Early Examination can lead to great results

October 8th, 2008

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The best time to see an orthodontist is between the ages of five and seven. At this time, overbite and crowding become noticeable. An early examination allows the orthodontic specialist to determine when a child’s particular problem should be treated for maximum improvement with the least time and expense because 75 percent of a child’s growth occurs before the age of 10.This is also an ideal time to take advantage of the child’s growing facial bones to achieve the best results because once the face and jaws have finished growing, result may be less ideal.It often requires the removal of teeth; and begin TMJ, or jaw joint difficulties.

Our goal is to achieve a stable, natural environment for the fullest development of the facial features, jaws and teeth, leading to a beautiful smile.

The Best Age to Wear Braces

August 13th, 2008


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By seeing a patient and watching them as they grow and develop dentists are able to intervene at the right time in order to correct bite problems that at a later age may not require an orthodontic treatment but plain surgery.

Most kids though will not need to use braces at age 7, the advice most dentists will give the parents is to wait and see how the oral structure of their children is developing in order to apply the best orthodontic treatment if necessary.

Some dentists may agree with the fact that dealing with a teenager between the ages of 14 to 18 may not be as easy as filling with a child between the ages of 10 and 13 because they’re tooth structure has already developed and unfortunately the dentist wasn’t around to track the progress and growth of the first and second set of permanent molars which can affect the position or arrangement of the rest of the teeth.

According to these statements the best age to get the most out of an orthodontic treatment such as wearing braces can be achieved between the age of nine and 13. Those who didn’t have proper orthodontic treatment during those years can still be treated in order to correct malocclusion and even adults can get orthodontic treatment by taking advantage from invisible braces which are not as obvious as the traditional metal braces and can be removed while the person is eating or brushing his or her teeth.

Oral Hygiene Do’s Part 1

July 4th, 2008

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• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning.

• Visit an orthodontist for an evaluation if you see any of the early warning signs of orthodontic problems.

• Have your child(ren) evaluated by an orthodontist by age seven. Many orthodontic problems can be more easily corrected before tooth and facial growth is complete.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.

First Step in Getting Dental Braces: Visit Your Orthodontist!

June 3rd, 2008

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The first step in taking dental braces is visiting an orthodontist. Maybe you ask, “What usually happens during an initial orthodontic exam?”. Only the orthodontist can give you the right answers to your dental questions.

For an orthodontist to identify the specific needs of the patient, he/she must evaluate your mouth completely. The evaluation includes the impression of your teeth and models will be created. These are useful for your orthodontist and will remind you how your teeth exactly looked like before the correction. Images of your face, smile and teeth is also needed. You will also need X-rays of the head and teeth and you must bring with you your present medical/dental health

The Damon System

May 31st, 2008

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The Damon System is a revolutionary way of orthodontic treatments. Conventional orthodontic treatments remove healthy teeth or involve the use of palatal expanders to make space in the mouth. This technique is more comfortable, takes more time, and leads to a flat profile and narrower arches. With the Damon System, patients get to keep all their teeth while improving their overall facial result.

The Damon System makes use of three components that result in a faster, more comfortable treatment that requires less appointments. First, the self-ligating braces eliminate the use of elastic ties. This means the patient does not have to go through tightening every few weeks. Next, memory wires on the braces will move teeth faster. Finally, a new treatment is employed which will align your teeth without resorting to extraction or palatal expanders.

Scuba Diving With Braces

May 30th, 2008

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If you’re planning to go scuba diving or snorkeling this summer, don’t cancel your plans just because you had to get braces. There is plenty of space for the snorkel or the regulator to fit inside your mouth. The trick to getting used to it is to try on the equipment before actually getting in the water.

If you are wearing rubber bands on your braces that connect your jaw, it’s recommended that you remove them for the dive. This is because you need to clear your ears and ease the preasure my wiggling your jaw. Doing this might cause the rubber band to snap and get lodged somewhere in your mouth.

Divers who have braces don’t usually have a problem with their braces during dives. If you’re still not sure about diving, practice in a swimming pool or stick to a shallow dive until you feel more confident.

Retainer Brite Cleaner

May 25th, 2008

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Retainer Brite is one of the best retainer cleaners in the market today. This product is manufactured to clean removable dental appliances like retainers, Invisalign braces, and mouth guards. Retainer Brite is a tablet that you dissolve in a cup of warm water with your retainer. Leave the retainer soaking for ten to fifteen minutes once a day, while eating a meal.

Some patients who use retainers daily usually clean them by brushing them with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Although this is a good solution, it does not remove plaque as thoroughly as a retainer cleaner and the plaque may build up over time. This is why it is important to clean your retainer by using products like Retainer Brite.

Gummy Smile Reduction

May 20th, 2008

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Many orthodontists encounter patients whose smile exposes too much of the gum lines, giving that person a “gummy smile”. This is caused by extra gum tissue Although braces are not used to fix this problem, the appearance of a gummy smile can be fixed by reshaping or removing the excess gums so that only the teeth show.

You’ll need to consult with your dentist first before decidingo n any treatment. You will probably get referred to a gum specialist or a periodontist who can do the gum tissue removal. The average cost depends on each doctor. Laser gum surgery is of course more expensive than traditional surgery.

Do not take certain medications like Diclatin as this makes the gum line look worse with time. Braces can also irritate the gums and give the patient a “gummy smile” that wasn’t there before the braces.

Teeth Crowding

May 15th, 2008

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If you’re experiencing teeth crowding, you’re definitely a candidate for orthodontic braces. in most cases, metal braces are glued on to the teeth and are used to pull your teeth into the right position in a period of about 24 months. The improvement to a person’s smile will be drastic.

The average cost of orthodontic treatment for teeth crowding is around $2,800 for two years worth of metal braces, though the price may vary depending on the severity of your case, the length of your treatment, and other factors. It’s best if you get several opinions from different orthodontists so you can determine which type of treatment is best for you. Take note that using Invisalign or other invisible braces is not recommended for severe teeth crowding cases.

Headgear Braces

May 10th, 2008

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For patients who have overbites that cannot be remedied using braces and elastics, orthodontists recommend that they wear headgear braces. The headgear works to prevent the growth of the upper jaw as it waits for the lower jaw to catch up. In most cases, a combination treatment is done, with the use of headgear and rubber bands to correct the overbite. It can be worn during the day or while sleeping, depending on the case.

Headgear is usually prescribed for children and teenagers, because their sudden growth spurts is ideal for correcting overbites. Older patients with overbite should opt for surgery; since their jaws are no longer growing, using headgear to correct the condition will be ineffective. Surgery should only be a last resort treatment for patients at a young age.