Orthodontics at Feiler Dental Associates

DR. MATHEW – AN EXCEPTIONAL ORTHODONTIST
Dr. Saju Mathew has been greeted with rave reviews from so many patients that we have to use the description of “exceptional”. He contemplates each patient’s situation so carefully, keeping in mind not only their present malocclusion and future development, but the patient’s personality and goals to arrive at the best personal treatment modality. He is that nice combination of professionally caring while instilling confidence and at the same time so very pleasant and humorous…a true gentleman.

Dr. Mathew graduated with honors from Cornell University with a Bachelor of
Science. He attended Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
where he received his DDS and also was at Stony Brook University for their three year orthodontic program where he received his Certificate in Orthodontics. He also received a number of national dental awards, one of which was The National Institutes of Health Research Award.

Prior to practicing in River Edge at Feiler Dental, Dr. Mathew practiced orthodontics for a number of years in Millburn, NJ and then in Briarcliff, NY. Dr. Mathew is a board certified orthodontist and presently teaches at NYU School of Dentistry. He is Invisalign and Lingual iBraces Certified. He is newly married, resides in Manhattan, and is an avid basketball fan. We are truly proud to have such a wonderful dentist and person as part of our practice!

When should my child have the first orthodontic visit?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visits an orthodontist at age seven. This may surprise you because orthodontic treatment is generally associated with adolescence. An early examination, however, is very important to ensure maximum dental health for your child.

The following early warning signs may indicate that your child should have an orthodontic examination as soon as possible:

Difficulty in chewing
Open-mouth breathing
Thumb or finger sucking
Overlapping or crowding of erupting permanent teeth
Jaws that tend to click or pop
A developing underbite, overbite, protruding front teeth, or other abnormal bite development

Although age seven is the best time for the majority of children to have their first orthodontic examination, a visit at an even younger age is advisable if a particular problem has been noted by the parent, family dentist,
or child’s physician.

The benefits of early diagnosis

Orthodontists can improve smiles at any age, but there is usually a best age for treatment to begin. An early examination allows the orthodontic specialist to determine how and when a child’s particular problem should be treated for maximum improvement with the least time and expense. In some cases, early treatment achieves results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Catch them early with interceptive orthodontics!

In the past, children with bite problems could count on getting a full set of shiny braces after all their permanent teeth had come in . . . and perhaps wearing the braces into their late teens, too. Today, however, orthodontic treatment may begin as early as preschool.

Why the change? As general dentistry has become more preventive oriented, so has orthodontia. The key to early orthodontic treatment is interception…correcting little problems before they become big problems.

Interceptive orthodontics means that we treat poor tooth positioning when a child’s jaw, teeth, and other oral structures are just developing. We use a variety of modern techniques and devices to guide the permanent teeth so they’ll come in straight and healthy or to improve the way the jaw is growing.

Young children respond very well to interceptive orthodontics because it:

is gentler and more comfortable for young patients
retains permanent teeth in efforts to correct the bite
helps children speak better and eat properly
improves balance in facial form
prevents potentially serious gum problems
reduces the time a child spends in braces; children are often free of braces before they enter high school.

Our role in interceptive orthodontics is to carefully monitor and evaluate your child at every visit. We look for potential bite problems and disturbances in the growth of the jaw. And at the first sign of trouble, we’ll start your child in an orthodontic treatment program.

Please call us at 201-342-3600 with any questions of concerns you may have about your child’s bite. We’ll be happy to set up an evaluation appointment.

Interceptive orthodontics is one of the best investments you can make in your child’s future dental health!