manent molars come in at that time and it’s important to have a screening to see what is happening and to see if there are any problems that can be intercepted.” Interceptive Treatment can be done on children who have a crossbite, or who have had a thumb-sucking habit that affected their teeth, or who have severe crowding. Just like anything else medical, when you catch things like this early, they are easier to treat. Dr. Galeano sometimes applies braces during this part of the treatment plan, but most of the time he uses apparatuses and orthodontic appliances to address any problems. Normally, Dr. Galeano recommends that girls begin getting braces between the ages of 9-11, and boys between the ages of 10-12 when most of their molars have come in. The reason to begin early, he says, is because while a patient is still growing, a good orthodontist can use the growth to their advantage and guide the teeth along into the right place. Braces come in a wide variety of styles, but the goal is the same. Whether you are looking for traditional metal braces, gold braces, ceramic braces (with clear brackets), or
Invisalign braces, Dr. Galeano can assess your child’s orthodontic needs and provide a treatment that is effective and affordable. The average full orthodontic treatment lasts two years, and Dr. Galeano’s practice accepts most Dental PPO plans, and he offers an interestfree finance program that allows the treatment to be broken up into affordable payments. “Whenever possible, I try to help parents out and keep the cost down,” says Dr. Galeano.
Adult Treatment It is never too late to improve your smile. Many adults who did not have the opportunity to have braces when they were young are finding that a beautiful smile increases their self-esteem as well as their overall oral health. Invisalign is a system of clear trays that align your teeth over a period of time, and they are very popular with adults who want to improve their smile without having the appearance of wearing braces. During the initial examination, Dr. Galeano would take x-rays and look at the patient’s overall dental health to assess
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
the best plan of action. One thing is for sure, regardless of your age, Dr. Galeano and his staff will make you feel welcome, make sure you are comfortable and educated about each step of the process, and make sure you are smiling ear-toear when your orthodontic treatment is complete. A beautiful smile is an investment that continues to pay off for years and years to come, so why wait? Come in and see Dr. Galeano for a complimentary consultation right away.
Galeano Orthodontics is located at 150 Pine Avenue N., Suite A, in the Cypress Professional Center of Oldsmar. Office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Dr. Galeano works out of his Tampa location. Patients can see Dr. Galeano at either location. For more information visit their website at www.galeanoortho.com or to make an appointment call (813) 8558505.
For Ad Info Call (813) 928-6124 or Visit NeighborhoodNewsFL.com
MAY 2012
17