than braces used to.

Combat the Stigma with Straight Teeth

While braces might have at one time made kids self-conscious, braces are now perceived as merely a stepping stone towards a healthy smile for later in life through adulthood A great smile and healthy teeth play a key role in a patient’s health, appearance, and self-confidence in any type of setting. Healthy, straight teeth are to be desired and admired, and the sooner teen treatments begin the longer lasting the benefits will be. Dr. Liebman will help you determine what course of treatment is best for your child. Duration of treatment is determined by the existing condition of the teeth. Early evaluation and close monitoring of oral development are recommended to reduce the length of orthodontic appliance wear so your child can achieve a beautiful smile in less time.

If your child understands the need for orthodontic treatment and you want and you would like to learn more about the various options available, please schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Liebman on line or by calling Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics at 718-622-6741.

Before Invisalign®, the only choices available to straighten teeth were traditional metal wires and braces fixed to the outside of the teeth. Yes, they did the job, but not without the obvious restrictions of diet and home care, possibility of poking wires, and broken brackets, and esthetic considerations.

With Invisalign, you remove the aligners to eat, brush and floss. There is no “stay away from the crunchy foods” sacrifice and minimal impact on your appearance. It’s an oral healthcare advancement that takes almost nothing away from your present lifestyle.

Dr. Susan Liebman, of Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics, enthusiastically believes in the Invisalign System as a state-of-the-art alternative means of straightening her patients’ teeth. Plus, because they are practically invisible, the look of metal braces, which is undesirable to some, is gone. As a board certified orthodontist and lecturer with more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Liebman knows that adults and teens alike can greatly benefit from the cutting-edge technology of Invisalign in Brooklyn.

Although not everyone or every condition may be a candidate for Invisalign, choosing Invisalign is a wise move, and selecting a well-respected professional like Dr. Liebman to design your teeth straightening treatment is an even wiser choice. Once you schedule an appointment and meet with her to discuss all the benefits of the Invisalign System, the first thing you will notice is that Dr. Liebman listens. She wants to hear what you have to say, what your concerns are, and what you want Invisalign to do for you. In addition, choosing a skilled professional and orthodontic specialist such as Dr. Liebman, with a specialized background and education in tooth movement and position, will insure that you receive the maximum benefit from Invisalign.

Then, once all your questions and concerns are addressed and you are convinced that Invisalign is right for you, the next step will be to have a digital scanner create 3D images of your teeth. Then, Dr. Liebman will evaluate the images and devise a plan that is customized specifically for you. She will be able to show you images of how your teeth will gradually straighten over the length of the treatment and you’ll even get a sneak peek at your new and improved smile!

The aligners will be molded to your specifications. When ready, you’ll come back in to Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics to pick them up and go over the specifics of the treatment plan. Generally, every one to two weeks you will use a new set of aligners, wearing them for 20 to 22 hours each day. Then, each time you switch out to the next set of aligners, another gentle, gradual shifting of your teeth will take place.

Depending on how much straightening of your teeth is needed, your customized Invisalign plan could include 12 to 48 calibrated aligners. And, unlike metal braces where you constantly have to come in for a check-up, with Invisalign you will only need to visit Dr. Liebman’s office about once every six weeks.

So, if you’re ready for the Invisalign System to correct your overbite, underbite, crossbite, or any other condition that is preventing you from having great looking teeth and a perfect smile, contact Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics to schedule your consultation with Dr. Liebman. You can book an appointment through our website or, if you prefer, simply call 718-622-6741.

Once braces are removed, the number one question patients ask is, “Do I really need a retainer after orthodontic care in Brooklyn?”

It does seem odd, at first, that after wearing your braces for so long, that you would still need some type of device in your mouth. However, Dr. Susan Liebman of Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics cautions her patients who have just had their braces removed, that there is a risk for a relapse. The corrective benefits your teeth achieved from all those many months you wore braces could reverse without the use of a retainer.

Dr. Liebman, a board-certified orthodontist, has been providing orthodontic care in Brooklyn for more than two decades, and is an active member of several highly regarded dental organizations. Her ability to connect with patients of all ages has made her a well-respected orthodontist in New York. She is well-versed in the need to wear a retainer after braces.

What if I didn’t use a retainer after having my braces removed?

As mentioned, there is a good chance that if you didn’t use a retainer, your teeth could shift back to where they were before you had braces put on. This is especially true if you had gaps between your teeth. Without a retainer, you may find yourself once again needing braces to correct the damage.

How long and how often would I need to use a retainer?

When your braces are removed, Dr. Liebman will examine your newly positioned teeth and determine whether you need a fixed or removable retainer and how long you will need to wear it.

There is a theory that you should wear a removable retainer for the same amount of time that you wore your braces. If you wore your braces for 18 months, then you should wear a retainer for 18 months. The timeframe for wearing a fixed retainer is much longer.

What is the difference between fixed and removable retainers?

A fixed retainer is just that: it is a fixed wire that is held in place to the back of your teeth by special, dental cement. A fixed retainer may need to be kept in place for as long as five years.

On the other hand, a removable retainer is meant to be worn at all times for the first six months after having your braces removed, except when eating, participating in any type of sport that involves contact, or when brushing your teeth. It is made of a wire that goes across either the upper or lower front teeth and is held in place by clasps that attach to the back teeth. This type of retainer can easily be removed from your mouth when necessary.

After follow up visits to check to see if there has been any shifting of your teeth’s position, Dr. Liebman may determine that you will need to only wear the retainer at night.

If you would like to learn more about retainers or other orthodontic care in Brooklyn, please contact us online or you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Liebman by calling Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics at (718) 622-6741.

Braces help in fixing teeth that are close together, crooked, or too far apart. They can also be used to solve overbites or underbites. However, wearing braces means extra care. These devices have many spaces that can trap food and cause other dental conditions. Taking care of braces makes it more comfortable and effective.
Individuals who wear braces must be careful to avoid foods that can cause damage to the braces or make it difficult to maintain oral health. The small spaces between the fixtures and the surface of the teeth create an environment that is conducive to tooth decay. Identify foods that can be chewed easily. Foods that need to be avoided include:

• Carrots, popcorn, nuts, bagels, apples, or other foods that are tough to bite
• Sugary drinks
• Hard pretzels
• Corn from cob
• Chewing bubble gum, gummy candy
• Caramels, taffy, and other chewy foods

To avoid conditions such as inflamed gums or tooth decay, extra care is required to keep your teeth and braces clean. Orthodontists recommend that you brush after every meal to remove food that may be stuck in your braces.
Clean removable braces using a normal soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride. For fixed braces, use special toothbrushes, known as interdental brushes, threaded floss, disclosing tablets, and mouthwash. Brushing should be gentle to avoid any damage.
When brushing, you also need to brush your retainer. Do not use toothpaste for the retainer, instead, disinfect it in a denture cleanser.
Flossing will help get rid of particles that get stuck in the wiring of the brace or on your teeth. But it needs to be done gently because excessive force may cause damage. Pass the thread carefully between the braces’ wire and your teeth then slowly work it back and forth between the brace and teeth.
In the case of a breakage, or if the wire comes loose, contact Dr. Sue Liebman immediately. Dental wax can be used in a pinch or to soften an area that is otherwise poking the mouth and causing discomfort. During your routine check-ups, Dr. Liebman will tighten and adjust your braces as needed to ensure comfort and performance while wearing braces. She and the entire team at Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics provide a variety of orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Liebman is a board-certified orthodontist who loves changing people’s smiles. Dr. Liebman listens to her patients carefully and understands their orthodontic needs before providing quality care. She strives to remain updated with the latest technology and techniques and adapts them in her work.
If you need help caring for braces in Brooklyn or would like more information about orthodontic treatments, contact Brooklyn Orthodontics online or by calling (718) 622-6741 today. Our downtown Brooklyn location allows us to effectively serve the New York City community.