Learn About Orthodontics Treaments For All Ages

Orthodontics is an area of dentistry that specializes in treating patients with improper bites, crooked teeth and abnormal alignment of the teeth. No matter how old you are, orthodontics can help to rectify and straighten your bite. Most people are under the impression that braces or Invisalign® are solely for adolescents and teens. However, in reality, close to one-third of all orthodontic patients in the United States are adults.

Because a young person's bones are still relatively soft and their teeth move quite easily, it is preferable to start orthodontic treatment early in life. In fact, the American Dental Association suggests that children receive an orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. While the treatment might take a little longer, it is never too late to fix misaligned, crooked, or poorly spaced teeth. If you are an adult who would like to straighten or correct your smile, our team can help you achieve your goals in the shortest timeframe possible.

Common Orthodontic Problems

One of the most common problems seen by orthodontists is a malocclusion or 'bad bite', which may be genetically caused, but can also be the result of thumb sucking, poor dental hygiene, poor nutrition, etc. In an ideal situation, your upper teeth should fit just outside of your lower ones, in much the same way as a lid fits on a box.  Here are some of the specific problems that we see -

• Under and Over Bites: If either the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth or vice verse. An overbite can, and usually does, increase wear and tear of the front teeth.
• Open Bite: Is when upper and lower incisors do not meet when the mouth is closed. Not only is an open unattractive, but it can cause problems with speech, chewing and wear on the teeth that do meet.
• Widely Spaced, or Gaps Between the Teeth: This is strictly a cosmetic issue unless it is caused by missing teeth.
• Crowding: Occurs when teeth have insufficient room that causes some teeth to be either pushed back or forward which could cause some of your teeth to become more worn than others. Overcrowded teeth are less than attractive and difficult to clean, resulting in tooth decay. Additionally, some teeth will push either forward or backward, which makes them difficult to keep clean, also leading to decay.

Diagnosis and Treatment

On your first orthodontics visit, we will then review you dental records, physically examine your mouth, take impressions of your teeth so we can accurately evaluate what your problems are, and how best to treat them to achieve the results you are looking for.

We are board certified specialists and our staff is highly skilled, offering a wide spectrum of orthodontic solutions for children, teens and adults. We offer many state-of-the-art treatment options to straighten your teeth, including

• Aligners and braces to straighten your teeth
• Removal Of Teeth To Correct Overcrowding
• Re-shaping, Bonding, Or Capping Teeth

We will go over your treatment plan in detail with you, so you have a full understanding of all proposed procedures. Taking the first steps towards a perfect smile has never been easier than calling to schedule an appointment.

Choosing the Best Dentist in Vista CA

When searching for the best dentist in Vista CA, there are some suggestions you should follow. The choice for the right dentist needs to be made carefully. This is a relationship that you will share for years. You want a dentist that makes you feel comfortable as well as trained properly. However, do not rush with choosing, and do not wait until an emergency arises. Do your research for a dentist that meets your families needs.

Ask Around for Recommendations

Ask family and friends if they know of any dentists in the Vista Ca area, that they recommend. Find out who they trust, and who they see. Ask your doctor is they recommend anybody. If moving to the Vista Ca area, ask the dentist you are currently seeing to recommend a dentist.

When Choosing a Dentist What Should I Look For

There are a number of things to look for before making the final choice. Some information that you need to know up front is about insurance. Do they take the insurance that you carry? Find out if they will submit claim forms to all insurance companies. If you are not insured, do they have any other payment options? Some dentists offer financing through CareCredit.

Is the dentist a member of the American Dental Association? If a member of the ADA, they have agreed with the ADA codes, and must abide by them. Three components of the ADA includes Advisory Opinions, Principles of Ethics, and Code of Professional Conduct.

Questions to Ask Prior to Making the Final Choice

There are several questions that need to be asked. Depending on what you are more comfortable with, some of them can be answered on the phone, or in person.

• What are the office hours they offer? You will want to make sure these hours are convenient to your schedule.
• When coming from home or work, can the office be reached easily? Look for dentist offices in Vista Ca and the surrounding areas.
• With preventive dentistry, how do they approach it? Are cleanings and exams done regularly?
• When it comes to anesthesia, are they certified for administering it so you feel relaxed during a treatment?
• If an appointment is missed, what is their policy? Most offices request at least a 24-48 hour notice before cancellation, or a fee is charged.
• Before they start any treatments, are all the fees, payment plans, and treatment plan discussed? You do not want to have a treatment, and find out afterward your insurance did not cover it.
• How do they handle emergencies that are not during office hours? Some dentists have arrangements with an emergency service when they are not able to tend to you.

Visit the Dental Office

The appearance of the office is something to consider, as well. Make an appointment to visit and observe the surroundings. The waiting room and exam room should be clean, orderly, and neat. Be sure to look at all the surfaces. Look at the dental staff and dentist, and see if they wear gloves when doing patient treatments. Ask the staff any questions that you may have, were they willing and helpful with answering? You will also want them to make you feel welcome. 

While making a decision to find a new dentist is important, it does not have to be difficult. Using this advice can make choosing the right dentist for you and your family, a much simpler process.

When dental work is needed in Vista Ca and surrounding areas speak with Dr. Yaron Miller, of Vista Dental Care and Specialty Center. To contact our office, call (760) 630-5000 or visit us online at vistadentistry.com.

What Makes Teeth Whitening Work and Why You May Need It

 Teeth whitening, as an industry, has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several years. This is because more people have become aware of the importance of beautiful, healthy looking teeth. Today, you can get your teeth whitening done in a clinic with one of our experts, or use an over the counter do it yourself solution. Either way, people all over the country are whitening their teeth in record numbers.

When you consider the fast pace at which modern society functions, and the incessant need for speed and attention, there is little wonder that teeth whitening has gotten so popular. There are now hundreds, if not thousands, of products available that give you a boost in energy but also can damage, discolor, or stain your teeth. Energy drinks, cola products, and caffeine based coffee and tea are the most popular. Coffee is perhaps the most well-established of the caffeine solutions. Over 54% of the adult population drinks at least one cup of coffee every single day, of these 68% will do so within an hour of waking up. This means that a large segment of the population will drink coffee shortly before or shortly after brushing their teeth. Coffee is extremely rich in chromogens, which can and will stain your teeth with extensive use.

The widespread use of coffee and other products has resulted in an increased need for oral hygiene and teeth whitening products.

Your teeth whitening is made possible by a chemical reaction, which is caused by the formula of the teeth whitening solutions. These chemicals are designed to whiten the teeth, but not for frequent usage, which is why we make two recommendations for people who want to whiten their own teeth. We always advise that you seek the advice and guidance of a dentist prior to whitening your teeth. This will allow us to give you recommendations, and even more importantly, to inspect your teeth. Often there are small, easy to fix, underlying problems that could be irritated by the use of a teeth whitening solution. Fixing these will allow you to proceed with your whitening without any challenges. Second, we ask that you follow the instructions on the packaging or given by our team, regarding how often you should be whitening your teeth. Too frequent teeth whitening, or too much overuse of the products, can result in your teeth becoming extremely sensitive and may even lead to other challenges that you will need dental solutions for.

What makes teeth look white?

Think of you teeth as tiny reflectors, which reflect natural white light. The clearer the reflection, the better the angle of the light reflected, and the whiter your teeth will look. The purpose of the peroxide based solutions that teeth whitening uses is to make the teeth more colorless. The peroxide absorbs easily into the enamel, where it goes to work releasing free radicals into the natural organic makeup of the tooth. These free radicals remove excess color, causing the tooth to be more colorless and hence appear to the brain as being whiter and brighter that before.