Do You Have Crooked Teeth – Consider Braces

Braces are most definitely not everyone’s favorite oral appliance when it comes to oral health and orthodontics mostly because of the fact that they make us look awkward and such physical appearance can take us back to our early years, the years when we went to school and everyone laughed or make jokes about the person who was wearing braces.

As we grew up, we became more conscious about the purpose and the benefits of using braces because after all, those who used braces during their early years now had beautiful smiles and they were no longer ashamed to show their pearly whites.

Those who were lucky enough to have parents who could afford a set of braces for their children at an early age are now extremely thankful to them because of the fact that having a beautiful smile can open up many “social doors” however, for every lucky child there were 10 or more who had parents who could not afford to pay for braces and it is this group of people we are going to talk about.

It has been recently estimated that one out of five patients who are waiting in line to have an orthodontic procedure performed are said to be adults, this group includes young adults over 18 years of age but for the most part it includes the baby boomers who are mostly between 48 and 66 years old.

Back in the days when the baby boomers were teenagers the healthcare and oral health programs available were not flexible and very expensive, which is the number one reason why many baby boomers did not have orthodontic procedures performed in order to straighten out their teeth and whiten their smile.  Luckily for them and for all of us times have changed, orthodontic procedures are now more convenient and definitely affordable which is why many adults (baby boomers) are doing now what they couldn’t do for themselves that they were teenagers; they are now using braces.

In the last 40 years braces have changed dramatically, they have gone from extremely obvious and embarrassing metal contraptions to gentle and invisible appliances that can make everyone’s life a lot easier, especially the lives of those adults who choose to use invisible braces.  The most famous and recognized brand of invisible braces is called Invisalign.

As the name suggests, Invisalign is a set of braces that blends naturally with a person’s set of teeth thus allowing for proper realignment without suffering social embarrassment and in a nutshell, this is why adults prefer Invisalign invisible braces when it comes to orthodontic procedures.

At the completion of active orthodontic treatment all braces will be removed from your mouth. At this point, the teeth have been moved to create the best possible smile and bite!

Just because the braces are not on your teeth anymore does not mean the teeth will stop moving. Teeth will always shift, causing bite changes and crowding. To prevent this shifting we ask that you wear retainers. There are several types of retainers, ones that can be glued to the back of your teeth, or ones that are removable which you can take in and out of your mouth.

When you first get your braces off you should wear your retainers all the time, except when you eat or brush your teeth. Typically, we ask you do this for the first 6 months out of braces. The doctor will tell you when you can reduce the amount of time that you need to wear your retainers. Usually, after the first 6 months you’ll wear your retainers after dinner and to bed (about 12 hours per day).

When you remove your retainers to brush your teeth, you should brush your retainers also. Use only cool water and a toothbrush (no toothpaste). Always store your retainers dry, never let them soak for more than 15 minutes. Be careful with colored mouthwash and mouthwash containing alcohol. These will alter the color and weaken your retainers.

We will continue to see you for 18 months to make sure your retainers continue to fit well. For all retainer visits it is very important that you bring the retainers into the office for adjustments. Once retention visits are no longer necessary, we still recommend you wear your retainers. You may only need to wear them a fraction of the time you once did, but never stop wearing them altogether.

Remember, teeth will always shift. The only way to prevent shifting is to wear your retainers indefinitely! Please visit this website

Initial Consultation
There will be no charge for your first examination. At your initial appointment we will help you get acquainted with our office and the doctor will evaluate your occlusion. He will determine whether treatment is needed and if this is the proper time to begin. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children receive their first orthodontic screening at age 7 to 7 1/2. Most children do not need orthodontic treatment at this young age, but this important screening appointment can find the small group of children who would benefit by early treatment. Frequently, early removal of some of the baby teeth may reduce the severity of a developing problem. At the completion of this appointment, you will be advised as to whether any treatment is needed now or in the future. If future treatment is indicated, you will be placed on recall status to monitor your developing occlusion. If you decide to proceed with additional diagnostic procedures (x-rays) then a fee for these services will be charged.

Diagnostic Records
The next step would be an appointment for full diagnostic records. Complete diagnostic records typically include a medical/dental history, a plaster study model of the teeth, photos of the patient’s face and occlusion and special x-rays. This information is then used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.

Consultation
After the doctor has evaluated your records, he will meet with you to explain the particulars of your case and available treatment options. We encourage questions from both the patient and the parent and will provide ample time to answer all of your questions. Any questions related to fees and payment schedules can also be addressed at this time. In most instances, successful orthodontic treatment is a cooperative effort between the orthodontist and the patient. The significance of this will be discussed at this appointment.

Technology and Materials
Our office utilizes digital x-rays for all of our diagnostic services. This greatly reduces the amount of radiation received by the patient and enhances the diagnostic quality of the films. We also employ a computerized phone system to remind you of your appointments and ViewPoint Web Access®, which will allow you to go online to view your account and appointment information. And we utilize a special fluoride resin that strengthens the tooth enamel and helps prevent decalcification and white spot lesions. To help prevent decalcification and white spot lesions we apply a special fluoride resin to each tooth to strengthen the enamel.

Infection Control
One of our top priorities is the health and safety of our patients and staff. To maintain the highest standards we:

Use an ultrasonic cleaner to remove debris from our instruments prior to sterilizing them.
Use either an autoclave or high-heat sterilizer on all instruments as appropriate.
Utilize a sterilization monitoring system with heat-sensitive tape and spore strips, which are monitored by an outside company.
Dispose of single-use items immediately after use.
Follow all CDC, state and OSHA guidelines for health and safety in the workplace.