People have had crooked teeth forever — archaeologists have found mummies in Egypt with metal bands around their teeth. The first specialist in orthodontics dates back to 1900, when a dentist restricted his practice solely to moving teeth and aligning jaws. But why is it important?
Since 1989, TDR Specialists in Orthodontics has been advancing that specialty, curating a dedicated team of doctors and staff and building their practice to four locations, including Howell, Novi, Rochester Hills and Birmingham.
The newest addition to the Birmingham office, Dr. Tamara Mackie, is a “lifelong Wolverine,” she says, having attended undergrad, dental school and orthodontics residency at the University of Michigan.
“We literally change lives by changing smiles every day,” Mackie says. “I love creating healthy beautiful smiles, and helping people have the smile that they feel on the inside, shine on the outside. I love seeing the self-confidence and happiness emerge in my patients as their smile steadily improves and when they finally get their braces off. This is a field that is as rewarding for the patient as it is for the professional.”
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that your child get a check-up with an orthodontist at the first recognition of the existence of an orthodontic problem, but no later than age 7, Mackie says. “Early evaluation provides both timely detection of orthodontic problems and allows a greater opportunity for us to provide more effective treatment at the optimum time.”
Oral health is a window into your overall health, and left untreated, orthodontic problems like misaligned teeth, difficulty chewing and shifting jaws can cause health issues later. Tooth decay, gum disease and abnormal wearing of tooth enamel can lead to periodontitis, airway problems such as sleep apnea and speech problems.
“Problems that may lend themselves well to early treatment include: underbites — when the lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth; crossbites — when the upper teeth are inside of the lowers; very crowded teeth; extra or missing teeth; or thumb-, finger- or pacifier-sucking that is affecting the teeth or jaw growth,” Mackie says. “We monitor facial growth and dental development, as well as determine the most appropriate time to address any identified problems.”
TDR sees patients of all ages — children, teens and adults. “In fact, more than a quarter of today’s orthodontic patients are adults because it’s never too late to invest in straighter, healthier teeth,” she says. Treatments Mackie provides include expanders, traditional metal braces, clear/ceramic braces, Invisalign, orthodontics in conjunction with orthognathic surgery, retainers and mouthguards, and sometimes a combination of the above.
Mackie believes that no two smiles are the same. “I love to tailor a smile design to someone's unique beauty,” she says. “We are a completely digital practice at TDR — we use technology and teamwork to not only cut down on the length of braces or Invisalign treatment but also to make the process as easy and as comfortable as possible.”