Straight teeth can improve more than just your bite. Having a smile you love can boost your self-confidence, too! Recent research shows that almost a third of all Americans notice teeth first when they meet a new person. Having a warm and welcoming smile helps you look better and feel better, too. So if you’re not happy with your teeth, …
Although it is important to remember it is temporary, getting braces means having to make a few changes to the way you have always done things. One of those things is brushing your teeth. All of sudden you have a mouth full of brackets and wires and the simple task of brushing seems, well, daunting. What if you break them? …
There are many different companies advertising mail-order teeth aligners. These products claim to straighten your teeth in a shorter amount of time and in a less noticeable way than traditional braces. Mail-order teeth aligners are made of clear plastic and are worn over the teeth. They straighten the teeth and close gaps for a better looking smile. Invisalign was the …
You have braces and you are on your way to a straight, beautiful smile. And, while you are excited for what the future holds, deep down you knew that getting braces would impact your life in certain ways. Not being able to eat certain foods is one of them. Certain foods just don’t mix well with braces. They may cause …
If you’re like most patients, you’ll be overjoyed when your braces come off or when you finish your last set of Invisalign aligners. You’re done with orthodontic treatment… or are you? The reality is, once you’re done with braces or aligner therapy, you’ve completed one phase of your orthodontic treatment, and now you’re ready to move onto the next: maintaining …
If you’re dealing with an orthodontic emergency, here’s the good news: orthodontic emergencies rarely, if ever, rise to the level of a dental emergency, which may involve a tooth being broken or knocked out. When it comes to orthodontics, most emergency complaints deal with broken appliances and discomfort—these might not be ideal, but you won’t lose a tooth because of …
Retainers are orthodontic appliances that are worn in the mouth following orthodontic treatment. The purpose of retainers is to hold your teeth in their current position and prevent shifting. Many patients are excited to have their braces removed, only to be disappointed that they will need to wear retainers for a while. The good news is that retainers are removable, …
You’re finally done with braces! You get them removed and you’re done with your orthodontic treatment for life, right? Wrong. The retention phase of orthodontic treatment is just as important as the active treatment phase. What is retention? This is the time when the focus is on keeping your teeth in the ideal positions so that they will remain properly …
An orthodontic emergency can happen at any time – even after office hours. When something goes wrong or does not feel right, it is natural to question whether or not you should be concerned. And, it is really easy to start panicking in moments like this, too. If you find yourself here, relax. Panicking is not going to help. Besides, …
Before getting braces, there is almost always the question – how long will I have to wear them? And, while it is certainly logical to want to know just how long your mouth – and your life – will be impacted by your decision to get braces, the answer to the question is not so easy. On average, most people …
