Smiles are important. A person’s oral health can have a significant impact on his or her opportunities, self-confidence, and overall health. A beautiful smile and a more optimal level of health can be achieved by correcting crooked or misaligned teeth. A recent trend has been to entice patients with promises of equal quality care at a lower cost and without the need for in-office visits. Unfortunately, many people have discovered too late that these promises are false.

What is the mail-order trend?

The recent trend of remote orthodontic care, generally in the form of mail-order aligners, has been causing havoc for so many people. In recent years, private companies have advertised online that they will provide clear aligners that are similar to those used by orthodontists’ offices. They claim to be able to provide the same level of care at a lower cost without the need for office visits.

Is there a problem?

A number of problems may arise during the remote care process. An orthodontist fabricates your aligners based on a digital scan of your mouth. Each aligner in the series is custom-created in order to guide your teeth into their proper positions. As a result, the aligners are a precise fit for your mouth and teeth.

Aligners manufactured by mail order are fabricated from a mold of your teeth taken without the assistance of a dental professional to ensure that the aligners are placed and fitted correctly. In general, molds are less accurate than digital scans, which may result in an incorrect fit for the aligner.

During professional orthodontic care, such as that offered by our orthodontist in Palos Hills, you will visit our office for a series of appointments, during which our Palos Hills IL Orthodontist will evaluate your progress and monitor for any early warning signs of complications. Unless you follow recommended guidelines, your treatment can be prolonged, so these appointments are essential to ensuring the most successful outcome possible.

During remote orthodontic treatment, your care is overseen by a doctor you have never met in person. While you will generally be able to email with questions or concerns, it is your responsibility to determine whether there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Following the recommended guidelines can prevent your treatment from being prolonged, so these appointments are essential to the success of your treatment.

If you are considering straightening your teeth, do not let false promises or cheap alternatives influence your decision. Make an appointment with our Palos Hills Orthodontist and feel confident about your investment in your smile.

We are all aware of the aesthetic problems associated with misaligned teeth and jaws. Despite this, the consequences of malocclusion extend far beyond aesthetics, negatively affecting your oral and overall health. In this article, we will discuss some of the most serious health effects that malocclusion can have on the body. We will also explain why orthodontic treatment is necessary and potentially lifesaving.

Hygiene:

If your teeth are not aligned correctly, it can be extremely difficult for your toothbrush to reach all the places that it should. The result is the accumulation of plaque and tartar on teeth, which can lead to tooth decay, periodontal disease, and an even more problematic bite. Apart from the unenviable prospect of losing teeth due to tooth decay or periodontal disease, this condition also leaves your remaining teeth susceptible to decay in a domino-like manner. Make sure you avoid this fate by receiving orthodontic care.

Speech:

In addition to proper hygiene, the condition of your teeth and jaw can have a serious impact on your ability to speak clearly. You may experience speech impairments or breathing difficulties as a result of a malocclusion.

Diet:

You may not have considered this as one of the effects of a misaligned bite. If your bite is not functioning properly, it can affect your ability to consume the foods you need to remain properly nourished. As a result, patients may begin eating foods they shouldn’t be eating, gain serious weight, or lose too much weight by not eating at all.

Malnutrition and the resulting variations in weight cause a wide variety of health problems that are too numerous to list in this short blog. However, you can certainly imagine the negative effects on your health. Some of these conditions include high blood pressure, strokes, osteoporosis, depression, and some types of cancer.

It is good news that professional orthodontic care can prevent all of these negative effects from occurring in the first place. In order to enjoy your life to the fullest, our orthodontic team is committed to providing you with the healthiest smile possible. Our office can help you obtain the care you need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

There are many different parts to your braces, all of which might interfere with your ability to brush your teeth thoroughly. After every meal, your wires, brackets, and bands can trap food particles, even if you feel like your mouth is completely clean. You can maintain excellent oral health throughout your orthodontic treatment and beyond by giving your mouth a quick rinse and brushing after meals.

How to brush effectively:

The braces themselves can become breeding grounds for bacteria if you are not diligent about keeping them clean. If you are brushing your teeth with braces, it is critical to make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies, as there are many of them. The best way to target the areas between brackets and bands is to brush your teeth from different angles. Taking your time is important; you should expect to brush for longer periods of time and more thoroughly with braces.

You should also rinse your mouth with water regularly to remove any debris that may have remained in your bands or brackets. This rinse could help remove stubborn food particles left in your braces after a meal. It also prevents plaque buildup or tooth decay if you do not have a toothbrush with you. 

Brush, but don’t overdo it.

When you have braces, should you brush more frequently? Yes, but do not overdo it. It is not necessary to brush your teeth more than ten times a day if you have braces. Additionally, it does not imply that you should brush aggressively.

Don’t forget to floss.

A significant portion of your tooth enamel is covered by brackets when you have braces on your teeth. Additionally, you have wires and rubber bands. Combined, these factors create a multitude of small spaces in which food particles may be trapped. In the absence of braces, food particles can still get trapped, usually between the teeth, but this is far less likely than when braces are worn.

You should floss at least once a day and more frequently if necessary. It is difficult to floss with braces, but most drug stores and supermarkets sell tools that make it easier to thread floss around wires and brackets.

It is important to take care of your mouth. There should never be any discomfort or pain experienced while brushing. In order to maintain a healthy smile after your braces have been removed, you should rinse and brush your teeth thoroughly in the morning, at night, and after meals. For more information on optimal oral health or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office. Our team is available to assist you.

When you wear braces, you achieve a beautiful, straight smile, but how do you maintain these results after treatment? The final results of your orthodontic treatment are dependent on your retainer. The purpose of retainers is to maintain the position of straightened teeth. Discover more about retainers and how to care for them at home by reading the information below.

The types of retainers

You may be recommended to wear one of the following types of retainers:

Clear retainers: A removable, clear plastic tray that is worn over the teeth.

Traditional Retainers: A removable acrylic and wire appliance that fits over the front of the teeth.

Bonded Retainer: A thin, fixed wire that is temporarily bonded to the anterior teeth on the lingual (tongue) side.

Other ways retainers help

Retainers provide many benefits in addition to maintaining straight teeth. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, which reduces plaque buildup and the risk of tooth decay. There are certain types of retainers that may be helpful in improving snoring and breathing at night. Additionally, retainers may be used to adjust the placement of your child’s tongue, thereby assisting with speech difficulties and vocabulary development.

Here are some tips to help you remember your retainer.

• Use your cell phone to set daily reminders to remind you to insert your retainer before going to sleep.
• If you have a designated retainer spot, you will not forget where you left your retainer if you misplace it.
• You can always use Post-Its to remind yourself! They are bright and colorful and serve as a pleasant reminder.
• It is okay to ask for helpful reminders through the buddy system. Consider asking a sibling, spouse, or friend to help you remember with periodic check-ins and nudges.

Retainer care 

As with teeth, retainers should be brushed daily with toothpaste. Brush the entire area gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure that you are extra careful around the wires so they do not bend out of place.

Maintaining your retainer is an essential part of completing your orthodontic treatment, so take good care of it, and it will take good care of you. The retention phase begins once your braces have been removed. In order to maintain your newly straight smile, it is vital that you follow through with tooth retention.

For more information about retainers, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

When you take care of your braces or Invisalign® results correctly, you can have a beautiful straightened smile for life! It is common for orthodontic patients to need to wear retainers for the rest of their lives to ensure that their teeth do not shift out of position again after completing their treatment. A single retainer, however, will not last you that long. In order to keep your smile straight and healthy, here are the top four signs that it’s time to get a new one.

There are small cracks in your retainer.

Take a close look at your retainer the next time you wear it—do you see any small cracks or chips? Damaged retainers are one of the most obvious signs that they need to be replaced. It may seem like these cracks are small now, but they will only grow over time. It won’t be long before your retainer can’t keep your teeth in their ideal position.

Your retainer feels loose or uncomfortable.

Having a retainer that doesn’t fit well is another sign that it needs to be replaced. Your retainer will naturally wear down and lose its shape over time. It will also weaken faster if it is soaked in harsh cleaning chemicals or strong mouthwashes. It will not be able to hold your teeth in place effectively if it does not fit closely against your teeth. You may also lose the shape of your retainer if you grind your teeth at night or clean it with boiling water or in the dishwasher. A poorly fitting retainer will not only fail to keep your teeth straight, but could also cause harm to your jaws, teeth, or soft tissues. When it does not fit properly, it is best to have it replaced as soon as possible.

There is too much calcium buildup on your retainer.

Your retainer can begin to build up calcium, even if you practice good dental habits. The white-yellow material is also known as tartar, which is hardened plaque. The rough surface is porous enough to accumulate bacteria, which can cause oral health issues. In the same way that tartar builds up on your teeth, it can only be removed by a dentist or orthodontist. Replace your retainer if you notice calcium buildup on it.

The retainer smells bad.

Does your retainer smell like morning breath? It is most likely caused by an accumulation of oral bacteria. The mouth contains over 700 different types of bacteria, which easily accumulate during the night as you sleep. These particles will decay if you do not maintain proper oral hygiene, releasing foul-smelling gases and making your retainer stink. This is not only unpleasant, but it puts you at a higher risk of oral health issues like gum disease and cavities. Replace your retainer if it smells bad to keep your smile healthy and fresh!

In order to maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment, you must wear your retainer. By replacing your retainer every few years, you can keep your new, beautiful smile for life.

Our orthodontic office is proud to assist patients of all ages in achieving straighter, healthier smiles and maintaining them for life. From pediatric orthodontics to adult braces and everything in between, we are confident in our treatment. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation.

If you are seeking a time-tested orthodontic solution to straighten your teeth and improve your smile, you may want to consider traditional metal braces. In today’s world, braces are smaller, less noticeable, and more comfortable than ever before! You can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted with the help of our trusted orthodontic team.

Braces: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Traditional metal braces are the most affordable, durable, and effective method for straightening your teeth and improving your appearance. Metal brackets are attached to the front of your teeth, and flexible wires or archwires connect the brackets. It is common for braces to include rubber bands or metal ties that connect the brackets to the wire, creating more pressure to straighten your teeth.

With braces, you can align your teeth by applying just the right amount of pressure. Below the teeth, gums, and bones is a membrane that moves in response to pressure and gradually repositions itself. The bones under the teeth are also altered in shape, gradually shifting your teeth into the desired position. As your teeth move into place, bone and tissue grow in the space left behind, which, combined with the use of a retainer, helps preserve your new smile.

Traditional braces correct what conditions?

Almost any orthodontic concern can be corrected with traditional braces, including gapped, crowded, or severely misaligned teeth. Additionally, they can correct problems with the bite, including underbites, crossbites, open bites, and overbites. For complicated orthodontic cases, traditional braces are the best option due to their effectiveness and versatility.

What is the best way to keep your braces clean?

Keeping your mouth healthy is important for everyone, but especially for those who wear braces. Start your cleaning routine by rinsing your mouth to remove any loose food particles. Using a soft-bristled brush, angle it to remove any food that has accumulated on the top of your brackets and brush along your gum line. Be sure to brush your teeth from the bottom of your brackets upward and to brush each tooth, front and back. To prevent food particles from becoming trapped in your mouth, rinse your mouth after every meal or snack.

You should also floss regularly. You can use a floss threader or floss picks, whichever is easier for you. Feed your floss between your teeth and under your wires. You shouldn’t tug on the floss when it’s under a wire. If any loose food debris remains in your mouth, rinse it away with water. You may also benefit from using an irrigator to keep your mouth clean.

Get in touch with our friendly orthodontic team to learn more about straightening your teeth and perfecting your smile with traditional braces. We are dedicated to providing our valued patients with a lifetime of beautiful smiles. Make an appointment with our orthodontic office today.

Orthodontics is often thought of as a treatment for children and adolescents. However, there are many benefits of orthodontics for adults as well. Orthodontics can improve your oral health, your appearance, and your self-esteem. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of orthodontics for adults and why it’s never too late to get braces.

Orthodontics is important for adults for several reasons. First, it can help with the function of your teeth and jaws. Second, it can improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. Third, it can help prevent or reduce problems with your teeth and jaws later in life.

So if you’re an adult who is considering orthodontic treatment, know that you’re not alone. Orthodontics can be a great way to improve your oral health and your overall well-being.

What are the benefits of orthodontics for adults?

Orthodontics is not just for teenagers. More and more adults are seeking treatment to straighten their teeth and achieve a more attractive smile. While the most obvious benefit of orthodontics is an improved appearance, there are also many other benefits that can improve your overall oral health.

Some of the benefits of orthodontics for adults include:

• Improved oral health: Straight teeth are easier to clean and less likely to develop cavities or other problems.
• Corrected bite: Orthodontic treatment can correct a misaligned bite, which can help to alleviate pain and prevent further damage to the teeth.
• Improved self-esteem: A straighter, more attractive smile can boost self-confidence and help you feel better about yourself.

How can orthodontics improve your life?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontic treatment can improve the appearance of your teeth and jaws, and it can also help improve your bite. In addition, orthodontic treatment can also help to improve your overall oral health.

If you are considering orthodontic treatment, then you may be wondering how it can improve your life. Here are some ways that orthodontics can improve your life shared by our orthodontist in 60465:

• Orthodontics can improve the appearance of your teeth and jaws.
• Orthodontics can help to improve your bite.
• Orthodontics can help to improve your overall oral health.
• Orthodontics can help to improve your self-esteem and confidence.

Are there any risks associated with orthodontics for adults?

Orthodontics for adults is a growing trend, but there are some risks associated with it. The most common complication is root resorption, which is when the roots of the teeth start to dissolve. This can happen when the braces put too much pressure on the teeth. It’s important to consult with an orthodontist before getting braces to make sure that you are a good candidate for the treatment and to discuss the risks involved.

Orthodontics can provide many benefits for adults, including improved oral health, a more aesthetically pleasing smile, and increased self-confidence. While the decision to pursue orthodontic treatment is a personal one, it is important to consult with a qualified orthodontist to learn about the treatment options available and to develop a treatment plan that meets your individual needs. Please contact our Palos Hills, IL orthodontics office to schedule a consultation.

Once your orthodontic treatment begins, you will need to visit our orthodontist in Palos Hills at regular intervals. We will explain the importance of regular orthodontic appointments during your initial consultation. Our Palos Hills orthodontics team agrees that practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding certain habits can help you and your family save money while preventing tooth decay.

What is the significance of regular appointments?

Braces are made up of wires and brackets that cover parts of the surface of your teeth. The attachments create areas where food particles and plaque can accumulate, putting you at risk for cavities. Brushing and flossing between meals are important steps, but regular orthodontic appointments are critical in preventing dental problems.

It is also important to note that patients should see their general dentist twice a year. Orthodontists are trained in general dentistry, but only your personal dentist understands your specific oral health requirements.

Regular visits to our orthodontic office can help ensure that your treatments are completed on time. Your follow-up visits, also known as “adjustment appointments,” allow us to replace worn-out bands, monitor your progress, and make any necessary adjustments. If a component of your braces has become loosened, damaged, or broken, we can repair it during your visit. Failure to keep your braces clean can result in a longer treatment time.

We will also visually inspect the movement of your teeth. Adjustments can be made if one or more teeth are not moving according to your treatment timeline.

Our orthodontist will look for signs of complications during your braces appointments, which can include:

• Injuries to the soft tissues
• Sores on the lips
• Tooth decay
• Problems with tooth alignment
• Demineralization

Teens: Special Considerations

If you are the parent of a teen who is undergoing orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to remind your teen about appointments. Teenagers are more likely to have compliance issues. During your braces appointments, our orthodontist will be able to tell if your child is not properly cleaning his or her braces. We can also discuss important topics like oral hygiene and maintenance during our appointments.

Brushing Suggestions

• Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
• Brush gently in a circular motion.
• Brush each tooth’s surface, including the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.
• Brush the inner surface of your front teeth with the brush’s tip.

Flossing Suggestions

• Use floss that is about 18 inches long and thread it carefully between the braces and wire, or use a floss threader.
• Floss around your braces with care.
• Floss first around your gums, then your teeth.

Regular orthodontic appointments

You can keep your orthodontic treatment timeline on track and avoid gum disease and tooth decay by attending regular orthodontic appointments at intervals determined by our orthodontist. Braces appointments are an excellent opportunity to ask questions, describe issues, and receive advice on proper braces hygiene and maintenance. To schedule your next appointment, please contact our orthodontics office in Palos Hills, IL.