If you are thinking about bringing your child in for an evaluation or you are considering adult treatment, you will want to have at least a cursory knowledge of orthodontics. These questions and answers will get you started. After a complete evaluation, your orthodontist will explain the findings, review the treatment plan, and answer any questions.
Is there a difference between a dentist and orthodontist?
Yes. An orthodontist is a dentist that has completed an additional two to three years of advanced education in orthodontics, the branch of dentistry dealing with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
What causes orthodontic issues?
Malocclusions, or bad bites, can be genetic or acquired. Often, people inherit problems such as crowding, extra space, or additional teeth. Trauma, thumb sucking, dental disease, and other factors can contribute to acquired malocclusions.
Why does it matter if I have orthodontic treatment?
Not only will straighter teeth look better, but they will also improve your oral health. Crooked teeth are harder to clean, which increases the chances of developing tooth decay.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Although most people usually wear braces for 12 to 24 months, the definitive answer depends on the individual case. Another factor that influences treatment time is cooperation. If you don’t listen to your orthodontist, the braces will stay on longer.
I am an adult. Are there other options besides metal braces?
In the past, metal braces were the only choice for orthodontic treatment. Now, adult patients can consider clear braces and Invisalign aligners to achieve flawless smiles and still maintain their polished appearances.
Consider our Orthodontic team in Sherman Oaks California – Dr. Fotovat – Burbank Orthodontist – WebBraces.com
While having braces may not seem like a ball of fun, it doesn’t have to create a negative affect on your life. Most people visit their orthodontist every six to eight weeks, finish treatment, and enjoy gorgeous smiles. Sometimes, orthodontic care doesn’t go as planned and you made need to contact the orthodontist for special circumstances. These tips can help you stay calm and handle the situation like a pro.
Know Your Appliance
Understanding the limitations of your braces or retainer can stop you from damaging these devices. With braces, staying away from crunchy or sticky foods can prevent breakage. When you have a retainer, wear the appliance as directed and leave it in the case when not in use.
Assess the need
If you run into a problem, determine how serious the issue is before you act. Call your orthodontist during business hours if something breaks, comes loose, or gets lost. Immediately contact the office when a broken appliance prevents you from opening or closing your mouth, or if you have pain even after taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
Be prepared
Because brackets or wires can break, keep orthodontic wax on hand to protect the area until you can get in to see your orthodontist.
Take precautions
During your time in braces, ask your orthodontist about a mouth guard if you play sports. Also, don’t mess with your brackets or wires because you can accidentally cause problems with the dental appliance.
We care about your smile at our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic office – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS.
While wearing braces can give you a stunning smile, most people don’t look forward to the process. Though the end result might be worth it, braces aren’t a lot of fun. These tips will help you get through your orthodontic treatment like a champ.
Get the facts
Find a good orthodontist and have a full evaluation so that you can discover exactly what kind of treatment you need. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or get more information if something is unclear.
Review your options
Though many kids and teens still wear traditional braces, other orthodontic options exist for adult and older teen patients such as self-ligating brackets, clear brackets, and Invisalign clear aligners.
Follow directions
Your treatment time will progress on schedule if you wear rubber bands, keep appointments, and completely listen to the orthodontist’s instructions. On the flip slide, you may have to wear the braces even longer if you don’t comply with what the orthodontist says.
Focus on the goal
Remember that your time in braces is temporary and has a definite purpose. After treatment, you will achieve a stunning smile that will provide years of enjoyment. Those one or two years in braces will seem like no time at all.
We care about your smile at our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic office – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS.
Often, people decide to seek orthodontic treatment because they want straighter teeth. Usually, your teeth are out of alignment because of a malocclusion, or bad bite. Several different bite issues exist that may cause you to need orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist will examine your entire mouth and recommend the best course of treatment to give you a straight, healthy smile.
Types of malocclusions include:
Crowding
When you don’t have enough room in your mouth to accommodate your teeth, crowding occurs. Not only do crowded teeth look less attractive, but they also compromise your oral health by making it harder to brush and floss.
Overbites
Also called a deep bite, an overbite is a situation where the front teeth dramatically cover the lower teeth. Without treatment, an overbite can lead to excessive tooth wear.
Underbites
Caused when the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw, an underbite makes the bottom teeth protrude in front of the top teeth.
Extra Space
If teeth are small or missing, you can end up with too much space. Though this issue is often cosmetic, you should have extra space evaluated by an orthodontist.
Open bite
Usually caused by a habit such as tongue thrusting or thumb sucking, an open bite is when an individual can stick his or her tongue between the teeth while biting down.
Protruding Teeth
Sometimes, the upper teeth come too far forward or the lower teeth don’t stick out far enough, which is called protruding teeth.
It’s time to schedule a visit to our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic office – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS.
If you or a loved one would like a flawless smile, modern orthodontic care offers various treatment options. Patients can decide on dental therapy that suits their needs and budget. Understanding the different choices will help you make an educated decision about your orthodontic care. If you have any questions, make sure to talk with your orthodontist before making any final decisions.
Traditional Metal Braces
A long-standing form of treatment, metal braces are still a popular choice, especially for kids. At our office, we offer GAC in-ovation-braces self-ligating braces. These braces have smaller brackets than traditional metal braces, and require less trips to the orthodontist with faster results.
Clear Brackets
For patients who don’t like the look of metal braces, we offer in-ovation-braces C (clear) brackets. These translucent brackets blend in with your teeth coloring so that they are less noticeable. These braces are designed to resist staining and the self-ligating brackets result in fewer office visits and shorter treatment time over traditional braces.
Invisalign Clear Braces
For adult and older teen patients, Invisalign clear braces offer an easy, inconspicuous way to straighten teeth. The Invisalign system uses a series of clear, custom aligners to gradually shift your teeth in just 12 to 18 months.
Mehdi Fotovat, DDS. Sherman Oaks California orthodontics – we care about you and your smile!
Anyone can enjoy a straight, attractive smile. Many people assume that orthodontic treatment is just for kids and teens, but that isn’t the case. Approximately one million adults wear braces, suggesting that age shouldn’t influence orthodontic treatment decisions. Celebrities like Tom Cruise, Nicholas Cage, and Gwen Stefani are a few famous examples of adults who chose to straighten their teeth.
The following points might help you make your decision if you are thinking about adult orthodontics:
Crooked teeth can create health issues.
When your teeth aren’t straight brushing and flossing are more difficult, which may increase your risk of cavities. Chewing issues and alignment problems, like TMJ dysfunction, can also arise if your teeth aren’t in the proper position.
Misaligned teeth may contribute to gum disease.
If you have crooked teeth, it is harder to remove plaque, the sticky layer that forms on teeth and gums. Plaque build up often leads to tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.
Adults have options for orthodontic treatment.
At one time, metal braces were the only choice for people who wanted a straighter smile. Modern advances mean that adults can attain the beautiful smiles they desire with less conspicuous orthodontic treatments such as ceramic brackets, lingual braces, or Invisalign clear braces.
A flawless smile has benefits.
Not only will your oral health improve, but you will look and feel better than ever with a stunning smile. Improved confidence and a warm presence can help you achieve personal and professional success.
Consider our Orthodontic team in Sherman Oaks California – Dr. Fotovat – Burbank Orthodontist – WebBraces.com
