Orthodontics with Dr. Atkinson
In addition to his Masters Degree in Orthodontics from St. Lous University, Dr. Bruce Atkinson is a Board Certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics - one of only a few practicing in the greater Toledo area. He attends continuing education course every year, and keeps fully current with the trend and technological advances in his field. He has been using his expertise to provide his patients with improved smiles for more than 30 years.
Because of his training and experience, Dr. Atkinson has an excellent understanding of how to get good, stable results. If teeth are not adjusted properly, they can revert within months. By working with the patient to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment plan, Dr. Atkinson uniformly achieves excellent and lasting results.
Our office is open plan, and parents are able to see and be a part of every step of their child's treatment. Dr. Atkinson evaluates progress and makes the wire adjustments himself at each appointment, making sure that treatment is progressing properly. Full and open communication between doctor, patient and parent helps to ensure a strong, lasting corrected bite.
Dr. Atkinson's patients appreciate that he works personally with them to carefully design their course of treatment and ensure that they achieve beautiful, healthy and lasting results. With friendly, personal and experienced care, he will explain every part of your treatment and make sure that you understand exactly what needs to be done.
“How I determine an individual’s treatment outline is dependent upon what the patient’s needs are.
“When recommending treatment, my yardstick has always been, ‘If this was my family, how would I do things?’ I do not recommend anything that I would not have done to my own children. You can work hard, be efficient, but you cannot cut corners. We still have to treat patients the same way we would like to be treated." —Dr. Bruce Atkinson
If you or your child are concerned about your bite, have crowded, crooked or badly-spaced teeth, make an appointment today for a free initial consultation with Dr. Atkinson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Information for parents and patients
Here are answers to some of the questions that we hear from our new patients. For more information, feel free to call us at 877-885-7753.
- Why does my child need an orthodontist?
- What are braces?
- What do braces do?
- When should my child see an orthodontist?
- How long will my child have to wear braces?
- How often will my child need to see Dr. Atkinson during treatment?
- Can my child continue to play sports while wearing braces?
- What financing options do you have available?
- What about braces for adults?
- Is early treatment for my child necessary?
- What about Invisalign®?
Why does my child need an orthodontist?
An orthodontist has 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school to specifically diagnose and treat bite problems such as an underbite, overbite, crossbite and crowded or crooked teeth. He is a specialist at straightening teeth and ensuring proper form and function.
Your regular dentist will advise you to see an orthodontist if he or she is concerned about your child’s teeth.
If you have a concern that your child’s teeth are overcrowded, or that he or she has an overbite, underbite, crooked teeth, etc., we will be happy to schedule him or her for a free initial consultation and diagnosis.
Call 877-885-7753 to schedule an appointment or click here to request an appointment online!
What are braces?
Braces are made up of brackets, bands, wires and spacers. These components are used as needed to correct the particular problem being addressed, by exerting continuous pressure on the teeth and slowly moving them into place.
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Brackets are the small squares that are bonded directly to the front of each tooth with a special dental cement. Brackets act like handles, holding the wires that move the teeth. The brackets can be made of stainless steel or tooth-colored material. Tooth-colored brackets are more cosmetically appealing but more expensive than stainless steel.
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Orthodontic bands are stainless steel and are cemented to teeth. They wrap around each tooth to provide an anchor for the brackets. Some people have only brackets and no bands. -
Spacers are separators that fit between teeth to create a small space prior to placement of orthodontic bands.
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Arch wires attach to the brackets and act as tracks to guide the movement of the teeth. Arch wires are made of stainless steel.
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Tiny plastic rings, called ligatures or alastics hold the arch wires to the brackets.
Orthodontists may use additional tools, including springs and headgear, to help adjust a person’s bite.
What do braces do?
Braces work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction. As the teeth move, the bony tooth changes shape as pressure is applied. The teeth are moved specifically, according to careful adjustments by the Orthodontist, in order to align the jaw, improve the bite, reduce crowding, correct spacing, and straighten teeth. Over time, braces will improve your smile and correct other problems that crowded or misaligned teeth can create, including increased chance of tooth decay and tooth loss, chewing difficulties, and speech impediments.
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When should my child see an orthodontist?
The best time to use braces to straighten a child’s teeth is during a major growth spurt, such as occurs during puberty, At that time a child’s bones are fairly pliable, and it is easier to align the teeth rapidly. Braces are most often appropriate at 11 ½ years for girls or 12 ½ years for boys, when the baby teeth are gone and the permanent teeth are in the mouth. It is wise for parents to bring children for an initial free consultation at 9 or 10, or younger if they have a concern. This enables Dr. Atkinson to correctly diagnose and handle any problems, and ensures that the teeth-straightening procedures work smoothly.
Call 877-885-7753 to schedule an appointment or click here to request an appointment online!
How long will my child have to wear braces?
The time required for braces to complete their job varies from person to person. Factors affecting the length of time that your child will need to wear braces include the severity of the problem you are correcting, the amount of room available, the distance the teeth must travel, the health
of the teeth, gums, and supporting bone, and how closely your child follows instructions. On average, however, once the braces are put on,
they usually remain in place for 8-10 to 30 months. After braces are removed, most patients will need to wear a retainer all the time for the first 12 months, then only for 10 hours in the evening for many years.
How often will my child need to see Dr. Atkinson during treatment?
Dr. Atkinson will want to see your child about every four weeks or so in order to make sure that the braces are exerting steady pressure on his or her teeth. To create more tension and pressure on the teeth, Dr. Atkinson will make adjustments in the wires or rubber bands of your braces. In some cases, braces alone aren't enough to straighten the teeth or shift the jaw. In these situations, an external appliance, such as a headgear may need to be worn at home in the evening or through the night.
Call 877-885-7753 to schedule an appointment or click here to request an appointment online!
Can my child continue to play sports while wearing braces?
It’s fine for your child to continue to play sports after he or she gets braces. When playing sports where there is a possibility of getting hit in the mouth, your child should wear a specially designed mouthguard. The mouth guard, made of durable plastic, is designed to fit comfortably over the braces and protect the soft tissues inside his or her mouth.
Call 877-885-7753 to schedule an appointment or click here to request an appointment online!
What about Invisalign®?
Dr. Atkinson does not routinely use or recommend clear plastic appliances, such as Invisalign to correct dental problems. He feels that while they might be appropriate for minor small tooth movement, they simply don't work well for more complicated problems, or for large overbites. They can also take longer to correct even minor problems. Metal braces offer a wider range of possible treatments, and help patients, both children and adults, complete their treatment as rapidly as possible.
