Archive | Orthodontics RSS feed for this section

Got Braces?

19 Sep

What are Braces?

Braces are applications that dentists put on a patient’s teeth to make them straight so that they can have a leveled bite using both the upper and lower teeth.

A dentist would advice a patient on the best type of braces to use depending on availability, cost, age and maybe even health reasons, depending on the allergies the patient suffers from.

Anyone can use braces, but children respond best to them when they have problems with their teeth, because their bones are still growing unlike adults who may not achieve very good results due to age.

A dentist will first have to identify the root cause of the problem and develop a treatment program. They will advise the patient on the best application necessary, and then treat them by use of the preferred application. Thereafter, they would then monitor the patient’s progress during and after the treatment, to ensure that the teeth are well leveled. Treatment usually takes between 1 to 3 years and is faster for children as indicated above.

Reasons for Having Braces

People use these applications when the lower and upper teeth do not meet properly and it may be caused by several reasons such as genetics and thumb sucking. It could even be accidental. A bad road accident can damage ones jaw, therefore causing them to use braces to rectify the problem.

Unleveled or scattered teeth can lead to jaw problems and may also affect the way a person chews their food, as well as how they speak. This can easily make one lose their self esteem leading to their being embarrassed of their appearance.

Children are more conscious of their teeth, especially when they are school going, because a child may not be courageous enough to face a bully who makes fun of their appearance. If this is not checked, it may impact negatively on the child’s self esteem and that is why most parents go out of their way to purchase their children braces if they have this problem.

In general people get braces so that they can have leveled teeth. This is because they are easy to clean and cavities may not form as easily as they would in a mouth with scattered teeth.

Scattered teeth are not so easy to clean and can hide germs in areas where a toothbrush may not be able to reach.

Different Types of Braces

There are various types of these applications and each depends on a person’s preference as well as their ability to afford. Braces could be metallic, gold, clear, and invisible and they all vary in price. A dentist is always better placed to advise a client on what is available and what is best for them, depending on their health situation.

They also vary in terms of how they are stuck inside a person’s mouth. Some can only be removed by the dentist whereas, others can easily be removed by the patient anytime they want to clean their teeth or sleep.

Great care should be taken by the wearers of braces, and those engaged in sports are advised to use brace guards for their own protection as well as for the applications.

These applications resolve the scattered and unlevel teeth problem by exerting gradual force on the teeth to make them level by slowly moving them over time.

Nobody should go through life unhappy with their appearance and in need of braces because a dentist can always work out a treatment program which is affordable by anyone who is willing to pay.

Call us today for a complimentary consultation to find out which options are better for you.

Tags: ,

How to Avoid Gum Disease

4 Sep
Smile with confidence with Invisalign
Smile with confidence with Invisalign

 “The mouth is a mirror, it reflects general health or disease” 

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease, you’re not alone. An estimated 80% of American adults currently have some form of gum disease, ranging from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Not only is gum disease a threat to your oral health that can lead to tooth loss, but research also points to health effects of periodontal disease that go well beyond your mouth.    

The Correlation Between Misaligned Teeth and Periodontal Disease.

Did you know that a major cause of periodontal disease is poorly aligned teeth? This is because the bacteria living in the gums around crowded teeth are much more toxic and destructive than the normal bacteria found in healthy mouths! In fact, the misalignment that leads to periodontal disease continues to remain one of the most overlooked risk factors.

Research has shown that mouth infections and inflammation caused by periodontal disease can play havoc throughout the body. There is a proven association between periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as:

  • Diabetes:
    People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes. Those people who don’t have their diabetes under control are especially at risk. (1)
  • Stroke:
    Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. In one study that looked at the causal relationship of oral infection as a risk factor for stroke, people diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia were found more likely to have an oral infection when compared to those in the control group.
  • Respiratory Infection:
    Bacteria in your mouth can be aspirated into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with gum disease.   
  • Severe Osteopenia:
    Osteoporosis may lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone supporting the teeth may be decreased.  
  • Pre-term or Low Birthweight Babies:
    Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.      

Treatment is Key

If your teeth are misaligned, it could be more than a cosmetic issue. Undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth may be a critical part of ensuring your overall health.       Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that allows doctors to straighten teeth using a series of clear, removable, nearly invisible, plastic appliances called aligners. Since Invisalign is removable, you can brush and floss normally, which helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. In fact, clinical studies have shown that gingival health may improve with the use of Invisalign during orthodontic treatment. (2)         

Straighter teeth are Healthier Teeth

Straight teeth are healthier teeth and can lead to:   

Healthier Gums:  Properly positioned teeth are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crowded, crooked, or spaced too far apart. Properly aligned teeth can help gums “fit” tighter around them, which may lead to better periodontal health. (3)  

Easier Cleanings:  With maintenance of good oral hygiene, the chances of having plaque retention, tooth decay, and periodontal disease can be reduced. If your teeth are misaligned, consider Invisalign to straighten your teeth and help prevent periodontal disease—all without the hassle of brackets and wires.  

So consider Invisalign to straigthen your teeth and to protect you from gum disease.
  1. Journal of Periodontology, November 1999, Vol. 70, No. 11, Pages 1313-1321. Heightened Gingival Inflammation and Attachment Loss in Type 2 Diabetics with Hyperlipidemia. Christopher W. Cutler, MD, Robert L. Machen, Ravi Jotwani, Anthony M. Iacopino. 
  2. Presented at the AADR in San Antonio, Effect of Invisalign® Aligners on Periodontal Tissues, Taylor, MG; McGorray, SP; Durrett, S; Pavlow, S; Downey, N; Lenk, M; Oxford, E; Dolce, C; Wheeler, TT.
  3. Ong et al., 1998 Boyd and Baumrind. 1992. Zachrisson and Zachrisson, 1972

   

Tags: , , , ,

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.