Play Ball!…Even With Braces

Dental Emergency, Orthodontic Emergency, The Best Braces

With the arrival of spring and the brighter and longer days upon us, we know that many of our patients are returning to playing a variety of sports. We are often asked if patients need to refrain from sports during their orthodontic treatment, and our answer is always that our patients are free to enjoy all the sports they love. However, we do make our patients aware that athletes with braces carry a higher risk of injury to the mouth while playing sports. It can be nerve-wracking and expensive to deal with the consequences of mouth injury while playing. Continue reading to learn about proper care for braces while playing sports.

Two-Phase Treatment

Pediatric Orthodontics, The Best Braces

Years ago, it was common to wait to receive any orthodontic treatment until all of the baby teeth were out of the mouth and the adult teeth had grown in. Now, it is common for a child’s teeth and jaw to be evaluated while the baby teeth remain. Intervention at this stage can modify the way teeth grow, which in turn can reduce the length of time that braces may be needed in the future. The jaw is corrected when a child is young, and the permanent teeth grow in straighter when they become older.

Don’t Let Halloween Play Tricks on Your Braces

Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

Do you like tricks or treats for Halloween? If your answer is treats, we are here to help you keep your orthodontic treatment as quick, comfortable, and enjoyable as possible while celebrating. One of the best parts about Halloween is all of the delicious treats that are available. Sometimes, it is difficult to remember which treats are helpful and which treats can be harmful to your braces. We are here to share which are treats and which are tricks.

The Second Time Around

Adult Orthodontics, Invisible Aligners, The Best Braces

It’s common for people to get braces at some point during their life. In some cases, after having had orthodontic treatment, however, the teeth will shift back to their original location after braces have been removed. People who have worn braces in the past can choose to straighten their teeth a second time. A second round of braces is common among adults and nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.

20% Of People Suffer From This

Adult Orthodontics, Invisible Aligners, Pediatric Orthodontics, The Best Braces

In an ideal world, your teeth should fit easily together with no crowding, spacing, or overlaps. In reality, about 15 to 20% of the American population suffers from malocclusion, or a misaligned bite. A misaligned bite can develop from various conditions or habits, including a cleft lip or palate, thumb sucking, abnormally shaped teeth, mouth breathing, and tumors in the jaw. The good news, however, is that there are options to correct this common dental issue. Read on to find out more.

How Braces Work

Adult Orthodontics, Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

Have you ever wondered how brackets and wire work together to move teeth into a different position? While there may be some discomfort here and there, you don’t feel your teeth moving, so how does it work? The way braces move teeth is that they exert a constant pressure on them for an extended period of time. The jaw also conforms to this pressure to create a more aligned bite.

Braces For Bruxism

Life with Braces, The Best Braces

Do you often feel pain in your jaw or face? Do you have soreness in or around your ear? Is chewing sometimes painful? These are all symptoms caused by the clenching or grinding of teeth, a condition known as bruxism. While it can be triggered by stress or anxiety, bruxism can also be a sign of a bite or tooth misalignment. Orthodontics can help with this uncomfortable but common problem.