Growth-Centered Orthodontics
Of course, you want straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. At Schoen Family Dentistry, we can certainly provide that for you. Did you know that orthodontics is not always about just your smile? It can change your facial structure, how well you breathe, your jaw health, and it can even reshape your profile.
That is why choosing a dentist with the proper knowledge and understanding of how all of these pieces fit together is essential to the complete success of your treatment.
Thomas Schoen, DDS, takes a comprehensive approach to orthodontics for both children and adults. His orthodontic treatment has produced happy, healthy, and smiling patients since 1988.
Function and Comfort
Malocclusion, or poorly aligned teeth, can cause oral complications as well as damage to your smile. When your teeth do not come together correctly, your jaw joints may start to click or pop, you may destroy your natural teeth or dentistry, and you might grind or clench your teeth while you sleep.
Your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) can sustain excessive wear, creating numerous painful symptoms as well as degeneration to your joint. Some patients even experience locking jaw joints, with limited opening or closing, once the joint becomes displaced. This locking sensation can feel painful and frightening. You may not be able to open your mouth more than a finger or two in width, creating problems with eating and pain when you yawn.
When your teeth are in proper alignment, opening and closing feels smooth without any catching.
Dr. Schoen avoids these problems by determining the optimum position for your teeth both aesthetically and functionally prior to starting treatment in order to provide you with the most comfortable results. After all, looking great makes no difference unless you also feel great!
Attractive Orthodontic Results
Most people think of orthodontics as a way to improve your smile. If you suffer from misaligned teeth, you might feel self-conscious about the way you look and avoid smiling. Having orthodontics can certainly improve the alignment of your teeth, but did you know that your teeth also provide your face with its structure?
When you change your teeth, you may also change how your face looks. Dr. Thomas Schoen can predict those outcomes so that you will have an idea about how orthodontics will make you look once you complete your treatment.
Interceptive Orthodontics
When we monitor children from a young age, typically around age six or seven, we can identify some early orthodontic conditions and address them while your child is still growing. This allows us to prevent much more complex treatment in the future and permits us to avoid some of the common problems typically identified in teens. When we take an interceptive approach to orthodontics, we can treat your child as their body grows and alter some of their potential problems before they start!
Call Us to Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation
Call our Wabasha, MN dental office to schedule an evaluation for you or your child. We look forward to helping you achieve the healthiest, most beautiful smile possible through quality orthodontics.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your child sees a dentist outside of our office and it is suggested your child needs braces, a consultation can be scheduled here at Schoen Family Dentistry to evaluate your child's dental condition. An exam and x-rays will help us see what is happening above and below the gumline to determine a treatment approach that will meet your child's individual treatment needs.
If Dr. Tom or Dr. Nate has determined that you or your child need orthodontics, we want you to ask us any questions related to treatment and care as soon as you have them. We will review much of the information with you at the Informed Consent appointment with one of our dentists just prior to active therapy.
At any time if you have a question or need clarification, write down your questions and bring them to an appointment. If you need an answer sooner, give us a call. Understanding what to expect and how to care for braces is essential to treatment success. We have attached an orthodontic Q&A document under the Patient Information tab to answer some of the most common questions.
A good rule is to have your child orthodontically evaluated by the age of seven. That is because many common orthodontic conditions are easier to correct while your child is still growing. Conditions such as overbites, underbites, overcrowding, and narrow jaws are easier and less invasive to treat at a younger age when your child’s bones have not completely formed.
When we intercept common orthodontic conditions during your child’s growth cycle, it might eliminate or reduce the need for lengthy and complex treatments in the future. In fact, you can avoid costly work in the future by starting at a young age. Additionally, this early orthodontic interception can help us to avoid common complications for orthodontics including TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction as well as severe malocclusion (misaligned teeth).
Our dentist, Dr. Thomas Schoen, has been successfully treating childhood, teen, and adult orthodontic conditions since 1988 using a comprehensive approach to treatment that takes into account aesthetics, function, and comfort. His patients are pleased with their results and enjoy improved overall oral health because of his care.
If you have questions about orthodontics for yourself or your child, please call our office. Our supportive team looks forward to helping you and your family achieve a healthy, comfortable, and beautiful smile.
Meet Our Doctors:
Nate Schoen DDS
Dr. Nate is originally from Wabasha, MN and earned his BA from St. Scholastica, graduating cum laude and his DDS from the University of Minnesota. Nate married his lovely wife ...
Melissa Durbin DT
Dental Therapist
Melissa obtained her Master of Advanced Dental Therapy degree from Metropolitan State in 2022 after 20 years as a Registered Dental Hygienist. As a mid-level practitioner, Melissa can perform not ...
Dr. Tom Schoen Retired
Dr. Schoen started his dental practice in 1982 and appreciated the opportunity to help thousands of people improve their health and maintain those positive changes. After 42 years of practicing ...