Passaic County Orthodontist

Finding a Passaic County orthodontist can be confusing with so many on the list. When you receive “About 1,260,000 results” in less than one minute on a search platform, how do you select the very best one for your family? At Smiles by Lorino, we try to simplify your dilemma by providing outstanding service.

What to Look for in an Orthodontist

How does an orthodontist differ from a dentist? Although they both begin in the same schools and earn the same degree, an orthodontist continues for another two to three years. After residency, they earn an orthodontics specialty.

While dentists concentrate on teeth health, orthodontists focus on teeth alignment and jaw and facial symmetry.

Now that you know the primary difference, there are some services a good orthodontist will offer, including:

• Whole family care
• More than one type of braces
• A warm and inviting office environment
• A knowledgeable staff
• Financial assistance when necessary

Many orthodontists offer a complimentary initial examination. Smiles by Lorino makes this offer. We know — you think this is just a sales gimmick to get you into the office. But it isn’t.

Honestly, the only way to know if you or your child needs orthodontic care is to have an examination. With a base cost of around $250, this may be out of range for many families. In a family with multiple children, the expense of finding out whether your children need orthodontic care can stop the process in its tracks. We understand that. We want you to be able to make an informed decision.

The complimentary exam is a complete examination, including X-rays, digital images if necessary, and an oral exam. When the doctor is done, they will explain your child’s orthodontic needs, including a proposed treatment plan and the expected cost.

When “Family” Really Means Family

At Smiles by Lorino, Dr. Robert Lorino and Dr. Gi Gi Paralkar were both born and raised in the area before becoming orthodontists. They returned to serve their community by providing great smiles for your entire family.

With five offices in the local area, they are convenient to almost everyone in the Passaic County area. As full-service orthodontists, they can see patients as young as six and seven, and there is no upper age limit for orthodontic care.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children see an orthodontist by their seventh birthday. Most children do not require immediate care at that age, but it allows the doctor to begin monitoring them for potential problems they may have in the future. If a child does require early treatment, the early age enables the doctor to use normal growth patterns to guide jaw development.

Options for Self Expression — Passaic County Orthodontist

We mentioned earlier that a good orthodontist offers more than one option for treatment. Although they are all effective, cost, appearance, and ease of treatment may matter to you. At Smiles by Lorino, we offer various options at different price points.

Metal Braces

Although metal braces have been around for a long time, recent changes in the style of the bracket have made them a more appealing option than in the past. The brackets are smaller, precision-crafted, and more comfortable than those in use years ago.

While parents may remember middle school taunts of “metal mouth” and the stigma of nobody wanting braces, that has all changed. Braces are a bit of a fashion statement for teens. It’s true!! The archwire threads through each bracket and is held in place by the clip, and a tiny rubber band called an elastic. Someone realized that using colored elastics could make braces fun. So braces can match school colors, favorite pro sports teams, or even your prom outfit.

The In-Ovation Difference

If colored elastics didn’t excite you, our In-Ovation line of self-ligating brackets might be perfect. The bracket clips are self-locking, so no elastics are required to maintain tension on the archwire. There are three bracket types to choose from too:

• In-Ovation R has smaller brackets and a lower profile. There are no elastics, meaning less irritation, less trouble brushing and keeping teeth clean, and less plaque build-up.
• In-Ovation C offers the same advantages with a clear ceramic bracket.
• In-Ovation L ^MTM is helpful in cases requiring minor adjustment and can be effective in a few months.

Clear Braces

Clear braces do exactly what traditional metal braces do but use a clear ceramic bracket. This creates a lower profile and less visibility because the brackets blend with the natural color of teeth. They are almost invisible with a white wire, except during close conversation.

Invisalign and Invisalign Teen

Invisalign and Invisalign are braces, but not braces. They are almost invisible tray alignment systems that use gentle pressure to move teeth. Tray sets are worn for about two weeks, then patients shift to the next set of trays in the sequence. Depending on the degree of correction necessary, treatment may take as little as three to six months. Average Invisalign treatment ranges from 12 to 18 months but can extend to 24 to 36 months for complex malocclusion.

Invisalign is a very popular treatment choice because, even though trays need to be in place for a recommended 20 to 22 hours each day, they are removable. There are no dietary restrictions, and oral hygiene is a breeze.

More Than Just Braces

Orthodontics involves more than just braces. Our doctors are also dentofacial orthopedics specialists. In layman’s terms — they are concerned with facial growth and how the jaw develops. Since children grow early, seeing an orthodontist before age seven allows the doctor to incorporate that growth into orthodontic treatment.

For your children, this means the potential for less aggressive treatment in their teen years. When you need a Passaic County orthodontist, Smiles by Lorino offers more services than just braces.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea causes patients to stop breathing at night. The intermittent breathing stoppage causes restless sleep and waking. The problem can ultimately be life-threatening and results in a constant feeling of being tired.

There are different treatments available, including behavioral changes and oral devices, and in some cases, surgery might be necessary. For an assessment, ask about our sleep apnea treatments.

Help for TMJ/TMD Sufferers

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) causes pain in the face and neck. The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect the lower jawbone to the skull. When you experience problems, your symptoms may include:

• Jaw area pain
• Ringing or pain in the ears or ear stuffiness
• Headaches and neckaches
• Popping sounds when chewing or speaking
• Locking jaw, or reduced jaw movement

If you have questions about TMJ/TMD, mention your symptoms during your next orthodontic appointment.

Choose Smiles by Lorino as Your Passaic County Orthodontist

If you need a family doctor, Smiles by Lorino is the Passaic County orthodontist that offers the most. Contact Smiles by Lorino if you have one child or ten or need orthodontic care for yourself. With our complimentary consultation, there is no risk.