Is it vanity or is it really a necessity? The reasons behind you or your child getting orthodontic treatment can be as varied as the teeth being straightened. One thing is certain though, the cost of orthodontic treatment can seem like a steep price to pay when you first take a look at the bill. The cost begins to look a little more reasonable once you realize that it includes multiple checkups and adjustments that take place ...
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There is often confusion about dentists and orthodontists. What is the difference between the two? Well, dentists are like your primary care physician. They oversee and manage your general dental health. With routine dental cleanings, they maintain the health of your teeth, gums and supporting structures of your teeth. Regular exams allow them to monitor potential problems and diagnose dental issues that need to be taken care of. They restore teeth that have decay ...
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If you had braces as a teenager and you are now contemplating orthodontic treatment for one of your own children, you will find that a lot has changed over the years. I had braces when I was in high school, and mine were the proverbial “train tracks” or the metal bands wrapped around every one of my teeth. That was in the late 1970’s and my how things have changed!
Shortly after my braces were removed, most orthodontists were ...
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You have made the wise decision to start your child or yourself in orthodontic treatment. Now that you are dealing with braces, you might find yourself faced with terms that you have never come across. Below is a list of several common terms used in orthodontics today:
1. Brackets
Brackets are the metal or ceramic pieces that are bonded to each tooth and hold archwires in place. They are the foundations of braces.
2. Self-ligating brackets
There are brackets ...
A temporary anchorage device (or TAD) is a very small screw that can be placed inside a patient’s mouth to provide a rigid point of anchorage. They typically are 6mm to 10 mm long and they are made out of titanium metal which is a biologically inert material that will not corrode in the mouth or be rejected by the body. They are designed to hold firmly in the bones of the jaws and be compatible with the ...
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One of the most exciting days in a person’s life is when their braces come off. That is why it is so disheartening when white spots are revealed right after the braces are removed. This can be extremely frustrating after all the time and money spent to get that beautiful smile. Do braces actually cause these white spots on the teeth? Can they be prevented? Can the white spots be fixed after they appear? ...
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The two most common drawbacks to orthodontic treatment are discomfort and the length of treatment. Many patients consider treatment to be too long if it extends beyond one year. Unfortunately the reality is that most orthodontic treatment requires between one and a half years to two years to complete. In cases such as these, the results would be naturally compromised if treatment was interrupted any sooner. As a result, comfort for the patient and reduction in orthodontic treatment times have become a ...
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People often ask why it is so important to wear retainers after their orthodontic treatment has been completed. Well, to varying degrees, teeth will always shift back slightly toward their original positions when retainers are not worn faithfully. This can partially and sometimes even completely undo the work that was done by the orthodontist. Therefore, to continue to keep the healthy smile that braces or Invisalign aligners have made possible, it is crucial to take the time to make wearing ...
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Many adults would love to have straighter teeth or have their bite corrected, but many of them also think that it’s too late to have treatment or they simply don’t want to wear braces. Well, now more than ever, there are several different options for straightening teeth that may be virtually invisible and can take much less time than in years past. Adults of any age can now straighten their teeth and get the beautiful smile they always wanted, and ...
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Okay, first things first! It is important to note that all orthodontists are dentists, but very few dentists are orthodontists. What does this actually mean? Well, all dentists must attend an accredited dental school for four years and they must pass the dental board examinations afterward to be licensed to practice dentistry in their state. Once they are licensed, they can “technically” do anything within the realm of dentistry. This includes orthodontics (braces and Invisalign), oral surgery (extraction of teeth ...
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