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Click here to learn more about Invisalign. |
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Why Braces? |
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Your may have heard about the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or neck pain. For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. Demro Orthodontics specializes in creating the beautiful smile you have always wanted, giving you back the self-confidence you have been missing. |
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| How do Braces work? |
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Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients. Ask us about the Invisalign orthodontic technique as this can sometimes eliminates the need for any braces because trays similar to clear bleaching trays are all that is required. |
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When should I get Braces? |
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There is no "right" time to receive orthodontic treatment. Some children require early treatment to intercept dental problems or modify facial growth. Other patients are better treated when all the permanent teeth have erupted.
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The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that a patient first be seen at the age of 7, to allow for problems to be intercepted that might get worse later. However, no matter what your age, it is never too late to create the smile you've always wanted. |
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General Soreness |
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When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and the teeth may be tender to biting pressures for one to five days. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are very helpful for relieving tooth tenderness following adjustment appointments. The lips, cheeks and tongue also can become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. Our special orthodontic wax can be applied to the braces to lessen this temporary discomfort. |
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Eating with Braces. |
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Talking about what you shouldn't eat while you have braces is important. For the first day or so, you will want to stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Soon you will be able to eat that steak and raw vegetables. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces. Use common sense. If it is hard, sticky or chewy, you probably should avoid it.
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Duration of Treatment |
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Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and face and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion may differ from the original estimate. The patient's diligent use of any prescribed rubber bands or headgear is an important factor in achieving the most efficient treatment. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as few as six months. |
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Ongoing care of your Braces. |
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To successfully complete the treatment plan, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands, headgear or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time. It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a Periodontist during orthodontic treatment. |
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Emergency Care |
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As a general rule, an emergency appointment is necessary when there is severe pain, a loose band, a broken wire or something protruding that you can't remedy alone. |
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