In many cases, choosing an orthodontist is not a clear-cut task. Often there are a number of doctors to choose from in your area, and there are various skill levels, office attributes, and cost variations that may impact your decision. There are also different considerations based on whether the treatment is for yourself as an adult, or for your child. Either way, you should go prepared to your first office visit with a list of questions to ask. Each situation calls for its own specific questions, but here is a list of typical ones to get the ball rolling:
• What is your orthodontic experience?
• What types of braces are available for adults? For kids?
• Do you recommend braces or a different treatment in my case?
• What kind of braces will work best for my situation? Why?
• Is my child at the ideal age for treatment? What if we wait to pursue treatment?
• Is your treatment approach in one or two phases? What are the advantages of early treatment?
• How much discomfort should be expected? How do we treat it?
• How long will treatment last?
• What are the care requirements while wearing braces? Are there restrictions?
• Is sports participation impacted by wearing braces?
• How often are office visits necessary during treatment?
• Is follow-up care needed? What about retainers, and for how long?
• What are your fees? Are they fixed? What is covered? Are there any extra costs that might arise during treatment?
• Do you accept insurance?
Once you have gotten answers to these types of questions, you can decide whether or not that orthodontist and the suggested treatment plan is right for you. It’s important to be confident and comfortable about all aspects of orthodontic treatment, so interview multiple orthodontists in your search for the one who best fits your needs.
Orthodontist in Burbank CA
Obesity, defined as an excess proportion of body fat, has reached epidemic levels in the United States. This condition presents health risks to many areas of your body, and takes a toll on just about every aspect of your life. What does obesity have to do with oral health? Recent studies have linked the development of obesity with oral bacteria.
By testing the saliva of overweight people compared to individuals within a healthy weight range, researchers have discovered an oral bacteria present in 98 percent of the obese subjects. Experts believe this bacteria is an indicator of developing an overweight condition. Also, they suspect that the bacteria may participate in the body functions that lead to obesity.
Preventing and controlling obesity usually begins with analyzing and changing your diet. A high glycemic diet, which generally means a diet high in sugars, contributes to weight gain. It is also connected with your dental health, because sugars in your mouth are converted into plaque. If plaque accumulates on your teeth and gums, the risk increases for tooth decay and gum disease.
While it will likely benefit your waistline to reduce the amount of sugar consumed, doing so will reduce your risks for oral disease. Likewise, regular dental checkups, proper oral hygiene including brushing and flossing twice daily, and smart diet modifications will also lower your oral health risks. As experts continue to investigate the connection between your mouth and your overall health, following recommendations for caring for your mouth will likely decrease oral bacteria and possibly limit your risks of other health concerns such as obesity.
Dr. Fotovat is an Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
If your orthodontist has told you that you need to wear rubber bands as part of your treatment, no need to panic! Many braces patients before you have worn them and lived through it. Maybe if you understand the reasons that rubber bands can help you achieve a beautiful smile, it will be easier for you to wear them faithfully. Let’s learn more about the reasons and benefits of wearing your elastics.
Alignment
The brackets and wires of your braces align your teeth, but rubber bands are used to move your bite into correct alignment. The tension of the elastic creates pressure on the bracket that it’s attached to, and can correct an overbite or underbite. The phase of treatment to correct your bite is often the longest part of the process, but using rubber bands will hasten the movement of your jaw.
Following directions
Be sure to follow your orthodontist’s instructions completely. Failing to wear them as directed can lengthen your treatment time and may negatively affect your results. Your full cooperation in wearing the rubber bands will create the best outcome in the least amount of time.
Getting used to rubber bands
It takes a few days to get used to putting in your rubber bands, but after some practice it becomes simple. It’s normal for your teeth and jaws to be sore for the first week or less of wearing elastics, but the best way to decrease that time is to wear them faithfully. If you wear them intermittently, your mouth will be constantly sore because they don’t have a chance to get used to the extra pressure.
Tips
Some orthodontists require you to wear rubber bands while eating, and others don’t. Most patients are required to wear the elastics while sleeping. Just make sure you follow your doctor’s treatment plan specific to you. Wear your rubber bands if you play sports, unless you are wearing a mouth guard. Finally, continue to practice good oral hygiene as your orthodontist has instructed.
Orthodontist in Burbank CA
There’s no denying it, teenagers put a lot of importance on looks. Teens want to look attractive, and often they don’t feel braces fit into that category. However, the straight teeth and beautiful smile achieved with braces does appeal to teens. That’s why many in this age group are excited about Invisalign, which improves their smile while looking good in the process. Why does Invisalign meet the needs of teens?
Invisible
Customized clear trays are snugly placed over the teeth, applying a small amount of pressure that concentrates on moving the teeth as desired. The trays are invisible, so they are not noticeable to others. Speech is not affected, so basically the teeth are being corrected in a stealth way.
Removable
Invisalign trays may be removed at any time, so they may be slipped out for special events such as prom or pictures. The devices should be worn as much as possible to achieve the full effect, but teens love the fact that they can be removed for important events.
Flexible
This product offers great flexibility, both in the ability to remove them as well as eating and maintenance. Patients can eat whenever and whatever they choose, without worrying about breaking brackets or parts that are attached to the teeth. Brushing and flossing is also easy because teens can simply take the trays out, perform hygiene tasks, and then put them back in.
Painless
Unlike traditional braces, there is no pain involved with Invisalign treatment. Nothing is tightened or adjusted; patients just wear their trays and then switch to another custom set of trays as directed by their dentist or orthodontist. Improvements occur while wearing the Invisalign trays, and teens don’t even realize it is happening.
Invisalign Sherman Oaks CA
Cleaning your teeth while wearing braces is one of the most important parts of the experience. If you don’t remove food particles and plaque buildup, you run the risk of tooth decay, staining, and bad breath. Follow these tips for keeping your mouth clean and sparkly.
1. Brush, brush, brush!! Make sure you focus on every single tooth, especially the places where your braces and teeth meet.
2. Clean every side of your teeth. Brush the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces. Don’t forget your gum line because plaque likes to hide there.
3. Angle your brush. Brush the top teeth and braces with your toothbrush angled down, and brush the bottom teeth and braces with your toothbrush angled up. This gives the bristles access to the areas where food tends to get caught above and below your braces.
4. Brush after eating. No matter if it’s a full meal or a light snack, food can get trapped in your braces and lead to decay. The longer the food is there, the greater your risk of plaque formation. Brush after eating, or rinse your mouth with water if you can’t brush.
5. Be prepared. Bring toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss with you so that you can brush no matter where you are.
6. Use fluoride. Choose fluoride toothpaste and rinse with fluoride mouthwash, which will both help prevent cavities.
7. Remove the accessories. If you have headgear or elastic bands, take those off before brushing or flossing.
8. Consider options besides just dental floss. You may find it easier to use a floss threader, or Superfloss that is a combination of regular floss and threaders.
9. Get to the point. Cone-shaped brushes with pointy ends are designed to reach areas around your braces that toothbrushes can’t.
10. Don’t forget your dentist. Go for regular dental checkups to get professional, thorough cleanings.
Dr. Fotovat is an Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks, CA
Look around and you’ll see that orthodontic treatment has grown in popularity among adults. Research shows that the number of adults wearing braces is up 24 percent since 1996. With advances in technology and teeth straightening methods, adults have realized that orthodontics can improve their smile without negatively impacting their appearance or lifestyle that much during the process.
Some of the most frequent reasons that adults seek orthodontic treatment are:
• Crowded teeth or gapped teeth, sometimes from tooth decay or gum disease that has occurred over the years
• Misaligned bite that makes teeth fit together improperly
• Crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw that causes pain or pressure
The bottom line is that most adults seek a healthy mouth and attractive smile. Sometimes, adults choose orthodontic treatment to help them in the workplace because they feel a nice appearance can help them achieve their goals. Adults also really appreciate the benefits of an attractive smile, and are willing to focus on their dental hygiene both during and after treatment. Also, if you’re paying for treatment yourself, you’re more likely to take it seriously.
Some adults are undergoing orthodontic treatment for the second time, having worn braces as a teenager but perhaps not following through with the maintenance such as wearing the retainer. Others never received treatment to address problems like overbites or underbites, crowded or crooked teeth, jaw misalignment, or jaw disorders. Without treatment, these issues can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, painful earaches and headaches. Speaking and eating problems can also result.
Advances in orthodontics allow treatment with less impacts on your lifestyle than in years past. Now there are more options besides traditional metal braces. Clear braces such as Invisalign are very popular, since they are removable and less noticeable. If you’re considering getting the smile you’ve always dreamed of, consult your dentist or orthodontist to learn more about how to achieve your goals.
Dr. Fotovat is an Orthodontist in Burbank, CA
