Frank R. Helm, DMD, MSD
Orthodontics for Children & Adults
Treatments
The benefits of orthodontic treatment can truly last a lifetime making it a great investment at any age. Healthy teeth are vital to one’s quality of life. A lifetime of tooth pain or tooth problems is costly and miserable. In addition to health, the confidence of a beautiful smile is hard to measure when it comes to smiling for prom, your wedding, or your first job interview. In fact, multiple studies have shown that people who smile more and smile big tend to actually live longer! Ok, we can’t make any guarantees there, but no doubt smiling is the universal way of saying hello, thank you, and expressing your happiness. Straight teeth and a beautiful smile can provide many lifetime benefits no matter if you’re young or old:
Aesthetic appearance of your teeth and smile influence first impressions. Straight teeth and a beautiful smile can open social and professional doors throughout life.
Positive psychological effects can profoundly impact how you feel about yourself and the confidence and self-esteem that you carry with you through your daily life.
Healthier teeth and gums are possible since straight teeth eliminate the hard-to-reach places in your mouth that are tough to brush and floss. This can reduce your risk of developing cavities and periodontal (gum) disease over time. Research is now showing that inflammation of the gums (gingivitis and gum disease) can negatively affect other parts and processes in your body, specifically your heart.
Alignment of your jaws and bite improving your ability to chew and function properly. Proper function of this complex system of jaw joints and muscles allow them to work in harmony and comfort.
Reduced wear and tear of your teeth over time caused by an unhealthy biting relationship. Such wear and tear can cause weak, fragile, severely worn, or even broken teeth as well as loss of supporting bone and gum tissue caused by unhealthy amounts of forces or stress placed on them.
Preparation for successful restorative treatment with your general dentist. Placing your teeth in their correct positions sets the foundation for more successful restorative treatment later if it is planned. This may include replacement of missing teeth with implants or bridges as well as aesthetic restoration of front teeth with crowns or veneers.
To learn more about how orthodontic treatment would benefits you, your child, or a family member call our office 510-653-2205 in Oakland, CA.
Early Childhood Orthodontics
(Phase 1)
At the Orthodontic office of Dr. Frank Helm, we believe early detection offers peace of mind. The American Association of Orthodontists recommend that children see an orthodontist as early as age seven because many developing orthodontic problems can be detected at a young age.
Dr. Helm’s approach to early orthodontic treatment is simple and conservative. He recognizes that early treatment can have profound benefits for some children, but not every child needs it. Dr. Helm recommends early treatment when the bite is causing permanent damage to the teeth or gum tissue, space is needed for permanent teeth to come in properly, or when improvement to the smile is desired or needed for healthy psycho-social development.
When early treatment is not necessary, we enroll our patient’s into our observation program, which allows Dr. Helm to regularly monitor his or her jaw growth and development of the permanent teeth to keep you informed of any future treatment needs. Our parents appreciate the peace of mind these check-up appointments bring, and best of all, they are free!
We invite you to contact our office in Oakland, California to set up a consultation with Dr. Frank Helm to evaluate if early orthodontic treatment would benefit your child. We are committed to helping your child enjoy a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.
Teen Orthodontics
(Phase 2 or Comprehensive)
In most cases, the preteen and teenage years are the most ideal time for full (“comprehensive”) orthodontic treatment to set the stage for a lifetime of a beautiful, confident smile. At this age, the last permanent teeth are erupting into the mouth and the jaws are still actively growing, which makes tooth movement faster and offers a window of opportunity to achieve the most ideal smile and bite. Although treatment time can vary depending on your treatment complexity, average comprehensive orthodontic treatment lasts approximately 1 ½ – 2 years. Treatment options consist of metal braces or Invisalign.
Your child’s teenage years play an important role in their development. The positive impact that orthodontic treatment can have on their self-confidence during this time of life is profound and life-changing. Other benefits of orthodontic treatment during the teenage years includes:
-
Improved oral health
-
Reduced risk of dental issues such as tooth decay
-
A properly fitting bite which improves function (ability to chew) as well as
-
decreases excess wear of the teeth from speaking and chewing with a bad bite. When the teeth fit together properly, ideal aesthetics of the teeth will follow.
Dr. Frank Helm treats each case individually to ensure that your teenager will receive the personalized care they need to achieve a healthy smile. Call our today at 510-653-2205 to schedule your teenager’s appointment and learn more about teen orthodontics.
Adult Orthodontics
If you think you’re too old for orthodontic treatment, you’re not! Orthodontic treatment can be done successfully at any age as long as your teeth, gums, and supporting bones are healthy.
Many adults wish to correct problems that were never corrected when they were a child. But don’t worry, Dr. Helm recognizes that orthodontic treatment as an adult is different than as a child or teen. With state-of-the-art treatment options such as Invisalign or clear braces, adult orthodontic treatment is as easy and unnoticeable as ever. Best of all, you will not be alone! About 1 in 3 of Dr. Helm’s patients are adults.
Whether you want to make small enhancements to your smile or you desire a complete smile make-over, Dr. Helm will listen to your concerns and develop a treatment plan tailored to give you the smile you are looking for using a treatment approach that fits your lifestyle. So, here’s to no more covering your mouth when you smile or feeling embarrassed when you see yourself in a picture!
Give our office a call at 510-653-2205 to learn more about orthodontics for adults and to make your consultation appointment with Dr. Frank Helm. He loves helping adults get started on a path to a confident, healthy smile.
Invisalign
Straight Teeth Without Braces
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® straightens your teeth using a custom series of clear appliances called aligners instead of traditional brackets and wires. Invisalign aligners are comfortable, removable, and best of all, nearly invisible, which means that hardly anyone will know you are straightening your teeth. Dr. Helm uses advanced 3D computer graphics technology to program your Invisalign aligners to move your teeth in small steps to achieve the smile and bite that he has designed specifically for you. Each aligner is worn for 1-2 weeks and can be taken out to eat, brush, and floss.
Choose an Experienced Invisalign Provider
Dr. Helm is Invisalign-certified and completes hours of continuing education each year to stay up on the latest advances and treatment techniques using Invisalign. Because Dr. Helm is a trained orthodontic specialist, he understands the computer technology used by Invisalign and, more importantly, the science of orthodontic tooth movement. This makes him best suited to identify your individual orthodontic needs and develop an Invisalign treatment that will provide the best possible results. Invisalign is not appropriate for everybody, and Dr. Helm’s training and experience in moving teeth allows him to determine if Invisalign would be an effective option for YOU.