Our Blog

Nestled along the serene Nature Coast of Florida, Crystal River isn't just a scenic gem—it's home to a vibrant community we are privileged to serve at Strouse Orthodontics. At our orthodontic practice, we're more than just dental professionals; we're your neighbors, friends, and partners in achieving the smiles you've always dreamed of. Join us as we explore the unique charm of Crystal River and how our local orthodontic practice is making a positive impact on the community.

Crystal River takes pride in being the home of the stunning Three Sisters Springs and Crystal River Preserve State Park, where manatees seek refuge in the warm waters. Known as the "Manatee Capital of the World," Crystal River offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to witness these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Crystal River is celebrated for its scalloping season, where locals and tourists alike embark on exciting underwater adventures to harvest the delectable bay scallops. This annual tradition adds a culinary delight to the city's vibrant tapestry, bringing people together to savor the treasures of the Gulf. Beyond its aquatic treasures, Crystal River captivates with its historic charm, vibrant community spirit, and a plethora of recreational activities, making it a sought-after destination for those seeking a perfect blend of nature, history, and local warmth. As your trusted orthodontic provider, we are committed to helping you achieve a smile that matches the radiance of Crystal River's landscapes.

Our commitment to Crystal River goes beyond just the confines of our practice. We actively participate in local events, sponsor community initiatives, and collaborate with schools to promote oral health awareness. By being an active part of the community, we strengthen our bonds and create a positive impact on the lives of Crystal River residents.

While we celebrate the uniqueness of Crystal River, our orthodontic practice brings world-class expertise to your doorstep. Dr. Strouse and our team of skilled professionals combines local warmth with global knowledge, ensuring that you receive the best possible orthodontic care without having to travel far. Our office utilizes both braces and Invisalign, for you to achieve a smile to be proud of, in a way that best fits your lifestyle! Your smile journey is our priority, and we are dedicated to providing top-notch treatment right here in Crystal River.

We understand the diverse needs of Crystal River families, and we are committed to making orthodontic care accessible to all. Our practice offers flexible payment options, family-friendly scheduling, and affordable treatment plans, ensuring that every member of the Crystal River community can achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.

Age: 15.5

Treatment Duration: 20 months 

Before Treatment:

This patient came to our office looking to improve the crowding of her teeth. Before treatment she had a narrow smile, severe overbite, severe crowding, class 2 bite (when the upper jaw and/or teeth are ahead of the bottom jaw and/or teeth), narrow arches, retroclined (leaning back) incisors and a posterior crossbite on the right side.

Treatment Journey:

Our patients treatment plan involved upper and lower braces,the use of rubber bands, and anterior bite turbos. Anterior bite turbos are small ramps bonded to the inside of the upper front teeth(seen in blue here). They prevent the top teeth from excessively overlapping the bottom teeth. They are used to prevent breakage of the lower braces as well to allow the teeth to move more freely and for bit correction. Treatment for this case took just over a year and a half.

 

After Treatment:

In this amazing transformation we were able to correct all of the pre-existing orthodontic concerns, improving the overbite, correcting the class 2 to a class 1 proper bite, eliminating the crowding, aligning the midlines, and widening and broadening the smile. Our awesome patient was extremely diligent using the prescribed rubber bands. Treatment was completed in just 20 months.

Orthodontics can not only play a pivotal role in optimizing both oral health and functional well-being, but more importantly can elevate one's self-confidence. Our practice is committed to serving patients of all ages and embraces the belief that it's never too late to embark on the journey to your dream smile.

We invite you and your family to reach out to our office to schedule a complimentary consultation. Allow me the privilege of discussing the orthodontic solutions tailored to your unique needs. Your journey to your dream smile begins with an orthodontic specialist! We see patients from Hernando and Citrus County in areas such as Spring Hill, Brooksville, Crystal River, Lecanto, Beverly Hills, Inverness, and all surrounding areas.

Dr. Strouse

Orthodontic treatment is a transformative journey that can lead to a stunning and confident smile. For those seeking to correct misaligned teeth or bite issues, orthodontics offers a promising solution. However, many people wonder about the duration of the process before they embark on this life-changing path. In this blog post, I will delve into the factors that influence the length of orthodontic treatment and provide a comprehensive overview of what to expect on this exciting journey to a perfect smile.

Factors Influencing Treatment Duration

1. Complexity of the Issue: The severity of the orthodontic problem plays a significant role in determining how long the treatment will take. Minor alignment issues might only require a few months of treatment, while more complex cases may extend the duration to several years.

2. Patient's Age: Age can also impact the length of treatment. Younger patients with developing jaws and teeth might see faster results as their bones are more responsive to movement. However, advancements in orthodontic technology have also made it possible for adults to achieve excellent results with proper treatment.

3. Type of Orthodontic Appliance: There are various orthodontic appliances available today, including traditional metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners like Invisalign. The type of appliance chosen can influence the treatment timeline for the given case.

4. Patient's Cooperation: The success of orthodontic treatment is greatly dependent on the patient's cooperation. Adhering to the orthodontist's instructions, attending regular check-ups, and maintaining good oral hygiene all contribute to achieving optimal results in a timely manner.

Estimated Treatment Durations for Different Appliances

On average orthodontic treatment can be anywhere from only a few months to as long as 1-3 years, it depends on your specific case. An average orthodontic case lasts somewhere between one(1) and two(2) years. 

Embarking on orthodontic treatment is an investment in both time and effort, but the results are undoubtedly worth it. The duration of orthodontic treatment depends on various factors, including the complexity of the issue, the chosen appliance, the patient's age, and their cooperation during the process. Remember, each individual's case is unique, and I will provide a personalized treatment plan based on your needs.

Before beginning any orthodontic journey, schedule a consultation with our office. It is important to see an orthodontic specialist for orthodontic needs.  I will thoroughly assess your case and provide an estimated treatment duration. Keep in mind that the length of treatment is only a small part of the bigger picture - the lifelong benefits of a beautiful and healthy smile are what truly matter. So, embrace the process, follow your orthodontist's guidance, and soon enough, you'll be flashing that stunning smile you've always dreamed of!

In short, treatment time depends on the severity of the issue. Most comprehensive orthodontic cases take 1-2 years, while minor or limited cases can be as short as a few months. We see patients from Hernando and Citrus County in areas such as Spring Hill, Brooksville, Crystal River, Lecanto, Beverly Hills, Inverness, and all surrounding areas. Schedule your consultation today!

One common question I receive as an orthodontist is about overbites. I will answer some of the most common questions and review some terminology.

What is an Overbite?

An overbite is the vertical overlap of the top front teeth over the bottom front teeth. The truth is that it is completely normal to have somewhat of an overbite. We need to have an overbite in order to properly chew our food. If there was no overlap of the teeth, they would hit each other when you bite down which can lead to chipping of the teeth and premature wear of the enamel. Typically somewhere between 20-40% overlap is a relatively "normal" overbite. This can vary based on the patient. The overbite is generally considered excessive when it is more than 50% which is when it may cause issues.

What Can an Overbite Lead to?

• Excessive tooth wear
• Headaches
• Speech issues
• Tooth chipping
• Gum disease due to difficulty cleaning between the teeth
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Overbite vs. Overjet

These two terms are often used interchangeably, however they are two separate conditions. An overbite refers to the vertical overlap of the front teeth, while overjet refers to the horizontal distance between the top and bottom front teeth. Patients that have excessive overjet, have top front teeth that protrude or flare out. These is often referred to as "buck teeth". You can have both excessive overjet and excessive overbite, however they are two separate conditions. Many patients that are concerned that their front teeth stick out refer to their concern as an "overbite".

What Causes an Overbite

An excessive overbite can be caused by many different factors such as

• Genetics
• Smaller lower jaw
• Habits such as Thumb sucking, lip sucking, tongue thrusting
• Abnormal tooth eruption

How Can an Overbite be Treated?

The treatment for an overbite depends on many factors depending on the original presentation. Please call our office for a free consultation to make the first steps to determining what is the best option for you!

• Braces
• Invisalign
• Appliances: Some appliances can be used either alone or in combination with braces or Invisalign to correct an overbite
• Surgery: if the jaw misalignment is very severe, surgery may be necessary and an oral surgeon will reposition the jaws in order to achieve a proper bite position. This is done in combination with orthodontic treatment.

FAQ's

Is having somewhat of an overbite normal?
Yes, there should be some overlap of the upper front teeth compared to the lower front teeth

What amount of an overbite is normal?
Generally 20-40% of overbite as a general rule can be considered normal

NOTE: The author, Dr. Eric Strouse DMD MDS is a specialist in orthodontics in the practice of orthodontics in Spring Hill and Lecanto, Florida. He was trained at Muhlenberg College for his Bachelors Degree where he competed on the track and field team. He completed his dental training at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, earning a Doctorate of Medicine in Dentistry(DMD). He completed a one year General Practice Residency at St. Luke's Hospital in Allentown, PA and his specialty training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Rutgers University where he also completed a Masters in Dental Science. Dr. Strouse has been published in the Sri Lankan Journal of Orthodontics and has written several articles for Dental Economics. Dr. Strouse is an expert in two-phase orthodontic treatment, phase 1 interceptive treatment, extraction and non-extraction treatment, Invisalign clear aligners, and multiple bracket systems(custom braces, self ligating braces, conventional braces). This blog is for informational purposes only.