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.

Here is What to Expect Immediately Following Your Orthodontics Treatment

Finally, your orthodontics procedure has started, and your braces are fitted. Now you are on the way to having the straightest, most beautiful smile you ever thought possible. As you start this journey, there will be many appointments and much discussion about your treatment, the duration it will take to get your teeth adjusted, instructions on caring for them, fittings, measurements, and a host of other activity. Over the course of the treatment, leading up to us fitting your braces, you will have gotten a lot of information, filled out a lot of forms, and learned a great deal about your teeth. Now that the final fitting appointment is done, you are going to leave the offices with a new orthodontic fitting, and potentially even more questions. 

We know that many people feel slightly intimidated by the orthodontist’s office and save their questions for a Google search or ask friends and family for advice.  While this can be helpful, we prefer that you ask us questions since each patients' treatment plan is slightly different.  Still, we will send you home with a packet of information that you can read to get basic information and care tips.   If you have any further questions, please call us or ask them during one of your follow-up visits. 

Questions aside, orthodontics treatments and braces do take a period of adjustment before you will start to feel normal with them in your mouth. The first few days are going to be spent getting used to them. As your mouth gets accustomed to idea of something taking up more space than just your teeth, and while your gums, teeth, and tongue become acclimatized to the braces you could experience some levels of pain and discomfort. The good news is that this pain is easily controlled with over the counter pain medication.  The discomfort at this stage is the most you will experience throughout the treatment, meaning once it passes you will not have to deal with this again. 

If you need medication to feel comfortable, we recommend that you stay away from Ibuprofen products since the medication can cause the movement of your teeth to slow down. Ibuprofen is the major ingredient in over the counter pain medications like Advil and Motrin. Instead, we recommend that you take Tylenol for your pain since it contains acetaminophen and has no effect on the teeth’s movement. 

Whenever you get an orthodontics treatment, especially braces, there are certain foods you are going to need to avoid. Initially, you should eat soft foods so that you can eat in comfort.  After a few days, you should continue to avoid super sticky foods, like candy and gum, extremely hard foods, like nuts or popcorn, and other foods that can damage the teeth. We will provide you with a complete list of foods to avoid at the end of your fitting appointment. Doing so will be important for ensuring that you don't accidentally pull a bracket out of place or cause a wire to break.  If you do, they can be corrected but it will slow down your treatment time. 

Interesting Facts About Straightening Your Teeth From a Braces Dentist

As a braces dentist, we can straighten your teeth and improve your smile. This is important for your overall health and your appearance.  Crooked teeth do more than make your smile funny.  They are places for food and bacteria to become trapped and increase your risk of getting a cavity.  When your bite is misaligned, it can also create jaw pain and headaches – not a good combination.

Fortunately, there are several ways to improve your smile, and we are experts at finding the right one for our patients.  If you think about a mouth full of metal when you hear the word “braces” – think again.  Orthodontics has come a long way since the 1980’s, and people are straightening their teeth more than ever before because it is so much easier.

Here are some facts you may not know.

• Braces have gone clear.  As a braces dentist, we can discuss clear braces with you.  This is one way to straighten your teeth without the appearance of metal.  This option works well for some people but is not for everyone so we can let you know if it is the best route for you during a consultation. 
• Look behind the teeth.  Some people are wearing braces behind their teeth now.  This is a new type of procedure where brackets and wires are secured to the back of the teeth so that no one can tell teeth are being straightened.
• You can have fun with it.  A lot of kids love wearing braces because they make it fun.  At each appointment, the rubber bands are changed, and patients can pick out their colors and create patterns so that their braces become an expression of their taste and style.  You can even color coordinate for your favorite holidays. 
• They shrunk!  As a braces dentist, we like to show our patients how much smaller the brackets and wires are now.  If you have worn braces in the past, or considered it, you will be pleasantly surprised by how much smaller everything is now.  They are just as effective, but now more of your natural teeth will show through. 
• Aligners are popular.  A lot of people are choosing to straighten their teeth with clear aligners.  They look like a retainer that surrounds your teeth, and you can take it out when you eat.  This makes aligners a convenient option for people that don’t want to look like they are wearing braces. 
• They’re cooler now.  Sure, kids used to make fun of braces, but that day has passed.  Now it is extremely common for people to wear braces and a lot of kids actually look forward to it. Wearing braces has become a rite of passage, and the results afterwards are nothing short of amazing. 

If you are considering straightening your teeth, schedule an appointment to speak with a braces dentist.  We can discuss the various treatment options and come up with a plan that will work for you and your lifestyle.  Call today to learn more. 

Learn About the Stages in Orthodontics You Will Go Through While Your Teeth are Being Straightened

While performing orthodontics treatments, we can straighten our patient's teeth and turn their smile into something healthy and beautiful.  Before getting started, we will examine your teeth to make sure that they are healthy.  It is important to remove any infection and treat any cavities so that your teeth and gums are in good shape prior to wearing braces.  It is far easier to treat the infection before starting the process than after.

Once your teeth are in good health, we will discuss your options for straightening them and the various things that you don’t like about your smile. By listening to your needs and concerns, we can make recommendations that are tailored to your specific needs and health.  Whether you straighten your teeth with braces, aligners or cosmetic dentistry, we can help you to improve your appearance and oral health at the same time. 

When using orthodontics to straighten teeth, there are several stages that you must go through before the braces can come off.  The first stage is to make sure that there is enough room for all of your adult teeth.  Many people have a pallet that is simply too small for all of their teeth and some need to be pulled or removed as a result. We offer an alternative solution where a metal expander is placed on the roof of your mouth and secured to your teeth. Every day for several weeks, you turn the device, and it slowly expands and pushes your teeth outwards.  As a result, more room is made for your teeth. Many children will wear an expander prior to getting braces as it can solve their overcrowding issues. 

Once there is room for your teeth, they can be moved into place using metal braces or clear aligners.  If metal braces are used, a bracket will be placed on each of your teeth, and a wire threaded between them.  The wires are held in place using rubber bands and over the course of the treatment; the wires will be adjusted in order to move teeth into position.  Typically, teeth are targeted so that they are not all moving at the same time.  This makes the process more comfortable, and a similar technique is used with aligners except that the aligners can be switched out at home. 

As your teeth are moving into place, your bite will also be adjusted.  It is important to have a bite that is perfectly aligned so that the upper teeth can fit securely over the lower teeth.  When we adjust your bite, we will make sure that your teeth are fitting front to back, side to side, and top to bottom.  By aligning your bite, your jaw won’t hurt as much; headaches can be reduced, and it becomes easier to eat.  This can be done by using rubber bands, headgear, and other orthodontics treatments. 

To learn more and to get a recommendation for how to straighten your teeth, give us call. 

Orthodontics Solutions Involve More than Just Wearing Braces

Braces are the most commonly known procedure in orthodontics. They are extremely effective at moving teeth into position, correcting a misaligned bite, and creating a straight and beautiful smile.  Braces can be worn by both adults and children, making them ideal for people in all stages of life.  There are, however, times where alternative treatments are needed. 

Many children have difficulty with overcrowding.  This occurs when baby teeth fall out too early and, as a result, the remaining teeth shift or move out of place.  When the adult teeth try to come in, the space that should have been reserved for them has been lost.  In this situation, braces are not an appropriate solution because the child is getting their adult teeth in, but they haven’t all come in yet.  We can help by making more room in their mouth so that the adult teeth have a place to go. 

Orthodontics involves moving your teeth, jaw, and pallet.  In this scenario, we may want to use a combination of spacers and an expander to move the existing teeth and to expand the pallet so that the adult teeth can come in properly.  Wearing an expander is a common solution because it is a metal device that is placed onto the roof of the mouth and by turning a key, will slowly start to stretch and expand the roof of the mouth.  This is done over several weeks until the pallet has been expanded enough to make room for incoming teeth.  It remains in place for some time in order for the mouth to conform to its new position.  When the adult teeth come in, they will have a spot to grow into that is in line with the other teeth instead of behind them. By performing this procedure early, many children don’t need to wear braces at all. 

Children and adults that do get braces may also need additional procedures to move their teeth and jaw into the right position.  Remember that braces can make teeth straight but on their own cannot expand the pallet or align a jaw.  In the case of an overbite, for example, headgear is often worn at night in order to move the top and lower teeth into alignment.  Simultaneously, rubber bands are often used to align the bite.  In this case, the orthodontist tells a patient which upper tooth to start the rubber band on and which lower tooth it should be ended on.  By wearing the bands, the jaw is held in a certain position and slowly moved into place.  Both of these additional steps are typically only needed for a portion of the treatment time.

There is much more involved with orthodontics and multiple ways to straighten teeth.  There is no one size fits all solution so in order to find out what will work best for you, schedule an examination so that we can make a recommendation and discuss various treatment options. 

Orthodontics Are for Adults, Too!

Orthodontics Are for Adults, Too!

As an adult, orthodontics can help you to look and feel better.  Many people assume that braces are only for kids and once you reach adulthood they are no longer necessary.  The truth is that braces can be helpful at any age. 

When teeth are crooked, they can create a variety of health issues that extend far beyond physical appearance.  For example, a misaligned bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not fit together like they are supposed to. This can create jaw pain, promote teeth grinding, make it difficult to eat and negatively impact speech patterns.  Oftentimes, people with TMJ suffer symptoms due to a misaligned bite that, once corrected by braces, goes away.

Additionally, crooked teeth are more susceptible to becoming infected due to how easy it is for food and bacteria to become trapped in between them. Severely crooked teeth are very difficult to clean which can lead to cavities.  By simply straightening them with orthodontics, teeth can become healthier.

The Importance of a Beautiful Smile

Straightening teeth is an important step in creating a beautiful smile.  Recently, studies have shown how important a beautiful smile is.  Match.com polled 5,000 men and women and found that a smile is the number one thing that makes a person attractive.  Oral-B did more in-depth research and found that when someone had a beautiful smile they were thought to be 20 percent more attractive than those without.  The reason these studies matter is that the University of California conducted research into how being considered attractive can impact a person’s life.  The results were very enlightening.  People that were “attractive” made 12 percent more money than their peers.  They were also viewed as being a better team player and more helpful overall.  To put it all together – people with beautiful smiles are more attractive and attractive people are more successful.  This may sound like a reach, but the data is clear.

As an adult, you may not be concerned with your outward appearance but apparently the rest of society is, and there are clear benefits for taking care of yourself.  If this doesn't feel particularly relevant, there are health benefits associated with orthodontics that can make wearing braces worth it. 

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to straighten teeth, now.  Traditional metal braces are still the most effective for aligning a jaw and closing an open bite.  Rubber bands are typically required to help teeth move into place, and the braces provide the anchor those bands need.  Those that don’t want to wear metal braces can try Invisalign®.  This is a clear way to straighten teeth that is perfect for people that have busy schedules or don’t want people to notice that they are having their teeth straightened. If teeth are not responding to traditional orthodontics, oral surgery is also an option for correcting a tooth or two. To learn which option is best for you, schedule a consultation.

Orthodontics Do More Than Straighten Teeth

Many patients think the only reason to visit an orthodontist is to get braces. This is the most popular aspect of orthodontics because it straightens people’s teeth and creates beautiful smiles.  However the reality is that it is used to accomplish far more than beautiful straight teeth.  Those who are suffering from a variety of oral health issues can benefit from working with an experienced orthodontist. 

It is fairly common for people to have challenges with their bite.  A misaligned bite is when the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly.  This can lead to pain in the jaw and teeth and can make it difficult to eat properly.  An orthodontist has a variety of procedures that they can use to correct this problem and prevent bite issues. 

Another reason patients may need orthodontics is when their teeth come in improperly.  For example, when baby teeth fall out too soon the rest of the teeth can move out of place, and adult teeth can come in behind where they should, which is commonly referred to as overcrowding. Sometimes a spacer is the best way to treat this problem rather than traditional braces. 

As an expert in all forms of orthodontics, Vista Dental Care and Specialty Center can make recommendations about which procedure will help to correct your bite or your smile.  We offer traditional metal braces that can be used to straighten your teeth and adjust your bite at the same time.  This is a benefit to many patients as it involves one form of treatment for correcting multiple issues.  We also offer a variety of removable appliances that can be used to correct dental issues. 

Braces have improved significantly and if you decide to wear them it is important to know that they are more comfortable than they used to be.  A customized treatment plan will be created based on your needs and lifestyle so that they are as effective as possible. Invisalign may be the best option for adult patients who want to straighten their teeth without wearing metal braces. Invisalign is an excellent option for those who want to straighten their teeth without anyone noticing they are having a dental procedure performed.  With Invisalign a patient wears clear aligners that look like a clear retainer.  They fit completely around a person’s teeth and move them slowly into place without the need for constant adjustments.  This is one of the many ways that orthodontics has improved and provides people with more options than ever. 

Wearing braces or Invisalign may be unnecessary if you only have one or two teeth that need to be corrected.   Cosmetic dentistry may be the best solution if this is the case.  Dental veneers and dental implants can both be used to straighten teeth and improve their appearance without the need for ongoing treatment.  Vista Dental Care and Specialty Center offers both orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry and can customize treatment plans based on the individual patient’s needs.

Orthodontics Can Help People of All Ages

Many people think that orthodontics is only for young people.  Older children and teens are the largest group wearing braces but according to the New York Times, in the past two decades the percentage of adults getting braces has jumped by over 58 percent.  This increase means that over 1.1 million adults are having braces installed on an annual basis.  What once was reserved for young people is now perfectly acceptable and common for people of all ages.

The reasons why adults get braces is as unique as the people that get them.  The reality is that the benefits of braces remain, regardless of how old you are.  Here are some of the ways that they can help you:

• Change your appearance.   Braces can straighten your smile and transform your appearance.  A crooked smile stands out and can make a person look and feel awkward where a beautiful straight smile will enhance your features and improve your appearance.  Orthodontics can accomplish this.
• Correct a bite.  A misaligned bite can lead to a variety of oral health issues and cause pain.  When the top and bottom teeth don’t fit together correctly it can make eating difficult.  Many patients with misaligned jaws also suffer from TMJ symptoms and jaw pain.  Aligning the bite can resolve many of these issues, making it important for long term oral health.
• Improve speech.  People that have gaps or spaces in between their teeth may have difficulty speaking clearly or whistle when they do. Fortunately, this can be corrected with braces.
• Promote oral health.  Teeth that are crooked or oddly placed have a greater chance of getting teeth and bacteria stuck in between them.  By straightening your teeth, it will also reduce the risk of oral health issues and promote general wellbeing. 

Modern dental technology has greatly improved, making orthodontics more effective than ever.  Adults that are considering getting braces have multiple ways of doing so.  Traditional metal braces are still extremely effective when a patient has a misaligned jaw that needs to be corrected or needs to have their pallet expanded in order to make room for their teeth straightening.  This is the most intensive form of braces which allows the orthodontist to modify your teeth and bite at the same time.

Adults that need to have more minor adjustments made, for example their teeth need to be straightened but their bite is fine, may prefer to use Invisalign.  This is a completely clear alternative to traditional metal braces.  Custom aligners that look like a clear retainer, are made in the dental lab.  Each aligner takes your teeth one step closer to being completely straight.  Every couple of weeks you simply replace the current aligner with a new one, until the procedure is complete.  Since they are completely clear, most people will be unable to tell that you are wearing them.  An additional benefit is that they come out so you can remove the aligner for a special occasion or eating dinner with friends. 

To learn more about orthodontics and the options available for straightening your teeth, call Vista Dental Care and Specialty Center today. 

New Trends in Orthodontics

Vista Dental Care and Specialty Center practices orthodontics in order to give patients the gorgeous straight smile they have always dreamed of.  We offer the latest options and stay up to date on industry trends in order to give our patients choices in how they want to straighten their teeth.  While the goal is always the same, by giving patients control they can select the option that works within their schedule and fits their lifestyle.

Here are some of the options we provide patients with.

Six Month Smiles©

This innovative procedure is revolutionary for orthodontics.  It is ideal for patients, especially adults that do not want to wear traditional braces and are looking for a quick way to straighten their teeth.  With Six Month Smiles, patients wear clear braces that are less noticeable and therefore more comfortable for many of our patients.  The procedure is geared towards adults so call our office to see if it is right for you.

Traditional Braces

There are times where traditional braces are still the best option for correcting a smile.  Traditional metal braces can correct common problems such as:

·         Severe overbites.  This is unattractive and can cause problems with speech and even eating.  Metal braces can be used to correct your overbite and give you a beautiful smile.

·         Problems with your jaw.   When your jaw is misaligned or out of place, it can cause headaches and pain.  Braces can align your jaw and prevent you from experiencing those symptoms.

·         Crossbite.  When your upper teeth bite inside of the lower teeth, it is a crossbite.  This is uncomfortable and interferes with normal eating patterns. 

·         Overcrowding.  Sometimes people need to have their pallet expanded to make room for all of their teeth.  Overcrowding is a common issue that can be corrected with traditional braces.

Technology continues to improve, making it easier to wear braces and making them more effective.  Traditional metal braces can solve the largest amount of problems and go far beyond the cosmetic side of straightening teeth.  This traditional orthodontics procedure is ideal for patients that need to address issues with their bite while straightening teeth.

Invisalign

Patients that want to close gaps in their teeth and fix more minor cosmetic issues should consider Invisalign.  This is an ideal option for busy professionals and people that may have had braces as a child and need to have some minor issues corrected again.  The process is fairly simple and requires fewer trips to the orthodontist.  A mold is taken of your mouth, and custom aligners are created in order to straighten your teeth in a gradual fashion.  The aligners look like a full, clear retainer, and you simply switch them out every couple of weeks.  As you place a new one in your mouth, your teeth will become that much straighter. 

We offer the latest in orthodontics in order to provide our patients with options, flexibility, and control over how they want to fix their teeth.  As an expert cosmetic dentist, we can also correct other problems like cracked or chipped teeth.  Call us today to schedule your consultation and to learn how we can transform your smile.