Monday, November 26, 2012

Orthodontics for Children and Adults


Advancements in the field of orthodontics include innovative orthodontic treatments that address dental anomalies effectively, with least discomfort for the patients. Utilizing these effective, comfortable treatment options children and adults can straighten their misaligned teeth, and benefit from a charming, dazzling smile as well as improved facial appearance.

Dental Anomalies that Can Be Treated with Orthodontic Procedures
Crooked teeth, protruded teeth, crossbites, openbites, overbites and underbites can be successfully corrected with orthodontic braces. With dental irregularities out of the way, children and adults can also improve their physical fitness by avoiding tooth loss, abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, gum diseases, chewing problems, digestion disorders and speech impairments.  

Thorough Evaluation Necessary to Finalize the Treatment Procedure
Before prescribing orthodontic procedures, orthodontists examine the structure of the teeth, face and jaws of their patients through X-rays, photographs and bite impressions. Metal braces, ceramic braces or Invisalign braces will be recommended on the basis of this evaluation. Traditional metal braces are usually recommended for children. These braces are strong and also cost-effective. Clear ceramic braces, known as tooth-colored braces are very smooth, translucent and are completely stain resistant. Invisalign invisible braces are mostly favored by adults and teens. Invisalign clear plastic aligners are specially designed using advanced 3D imaging technology. The patient has to wear one set of aligners for two weeks and replace it with a fresh set, to speed up the teeth straightening. Invisalign braces promote good oral hygiene. Patients can eat, drink, brush and floss normally. Moreover, these braces are virtually invisible, so the treatment can be completed without the knowledge of others.

An Experienced Orthodontist Is Most Important
Only an experienced orthodontist can correctly determine the braces that are most suitable for children and adults. Besides, your orthodontist should be able to educate you on the orthodontic options available, and why a particular procedure is most suitable for you. In this technology age, the doctor can even show you the after treatment images on the computer, so that you can have a clear idea of the results you can expect.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Invisalign: What happens after treatment is completed?

Invisalign treatment is a treatment used by an orthodontist to straighten or realign teeth in order to improve the aesthetic qualities of a person’s smile, or to correct dental anomalies that might exist in the patient’s mouth, such as overbites, underbites, and malocclusions.

 Invisalign differs from conventional braces treatments in several ways; not least of all, they are made of a clear material, and so are virtually invisible when worn. Invisalign can also be removed, and so wearers are able to enjoy food and drinks that would otherwise be off limits with conventional braces. The ability to remove Invisalign aids the cleaning process too, making them easy to maintain.

The procedure involves the patient wearing a series of clear braces that have been specially developed by the orthodontist to slowly realign specific teeth into a new desired position. Once one set of Invisalign braces has completed its task, it is replaced with the next in the series; this continues until the desired result has been achieved.

Each set of retainers is typically worn for around two weeks, while regular visits to the orthodontist, typically around six week intervals, will ensure the treatment is progressing as planned.

Once the Invisalign treatment has been completed, the patient will require a retainer to be worn, typically during the night in order to bolster the now-realigned teeth. If a patient neglects to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment has concluded, they will experience their teeth beginning to shift naturally back to their preordained position in the mouth; undoing all the work of the treatment!

Over time, the jawbone around the realigned teeth begins to thicken and grow in density, which will help to keep the teeth in their new position. However, the support afforded by the bone is not sufficient to hold the teeth in their new position unaided, and so it is necessary to use a retainer to maintain the alignment. With Invisalign treatment, the final set of aligners used can often be repurposed as the retainer.

For more information about treatment with Invisalign, contact the office of Dr. Seth Newman, serving Nassau County, to schedule your informative consultation today.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Importance of Plaque Control During Orthodontic Treatment

Everyone knows the importance of keeping plaque under control for the good of our dental health; this is especially important during periods of dental treatment.

For any patient who is undergoing orthodontic treatments, such as braces, it is important to follow the instructions of the orthodontist, who can advise on good dental hygiene habits to help minimize the likliehood of tooth decay during treatment. Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on our teeth and gumline due to bacteria in the mouth. It is a natural occurring substance, but regular brushing and flossing of the teeth helps to remove plaque. Plaque that is not removed can build up and solidify into a harder substance called tartar. Tartar is more difficult to remove, and often requires the services of a dental hygienist to successfully get rid of tartar build up. Plaque and tartar, if not removed, can lead to tooth decay.

Orthodontic treatment can make keeping the teeth clean more challenging; the supports and wires used in treatment can interfere with the patient’s normal dental hygiene program. Brushing and flossing become less effective, and plaque build-up is harder to prevent. As a result, it’s vitally important to ensure a good dental hygiene program is maintained.

An orthodontist is able to advise on a series of measures that can help to minimize the risks associated with plaque build up during orthodontic treatment.

These steps include the avoidance of sticky or sugary foods and drinks, advice on how to brush and floss while wearing braces, the best type of toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to use, advice on using flouride mouthwashes to wash away bacteria, and of course regular dental visits to ensure dental health is being maintained, and to counter any problems that may have arisen.

Following the orthodontist’s advice on dental hygiene while wearing braces can help minimize the risks associated with plaque and tooth decay during braces treatment, helping to keep teeth clean and healthy during orthodontic treatment.

Contact Newman Orthodontics, serving Nassau County, at 516-626-2060 for additional information.