When Benjamin Franklin said "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," orthodontic dentistry was not yet available. But as Dr. Ken Dillehay of Rogers, Duncan and Dillehay Specialist in Orthodontics, explained to the staff of Augusta Family Dentistry, the saying is relevant when it comes to orthodontics.
Dr. Dillehay visited Augusta Family Dentistry on Friday, May 8, 2009. The purpose of his discussion was to illustrate the importance of early treatment of youth to prevent further damage by the time they are in their teenage years.
"Everyone equates orthodontics with asthetics but it is for the health of your teeth . . . the long-term health of your teeth," expressed Dr. Dillehay.
There is a long-standing question - and controversy - in orthodontics: when should a child begin orthodontic treatment? The answer, according to Dr. Dillehay, is that early treatment helps prevent functional problems in the future. Early treatment can include patients as young as six years of age. And while some parents cannot imagine putting braces on a child so young, it can make the difference between a healthy, well-functioning mouth in the present and in the future.
"The misconception is that orthodontic treatment should not be started until all permanent teeth are in and until the patient is in his or her teens," expressed Dr. Dillehay who has specialized in orthodontics in Wichita since 1982. "The truth is that if a child has placement issues and malocclusion (bad bite), orthodontic treatment in that child's teens is less likely to be successful if not addressed early on."
As Dr. Dillehay has seen, children who have harmful oral habits or functional problems at age six will only have worsened habits and problems by age sixteen. According to Dr. Dillehay, orthodontic treatment can be started at any age; however, many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications.
"We have worked well with Dr. Dillehay and know his ability for success," shared Dr. Paul Mitsch. "My two youngest children have been treated by Dr. Dillehay as has Dr. Colt's family. We know that early treatment works and is much more reliable than the ?wait and see' approach."
"He is very passionate about working with special cases such as patients with cleft palates and other birth defects to skeletal malocclusion," added Dr. Robert B. Colt.
Dr. Dillehay grew up on a farm in Carthage, Tennessee. He attended the University of Mississippi. After graduation was accepted into the University of Tennessee Dental School. He graduated in 1979 with a DDS degree and practiced general dentistry in Carthage.
His interest in orthodontics continued and he returned to the University of Tennessee in a post-graduate program. He received his MS degree in 1982. Upon graduation, Dr. Dillehay joined Drs. John Rogers and Terry Duncan in Wichita.
"As many believe that TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) is often caused by orthodontics, I have focused my practice on taking care of the temporomandibular joints during orthodontic care. It's about keeping the teeth healthy, the jaw joints healthy and well-aligned and giving my patients the opportunity to have a more beautiful, healthy smile," expressed Dr. Dillehay
