Braces can straighten teeth and transform your smile. After orthodontic treatment, however, patients need to wear their retainers to stop teeth from shifting out of place. Forgetting to wear that retainer may result in movement and the potential need for more therapy. A spring retainer can help correct the position of your teeth, saving the hassle and expense of additional time in braces.
Made of a wire and acrylic frame, the spring retainer extends from cuspid to cuspid and forces the front teeth back into place. Spring retainers work well at fixing the shift that results when patients haven’t worn their original retainers as directed by their orthodontist. Even adults who stopped wearing their retainers years ago may benefit from therapy with a spring retainer.
Though spring retainers can cause movement, these oral appliances aren’t miracle workers. Ideally, a spring retainer will move your teeth one to two mm and should only be used for minor adjustments. Spring retainers won’t work for root or jaw movement, and these devices don’t help severely crooked teeth. Usually, spring retainers focus on the four front teeth, but they can be adjusted to encompass more of your smile.
Treatment time with a spring retainer only lasts about six months. Once the teeth have moved back into place, you will need to wear the spring retainer at night for a certain period of time to preserve the desired results. To determine if you could benefit from use of a spring retainer, contact Mehdi Fotovat, DDS in Sherman Oaks, CA. After a thorough exam, the orthodontist can make a detailed recommendation for treatment.
Mehdi Fotovat, DDS. Sherman Oaks California orthodontics – creating beautiful, straight smiles!
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
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.
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
You may not realize it, but certain bad habits can be detrimental to your dental health. While it may not seem like nail biting or chewing ice are big issues, they can have definite consequences on your smile. Breaking these habits now can prevent more damage later, as well as save you time in the orthodontist’s chair and extra expenses.
• Thumb sucking
For infants and toddlers, thumb sucking is a method of self soothing. Problems arise when children continue that habit past kindergarten. At that time, permanent teeth being to erupt and thumb sucking can affect their position, which may create orthodontic issues.
• Brushing too hard
Gum recession and loss of supporting bone can occur when you scrub your teeth in full power mode. If you aren’t sure about proper brushing techniques, ask your dentist or hygienist.
• Clenching and grinding teeth
Also called bruxism, teeth grinding and clenching is usually a subconscious response to stress. Often, people clench and grind their teeth at night time. Prolonged bruxism can result in cracked teeth, headaches, sore muscles, and limited function. Your orthodontist can fit you for a night guard to prevent bruxism.
• Chewing ice
A common habit, chewing ice, or using teeth as scissors, puts tremendous strain on your teeth and may cause fractures, cracks, or complete tooth breakage.
• Nail biting
Not only does nail biting introduce germs into your mouth, but it can also weaken tooth strength and create gaps between teeth, which may increase your odds of needing orthodontic treatment.
Consider our Orthodontic team in Sherman Oaks California – Dr. Fotovat – Burbank Orthodontist – WebBraces.com
