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.
Having straight teeth is a goal from young people through mature adults, and achieving a great smile without having to wear braces is a wonderful benefit. Awkward moments of a mouth full of metal, food particles stuck in your smile, and painful wires poking your cheeks are all erased. How do you make this happen? The answer is Invisalign.
Invisalign is an orthodontic solution that involves wearing a series of clear plastic aligners that fit right onto your teeth, and move them using slow pressure. They are nearly invisible and can be removed at any time, allowing you to follow your usual eating and hygiene routines.
The first step is taking impressions of your teeth and making a digital 3-D image so that an exact treatment plan can be created. You will be able to see how your teeth should look at each treatment stage. Your customized aligners will be made in a lab so that they fit comfortably yet do their job.
You will need to wear your aligners during the day and while you sleep, but remove them for eating and hygiene. You can even remove them for special occasions, as long as you strive to wear the aligners 22 hours each day. Roughly every two weeks, you will change to a new set of aligners that will advance you to the next stage of treatment. You will see your dentist about every six weeks for checkups.
Invisalign treatment lasts about a year for adults and about two years for teens. Your progress will be visible throughout treatment, motivating you to continue wearing them to transform your smile. Once your treatment is complete, you’ll have beautiful straight teeth and very few complaints about your orthodontic experience.
Invsalign dentist for adults and teens in Sherman Oaks CA
Parents, teens, and adults all may wonder if braces are really necessary. Sometimes it’s obvious that orthodontics would benefit the patient, and in other cases it’s not so clear. Braces really are something that each individual or family must decide whether to pursue, of course with input from an orthodontist. However, there are some circumstances where braces are usually the ideal solution.
The main goal of treatment is to not only improve the patient’s appearance, but also to obtain a healthy bite. Every person’s mouth is different, which means treatment will vary and so will the results. That’s a good thing though, because everyone wants their own individual smile.
Aside from the cosmetic benefits that wearing braces will provide, there are some important reasons that some people will medically benefit from treatment. Problems in the way teeth are aligned can cause serious dental issues, which can worsen over time. If a patient’s teeth has slight crowding or gaps, these are the cases that may or may not need braces depending on the person’s desires. More serious cases are when the upper or lower jaw is out of alignment, and braces can really be important.
When the lower or upper jaw protrudes forward, a number of problems can result. These may include jaw pain, tooth decay, gum disease, speech impediments, teeth grinding or clenching, or difficulty eating and chewing. Patients may not even realize these types of issues can be linked to jaw misalignment. By moving the patient’s jaws and teeth through the use of braces, an orthodontist can help reduce or eliminate these types of problems that patients experience.
There isn’t always a definite answer, just as all patients have varying opinions about treatment. The key is to work together with an orthodontist, express goals, and agree upon a customized plan for treatment.
Braces orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
