Orthodontic Info

What is Invisalign?

December 22, 2012 by Otto

Invisalign, is the new way many people are opting for when it comes to straightening their teeth. A NYC Invisalign provider presents some great information about Invisalign.

Invisalign is a series of clear retainers that gradually straightener yout teeth. They’re nearly invisable, completely removable for eating, and incredibly effective. When you consult with your orthodontist then you’ll be able to determine the appropriate length of time you will need your retainers. Often, the average length of use is 18 months.

Both metal braces and Invisalign cost roughly the same on average at around $5000. However, it does depend on what your teeth need.

Sometimes Invisalign is the only thing that will close certain gaps in teeth, correct certain alignments and will do it with out having to glue shaper, metal braces to your teeth. While the retainers are tight and you are required to wear 23 hrs a day at least, often the retainers aren’t as bad as conventional metal braces.

There are many positives when it comes to choosing Invisalign. Check with your orthodontist to see if you’re a good candidate for them and start straightening your smile!

Filed Under: Ortho Methods, Orthodontic Info

2022: How Will Dentistry Evolve Over the Next Decade

December 21, 2012 by Andy

No one will be afraid to go to the dentist any more by the year 2022. Nearly all the pain has been taken out of dentistry already, but patients are only now beginning to catch on. In the next ten years people will come to expect painless, high-quality dental care, and the treatments will be faster, easier, and more thorough than ever before.

Most people are unaware of how advanced dentistry has already become. High-quality anesthetics, 3D printers, digital imaging, basic nanotechnology, and creative patient care are all here today. In the next ten years they will become common and inexpensive. Everyone will know that a dentist can find the problem, go straight to it, and fix it on the first try. What is more, it will not hurt. With modern dental technology even those undergoing the most invasive of dental procedures will only feel the sting of the needle when the anesthetic goes in. Within the next ten years that sting will be gone, and dentistry will be truly painless. What is more, patients will be so well cared for and expertly distracted while the dentist works that they will barely notice even the surgery.

But they won’t need dental surgery, because teeth will be healthier in 2022 than they ever were before. Decades of improving food, water treatment, and readily available preventative care will combine to help people keep their teeth in their heads, and the steady decline of cigarette smoking will not hurt either. Over the last ten years a lot of children have had their teeth “sealed,” which means that a transparent plastic film was bonded to them in their youth and bacteria cannot penetrate it. These children will never have cavities, ever. They will have little need for the dentist in 2022. If sealing does not appeal to you, there are other methods available. Dentists will use silica particles, no larger than a single atom in size, to polish the teeth. This impossibly fine grit will polish a tooth’s surface so impossibly smooth that bacteria can find nothing to cling to. Faced with tooth enamel that is as smooth as glass, the bacteria simply fall away.

MRI and other imaging technologies will get better, faster, and more detailed. The dentist will never miss another spot of plaque or infection. Targeted antibiotics will gain in popularity. Instead of troubling the body with a broad-spectrum antibiotic that never quite gets the entire infection, dentists will inject antibiotic cultures directly into the problem area, and then observe how the infection reacts. Once they know what sort of antibiotic works best on that particular bacteria, they make will short work of it.

This is only the beginning. The art of dentistry has nearly been perfected, and in the next ten years we will all begin to see the benefits. Expect your trip to the dentist in 2022 to be not only painless, but enjoyable.

Author Bio

Andy is a dental marketing consultant, author and blogger. With a professional dental direct mail campaign from 123 Postcards, you get guaranteed ROI, a dedicated account manager, and new patients with every mailing. For the best in marketing for dentist, choose 123 Postcards.

Filed Under: Orthodontic Info

5 Foods You Should Avoid When You Have Braces

October 22, 2012 by Andy

Getting braces is a step towards getting that smile you has always dreamed of. However, having braces will change certain aspects of your lifestyle. Now, there are certain foods that you shouldn’t eat as they could either damage your braces, or affect the look of your smile once the braces are removed. What follows is a list of the top five types of food to avoid if you have braces.

1. Hard Foods

There are a lot of things that are included in this category and the main reason why is that they can cause breaking of the brackets or wires of your braces. Hard foods include most crisp raw vegetables such as celery or carrots. Hand fruits should also not be eaten whole. Apples, pears, etc., should be cut cut into wedges or chunks before being eaten. Hard candies should also be avoided, as should hard nuts.

2. Chewy Candies and Gum

Not only are these things typically loaded with sugar, the chewiness puts you at risk of damaging the wires or brackets of your braces.

3. High Acid Foods and Beverages

Food and drinks with high acid levels in them, such as citrus fruits and soda, can not only damage enamel, they can lead to the discoloration of your teeth. The tooth under the bracket of your braces will not be affected, meaning you could end up with noticeable color differences in your teeth once your braces are removed.

4. Excessive Sugar

These foods should be avoided for the same reason as above. If you do consume something with a lot of sugar in it, be sure to brush your teeth and clean your braces as soon as possible after eating.

5. Meat on Bones

While ribs and chicken wings are delightful, eating them with braces can pose a significant risk of damaging the brackets, wires, or other “gear” in your mouth. While you have braces choose boneless wings and either avoid meat on the bone or cut the meat from the bone before eating it.

As tasty as these foods are, it is worth it to avoid them the short time you have braces. This will help to ensure that you get the most out of your orthodontic work and you will have plenty of time to enjoy things like corn on the cob once you have a fantastic smile. Avoiding these foods will also save embarrassing stains or uncomfortable trips to the orthodontist as a result of breakages.

Author Bio:

Andy is currently promoting Dentist in Copperas Cove and is an expert with dental software from information he found on http://www.dentrix.com. When he is not working he enjoys target shooting in the outdoors.

Filed Under: Orthodontic Info

Enamel Enhancers

September 3, 2012 by Wendell

There are plenty of toothpastes and rinses that you can buy that help you to build enamel coating on your teeth. Foods with sugars and such are not typically good for your teeth because when it is not washed out all the way, it begins to wear at your enamel and that is what gives you sensitive teeth. However, there are some foods that you can eat that help you to build that enamel back up without having to buy the expensive products at the store that can damage your mouth in other ways.

Teeth are like bones, in that they benefit from the intake of calcium. Dairy products are full of calcium and are good for you to eat when you have sensitive teeth. Things such as milk and yogurt are low in sugar and acidity which means that your teeth will not ache after eating them. The low acidity also helps to balance the pH in your mouth which keeps breath smelling good and your teeth feeling great!

Believe it or not, onions are good for your teeth. They have a compound in them that is anti-bacterial which helps to kill those nasty bacteria that make your gums and teeth ache. Make sure that you brush your teeth after, but it could end up being good for you!

Some other random foods include sesame seeds, fruits, green tea, and lots of water. Keep that in mind so that you can avoid sensitive teeth!

Filed Under: Orthodontic Info

Mouth Matters [Infographic]

August 1, 2012 by Jacob

There are many “fun facts” when it comes to the history of dental hygiene. Check out this infographic if you’ve ever wondered who first used the toothbrush, why flossing is important or whether it really is true that a certain type of chocolate is actually GOOD for your teeth? Find the answers to those, and other questions in this Mouth Matters infographic:

Find out more on the Melaleuca Blog