If you need braces to straighten your teeth or adjust your jaw alignment, there are several types of braces that you can select for orthodontic treatment. Talk with your orthodontist about which kind is right for you, but here is a general description of the types available and the differences between them.
Traditional
Made from quality stainless steel, metal braces have traditionally been the most common option for braces. They have a proven track record of successful orthodontic treatment, but some people aren’t thrilled about the noticeable appearance of metal in their smiles. Small brackets are bonded onto the fronts of the teeth and joined together with a wire, and sometimes colorful elastics may be worn.
Ceramic
Made of clear ceramic, these braces are especially popular among older youth and adults because they are less visible. The braces blend with tooth enamel. However, ceramic braces are more likely to break. Manufacturers are making the brackets thicker in an effort to decrease the chances of breaking during wear.
Gold-plated
Similar to metal braces, these are also made of stainless steel but are covered in gold. Some patients find the look of gold to be more appealing than silver. Surprisingly, the cost of gold-plated braces is comparable to most clear braces.
Invisalign
The biggest benefit of Invisalign braces is that they are practically invisible. Clear plastic aligners are worn to gradually move teeth into better position, and they are removable so oral hygiene techniques remain the same as without braces.
Incognito
Fitted onto the back of the teeth so that they are completely hidden from view, incognito braces offer another option for patients not wanting their braces to be noticed. These braces are trickier to adjust and clean, can affect speech, and are often more expensive than other braces.
Braces orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
Once you’ve gone to the time and expense of having orthodontic treatment, the last thing you want to do is have it all for nothing! That’s why you should follow your orthodontist’s instructions for wearing your retainers, which are used to prevent your teeth from moving back to their previous positions after your orthodontic appliances have been removed.
What are retainers?
Retainers hold our teeth in place while they settle into their ultimate position. Most patients are required to wear both upper and lower retainers. Upper retainers are made of hard plastic and wire, fit into the roof of your mouth, and are removable. Lower retainers consist of wire, and may be removable or glued permanently to the lower teeth.
How much should I wear them?
Retainers are usually worn full time for the first several months, except while eating. Eventually you will only wear the retainer while sleeping, and often you’ll complete wearing your retainer within one year if you stick to your orthodontist’s recommendations.
How do I care for my retainer?
Retainers fit directly against your teeth, so a clean retainer helps with clean teeth and better breath. When you brush your teeth, you should also brush your retainer. Rinse it with water and then replace it into your mouth. Once it’s in place, try not to flip the device with your tongue because that often leads to a broken retainer.
What if I take my retainer out?
Except during cleaning, the best place for your retainer is in your mouth. It’s usually a hassle to get them replaced, so it’s important to take care of your retainers. Follow these tips:
• Don’t wrap your retainers in a napkin, because they can be easily thrown away.
• Don’t put your retainers in your pocket or loose in your purse, because they may be broken.
• Don’t leave your retainers sitting around for children or pets to access.
Orthodontist for fixing retainers in Sherman Oaks CA
While most people want to close gaps between their teeth, a new trend is emerging in the fashion industry. Models with a diastema, the term used to describe the space between two teeth, are considered in vogue. In fact, the top faces for companies like Calvin Klein and Chanel have considerable gaps between their teeth.
Approximately 50 percent of kids ages six to eight have an opening between their teeth. Usually, the space closes after permanent teeth erupt. If the diastema remains after the permanent incisors and canine teeth come in, you should consult an orthodontist for further evaluation. The most common diastema is the space between the front teeth.
Other conditions can also contribute to gaps between teeth, including:
- Missing teeth, which may create extra space
- Lip biting because it can enable front teeth to drift apart
- Tongue thrusting, pushing your tongue against front teeth, may result in a gap
- Abnormal jaw bone structure may prevent the upper incisors from touching normally
Though certain celebrities have left the openings in their smiles, the average person will need orthodontic treatment to close the gap. After a complete assessment, your orthodontist can recommend the best treatment. Braces can be used to move teeth together and create a flawless smile. Orthodontic treatment of a gap between teeth will provide a permanent result, but it can take a year of longer to work, especially in the case of larger spaces.
Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
Straightening teeth and correcting alignment used to mean a mouthful of metal braces. Thanks to advances in orthodontics, traditional metal braces are no longer the only option. Today there is a newer treatment called Invisalign, which consists of a series of customized aligners that gradually move your teeth into the correct position. Invisalign provides a unique method of improving your smile, along with several other benefits that traditional braces do not offer.
Invisible
The aligners are created from clear plastic, so they are practically invisible when worn. Unlike the bulky metal brackets and rubber bands worn with traditional braces, Invisalign retainers are hardly noticeable. This is very appealing to people who don’t want their braces to stand out in social or professional situations.
Removable
Invisalign retainers are not cemented to your teeth like metal braces. They can be removed for brushing and flossing, so that dental care is simple during your orthodontic treatment. You can also remove the aligners for special occasions like important social events or photographs. However, for the best results, you should follow your doctor’s instructions for the amount of time to wear the retainers.
Faster results
Treatment tends to take less time with Invisalign compared to traditional braces. Aligners are changed every two weeks to gradually move the teeth, which is a faster process than getting an adjustment at the orthodontist every six weeks or so with traditional braces. Often, patients undergoing Invisalign treatment achieve the desired results in only a year.
Sherman Oaks Invisalign Dentist
Each year, more than seven million sports and recreation-related injuries are sustained by individuals from ages 5 to 24. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that anyone participating in group or recreational sports activities protect their faces and mouths by wearing a mouth guard. Now, Moms for Mouth Guards is teaming up with the AAO to encourage other mothers to pledge their support for keeping their athletes safe on the field.
Currently, the AAO data suggest that over 67 percent of parents don’t make their kids wear mouth guards even though mouth guards have been proven to cut down on the seriousness of injuries players sustain. Moms for Mouth Guards hopes to spread the word to parents, coaches, and players about the long-term impact a facial or jaw injury can have on an individual. Wearing a mouth guard can cut down on trips to the emergency room and a lifetime of pain.
When selecting a mouth guard for your child, you have several store-bought options, but a custom mouth guard will provide the best protection. Your orthodontist will take molds of your child’s teeth and send those models to a dental lab so that skilled technicians can produce the individualized appliance. At the follow up visit, your doctor can check the fit of the mouth guard and explain usage as well as cleaning instructions.
Visit Dr. Fotovats Orthodontics office in Sherman Oaks to learn more about mouth guards for your braces.
It’s no secret that it’s more difficult to clean your teeth and gums while wearing braces. Food is easily trapped in the wires and between your teeth and brackets. This means it’s more challenging to keep your teeth from decaying while you have braces. Keep the following things in mind so that your teeth stay healthy during their transformation to a beautiful smile.
Brush properly
Follow your orthodontist’s instructions for brushing properly with braces. Use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste, and brush at a 45 degree angle. Clean every area of each tooth, and gently brush between the wires and your teeth. Also remember to floss every day to reach the areas that your toothbrush cannot access.
Use special cleaning tools
Look for special brushes, flossers, and other tools that can help clean your braces. Many of these are available in your drugstore, and ask your orthodontist for suggestions as well.
Choose approved foods
A proper diet will go a long way in protecting your teeth from decay. Sugary or starchy foods both cause more plaque, which can be hard to reach when brushing. Also, your orthodontist will give you a list of foods to avoid while wearing braces because they might damage your appliances or harm your teeth. For example, sticky foods like gum and caramel can easily get caught in your braces. Hard foods such as candy and nuts can damage your wires and brackets, and hard foods that you bite into like corn on the cob and apples are also risky.
Don’t forget your dentist
Even though you see your orthodontist regularly for appointments, don’t forget to continue with regular visits to your dentist for thorough cleanings.
Dr. Fotovat is an Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks California
