Our Blog
Pictures of cases needing early phase I orthodontic treatment
November 20th, 2014
This flyer is from the American Association of Orthodontists. The pictures are very helpful in showing parents why early orthodontic treatment is important in some children. 
Is Phase I Orthodontic Treatment Necessary?
May 22nd, 2014
Dr. Melissa Bailey at Bailey Orthodontics in Orinda, CA does not believe that every patient needs two-phase orthodontic treatment, however, there are certain skeletal and dental signs that she looks for that indicate the possible need for a two-phase treatment. In the initial consultation, Dr. Bailey will do a thorough exam, focusing on facial proportions and symmetry, soft tissue shape and support, and skeletal and dental growth and development, to determine if an early phase of interceptive orthodontic treatment is needed.
Dr. Bailey is a specialist in orthodontics AND dentofacial orthopedics and has additional specialty training in treating young children who may need palatal expansion (narrow upper jaw), headgear to correct jaw discrepancies (underbite, big overjet), and habit appliances (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting). She is gentle, caring, and is great with children.
At Bailey Orthodontics, we offer our younger phase I patients:
- WildSmile Braces at no extra charge
- Flavored molding impression materials (strawberry, root beer, raspberry, mint, etc.)
- Treasure chest full of toys
- Kids club where Dr. Bailey examines our younger patients on an annual basis for no extra charge
- Retainers with designs, colors, glitter at no extra charge
Dr. Bailey believes that a beautiful smile is an essential component of a person’s overall appearance. Orthodontic treatment should enhance a person’s appearance, not harm it. Early interceptive orthodontic treatment can not only improve your child’s smile and appearance, but can also enhance his/her confidence and self-esteem. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up by the age of seven, so schedule your complementary exam today.
The most common signs that a two-phase treatment may be needed are anterior and posterior cross-bite, large overjet, and moderate to severe crowding.
-An anterior cross-bite exists when the upper front teeth are trapped behind the lower front teeth and can impede the normal growth of the upper jaw. Left untreated, underbites can persist, even in children with normal skeletal growth patterns.
-A posterior cross-bite exists when the upper jaw is too narrow in relation to the lower jaw. Phase I treatment is an opportune time to use an expander to widen the palate to resolve crowding and correct the posterior cross-bite. The two halves of the palate fuse together as we age, so expansion of the palate may not be possible by the time patients are in their early teenage years.
-A large overjet exists when the upper front teeth stick out too far in relation to the lower front teeth. This makes it difficult for children to close their lips together without straining, and their lower lips usually tuck into the space between the lower and upper teeth. Children with large overjets are much more prone to damaging or loosing their front teeth due to an impact from an activity or accident (sports, falls, etc.).
-Dental crowding is perhaps the most common reason parents take their children to the orthodontist for their initial exam. For some children with moderate to severe crowding, extraction of permanent teeth can improve their overall appearance, while providing for improved dental health and stability. However, extractions are not appropriate for all cases of dental crowding – especially in later years when lips tend to thin and provide less support, creating a flatter, less youthful profile. To determine whether extractions would benefit your child, Dr. Bailey carefully examines your child’s facial features, skeletal proportions, profile, thickness and support of lips, and dental and gum health.
Other signs that your child might benefit from braces or other orthodontic work include:
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Trouble chewing or biting
Mouth breathing
Thumb or finger sucking
Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
Jaws that shift or make sounds
Speech problems
Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
Teeth that meet badly or not at all
Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
Invisalign Express Summer Special: $2995. Straighten upper and lower teeth in 4 months!
May 22nd, 2014
Attention adults: Does your smile need a tune up?
Most of us are not lucky enough to have perfectly straight teeth. Orthodontic treatment was not as common 20-30 years ago as it is today, so many of us didn’t have the opportunity to have orthodontic treatment as a child. And even for those who did have braces as a child, chances are good that your teeth have drifted a little since then.
The good news is that correcting minor alignment problems can often be done quickly and easily without the need for traditional braces. For many people, smile “tune ups” can be completed in just a couple of months by wearing removable clear aligners. These aligners can be used to close spaces, correct crowding, and rotate teeth back into alignment. Best of all, these “tune ups” can often be done for a fraction of the cost of full orthodontic treatment and may be covered by your dental insurance.
Thanks to advances in orthodontic treatments, there is no excuse for living with a smile you’re not proud of. If you or your loved one has been putting off straightening your teeth, now is the time to get started on your new smile with Dr. Melissa Bailey, an orthodontic specialist in Orinda, CA. Get the smile you deserve without anyone knowing. Just call our office today at (925) 254-4568 to find out more about tuning up your smile.
Oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea
May 22nd, 2014
Oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea
Is your snoring keeping your bed partner awake at night? Do you think that you may have sleep apnea? According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 18 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is as common as diabetes or asthma in adults.
For moderate to severe cases of OSA, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most effective treatment. However, not everyone can tolerate sleeping with the CPAP. For milder cases of OSA, an oral appliance may be an effective alternative. An oral appliance worn at night can significantly reduce apneas, which leads to improvements in sleep quality and daytime alertness and lowered blood pressure.
The following information is taken from the Patient Education Guide for Oral Appliance Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
What is an Oral Appliance?
It is a device that is worn in the mouth and held by the teeth to control sleep apnea and snoring. There are a variety of oral appliances available, but the most widely used and thoroughly researched type is call the Mandibular Repositioning Appliance (MRA).
How does an Oral Appliance work?
The MRA gently positions the lower jaw and tongue slightly forward. This helps to open up the space in the back of the throat and reduces tissue obstruction, helping keep the patient’s airway open and clear during sleep.
Is Oral Appliance Therapy a medical service?
Yes. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified oral appliances as Class II medical devices and many insuers include coverage for this therapy under their medical plans. Also, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) define obstructive sleep apnea as a medical condition that can be treated by dental professionals who have advanced training in dental sleep medicine.
Who provides this service?
Patients are referred for this treatment by their physicians only after a sleep study establishes a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, a trained dental professional such as a dentist or orthodontist should custom fit and monitor these devices (an orthodontist specializes in correcting teeth or jaw problems).