February 23, 2012

Will I Need to Have Teeth Extracted Prior to Getting Braces?

Extracting teeth before undergoing treatment with braces used to be much more common than it is today. Most orthodontists now attempt to correct misalignments or other problems without extraction. However, in some cases extraction is the best way to achieve the best possible result. If you are debating orthodontic treatment with braces, here are some things to consider as you make your decision.

How Can Extraction Be Avoided?

Particularly in younger patients, extraction can be avoided by making more room in the mouth. This allows permanent teeth to grow in straight and in the proper alignment. Making more room in the mouth can involve the use of a palate expander.

A palate expander is an expandable plate placed against the upper palate. It can be gradually made larger to open the space between the bones that form the roof of the mouth. In younger patients, these bones have not yet fused, so this gradual movement creates extra space in the mouth.

Extraction can also sometimes be avoided if the orthodontist decides to use other available alternate methods such as special braces that use a smaller amount of force to ease teeth into the proper position. Be sure to consult extensively with your orthodontist before deciding upon an approach that will require extraction.

When is Extraction Necessary?

The most common reason for teeth to be extracted in conjunction with orthodontics is because of crowding. If there is simply not enough room in the mouth for all your permanent teeth, extraction might be necessary so that the remaining teeth have room for proper alignment.

Extraction is more common among adults than in children. In adults, the jaw has completed its growth, and there is less chance of being able to expand the palate or the lower jaw to make additional room. However, even in adults, methods are available that can increase the amount of space in the mouth to avoid extraction.

To find out how orthodontics can help improve your smile, please call our Fort Worth office for a consultation.

November 18, 2011

Is Flossing Possible With Braces?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with realigning the teeth that exhibit improper occlusion. Getting braces in Fort Worth is a popular way of getting straight and even teeth. Depending on the type of malocclusion, the treatment can last for approximately two years or longer. In that span of time, you should make it a point to reduce the risk of plaque build-up.

Many people wonder if it’s possible to floss with braces. The answer is yes! It is true that flossing through braces will take a bit more effort than what one is used to. You can use an orthodontic toothbrush with a pick at the end to help get rid of plaque found in the diastema, or area between the teeth. However, flossing is preferred because it clears the whole area and is a helpful adjunct to brushing your teeth. Your orthodontist will gladly teach you a few tricks about flossing with braces.

Using regular dental floss, cut off a few inches and slip one end under the arch wire. Take hold of the tip and guide it toward the diastema. Make use of the sawing technique to debride the area of plaque. Repeat this step three to five times. Try not to hit the arch wire and stay away from the brackets to avoid dislodging them.

You can also use a floss threader if you can’t quite get used to the above mentioned. Always remember that the area between the teeth needs to be kept clean. Plaque build-up turns to calculus, which leads to gum problems and even tooth loss. Carious lesions may also develop if you fail to keep the interproximal spaces clean.

Having braces is the best way to get teeth that are enviably straight. If you neglect your oral hygiene, you would have wasted your effort. Make flossing part of your daily habit. For any questions about how you can keep your mouth in pristine condition, call 817.918.4199 to schedule a consultation today.

August 4, 2011

Is flossing possible with braces?

When faced with the wires, brackets and elastics that are the centerpiece of orthodontic treatment, many patients who wear braces in Fort Worth feel too overwhelmed to even attempt to floss around all of that hardware.

Fortunately, it’s not as tough to floss with braces as many patients think. Our orthodontists can give you a floss threader, which is a thin plastic loop. You put the piece of floss through the loop and pull the other end of the threader between your teeth under the wire. This device allows you to floss along the gum line despite the wire. Some manufacturers also produce pre-threaded floss pieces. This is a really handy product, too, and each piece of floss is packaged separately.

Not only is flossing possible with orthodontics, it’s an essential step in maintaining your oral health. In addition to presenting an obstacle to flossing, the brackets and hardware involved in orthodontics are havens for food particles and bacteria. If you wear braces, you have to be extra vigilant to keep your mouth clean. After all, your orthodontics goal centers on a more appealing smile, and how can you make that happen if your mouth is cluttered with plaque and tartar?

If you give up on flossing during your orthodontic treatment, bacteria can accumulate in your mouth, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. These conditions not only have detrimental effects on your oral health, but they may also increase the risk of complications from other systemic conditions, like diabetes.

It does take patience to floss with traditional braces, and some modern orthodontic techniques eliminate the need for wires and brackets, making flossing during your treatment even easier. The Invisalign system straightens patients’ teeth using a series of removable, invisible plastic trays. Because the trays can be removed for brushing and flossing, the patient can just maintain his/her normal cleaning routine. Invisalign has other advantages, too, such as a streamlined course of treatment.  If you have not yet chosen an orthodontic treatment, it’s worth considering Invisalign for the convenience and benefits it offers.

June 7, 2011

When is the Best Time to Start Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment such as braces has traditionally been reserved for adolescents. In fact, many parents expect to provide braces for their teenage children. However, in many cases it is to your child’s advantage to begin orthodontic treatment much earlier.

The Effects of Misaligned Teeth

Having proper alignment is important not only for permanent teeth, but also for baby teeth. These teeth, also called primary or deciduous teeth, help determine the placement of the permanent teeth when they arrive, beginning at about age six. If the baby teeth are improperly placed, the permanent teeth are likely to be improperly positioned, as well. This could lead to a variety of problems, including:

  • Poorly aligned bite
  • Teeth that overlap or interfere with each other
  • Teeth that are unable to emerge

All these issues can bring about a need for more extensive orthodontic care. This means the orthodontics your child might need during adolescence will take longer and likely cost more than if treatment were provided earlier.

The Best Time for Orthodontic Treatment

Many dentists now refer children to orthodontists for evaluation well before the permanent teeth have finished coming in. If problems begin to appear early on, pursuing orthodontic treatment is often the best way to ensure straight, healthy teeth during the adolescent and adult years.

While there is no single best time for orthodontic treatment, an orthodontic evaluation can give you, as a parent, a good idea of when might be the best time to begin orthodontic treatment for your child. If early permanent teeth are coming in crooked, or if there is obviously not enough room in the mouth for the permanent teeth, early orthodontic intervention can help ensure that the permanent teeth will arrive straighter and with appropriate spacing as your child matures.

To find out more about orthodontics, early orthodontic intervention and braces in Fort Worth, please contact the office of Dr. Robert D. Batton and Dr. Justin B. Harlin. We will evaluate your child’s teeth and determine if early orthodontic work will help your child have a beautiful, healthy smile through adolescence and beyond.