January 6, 2012

Orthodontic Treatment Options for Children

orthodontics Fort WorthOrthodontic treatment is commonly associated with adolescents, but more and more dentists recommend orthodontics at a younger age. Younger children can be treated for issues such as crowding of teeth before they become a serious problem. If your child might need orthodontics in the Fort Worth 76107 area, here are some things to consider as you make your decision.

Reasons for Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics isn’t just about a straight smile. Long-term problems can result from improper alignment, including abnormal wear and tear, need to remove teeth, improper jaw growth, and issues such as temporomandibular joint disorder. In addition, earlier orthodontic care can prevent the need for braces later in life, or allow your older adolescent to wear braces for a shorter period of time.

The most common reasons for orthodontic treatment in younger children are crowding of teeth and teeth that are misaligned when they emerge. Rather than trying to correct the placement and alignment of teeth after they have emerged, many dentists now use interceptive orthodontics to make room for the teeth and ensure that they will emerge in proper alignment. Interceptive orthodontic treatments can be used before the teeth actually emerge.

Other uses of orthodontics address front teeth that protrude excessively and teeth that cannot emerge because they are blocked by deciduous teeth.

Common Orthodontic Treatments

In younger children, the jaw is still growing, so some treatments for early intervention involve widening the palate to make more room. This is accomplished with a palate expander. Because the jaw is still growing, this method helps create more room so that teeth do not need to be removed to prevent crowding.

Traditional braces can also be used to shift teeth that have already emerged, especially permanent teeth that have come in out of their proper alignment. Braces are also usually used later to complete treatment and ensure all teeth are properly aligned. With appropriate early orthodontic treatment, as well as additional treatment later, your child will have not only a beautiful smile, but will also have a healthy mouth and teeth.

For more information about orthodontic treatment for your child, please contact our Fort Worth dentistry office at 817-918-4199 to schedule a consultation.

October 7, 2011

Why should malocclusions be treated?

Malocclusion is the term used to describe the incorrect relationship between the upper and lower teeth. In other words, when the teeth do not fit together properly, there is often a negative effect on your overall dental health. Fortunately, correcting malocclusion through the use of orthodontics in Fort Worth can be an effective solution.

Crowded or crooked teeth are a common cause of malocclusion. Although many patients may feel uncomfortable with the cosmetic appearance of crooked teeth, there are also underlying health risks. Oral hygiene can be challenging when the teeth are crowded or tilted out of alignment. Some patients may find it difficult to brush or floss and other patients may notice that food tends to become trapped between the teeth. The inability to access these areas can lead to periodontal disease, bone loss, and tooth decay. In such cases, your orthodontist may recommend braces as a corrective solution.

Patients who have been diagnosed with an overbite or an underbite may also want to consider an orthodontic solution. Where either the upper jaw or the lower jaw is positioned too far forward, chewing and speaking can be awkward. The muscles of the jaw joint are often subjected to unnatural stress, which can cause various disorders of the jaw joint.

Various degrees of malocclusion can also significantly influence the shape of the facial profile. Patients with an overbite may notice that the lower jaw and chin appear too small. An underbite often influences the chin and lower jaw to stick out unnaturally. In severe cases of malocclusion, simply keeping the lips closed when the mouth is at rest can be challenging.

Traditionally, braces have been the treatment of choice in correcting a wide variety of malocclusions. Your orthodontist is your best resource for identifying and correcting a poorly aligned bite. Typically, identifying and correcting an incorrect bite as early as possible can improve your chances of a successful treatment.

To find out more about your options for treating malocclusion, call our office at 817.918.4199 to schedule your appointment right away.

August 26, 2011

Improve your dental and physical health with orthodontic treatment

Patients often consider orthodontics in Fort Worth out of a desire for a more attractive smile, but this treatment can also offer other enduring benefits for a patient’s dental and physical health.

It can be difficult to brush and floss between teeth that are crowded or overlapping, so orthodontic treatment can help patients do a better job of keeping their mouths clean. Brushing and flossing serve a variety of functions, from warding off bacteria to keeping bad breath at bay. When your oral hygiene routine is ineffective because of crowded teeth, you’ll face an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Gum disease is a particular concern. This condition not only affects oral health, but it has been linked to problems elsewhere in the body, too. The C-reactive proteins associated with inflammation in the gums have also been implicated in diseases ranging from diabetes to cardiovascular disease to pancreatic cancer.

Misaligned teeth can wear unevenly, too, because some teeth may be more stressed or pressured during chewing than others. When an orthodontist straightens the teeth, it also corrects this problem, which can have a negative effect on a patient’s nutrition and diet.

In addition to straightening the teeth, orthodontics can also correct problems with the jaw’s alignment. This benefit of orthodontic treatment may help to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorders, which can also lead to headaches and neck pain in addition to jaw discomfort, when the patient gets older.

The physical benefits of orthodontic treatment are evident, but the psychological lift you get from a straighter smile should not be discounted, either. You’ll have more self-confidence and feel more at ease in social situations. You may even find that you have more energy, since you’re no longer drained with worrying about other people’s opinions of your teeth.

Braces will give you a boost in many ways, so if crooked teeth are bringing you down, visit our orthodontist for a consultation on methods that may enhance your smile.

April 29, 2011

Orthodontic Treatment: What you need to know

Achieving a healthy beautiful smile is a team effort. For successful treatment, you must partner with your orthodontist and take an active interest in the process. The orthodontist provides the expertise and the techniques to straighten the teeth and align the jaws. As the patient, your job is to cooperate by carefully following the orthodontist’s instructions so that the teeth and jaws move as desired and on schedule.

Children should start visiting the dentist by the first birthday, and continue with regular visits at least every six months. Orthodontic evaluations should begin no later than age 7. If a problem is detected, the orthodontist can determine the best time to begin treatment.

Traditional braces employ a system of bands, brackets, and wires to gently guide the teeth into position. For Invisalign, 3-D computer imaging technology is used to create a series of custom-made aligners for your treatment. Each clear, removable aligner is worn for about two weeks and then replaced. Gradually, the teeth are guided into their final position.

Traditional orthodontics and Invisalign are two fantastic options for aligning the teeth. Crowding and spacing can be corrected using either option, according to your individual needs and lifestyle. Orthodontic treatment can be very beneficial for adults. Less visible, more comfortable braces and aligners make treatment more appealing, and healthy teeth, bones, and gums will typically respond best to treatment.

If you are ready to show the world who you really are, choose an orthodontist who is uniquely qualified to address your concerns. Ask about using orthodontics in Fort Worth to begin moving toward the smile you’ve always wanted.

September 3, 2010

Can You Just Wear Invisalign at Night?

orthodontics in fort worthInvisalign is an innovative and highly effective orthodontic treatment favored by many adults. Because it uses plastic aligners to move the teeth instead of traditional metal braces and rubber bands, Invisalign provides orthodontic correction without the inconvenience and unattractiveness of braces.

Invisalign aligners are also removable, adding convenience. While undergoing Invisalign treatment, you can remove the aligners to brush your teeth and to eat. Unfortunately, this convenience also leads some people to believe that they can remove the aligners at other times, as well.

How Long Must Invisalign Aligners Be Worn Each Day?

A common question among those using Invisalign is exactly how much time the aligners must remain on the teeth on a daily basis. Can they just be worn at night? Or just part of the day?

Invisalign aligners are designed to work at their best if they are kept on the teeth for at least 22 hours every day. If they are only worn at night, this will provide 8 hours of wearing time on average, which is not enough to produce the desired results. In fact, if you only wear the Invisalign aligners at night, it is likely that your teeth will move back to their original position, resulting in discomfort and often necessitating new aligners, which adds to the expense of the treatment.

Getting the Most Out of Invisalign

In order to achieve the desired results from an Invisalign treatment, you should always follow the directions provided by your dentist. This includes specific instructions on how long to wear the aligners each day, when to switch to the next aligner in the series, and how to go about cleaning and otherwise caring for your teeth during treatment. These instructions will probably also include a suggested schedule for future visits to ensure that your teeth are moving into the right position and that the treatment is working the way it is designed to.

To find out more about how Invisalign works and how it can help you achieve a beautiful smile, please contact a dentist specializing in Invisalign in the Fort Worth area.

August 23, 2010

Ways to Make Your Orthodontic Treatment a Success

Braces and other orthodontic treatments have become a common rite of passage for many teenagers. Even adults often choose orthodontic treatments to help correct misaligned teeth either for cosmetic reasons or to alleviate problems like teeth grinding and TMJ disorders.

For those undergoing orthodontic treatment in Fort Worth, we recommend the following practices to ensure a successful outcome.

1. Follow the dentist’s instructions. If told to wear headgear or avoid hard or sticky foods, do this. It might be temping to go a night without headgear, or to succumb to a caramel apple, but the results could adversely affect long-term success or even break the braces.

2. Don’t miss orthodontic appointments. Coming to the dental office every few weeks might seem excessive, but these visits are vital to ensure treatment is working. The dentist will also make adjustments to braces and bands during these visits to make sure teeth end up where they are supposed to be.

3. Maintain immaculate dental hygiene. Regular dental hygiene is always important, but the presence of braces makes it even more vital to be sure teeth and gums are kept scrupulously clean. Dentists provide instructions on how to clean around braces and even offer or recommend special equipment to ensure effective cleaning. It is also important to continue regular dental visits.

For more information about braces and how to ensure successful orthodontic treatment, contact your dentist to discuss desired results and possible treatment.

July 16, 2010

How can you keep your braces clean?

Getting braces for orthodontic treatment to correct those wayward teeth can be a difficult time for any individual, particularly teenagers. Adolescents are generally less motivated and less concerned about maintaining optimum oral hygiene. Braces increase the surface area of the tooth surface and their rough surface acts as a magnet for plaque and cavities.

The presence of brackets on the teeth prevents the normal action of cheeks, lips and tongue from cleansing your teeth naturally. Plaque brings with it tons of germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease. It is common for orthodontists to refer patients to general dentists before and after orthodontic treatment to get their teeth cleaned and get all the decayed teeth filled. Braces, wires, springs, rubber bands make it difficult even for patients with good habits to maintain satisfactory oral hygiene.

Some amount of inflammation of the gums can be expected with braces. It is important for the dentist to recognize the problem before it progresses to become periodontitis (periodontal inflammation). Periodontal inflammation can delay healing and can cause pain and mobility of teeth during orthodontic treatment.

Steps to take to keep you braces and teeth clean:

• Brush your teeth twice daily. Use fluoridated toothpaste fortified with antibacterial medications to prevent tooth decay and inflammation. Angle your toothbrush 45 degrees towards the gum line and gently brush away plaque that has accumulated between the gums and braces. Try to brush after each meal and avoid eating between meals. If any of the components get dislodged, take it to your orthodontist to get it fixed. Remember to brush all the surfaces thoroughly. Wash out all the food debris after brushing. Use a two-tone plaque-disclosing solution to assess your brushing effectiveness.

• Specialized orthodontic brushes (where the bristles in the middle are lower than the bristles on the edges), and interdental brushes are available for more effective cleaning. Electric toothbrushes are a good alternative for people who hate brushing. Rubber tip stimulators help dislodge stubborn debris from between teeth.

• Floss your teeth daily, preferably at night. You don’t need special dental floss for regular flossing. Normal nylon dental floss with a floss-threader will help. Pass the dental floss beneath the orthodontic wire for brushing. It takes more time initially, but with constant practice you can reduce the time and effort needed to floss daily.

• Use oral irrigation devices like WaterPik, QuickBreeze or ShowerPik, which use a jet of water to dislodge debris from the tooth surface.

• Rinse your mouth with an over-the-counter mouthwash daily. Mouthwashes containing antibacterial agents like Triclosan can help further prevent gum disease. Always consult your dentist before prolonged use of mouthwash. Dentists who specialize on orthodontics in Fort-Worth can further guide you on how to properly maintain your teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

June 25, 2010

Who Needs Braces?

A confident smile is a huge asset at any age. In a quest for a better smile, braces or orthodontic treatment have been a part of many people’s teen years. Many parents are concerned if their child or teenager requires braces. Unlike popular perception, orthodontics are not restricted only to teens and young adults, although most people seeking braces do fall into these categories. Bite abnormalities in almost any age can be corrected by some form of orthodontics, resulting not just in a healthier smile, but also healthy oral function.

Young Children:

Young children before the age of seven have baby or primary teeth and almost never receive full braces. However, minor and relatively simple orthodontic measures may be needed to prevent major problems from developing later. A child with a thumb sucking habit or an abnormal swallow may need a simple appliance to break the habit and prevent protruding teeth. Children with crowded milk teeth or lost molars may need measures to preserve arch width and prevent badly aligned teeth or impacted teeth later. Spotting such problems early on and seeking preventive orthodontic therapy can go a long way in simplifying future dental needs.

Teens and Young Adults:

Youngsters with a mixed dentition (some baby teeth) and teenagers are the most likely to need braces. Protruding, crowded teeth, or a receding chin that obviously mars a smile are reasons to seek braces. Bone growth is at maximum in this age, and can be used to an advantage and directed appropriately by orthodontics. Many times there may be nothing obviously wrong with a smile, yet braces may be needed. Lower teeth that close too far in under the upper, tilted back teeth are examples of a faulty bite, which can later lead to excessive wear of teeth and lead to periodontal disease that damages the jaw bone and cause joint problems at a later stage. A routine consultation, addressing concerns about need for braces from a local dentist, is ideal at this age.

Older Adults:

More adults are seeking a better smile now than before. Teeth that have protruded because of gum or periodontal disease, or due to missing back teeth, tilted teeth which make restorations or implant placement difficult, fractured teeth needing extrusion or simply forgoing orthodontic treatment earlier in life are common reasons why older people seek braces. Tooth-colored braces and sheer Invisalign braces have made orthodontics more comfortable and viable for older adults. Accelerated orthodontics is a new technique combining gum surgery and braces for results that are almost three times faster. While orthodontics for adults may be technically more demanding, modern orthodontics can provide most people achieve a healthier smile and improved self-image.