Due to the increased interest in cosmetic dentistry, many family dentists are becoming trained to offer more extensive procedures and treatments geared to improve the appearance of your smile. Many of these treatments are quick and painless, and can offer almost instant results.
Some of the cosmetic dentistry options offered by your family dentist may include:
- Professional teeth whitening to improve the color and brightness of dark, dingy, or discolored teeth
- Placement of dental veneers to improve the look of gapped, stained, or crooked teeth
- Replacement of old or unattractive metal fillings with more natural, tooth-colored materials
- Placement of crowns and bridges to repair and replace missing or severely damaged teeth
- Correction of small spaces or gaps between teeth by bonding with tooth-colored composite resin
- Insertion of dental implants to replace missing teeth
- Straightening of teeth and correction of bite problems with braces or Invisalign
Because your family dentist is already aware of your family’s dental history, it will be simple to recommend treatment plans. With this knowledge, your dentist can also quickly and expertly assess if you or other members of your family are suitable candidates for the procedures you are seeking. Your family dentist can perform all the same services as both a pediatric dentist and a general dentist, and will be able to address the cosmetic dental concerns of every member of your family. Family dentists can provide advice as to which procedures are age appropriate and give guidelines for when treatment is recommended.
If anyone in your family is not pleased with the appearance of their teeth, consult first with your family dentist to find out what cosmetic dental procedures and treatments are offered to improve the quality of their smile.
Sherman Oaks Orthodontist
Do you have questions about Invisalign? Maybe you’ve heard the name mentioned as an alternative to traditional metal braces, but you don’t know the specifics. Invisalign utilizes a series of clear plastic trays that are custom fit to your smile goals. Over time, the aligners slowly straighten teeth. When one tray’s goals are complete, the next tray begins its work. When the last aligner in the series is done, the smile is straight and the bite is corrected.
Your additional questions about Invisalign aligners might include the following:
- How long do I have to wear the aligners each day? Invisalign only works properly if the aligners are removed fewer than two hours each day, meaning wear time is 22 hours or more.
- When can I take them out? Invisalign is removed to eat and to clean your teeth and trays.
- How long does the total treatment take? Most adults in Invisalign complete their treatment in one to two years.
- What happens if I don’t wear my aligners as long as recommended? Wearing your aligners less than the total time recommended by your orthodontist will lead them to be less effective than intended. Treatment could take significantly longer to complete.
- What are my food restrictions while straightening my teeth with Invisalign? None! You can eat anything you like because you’ll remove your trays before eating.
- Is Invisalign right for me? If your oral and overall physical health is good, Invisalign is likely a very good fit for you. It’s recommended that Invisalign users have all of their adult teeth fully erupted prior to beginning Invisalign treatment.
Sherman Oaks Orthodontist
Invisalign is one of the most popular options for patients who wish to improve an imperfect smile without the hassle of traditional braces. However, Invisalign may not be a perfect choice for everyone.
How do you know if you are a good candidate for Invisalign? Consider the following:
- What problems are you trying to fix and what is their severity? Invisalign is best suited for milder cases of misalignment, crowded, or crooked teeth. More severe issues, such as large overbites, are better treated with more advanced orthodontic procedures.
- What is your age? Invisalign is an excellent choice for older teens and adults. Invisalign offers an attractive option that is virtually unnoticeable and, therefore, doesn’t affect the patient’s self-confidence the way traditional metal braces might. Children and younger teens are not the best candidates because their teeth and jaw are still growing.
- How committed are you to correcting your smile? While using the Invisalign aligners is easy, allowing you to remove them as necessary, they must remain in your mouth for a minimum of 22 hours a day. If you are not dedicated to following this treatment plan and remaining vigilant about wearing your aligners, treatment with Invisalign will not work.
Invisalign is known to be one of the easiest and most comfortable treatments for orthodontic problems. Using clear aligner trays to gently move your teeth, Invisalign is an easy and popular option. To better determine your suitability for Invisalign, schedule an appointment with a qualified orthodontist. Invisalign is an exciting option for patients who wish to fix their teeth without the hassle of traditional metal braces.
Sherman Oaks Orthodontist
If visits from the tooth fairy are coming to an end and your child’s permanent teeth are filling in, it is probably time to start considering a trip to the orthodontist. When a child’s permanent teeth begin erupting, a qualified orthodontist will be able to assess and detect possible problems with emerging teeth and jaw development and begin the process of planning treatment to correct these issues.
The American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists suggest children visit an orthodontist for evaluation by the age of seven, which is roughly the age most kids see the eruption of permanent teeth. Because an orthodontist is specially trained to align and straighten teeth, early detection of issues allows them to develop the best possible treatment plan.
Early assessment does not mean your child will begin the process of orthodontia immediately. However, this screening will allow your orthodontist to consider the best future treatment for bite problems, overcrowded or misaligned teeth. Some of these problems can be corrected at an early age through other dental treatment, resulting in shorter and less complicated orthodontic treatments.
In the past, correcting these types of issues with braces has been a single-phase process beginning after all primary teeth have fallen out and been replaced by permanent teeth. However, advances in orthodontic treatments have introduced a two-phase plan that can begin far earlier. Utilizing a dental appliance at a younger age followed by traditional braces can allow for a shorter treatment plan than the single-phase treatment.
To determine what type of treatment would be most beneficial to your child, consult with a qualified orthodontist as soon as you see permanent teeth make an appearance. This evaluation could mean the difference in shortening your child’s time in braces by months or even years and result in a lifetime of beautiful smiles.
Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA for braces
If you or a loved one recently began orthodontic treatment, you might be discovering that braces can lead to some level of discomfort. Some patients experience soreness of the cheeks, lips and tongue, while others have an overall ache in the teeth and jaw. Some patients develop moderate to severe headaches after braces application and/or after each adjustment.
If you are experiencing these headaches, you can take steps to get some relief.
- Over-the-counter medications that relieve pain and also reduce swelling are excellent choices to treat braces-related headaches. Ibuprofen is an excellent choice, as is naproxen sodium.
- Applying a cool cloth, ice pack, or bag of frozen vegetables (such as corn or peas) to your head, face and neck can relieve a headache.
- Drink something cool, like a milk shake, frozen yogurt or iced drink, slowly, so as not to get a “brain freeze.” Sometimes a beverage with a little caffeine can help alleviate a headache.
- Use your hands to massage your temples, neck and head. If you’re able, ask a friend or spouse to massage it for you. If possible, regular visits to a massage therapist can help reduce the severity of a headache.
- Avoid crunchy or chewy foods while your teeth ache. This can make your headache worse.
- Seek out pressure points, like those in the webbing between your thumb and forefinger, and apply pressure to help a headache go away.
- Spend time in a darkened, quiet room. Avoid bright lights and loud noises while your headache is present.
If your headaches persist, talk to your orthodontist for other tips to manage them. Your orthodontist should know what to do to help you deal with your orthodontia-related headaches.
Sherman Oaks Orthodontist
