Braces are a popular and effective way to straighten crooked or crowded teeth, and correct bite problems. Most types are usually worn for about two years depending on each patient’s specific issues. This means that selecting the type of braces you’d like to wear is important, as they will be with you for quite some time. Here are some facts about three common choices in braces.
Metal
The image most people come up with when they picture traditional braces, it is the metal type that has been around for many years. Metal brackets are attached to your teeth and then a metal wire is connected through the brackets. This type of treatment is proven to be very effective, but the main complaint is how visible they are. Some patients are self- conscious about having a mouth full of metal braces, which can also be uncomfortable when the wires poke the inside of your mouth or tongue. Special care must be taken to keep metal braces clean, and there are some diet guidelines to help avoid breaking the components.
Ceramic
Sometimes called clear braces, ceramic braces are made from materials that are close in color to your natural teeth. This makes the brackets less noticeable in your smile. The wire or elastics used with ceramic braces can also be in a less visible shade resembling your tooth color. One downside to these clear braces is that they are more breakable than metal braces, so care should be taken with them especially when playing contact sports. Also, ceramic braces are typically pricier than traditional metal braces.
Lingual
The most expensive of these three options is lingual braces, which are bonded to the back sides of your teeth instead of the fronts. This makes them invisible to others, although they are often less comfortable because your tongue touches them. Lingual braces can take more getting used to than other types of braces, but they are proven to be effective in transforming smiles.
Contact the orthodontic office of Dr. Fotovat if you are looking for an orthodontist in the Sherman Oaks area.
Patients who decide to seek orthodontic treatments in Sherman Oaks, CA have more than just the choice of whether or not to get braces. You also must decide what type of braces are right for you. Two of the most common types are traditional metal braces or clear Invisalign braces. Both offer advantages and disadvantages, so in the end it’s a matter of choosing which meets your goals the most.
Appearance
Obviously, traditional metal braces are much more noticeable than clear braces. Even though advances have been made in metal braces to make them look less unsightly, some patients still don’t want to have a mouth full of shiny metal. On the other hand, some patients find it fun to select bright colors to customize their look to favorite shades or school spirit. Invisalign braces are made from clear plastic so that they are hardly visible. The main concern about appearance with Invisalign is learning how to remove the aligners carefully so that it’s not an unappealing process to take them out in front of other people.
Maintenance
Traditional braces are known to trap food debris in the brackets and wires, so it’s important to clean them properly. This not only looks better, but also helps avoid tooth decay. Brushing and rinsing with mouthwash are good ways to maintain traditional braces. Invisalign aligners can accumulate bacteria if not cleaned well, which is both unsanitary and stinky. The aligners should be removed and gently brushed as directed by your doctor, or sometimes a special cleaning solution is advised in addition to regular brushing.
Results
Both traditional and clear braces provide similar results for nearly all of the reasons that patients seek treatment. Traditional braces may have the advantage in correcting serious misalignments, but Invisalign is advancing to treat alignment problems also. Ask your dentist for recommendations about the best treatment for you.
More and more people are improving their smiles these days with Invisalign orthodontics instead of traditional braces. Invisalign consists of clear aligning trays that fit right over your teeth to gradually move them into better position. One of the most unique features of Invisalign is that the trays are removable so they can be taken out for eating and cleaning.
It’s important to keep your Invisalign aligners clean and sanitary. It is not difficult to clean them, because usually no special tools or products are needed. You can use a regular soft-bristled toothbrush, or your dentist may provide a retainer brush instead. Either way, with a brush and regular toothpaste you are on your way to clean aligners.
All you need to do is remove the aligning trays from your mouth and rinse them well with tepid water. This is water that is not hot or cold, just in between. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to your toothbrush, and use small circular brushing motions to clean the aligners. Brush the entire aligner, both on the inside and outside surfaces. Once you’ve completed brushing, rinse again with tepid water to remove all of the toothpaste and debris.
After you’ve finished brushing, inspect the aligners to make sure they look clean and there is no calcium or tartar buildup. This might look like a cloudy white film over the clear plastic. It is sometimes more difficult to brush away calcium buildup, so ask your dentist for tips on removing it. Some experts recommend using a retainer cleaning solution or denture bath available at your local drugstore. Invisalign also offers a cleaning system from the manufacturer that some patients choose to use.
Do not be tempted to soak your aligners in mouthwash with the idea of disinfecting or freshening them. Mouthwash is not made for this purpose and can damage your aligners, especially since most mouthwashes are colored and can tint the clear plastic. Your aligners may no longer look clear if you use mouthwash.
After your aligners are clean and you have brushed and flossed your teeth as well, you can put the Invisalign trays back in your mouth and go on with your day. It only takes a few minutes to ensure that your aligners are maintained in good condition and sanitary for ideal results.
If you live in the Sherman Oak area and you area and you are considering braces, contact our orthodontic practice today.
Pretty much everyone knows that flossing your teeth with braces is not a simple task. The metal wires form an obstacle for moving the dental floss up and down between your teeth. Not only that, it’s difficult to reach your gumline when flossing. If you wear braces and give up on flossing, you are putting your oral health at risk. Luckily there are some tricks to help you floss so that you can maintain a healthy and clean smile.
First, before you even begin flossing, use an anti-plaque rinse to help clean your teeth. Rinse vigorously for about thirty seconds before spitting it out. This will help loosen food particles and plaque that have become trapped in your braces.
Once you’re ready to floss, consider using tools that are available to help make flossing with braces easier. One such tool is an orthodontic pick or flosser. These are plastic wands that are already strung with dental floss. Orthodontic flossers have a thin arm that can slide under the archwires and allow you to reach the gumline. The other end of the flosser contains a pick for you to use to eliminate food or plaque from your brackets. This type of flossing tool helps you reach all of your teeth and do a thorough job.
Another product to help you clean your teeth while wearing braces is a waterflosser. It sprays a pressurized stream of water that gets rid of debris and plaque between your teeth. This handheld tool is easy to use and also can target bacteria below your gumline. Many orthodontists recommend waterflossers, especially for patients who are unwilling to use traditional dental floss to clean their teeth and braces.
There is no argument that flossing plays a vital role in your oral health. Wearing braces is no excuse to neglect this element of your dental hygiene routine. By following some of these steps to make the task easier, you can still have clean teeth and gums while your smile is being improved with braces.
Dr. Fotovat is an orthodontist that provided braces to patients in the Sherman Oaks, CA area.
There is more to orthodontic treatment than just straightening teeth. There are a number of problems that warrant treatment, and the process depends on what your specific issues are. Each patient is unique, which means treatment is also unique. Here are some of the most common reasons that kids and adults may need to see an orthodontist.
Crowding
A very common issue is crowding, which means that there isn’t enough room for all of your teeth to erupt into proper position. The result is overlapping teeth. Not only does your smile look crowded, it makes it difficult to clean your teeth well and can lead to cavities or other problems.
Spacing
The opposite of crowding, spacing is when your teeth are farther apart that you’d like. Small or missing teeth can create spacing problems. Correction may be advised for cosmetic reasons, as well as trouble chewing or biting food.
Overbite
An overbite occurs when your top teeth cover the bottom teeth too much. In severe cases, the roof of your mouth can even be damaged by your lower teeth.
Underbite
When your bottom teeth stick out further than your top teeth, it’s called an underbite. This problem is often related to the lower jaw extending further than the upper jaw. Chewing problems and excessive tooth wear are common results of an underbite.
Crossbite
A crossbite exists when your upper molars fit inside your lower molars. This can be caused by an overly wide lower jaw or an overly narrow upper jaw. Several orthodontic treatments may be options for correcting a crossbite.
Orthodontist for teens and adults in the Sherman Oaks, CA area.
One of the newest ways to spruce up your look is to correct your teeth with Invisalign. This is an orthodontic solution that allows your teeth to be straightened without having to wear unsightly or embarrassing traditional braces. Invisalign allows you to improve your smile without affecting your eating habits, oral care routine, or self-esteem throughout the treatment process.
Description
A series of customized plastic aligners are created to wear over your teeth to gradually move them into better position. You are able to see your treatment plan on a computer before treatment even begins, and your dentist monitors progress during checkups to make sure things are changing as desired. The clear aligners with Invisalign are popular because they are nearly invisible, can be removed for cleaning and eating, and are comfortable without causing irritation.
Correction
Invisalign corrects various dental issues, including crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, or crossbites. Dentists often advise wearing retainers after treatment to ensure that teeth remain in their new position.
Process
Once you select a dentist for your Invisalign treatment, an examination and discussion of goals will determine if this type of orthodontics is right for you. If you are a good candidate, a mold will be made of your teeth as well as a three dimensional image to help your dentist determine your treatment plan.
Maintenance
Invisalign aligners are easily cleaned when removed from your mouth with gentle brushing and rinsing. You can perform your normal oral hygiene routine before returning the aligners to your mouth.
Dr. Fotovat is an orthodontist offering Invisilign to patients in the in Sherman Oaks area. Schedule your consultation today.
