by Team Demas | Jan 8, 2020 | General Articles
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, there are around 4 million Americans wearing braces today. As family orthodontists, we know that sometimes there can be issues that come with wearing them. It’s important to know how to handle them when they come up. Here are some common issues with braces you should know how to handle.
Tooth soreness
When you have your braces installed, it’s common for your teeth to be sore for a week. It’s completely normal. During this time period, stick to a diet of soft foods. If you need to, you can take ibuprofen to help with the soreness. Also, try chewing sugarless gum. While the feeling might be uncomfortable, the blood flow to the teeth will increase. This will help to reduce the discomfort.
Mouth ulcers
It’s possible at some point during your treatment, your mouth will get sores or ulcers in your lips or cheeks. This usually happens during the first week of wearing your braces. Once your mouth has gotten used to wearing them, the sores and ulcers will slowly shrink away. In the event you continue to experience them in your mouth, contact your doctor for assistance. If there’s a specific edge of your braces that’s causing the sore, you can use wax to cover it. Consistently keep the area of the sore clean while your mouth adjusts to the braces.
Wire out
Sometimes you’ll notice that the wire of your braces is out of the tube. Whenever you notice this, attempt to put the wire back into the tube with your hands. If you struggle to do it with your hands, you can also try using tweezers. If all else fails, and the wire is still bothering you, contact your doctor for assistance.
Bracket loose
Your brackets may become loose or break from time to time. It’s usually caused by either playing with your braces or eating hard foods. As long as you’re not experiencing pain, wait until your next appointment with your family orthodontist to resolve the issue. Keep the bracket in place, and if there’s any discomfort with it, use wax to cover it. In the event that the bracket has completely come out, bring it with you to your next appointment, and let the staff know.
These are some of the many common issues that occur while wearing braces. As you get used to wearing them, most of these issues will be rare. Be sure to follow all of your family orthodontist’s instructions with taking care of your braces.
by Team Demas | Dec 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
When compared to teens with traditional braces, 47% of Invisalign users said they had a confidence boost, as opposed to 22% of teens with metal braces. While crooked and misaligned teeth can make you self-conscious on their own, having metal over them during treatment can make you feel even worse. While braces are the best way to straighten teeth, if you don’t want to hide your smile during treatment it may be time to consider Invisalign aligners.
The Benefits of Invisalign
- Appearance
In teens that are already feeling self-conscious about their appearance, the addition of clunky metal braces can make them feel even more self-conscious about their appearances. Clear braces, on the other hand, are nearly undetectable to the naked eye, and instead offer a seamless and attractive way to straighten teeth.
- Comfort During Treatment
Metal braces can be uncomfortable, and they can only be removed by an orthodontist. Clear braces like Invisalign can be — and should be — removed when eating or drinking and while brushing your teeth. The ability to remove the aligners as needed allows you to take better care of your teeth, while not having to worry about your treatment affecting how you do daily activities. There also aren’t any bulky metal brackets or wires, so you don’t have to worry about hurting your tongue or cheeks.
- Safety
Clear braces are also safer than traditional braces as they don’t have the metals wires mentioned above. These wires can scratch and puncture the inside of your mouth leading to pain and discomfort. Invisalign is smooth and seamless, fitting over your teeth without gaps or protruding edges. Clear braces can also help diminish the risk of tooth decay, as you’re able to better clean your mouth while wearing them.
- Less Time in Treatment
When compared to traditional braces, which can be in place for up to five years, clear braces are usually only used for one to two years at most. This gives you more time to focus on doing the things you love, as opposed to constantly worrying about your braces or scheduling orthodontist appointments.
- No Surprises
When you get clear braces through Invisalign, the process of designing your aligners is completely digitized. This means that the process of straightening your teeth has already been mapped out using digital scans of your teeth and mouth. Because of this, there are fewer surprises associated with the process, and instead, you will know exactly what to expect during and after treatment. Alternatively, metal braces can take trial and error to achieve desired results, contributing to longer treatment time and more discomfort for you.
Overall, Invisalign offers a convenient, attractive, and customized option for both teens and adults looking to achieve straighter teeth. If you’re tired of being embarrassed by your smile, but don’t want to hide out while fixing your teeth, Invisalign is an option that might be perfect for you.
by Team Demas | Dec 18, 2019 | General Articles
Out of every four patients that receive braces, one is an adult. Deciding to get braces later in life is a big decision, and many put it off simply because they don’t like the look of traditional metal braces. To help these patients achieve straighter teeth, Invisalign aligners are an option offered by many affordable orthodontists. These clear braces are nearly invisible to the naked eye and can make you feel better about smiling during treatment, without worrying about flashing your braces to everyone. If you’re tired of struggling with crooked and misaligned teeth, here is what you need to know about this incredible option.
What does Invisalign Treat?
Before we take a look at the process itself, you should know what Invisalign typically is used for. Simply put, these clear braces can be used to correct crowded teeth, gapped teeth, and mild overbites. Booking a consultation with an affordable orthodontist can offer you the change to see just what this option can do for you. Often times affordable orthodontists will offer complimentary consultations to talk through options and evaluate your candidacy, after which you can decide if you’d like to move forward with treatment.
Getting Fitted
Once you’ve decided to move forward, detailed scans of your mouth will be taken. X-rays and digital scans will be used to determine how the teeth should be moved. This information will then be tailored to a custom treatment place that will allow you to get the smile you’ve always wanted. It takes about four to five weeks to receive your aligner trays and then can begin your treatment.
The Treatment Process
Aligners are worn for one to two weeks at a time. This helps gradually move teeth to their desired location. Each new tray will be slightly straighter than your teeth currently are, allowing them to slowly move to fit correctly. During the course of treatment, you should visit your orthodontist every six to 10 weeks to ensure everything is progressing correctly. Overall, Invisalign treatments tend to last anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
Special Considerations
Invisalign aligners are meant to be worn for at least 22 hours every day to ensure they have the time to move your teeth correctly. Aligners can be taken out when you eat, and when you drink anything aside from water to prevent staining and discoloration to the aligner itself. You should also brush and floss twice each day to ensure your teeth remain healthy throughout the process.
Once you’ve finished your initial treatment, your orthodontist will determine if an additional set is necessary to achieve greater results. When treatment is fully complete, your orthodontist may also advise using a retainer to ensure your teeth maintain their locations and won’t shift again over time.
An Option to Consider
If you’re tired of struggling with misaligned teeth, consider what Invisalign can do for you. If you have any questions or would like a consultation, reach out to a local affordable orthodontist and discuss your options. You’ll be amazed at the difference these clear aligners can make when it comes to giving you the smile you’ve always wanted.
