Orthodontist in Palos Hills

Orthodontic treatment is a specialized type of dental care that focuses on correcting the alignment of the teeth and jaws. The goal of orthodontic treatment is to improve the overall dental health and appearance of the patient by straightening the teeth and correcting any bite issues. Orthodontic treatment can be done in two phases: the first phase focuses on the active treatment of the teeth and jaws, while the second phase focuses on maintenance and stabilization of the new alignment. Both phases of orthodontic treatment are essential for achieving optimal results. 

Phase I Orthodontic Treatment

The first phase of orthodontic treatment involves actively correcting the alignment of the teeth and jaws. During this phase, the patient will typically receive braces or other appliances such as expanders, retainers, and headgear. These orthodontic appliances are designed to slowly but effectively move the teeth into the desired position. This is often a lengthy process, as it can take several months or even years for the teeth to fully move into the desired position. During this time, the patient must be diligent about following the instructions of their orthodontist in order to achieve the best results. 

Phase II Orthodontic Treatment

The second phase of orthodontic treatment focuses on maintaining and stabilizing the new alignment of the teeth and jaws. This phase typically involves the patient wearing retainers or other appliances that keep the teeth in their new position. Retainers are typically worn full-time for the first 6 months after the active treatment phase, and then can be worn part-time. The goal of this phase is to ensure that the teeth stay in their newly corrected position, and to prevent any relapse of the misalignment. 

The Value of Two Phases 

The value of two phases of orthodontic treatment is immense. By actively correcting the alignment of the teeth and jaws, patients can improve their dental health, self-esteem, and overall appearance. Additionally, by maintaining and stabilizing the new alignment during the second phase, patients can ensure that their teeth will stay in the correct position long-term. This gives patients the confidence that their improved dental health and appearance is here to stay. 

Two phases of orthodontic treatment are essential for achieving long-term results and optimal dental health. By actively correcting the alignment of the teeth and jaws, and then maintaining and stabilizing the new alignment, patients can enjoy improved dental health and an enhanced appearance for years to come. Contact Paul DiFranco Orthodontics today to learn more from our Palos Hills Orthodontist. 

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.