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- Overbite
- Underbite
- Cross bite
- Crowding
- Gaps between the teeth
- They are virtually invisible while you are wearing them
- They can be removed for short periods of time
- They are more comfortable to wear
- You can see the results within a couple of weeks
- Clear – the patient can undergo teeth straightening that is virtually invisible. This is a major factor for teens and young adults.
- Comfortable – there are no wires and no metal to abrade or poke into soft oral tissue.
- Convenient – trips to the orthodontist to have wires tightened to keep teeth moving are eliminated. The patient merely replaces their aligners every two weeks with the next in the series. Each aligner is designed to keep teeth moving to their correct placement.
- Removable – With Invisalign aligners, the patient can continue to eat all the foods they love – nothing is off limits. That is because these “braces” are taken out for snacks and meals; simply replace the aligners when done. In addition, your daily oral care of brushing and flossing can be completed without obstruction.
- Porcelain braces. The brackets are made of tooth-colored porcelain instead of metal.
- Lingual braces. The brackets are placed on the backs of the teeth.
- Aligner trays. Clear plastic trays gradually move the teeth into position.
- Braces
- Palate spreader
- Tooth extraction
- The plastic trays are more comfortable than braces
- The trays can be removed for short periods of time
- You can see results clearly within a couple of weeks
At what age should I schedule an orthodontic evaluation for my child?
July 15, 2017
Parents may believe that they don’t have to start thinking about braces until their children reach their teenage years, but orthodontic treatment actually should begin much earlier than that. It is recommended that parents have an orthodontist evaluate a child by the time the child is 6 or 7 years old. At that point, enough of the child’s permanent teeth have erupted that potential problems with the positioning of the teeth may become apparent. Issues with the alignment of the child’s jaws can also be identified at that juncture.
Furthermore, an orthodontist can treat issues identified early with interceptive treatment, which can prevent the development of a more serious dental issue in time. As a result, interceptive treatment may reduce the amount of time the child will need to spend in braces later or possibly eliminate the need for additional orthodontic treatment entirely.
On the other hand, if parents delay scheduling an initial evaluation by an orthodontist, it may give the jaw’s development a chance to create an environment for more complicated issues that require more intensive treatments and take longer periods of time to complete.
When some sort of preliminary intervention is indicated, it may not involve traditional brackets and wires—the braces that most people think of. Other appliances may be used to manipulate the rate of jaw growth, for example, or to expand the jaw to create more room to allow the teeth to erupt into their desired positions.
Even if the specialist does not identify any problems at that initial evaluation, it’s still valuable to have a baseline against which any future changes in the smile’s alignment can be compared. This can give your child an opportunity to get timely treatment if a problem should emerge at some point.
If your child is approaching his or her 6th birthday, it may be time to schedule an orthodontic evaluation. Call our office today to set up an appointment!
Clear Braces: Invisible, Removable, Comfortable
May 12, 2017
If your dentist has recommended orthodontic work, you may be unhappy with idea of wearing traditional braces over a long period of time. Whether this is because you’re afraid traditional braces will be uncomfortable, or because you are concerned about your appearance, clear braces might provide an answer.
What Are Clear Braces?
Clear braces are an orthodontic method that moves your teeth gradually into the correct position using clear plastic trays instead of metal brackets and rubber bands. When you first visit your orthodontist, he will evaluate the condition of your teeth and make a recommendation about the best type of treatment. Clear braces such as Invisalign are very popular among adults who need orthodontic work.
Clear braces can correct a variety of issues with the alignment of your teeth, including:
If your misalignment is very severe, you might require additional appliances to ensure your teeth move where they’re supposed to be. This can include palate spreaders, spacers, or splints. Your dentist will let you know if clear braces are a good option for you based on your specific diagnosis. In some cases, traditional braces are still the most effective treatment.
Advantages of Clear Braces
Clear braces provide several advantages over traditional metal braces. For this reason, they have become very popular among adults, particularly those who must maintain certain standards of appearance in order to perform their jobs. This can include actors or other performers as well as people who must interact with the public as a part of their job.
Advantages of clear braces include:
If you require orthodontic work and are concerned about the effect metal braces might have on your appearance, talk to our orthodontist about the option of clear braces.
Since having my braces removed, my teeth have shifted. Can Invisalign help?
January 8, 2017
There are several reasons your teeth could have shifted. If orthodontics was completed before all permanent teeth erupted, those new teeth (like third molars) could have resulted in overcrowding pushing teeth to make room to come in.
Or perhaps the retainer was not worn long enough for teeth to develop a solid memory of their new location; this can allow teeth to start to drift back to their former placement.
If you are now faced with a malocclusion, your clear braces dentist will consult with you to present options. Invisalign offers many advantages not available with other forms of teeth straightening. Invisalign aligners are:
The Invisalign program is simple. Your orthodontist will take impressions, x-rays, and photos to be sent to the Invisalign lab. These tools will be used to fabricate a series of aligners using 3-D digital technology. Each aligner is designed to alter your bite until teeth have been moved to their correct occlusion.
Straight teeth are important for more than a great smile. When teeth are crooked or overlap, there are areas where plaque is more likely to build. Plaque formation can lead to dental decay and/or gum disease.
At treatment conclusion, another retainer will be provided. You will receive instructions for when and how long to wear it. This is a critical component to the teeth straightening process. If not worn as instructed, teeth may begin to shift back again.
Don’t waste your investment … follow instructions and you should be able to enjoy your new smile for your lifetime. Contact our caring team today to set up a consult about clear braces!
Is it too late to have braces if I’m an adult?
November 4, 2016
Braces for adults have become quite common as people decide they’re unhappy with the way their teeth look or discover they could benefit from teeth that are more properly aligned. If you are an adult, there are several options available for orthodontic treatment.
Braces for Adults
Braces are traditionally a sort of rite of passage for adolescents. Most people are treated in their late teens, as permanent teeth have all emerged and it’s possible to see how teeth should be shifted for an optimal alignment and bite. However, it’s becoming more common for adults to have braces to correct alignment problems when teeth have either moved out of position over time, or because they did not receive orthodontic treatment earlier in life and are now experiencing issues related to malocclusion.
Braces for adults generally work exactly the same way as braces for adolescents. There are more options available now aside from traditional metal braces and bands, so adults can choose the kind of braces they feel will best meet their needs and lifestyle. These additional options can help adults be more comfortable with choosing much-needed orthodontic treatment.
Types of Braces for Adults
Many adults who choose braces prefer an approach that isn’t as visible as traditional metal brackets and bands. Fortunately, there are several approaches available that can provide excellent results but that are less detrimental to your appearance. Some of these are:
If you need to have braces as an adult, talk to your orthodontist about these options. Some might work better than others for your specific issues; your orthodontist can determine what approach will provide you with the best results. For example, if you have severe misalignment or a crossbite, traditional braces might be a better choice than lingual braces or aligner trays.
Contact our team today about your options!
At What Age Should I Schedule an Appointment for an Orthodontic Screening?
September 3, 2016
Most people think of orthodontic treatment like braces as appropriate for adolescents. Recently, however, it’s become more common for younger patients to receive orthodontic screenings as well as treatment. Early orthodontic treatment can help reduce or even eliminate the need for braces when your child gets older.
Scheduling Your Child’s First Orthodontic Screening
According to the American Dental Association, a child’s first orthodontic screening should occur before age seven. If your dentist sees any developing issues before this, he might recommend an earlier screening. Having the orthodontist screen your child this early means any necessary work can begin right away.
Using X-rays and other examination techniques, the orthodontist will evaluate the position of your child’s teeth. If permanent teeth are positioned incorrectly in the gums beneath the baby teeth, they could come in crooked, crowded or misaligned. They could even become impacted and be unable to emerge at all. Early orthodontic treatment can make more room so the teeth can come in normally.
Deciding on Orthodontic Treatment
Based on the recommendation of your child’s orthodontist, you can decide if you should pursue early treatment either on its own or to be followed by long-term orthodontic treatment. Some common approaches to early orthodontic treatment include:
These treatments aren’t intended to completely correct the issues with your child’s teeth. Instead, they make additional room in the mouth so permanent teeth are less likely to overlap or come in crooked. They can also help correct problems like crossbite, overbite, and underbite. Sometimes, this treatment is all that is necessary to ensure adult teeth are properly aligned.
Early orthodontic treatment doesn’t always eliminate the need for your child to see an orthodontist later, though. In fact, in most cases, early treatment serves as the first phase in a two-phase treatment approach, with the second phase consisting of traditional braces. However, early treatment can reduce the amount of time spent in braces.
Is your child old enough for a screening? Call us at Fleming Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment with our caring team!
Invisalign: The Clear Alternative to Braces
May 6, 2016
For those who need to have orthodontic work but want to avoid traditional metal braces, clear braces offer a more comfortable, more attractive alternative. Invisalign, with its clear plastic aligner trays, can address numerous orthodontic issues and let you complete your treatment without drawing attention to it.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Traditional braces use metal brackets, which are affixed to the teeth. These brackets secure rubber bands, which exert enough pressure to move the teeth gradually into the desired position. This method is very effective, but presents some disadvantages to adults whose work depends upon a well-maintained appearance, such as actors, broadcasters, or even people who work in retail.
Invisalign provides an alternative to braces for adults who wish to maintain an attractive smile even while they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Instead of metal brackets and rubber bands, Invisalign uses clear plastic trays that fit snugly over the teeth. Each tray is shaped slightly differently. The slight shifts move the teeth gradually into the final desired position. After the last tray, you’ll wear a retainer to keep your teeth from moving back out of alignment.
Advantages of Clear Braces
The most immediately obvious advantages of clear braces is that they are virtually invisible, so no one needs to know you’re having orthodontic work done. If you rely on your smile for important aspects of your job, you won’t have to worry about metal on your teeth. These aren’t the only advantages, though. Many people choose Invisalign because:
For the best results, you’ll need to leave your trays in for twenty-two hours a day, but they should be removed during meals to keep them clean. You should also avoid contact between the trays and any hot liquids, since heat can warp the plastic, and be sure to clean the trays regularly.
If you’re interested in Invisalign, contact our office today to discuss your options with our team!