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The Link Between Digestive Problems and Crooked Teeth

While most people associate misaligned (“crooked”) teeth with detracting from appearance, misaligned teeth (malocclusion) can also negatively impact chewing. Issues with chewing can result in reduced nutritional intake and poor health. This is a major reason why it’s important for parents to have their children’s teeth examined by a dentist while still very young and take the proper steps to correct any malocclusion problems as soon as possible. For adults, it’s never too late to have teeth straightened – especially as it can improve digestive health in addition to dramatically improving facial appearance.

THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF TEETH IN GOOD DIGESTION

We usually think of digestion as beginning in the stomach and moving on through the rest of the digestive tract, but the process actually begins in the mouth: saliva and teeth grind to break down food, allowing the nutrients it contains to be fully processed and absorbed by the intestines.

Furthermore, human teeth are designed for performing different functions of chewing: our sharpest teeth, the incisors, for biting pieces of food and moving it back to the mouth. Just behind the incisors are the canine teeth, with longer roots, which also aid in tearing and holding food.

The molars immediately follow and, with their flatter surfaces, are responsible for grinding and breaking down the food, at which point it is sent down to the esophagus and from there down into the stomach and the rest of the digestive tract.

How you chew food is as important as the food itself: you can be making healthy food choices but if you aren’t able to take advantage of them by chewing properly, you can lose a lot of precious nutrients. This can negatively impact your immune system and your overall health.

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY TMJ

If temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is present, often shows up as pain that occurs with jaw movements, such as facial pain, headaches, or a bite that is uncomfortable, which will make it difficult to chew normally. In such cases, we may recommend dental guards, surgery, or dental implants, which closely resemble the natural teeth in appearance and function, and are inserted into the bony area of the jaw.

HOW AN ORTHODONTIST CAN HELP

Patients who have been referred to Bracify 3D Orthodontics for care are in need of a specialist in treating patients with misaligned tooth problems. After taking dental x-rays and making an impression of the teeth with a moldable material, we will usually determine a plan of treatment most appropriate for the specific condition.

For some patients, all that may be needed will be a retainer to stabilize teeth in the desired new position to correct the problem. If overcrowding is present, one or more teeth may have to be removed to allow those remaining to be re-positioned for better alignment. In other cases, braces, such as Invisalign, will also be necessary to correct misalignment issues, as determined by Bracify 3D Orthodontics. Please contact us for more information today!

Why Choose Invisalign?

Comfort, convenience, and discretion top the list of reasons why Invisalign has climbed the ranks in orthodontic treatment options. Brackets and wires are not friendly to sensitive gum and mouth tissues, plus, there is no way to hide traditional braces unless you choose to forego smiling in public.

We are the best orthodontist practice to visit if you prefer realignment to be comfortable, convenient, and virtually invisible.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a series of clear plastic trays used in succession to bring teeth into alignment. The trays are as comfortable as they are inconspicuous. Unlike traditional braces, you will not be required to eliminate foods from your diet that could potentially damage wires and brackets. Since you remove the trays before eating, the only thing you may want to consider is whether your food choices promote tooth decay.

Removable trays also allow proper brushing technique, which helps decrease the likelihood of staining and permanent damage to the enamel. Invisalign does so much more than simply realigning teeth discretely.

What dental issues can Invisalign correct?

In the past, you may have heard that invisalign only works in cases of minor crooked or protruding teeth. Thanks to advances in technology, people with serious cases of malocclusion, overcrowding, gaps, or bite issues may be candidates for treatment with Invisalign. People who require rubber bands for alignment purposes are in luck since the newest trays can be fitted with rubber bands.

How does it work?
Custom treatment plans are developed by orthodontists with the aid of state-of-the-art x-ray technology. 3-D images are used to create a visual representation of realignment from start to finish. Depending on the severity of dental issues, treatment can vary from six months to two years. Over the course of treatment, a series of trays gently guide teeth into place. Each tray does a predetermined amount of work to bring teeth closer to their final position. Once treatment is complete, a retainer may be needed to prevent teeth from shifting.

Bonus Health Benefits
When teeth are properly aligned, gums tend to be healthier because they are able to fit closely to teeth. Hidden spaces caused by overcrowding or overlapping make proper oral hygiene difficult to attain. Plaque builds up in these hard-to-reach places and eventually leads to inflamed gums and tooth decay. Because the trays are removed during brushing and flossing, proper oral hygiene is easier to accomplish as realignment progresses.

Better hygiene practices mean less plaque and bacteria in the mouth, which is good for reasons beyond cavity prevention. One such reason includes heart health. An overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth can be picked up and carried by the blood until it is finally deposited on the wall of the heart.

The dedicated team at Bracify 3D Orthodontics invites you to ask if Invisalign is right for you or your teen. Contact us to take the first steps towards a fresh new smile and perhaps improved overall health!

Why Do Kids Need Space Maintainers?

What Are Space Maintainers?

Usually made of metal or acrylic, a space maintainer is a dental appliance that is used to maintain the space where a tooth has been lost and the permanent tooth has yet to come in. When our doctors recommend space maintainers, they will most likely recommend one of the following four options.

Unilateral

This type of space maintainer is used to maintain the space for one tooth. One side is wrapped around the tooth to secure it, and the other side has a metal loop to maintain the necessary space.

Distal Shoe

A distal shoe space maintainer is made of metal and is usually used for slow-growing molars. The maintainer is inserted into the gum line where it will hold the space as the dentist monitors the surfacing of the molar.

Lingual

This type is most often used when multiple front teeth are missing, and the space needs to be maintained. The device is fixed to both sides of the mouth on the molars.

Crown and Loop

Crown and loop space maintainers are very similar to the unilateral except that the metal loop is actually affixed to a crown to ensure there is enough space available for new teeth.

Why Would You Need a Space Maintainer?

Space maintainers are often utilized for children who have damaged or lost teeth before their permanent teeth are ready to break through. Since children still have more teeth coming through when they experience tooth loss, permanent fixtures such as crowns do not work. Maintaining this space for children is extremely important, as open space can cause their teeth to shift requiring later orthodontic work to correct their smile or bite. The space is also necessary to ensure that the permanent tooth will have plenty of room to come in without pushing behind or in front of neighboring teeth that may have shifted.

Do Space Maintainers Require Special Maintenance?

It is essential that your child maintain proper oral hygiene to help their appliance last longer and prevent decay on the other teeth. Children with space maintainers will need to avoid gum, hard candy, or other foods that can be hard to chew. Overly sticky foods should also be avoided, as they may become caught in or damage the device. You will also want to schedule regular check-ups and see our dentists if there seems to be any movement or discomfort as it is possible for the appliance to begin to shift over time. Our dentist will also need to monitor the progress of the teeth below the space maintainer.

If your child has had premature tooth loss and you would like to learn more about the different space maintainers and which type may work best for your child,  contact Bracify 3D Orthodontics today to schedule your consultation.

Dreading Braces? Invisalign May Be The Answer!

Children and teenagers that require braces and other orthodontic devices often dread the very thought of it. One solution is the Invisalign program that fixes crooked teeth without unsightly wires causing metal smiles. Today’s braces are nothing like the past hardware that closely resembled medieval torture devices!

Invisalign is known for its invisible equipment and the effectiveness of the treatment. In fact, the company has developed a line completely devoted to the needs of teenagers’ orthodontics.

INVISALIGN: THE INVISIBLE BRACES

REMOVABLE AND LESS PAINFUL
One thing that teens really love about this teeth-straightening program is the fact that the apparatus can be removed while eating. Unlike traditional braces, there is no worry about getting food caught in the braces or feeling like they are overwhelming due to this sense of permanency. This method is also a lot less painful than metal braces and there is no difficult process to add and remove them. Your dentist will simply take a mold of your child’s teeth and Invisalign will do the rest. As the process moves forward, there may be some discomfort in the first few days of each new piece.

EFFECTIVE
Teenagers are still growing, and their mouths are no different than the rest of their bodies. Due to the ability to adjust the plastic trays that are used for the teeth alignment, any modifications can be done fairly easily. Also, if the teeth move again after the treatment is concluded, new plates can be ordered to make the necessary corrections. The alignment plates must be worn twenty-two hours of each day to be effective. The appeal of the process is that it delivers the same results as traditional braces without the pain and discomfort or the unsightly look of metal and wires. Invisalign can be brushed very easily and the aligners should be cleaned by your child each time they are removed before putting them back into the mouth.

COST
Both braces and Invisalign come with a significant cost, however, most insurances at least partially cover both options. Invisalign care can range from $3,500 to $8,000 depending on the amount of realignment that is required. Dental practices understand that this cost can be burdensome to many families and are happy to work with you to ensure that you receive the highest insurance reimbursement available to you. If your insurance does not cover the entire amount, and most will not, many practices offer financing or payment plans for the remaining balance. Talk with your dentist’s office to learn more.

The teen years are already filled with enough awkward moments, and braces do not have to add to the stress. With Invisalign Teen, the straightening process is one that is discrete and does not need to cause any embarrassment. Your child deserves a healthy and beautiful smile, and Invisalign delivers results without the pain and discomfort of metal braces. Talk to your family dentist today to learn more about Invisalign and how it can help your child gain a healthy and gorgeous smile!

For more information, contact Bracify 3D Orthodontics today.