It’s Easier Than You Think

We are dedicated to meeting your orthodontic needs in a warm, friendly atmosphere. We create awesome smiles for our patients by:

• Producing results quickly. Utilizing the best technologies, we create your optimal smile in months not years, often without extracting teeth.
• Respecting your time. Our methods require fewer adjustments, resulting in fewer visits. We know you’re busy. That’s why we created a unique scheduling system to keep us on track and get you on your way faster.
• Believing in continuing education. Dr. Tom has dedicated his life to being the best in his field. He is a Board Certified Orthodontist and a preferred provider for both the Damon® System and Invisalign®.
• Striving to be the best. Dr. Tom has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top orthodontists in the Delaware Valley, by both patients and peers.

Am I ready for Braces?

There are several key things you can look for to determine if you should consider an orthodontic evaluation. Naturally, your family dentist is the best source to recommend pursuing orthodontic treatment. For adult patients technology and innovation have made braces less noticeable and more comfortable than ever before. And at Kadar Orthodontics, we use the latest technology to make it fast too, in most cases in less than 14 months! For baby boomers, a bright, healthy smile keeps us feeling younger, looking good and contributes to our general health as we grow older.

But orthodontics is more than just straightening teeth. For a bite to be stable the teeth have to fit together in the correct way, so that you have a healthy bite and balanced face.

Our goal is to make treatment time as short as possible while also achieving the absolute best results.

The approach is similar in children and teenagers. Here are some other ways you can notice early problems with your child’s teeth:

Look for excess spacing and crowding. If large gaps are present or overlapping teeth become obvious, orthodontic correction is necessary.

Teeth that are missing or erupt incorrectly function improperly and look less pleasing.

Improper bite. Have your child close his or her teeth, and see if the upper front teeth stick out or protrude when compared to the lower teeth. If the upper teeth bite behind the lower teeth (underbite), you should also consider treatment.

Check for symmetry by comparing the middle of the upper teeth to the middle of the lower teeth.

Any of these problems can cause functional and developmental deficiencies.

The advantages of an early start

We evaluated one 7-year old with a severe underbite. By guiding the formation of her lower jaw, and by correcting her crossbite, we developed a better position for her emerging permanent teeth. When she reached adolescence, she simply wore braces, which straightened her teeth and made her a happy, health and very attractive teenager.

How early should you begin?

Seven could be your child’s lucky number!

That’s because the American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children receive their first orthodontic screening around the age of seven. And we agree. This allows us to evaluate the child early, to determine whether orthodontic treatment may be required.

Very often, the Doctor’s recommendation is “let’s wait and see” until more permanent teeth are in place. Sometimes, we’ll advise what we call the Observation Period, during which we can track changes that take place and get a better picture of the need, if any, for treatment.

If treatment is needed, we can advise the family on the best time for the child to begin. Sometimes, we can begin to correct any abnormalities while the teeth and jaws are still in their formative stages. Some of these problems include:

• Crossbites, causing the lower jaw to shift.
• Severe jaw imbalances.
• Excessive space, due to the early loss of baby teeth.
• Excessive crowding of teeth.
• Airway and speech problems.

  Most Kadar patients will begin orthodontic treatment between ages 11 and 14, when permanent teeth are in place. However, by bringing your child in for an early evaluation, you may be able to avoid costly or arduous treatments later in life. There are several advantages to waiting for the permanent teeth to come in including:

•  Fewer appointments will be necessary, so the child spends less time in braces.
• Shorter treatment time means less chance of enamel decalcification and root shortening. There’s less chance of missing school or broken braces, too!
• Your child will be more mature, with a better understanding of the need for braces.
• We encourage you to take a proactive approach to your child’s smile, which is a vital asset for both self-confidence and self-esteem.

The role of your family dentist

Your family dentist will be a key player who can determine the need for an orthodontic specialist.

After an orthodontic evaluation, both your dentist and our doctor will chart a plan for the best result. Orthodontic treatment should not begin until your dentist has evaluated the health of the teeth and gums.

If major dental work is needed, orthodontic treatment will wait until after the dental problems have been resolved. However, some cases will warrant orthodontic care prior to the dentist’s care in order to complete a particular treatment successfully.

When managing a complicated procedure, the orthodontist and dentist will remain in contact with each other throughout the active tooth movement phase. We always recommend that our patients continue to see their family dentist at their regularly scheduled times.

If a tooth requires a filling or any dental attention, that will take priority over our orthodontic treatment. The family dentist will continue to perform all cleanings, checkups and fillings during orthodontic treatment.

Our goal is to provide the best orthodontic care and results so patients can resume their regular routine.

Habits

There are a number of oral habits which can impede progress during the course of orthodontic treatment. Most common habits include thumb and lip sucking, tongue thrusting, nail or cheek biting, grinding, lip chewing, ice chewing and pen/pencil biting.

Teeth move or respond to these types of pressure and may move in undesired directions. Therefore, it is essential to determine if any of these habits exist.

Thumb Sucking

For example, in the case of thumb sucking, the thumb rests on top of the lower front teeth and pushes them back towards the tongue. Additionally, the thumb rests inside the upper teeth and pushes them forward in a flared position. An extremely protrusive appearance is the result of this habit. If the habit can be broken, the teeth will spontaneously resume a more normal direction. Dr. Kadar often recommends for families to visit www.thumbguard.net for more information on thumb sucking habits.

We use many methods to control habits. Appliances, positive reinforcement and speech therapy can be effective. However, the most effective preventive method is for the patient to be ready and willing to stop. We have an excellent rate of success with patients who truly want to control their habit. Please discuss any concerns about oral habits that you or your child may exhibit.

Tongue thrusting

Did you know that you swallow about 2,000 times each day?

During each swallow, your tongue can exert about six pounds of pressure on the surrounding teeth! This can push the teeth and bone forward, or move them apart.

Tongue thrusting is a habit that exaggerates the swallowing motion, and can be corrected by training the tongue to sit in the right position. Be patient – it can take about 12 weeks to change this habit.

• Your tongue should sit just behind the row of “bumps” on the roof of your mouth. Being aware of its proper placement can help you retrain your tongue.
• If you need help, a speech language therapist can help you with your exercises.
• It’s important to exercise as often as possible.

Initial Consultation –
Becoming a New Patient

We invite you to visit our office for a complimentary initial consultation. For adults or children, the New Patient Appointment is easy, fun and informative! First, we schedule a convenient appointment time for you, our Doctor and our Treatment Coordinator (a certified and registered dental assistant with specialized training). Our welcome packet (the famous Blue Folder!) will arrive in your mailbox shortly before the scheduled first appointment.

We ask you to complete the folder’s contents including the medical history form, demographic information and “Tell Us About Yourself” form (for kids and teens). To help make your first visit comfortable, you will receive two reminder calls from our office . One will be our automated system so you get the chance to see our technology in action! Secondly, our Treatment Coordinator will call to confirm your appointment personally and answer any last minute questions you may have about the first visit. We ask that you return the favor and confirm one of these two calls so we can be prepared for your appointment.

During the new patient appointment, Team Kadar will provide all of the information you need to make an informed decision about orthodontic treatment including:

• If orthodontics is indicated
• When you can get started
• What type of treatment is needed
• Estimated length of treatment
• Orthodontic insurance and financing options.

When you arrive, the Kadar administrative Team will greet you, review your Blue Folder and help you sign in on our computer! Your Treatment Coordinator will begin the visit with a tour of our office including the computerized check-in, clinic areas and digital imaging room. The digital imaging room is the patient’s first stop. One of our certified and registered dental assistants will take a digital panoramic x-ray of your teeth and have you pose for digital orthodontic pictures.

After this brief stop, we invite you relax in our consultation room while our Doctor examines your teeth, reviews the x-ray and photos and answers your questions about braces. If they feel you are ready for orthodontic treatment, they may suggest that we make a digital model of your teeth. Our Treatment Coordinator is available during this entire visit to guide you through the process. She is even able to explain how your insurance and payment plans can be structured to fit your personal budget and plans.

Not Ready for Braces – What Happened During Wait and See?

When observation is indicated.

The purpose of the Observation period is to monitor your child over the next few years to determine if more active treatment will be needed.

You’ll be asked to return every 3 to 12 months, so that we can track any changes that occur. Don’t worry; you are still a part of the Kadar family even though you don’t have braces! Be sure to watch your mail for the Kadar News, our customized newsletter, that will keep you informed of ongoing orthodontic news, Kadar community events and our current contests. And you can always check this website for the latest Kadar Smiles!

When treatment is recommended.

If, during the Observation Period, we find indications that active treatment may be necessary, we’ll schedule a Diagnostic Records Appointment with you and your child. This 30 minute meeting will include:

• Digital photographs
• Digital panoramic and cephalometric x-rays
• Digital Study models

DIAGNOSTIC RECORDS (Photos, Models & Xrays)

Diagnostic Records are just that – records (or information) that helps Dr. Kadar “diagnose” your specific orthodontic situation. These are taken either at the initial appointment or when Dr. Kadar needs additional information about how your teeth are developing. The Diagnostic records have three parts:

• Digital Photographs – We call these our orthodontic “glamour shots” because we get to see you smile from many different angles. These help Dr. Kadar examine your bite and facial profile. You’ll even get to take a copy home for the old scrapbook!
• Digital Study Models -We are excited to be one of the first offices in our area to offer digital imaging!  We can take a digital scan of the mouth and eliminate the need for a gooey impression in most cases! Back when Dr. Kadar had braces, at age 13, he had to endure a gooey, flavorless substance that took 5 minutes to set up in the mouth!!  He is excited that his patients don’t have to deal with that!  Our new technology offers the most accurate and easily shared study model available.  In rare cases, if an actual stone model is necessary,don’t worry,  we have almost two dozen flavors of putty-gel material that sets up in 45 seconds!
• Digital X-rays – We have reached the 21st Century! The last part of Diagnostic Records is x-rays – For Orthodontics, we need two x-rays – a panoramic (full mouth) and a Cephalometric (facial profile). To provide the most advanced patient care, Kadar Orthodontics has installed a completely digital x-ray system. This technology is the most precise imaging system available and benefits our patients in many ways. The images can be enhanced, duplicated and diagnosed better than ever. Radiation exposure is cut as much as 90%. With traditional x-rays, the films cannot be enhanced and run the risk of becoming damaged or lost. A chair-side reading allows our patients to see exactly what Dr. Kadar sees and shortens the time for your orthodontic checkup. Your general dentist can also be more actively involved because he/she can retrieve your digital x-rays from our secure server. Best of all, digital x-rays have eliminated the use of harmful chemicals used in developing tanks and we no longer deal with caustic or environmentally damaging solutions. We know you’ll appreciate the difference with our new digital system.

Our doctors will review the diagnostic records after the appointment, and design your individual treatment plan. Within a couple of weeks, you will have a telephone consultation with our Treatment Coordinator to review the findings. You will receive an automated reminder call to confirm this appointment. This is important, because at Kadar Orthodontics, our appointments are tailored to your needs, and even one missed appointment can affect everyone else’s schedule. This meeting or phone call will cover:

• Any appliances you may need to wear
• Your ongoing, personalized appointment schedule
• Fees and any other concerns

Just like our initial consultation, Observation, Diagnostic Records & Consultation appointments are complimentary and scheduled with your busy life in mind! We believe this serves as our commitment to provide you with the best orthodontic treatment and care.

My Braces & Orthodontic Appliances

Oral Hygiene with Oral B Ortho Essentials

Braces and Candy

Music and Braces

White Spots

Remember: when white spots do occur on teeth following orthodontic treatment; it’s not because the patient is wearing braces. The spots occur as a result of poor hygiene. Keep brushing! Keep smiling!

Orthodontic Appliances

Elastics and rubber bands

• Wear rubber bands 24 hours every day. There will be absolutely NO progress if you don’t wear them. Part time usage will not move teeth, and as a result, your treatment will take longer.
• Take the rubber bands off only when you brush your teeth.
• Change your rubber bands once a day.
• If you lose your rubber bands, or run out, call our office immediately and tell us the brand name. We’ll either send them right out to you, or have them ready at the office.

Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (MARA)

• Don’t eat candy or crunchy foods.
• If the MARA appliance becomes loose or sticks in an uncomfortable position, call our office for an adjustment. Be sure to save any parts that have become loose.
• If you experience cheek biting during the initial adjustment phase, place a small piece of cotton or wax on the appliance, opposite the irritation. If it persists for more than 3 days, call our office.
• “Tooth pillows” are cotton rolls that can be placed under the appliance at night to hold the cheeks away and avoid irritations.

Spacer/Separator

• Spacers can fall out easily when enough space has been made between your teeth. This is normal, so don’t panic. Simply call us, and we’ll tell you whether it needs to be replaced before your next appointment.
• Don’t chew on ice, fingernails, pens, pencils, sticky foods or candy, and avoid rubbing your spacers with your tongue. You can cause your spacer to fall out prematurely, resulting in the need to start all over again!
• Brush teeth thoroughly after every meal.
• Floss gently, but don’t floss between the teeth where the spacers have been placed.

Active Clear Retainers

• Brush or rinse your retainer daily. A denture cleaner (such as Efferdent) can be used once a week. DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE WHICH CAN DULL THE SHINE
• If a sore develops from a rough spot on the retainer, smooth it with a new nail file.
• Don’t drink sugary liquids while wearing active retainers. The sugar won’t wash away, and it can cause tooth discoloration and decay!
• Store in its case in a cool place. Heat can warp your retainer and as a result, won’t fit as well.
• Keep your ACR away from pets – they love them even more than you do! Bring your ACR with you to each visit.
• Do NOT discard any ACRs. Store them as described above.
• If you lose your retainer or if it does not fit properly, call our office immediately.

Holding Arch

Palatal Expanders

Cemented palatal expander

• Turn the key once each day – at the same time each day – until you’re instructed to stop.
• Extend the metal swivel on the key, and place the end into the hole.
• Push towards the back of your mouth as far as you can.
• Do not stop or pull the key out until you see a new hole appear, and you can no longer push the key.
• If you miss your next scheduled appointment, do NOT turn the expander more than 24 turns.

• Pressure from the upper teeth to the temple area for about 5-30 minutes.
• A space may begin to form between the two upper front teeth. It typically closes after the final turn.
• Important note: Eat, talk, and swallow very slowly for the first few days. After about 3 days, you’ll feel much better, and after 7 days, you’ll be fully adjusted to your new appliance.You may notice increased salivation, because your mouth thinks that the expander is food! But this will also improve with time.

Removable palatal expander

• Turn the key once every 5 days – at the same time each day – until you’re instructed to stop.
• Extend the metal swivel on the key, and place the end into the hole.
• Push toward the direction of the arrow.
• Do not stop or pull the key out until you see the new hole appear, and you can no longer push the key.
• If you miss your next scheduled appointment, do NOT turn the expander more than 24 turns.

• Pressure from the upper teeth to the temple area for about 5-30 minutes
• A space may begin to form between the two upper front teeth. It typically closes after the final turn.
• Important note: Eat, talk, and swallow very slowly for the first few days. After about 3 days, you’ll feel much better, and after 7 days, you’ll be fully adjusted to your new appliance. You may notice increased salivation, because your mouth thinks that the expander is food! But this will also improve with time.

Herbst Appliance

• To chew easier, cut your food into small bites for the first few days.
• If you open your mouth too far and the appliance comes apart, just open a little wider to guide the appliance back together as you close your mouth.
• Sleep on your back to keep pressure off your cheeks.
• If a screw, or any part of the appliance comes loose, save the part and call us. It’s not necessarily to replace the screw immediately, since your muscles will hold your lower jaw in position for several days.

• You may feel irritation on the inside of your mouth, place a cotton roll along the cheek near the appliance at bedtime to lessen irritation and sores. (Eventually, these areas will toughen up)
• Tenderness in your teeth and some of your cheek muscles is normal, and should last only 3 to 7 days. Acetaminophen may help relieve these symptoms.

Tooth positioner

• Floss everyday! Flossing is very important to maintain the health of your teeth and gums, especially while the positioner is in place.
• Store your positioner in its case, in a cool, safe place when it isn’t in your mouth. Heat can warp the positioner, resulting in a distorted fit.
• You may remove your positioner during meals, and when brushing. However, try to wear it as much as possible, 24 hours a day.
• Clean your positioner by brushing it with a small drop of toothpaste, then rinse with cold water.
• Call us if you have any questions about any of your appliances.

In an Emergency

• Loose wire – You can reposition the wire into place with tweezers. If this is not possible, clip the wire with a pair of nail clippers or wire cutters behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. Wax it if you feel any discomfort.
• Knocked-Out Tooth –  Call your family dentist as soon as possible. If possible, hold the tooth in your mouth, or store it in a cup of milk until you receive treatment. If dental treatment cannot be arranged within a reasonable time, gently replace the tooth in its socket – taking care to orient it correctly! – and go to a hospital emergency room.
• Poking wire – Simply push the poking wire down with a spoon or an eraser. If this is not possible, wax it. If discomfort persists, using a clean nail clipper or wire cutter, cut the wire closest to the next bracket in front of it. Notify our office the next business day so we can repair it.
• Lost tie wire or elastic tie – Notify us at your next appointment.
• Object Between Teeth – Try to remove the object by gently using dental floss. Do not use a sharp or pointed instrument. If you’re not successful, call us!
• Loose band or bracket – If the band or the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. Place wax on the broken area to make it comfortable. If the band or bracket comes out completely, wrap it up in tissue and give us a call during office hours.
• Soreness – This can be relieved by the use of warm salt water rinses and Tylenol or Ibuprofen for relief from discomfort. Call us during office hours if soreness persists for more than 3 days.
• Severe trauma, fractured teeth, bones or cuts to the mouth area requiring stitches – Call your dentist or go to the emergency room. Once the trauma has been treated, please notify our office.
• Appliance dangling or locking open – Please call 856-582-1400 and press #9, a Kadar team member will get back to you promptly.

It’s a Matter of Business

Scheduling & Appointments

Your Account & Insurance

To make orthodontic treatment affordable to all of our patients, we offer several methods to fit your specific situation. Our payment plans include a cash discount for full payment and use of automatic monthly payments through your checking or credit card account. In addition, we work with several financing companies that provide low interest, no initial fee and extended term plans.

When treatment is over

You will leave the office with an appointment to return in a week to receive your retainer and you will do so with a big, bright, beautiful new smile!

Clear retainer

• Wear as directed, except when eating or brushing your teeth
• Store in its case in a cool place. Heat can warp your retainer and as a result, won’t fit as well.
• Clean each night with a toothbrush and liquid soap – DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE WHICH CAN DULL THE SHINE! Baking soda or a denture cleaner will treat tougher stains.
• Bring with you to every appointment, so we can see if they’re still fitting properly.
• Keep your models in a safe place! They’re needed to make replacement retainers, and may eliminate the need to make a new impression.
• Don’t drink sugary liquids while wearing clear retainers. The sugar won’t wash away, and it can cause tooth discoloration and decay!
• If a sore develops from a rough spot on the retainer, smooth it with a new nail file.

Active Clear Retainer

• Brush or rinse your retainer daily. A denture cleaner (such as Efferdent) can be used once a week. DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE WHICH CAN DULL THE SHINE
• If a sore develops from a rough spot on the retainer, smooth it with a new nail file.
• Don’t drink sugary liquids while wearing active retainers. The sugar won’t wash away, and it can cause tooth discoloration and decay!
• Store in its case in a cool place. Heat can warp your retainer and as a result, won’t fit as well.
• Keep your ACR away from pets – they love them even more than you do!
• Bring your ACR with you to each visit.
• Do NOT discard any ACRs. Store them as described above.
• If you lose your retainer or if it does not fit properly, call our office immediately.

Bonded retainer (also called Permanent retainer)

• Remember to floss every day! Simply follow these instructions:
  • Using a floss threader, feed the floss through the center of the hole.
  • Starting directly at the gum line (under the wire), gently guide the threader between the teeth until you see the threader start to protrude out toward your tongue.
  • Grab the threader and pull the floss between your teeth. Now you can floss down and around those teeth. Finally, pull the floss out.
  • Repeat for all remaining teeth bonded to the retainer.
• Use your back-up. Use the clear retainer if your bonded retainer comes loose. Follow the care instructions for the clear retainer
• Keep your models in a safe place! They’re needed to make replacement retainers, and may eliminate the need to make a new impression.

Hawley Retainer

• Wear as directed, except when eating or brushing your teeth.
• Store in its case in a cool place. Heat can warp your retainer and, as a result, won’t fit as well.
• Clean each night with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Baking soda or a denture cleaner will treat tougher stains.
• Bring with you to every appointment, so we can see if they’re still fitting properly.
• Keep your models in a safe place! They’re needed to make replacement retainers, and may eliminate the need to make a new impression.
• Avoid bending retainer wires – this could distort or even ruin the fit.