Attention all tooth-havers! It's time to brush up on the difference between dentists and orthodontists. Why should you care? Because knowledge is power, and power leads to a winning smile!
Let's start with dentists. These are your go-to doctors for everything teeth and gums. Fillings, cleanings, cavities - dentists have got you covered. They're like the GPs of the mouth. Sure, they may not get your heart racing, but they provide the baseline dental care we all need. Dentists are there for all your routine dental checkups and procedures. They can take x-rays, clean your teeth, fill cavities, and treat gum disease. You see your trusty dentist twice a year for cleanings to keep your smile sparkling.
Now onto orthodontists - the Connor McDavids of the dental world. Orthodontists specialize in aligning and straightening teeth. Basically, they take disorganized chompers and whip them into photoshoot-ready shape. Braces, retainers, aligners - you name it, orthodontists are the experts. They live for the thrill of the tooth straightening hunt. While your dentist keeps your mouth healthy, orthodontists focus on the aesthetics and alignment of your teeth. They use appliances like braces and Invisalign to gradually shift your teeth into the desired positions over time. An orthodontist is who you call when you want to transform your smile.
While dentists and orthodontists work closely together, there's a reason you don't see your dentist offering up metal wires and rubber bands. Orthodontics requires years of extra schooling and training beyond general dentistry. Orthodontists complete 2-3 years of additional education after dental school to specialize in movable appliances. So while your dentist may recommend you see an orthodontist, they aren't qualified to move your teeth themselves.
The next time you're in the chair wondering whether you're dealing with a dentist or orthodontist, remember - dentists are the Joes keeping your mouth healthy day-to-day, while orthodontists are the Special Forces called in when teeth need serious straightening out! With their powers combined, you're on track for a mouth that dazzles!
Teens. To say the least, they’re definitely something. So you took your teen into an orthodontic consultation for their teeth and were informed they should probably look into getting braces.
Before you even looked at them, you could feel the eye roll building up.
“Not going to happen. I don’t want them.”
The dreaded response, now you might be wondering how you can convince them with as little resistance as possible. But how can you do it? Well let us walk you through some of our tips on how to convince your teen how to get braces.
1. Talk with them first
The first thing you should do is find out why they’re apprehensive about getting braces. Many teenagers worry about their appearance, the length of treatment and what their friends will think. Finding out what exactly what is making them so uncomfortable is the first step in helping alleviate their worries.
If your teen is worried about..
What their friends will think
Remind them that many other kids their age have braces. Reference their friends, teachers or even celebrities they look up too to help them understand braces is a common thing and more than likely their friends will adjust to their new appearance quickly.
How long they will have to wear braces for
On average braces will be on your teen for around 24 months, now that may sound like a long time but the time literally flies by (and no we’re not just saying that). Many of our patients say the time in braces felt a lot shorter than it was.
They don’t want to be a metal mouth
Oh, long are the days of ugly braces! Kindly inform your teen there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the appearance of their braces. Of course, the original metal bracket look will still be there but there are also many other options for them to choose from. Advances in orthodontics have created a variety of different appeared braces.
Some alternatives include:
2. It’s either now or later, there’s no escaping
When it comes to orthodontic issues like — crossbite, underbite, overbite, crowded teeth or crooked teeth — they’re not going to just disappear overnight.
It’s important to make sure your teen knows that just because they don’t like some aspect of getting braces doesn’t mean that their problem ends there. Having a straight, healthy smile will prevent further damage and fix current problems.
An orthodontist can help fix:
Sometimes issues with your teeth can lead to other non-medical issues, when you fix your teeth it also can alleviate some of the following:
The sooner you teen gets in their braces, the sooner they’ll be out.
3. Healthy teeth require less dental visits
When we say “less dental visits,'' we don’t mean your teen gets a pass to missing routine checkups. While in orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist will check your teen’s teeth to make sure there is no food building up, also while in the chair the orthodontist will evaluate how your teen is cleaning and make recommendations to help keep their teeth in the best possible care.
Having this discussion with your teen about straightening their teeth with braces is important. Making sure their on board is one of the best way to have a easy treatment.
Are you facing some attachment issues with your Invisalign? No worries, we've got your back! It's common to feel a bit challenged when putting in or taking out aligners with those sneaky attachments, but fear not - we've got some tips to make the process a breeze!
Now, Let's Get 'Em In
When inserting your aligners, it's important to start with your front teeth and work your way to the back. Once the tray is fully covering your teeth, use your thumbs to seat them firmly. If you still feel your Invisalign isn't 100% seated, use your chewies to seat them all the way.
It's important to remember NEVER BITE YOUR ALIGNERS INTO PLACE! This can cause the tray to bend or worse, break. No bitey, use chewies instead. We don't want you looking like a hockey player with a missing tooth!
It's also important to not force your aligners in. If your aligner isn't fitting right or feels funny, it may have folded. If this happens, take your aligner out and gently unfold the area back outwards before trying again. Forcing it is a recipe for disaster (and potentially a very expensive one).
Let's Get 'Em Out
Now for removing your aligners, you want to do the reverse: instead of starting at the front, you're going to start at the back and work your way to the front. You want to take your finger and "flick" the tray downwards. This will release the tray and make it easier to get a hold of. Repeat this on both sides of your mouth, once you feel the tray has been released, grab both sides and gently pull down and forward over each tooth.
Like most things in life, excessive force is never necessary. If you try to forcibly remove your aligner, you could tear the aligner or even break off attachments on your teeth. And let's be real, no one wants to be that person at the orthodontist's office.
Pro-tip Alert:
For an easier removal process, aim for a drier mouth. Try not to sip on any drinks right before taking out your aligners for a smoother experience.
So there you have it - mastering the art of inserting and removing your Invisalign is all about finesse, patience, and a sprinkle of know-how. Say goodbye to attachment woes and hello to a seamless Invisalign journey!
Hey parents! Do you want your little one to grow up with a big, beautiful smile? Of course you do - you only want the best for your kiddo. But misaligned teeth could be getting in the way of their happiness. Let's chat about how misaligned teeth can affect your child, and what you can do to help.
But before we get into how a crooked smile can impact your child’s life, what causes it in the first place?
First thing's first - what causes crooked teeth anyway? Genetics are the main culprit. If you or your partner have had braces or other orthodontic work, chances are high your child will too.
Other reasons can include:
Now onto the effects. There are psychological and physical impacts of crooked teeth.
Psychological Effects
Psychologically, kids with crooked teeth may be more self-conscious. They might not smile as much or interact as freely with peers because they're embarrassed about their teeth. Just imagine not wanting to smile! Research shows that improving physical traits like teeth boosts self-esteem and social skills. Straighter teeth help kids smile bigger and shine brighter.
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Physical Effects
Physically, straight teeth are easier to keep clean. With crooked teeth, plaque and bacteria get trapped in nooks and crannies. It's also tougher to learn proper brushing and flossing. This can lead to cavities, decay, and other dental woes. No one wants their kid to deal with toothaches!
So what's the fix? Bring your kiddo in for an orthodontic evaluation - no referral needed! The Canadian Orthodontic Association recommends age 7 as the latest for the first visit. Booking a free consultation is super easy and starts you on the path to giving your child healthy, happy, confident smiles for years to come. Let's get those teeth straightened out and keep your child smiling and thriving!
How's that? I aimed for a fun, engaging tone with helpful info for parents. Let me know if you would like me to modify or expand on any part!
Booking your free consultation is easy, ensuring your child grows up healthy, happy and confident. Begin the journey today!