Banded and Bonded Expanders

Appliances for Widening the Upper Jaw When most people think of the orthodontist’s office, they usually think of braces and Invisalign. However, orthodontists use a variety of appliances to achieve different goals—such as preserving space in the mouth or widening the jaw. This article focuses on appliances used to widen a narrow jaw—banded and bonded expanders. At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, we believe in educating our patients and their families so they feel comfortable with the different appliances that may be used during orthodontic treatment. Problems Caused By Narrow Upper Jaws An upper jaw that is too narrow can cause…

Lower Lingual Holding Arch and Nance Arch

Maintaining Space in the Dental Arch Although braces and Invisalign are two of the most well-known orthodontic appliances, they are far from the only ones used to treat patients. A variety of orthodontic appliances are used to accomplish different goals—from widening the jaw to preserving space in the mouth. Burke & Redford Orthodontists want their patients to feel comfortable with the appliances that might be used during treatment. Patient education is an integral part of our mission. In this blog post, we’re going to focus on two appliances that are used to maintain space in the lower and upper dental…

Orthodontic Treatment for Adults

Orthodontic Benefits for Adults Orthodontic patients have traditionally been teenagers and children. However, during the past two decades, the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment has steadily increased. Many orthodontists now have adults comprising 25% or more of their patient base. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), 1,690,000 adults received orthodontic treatment in 2016. Since then, this number has risen—with adults being the fastest growing segment of orthodontic patients. Orthodontists are even treating patients in their 60s, 70s, and 80s! Burke & Redford Orthodontists is one of the top orthodontic practices treating a growing numbers of adult patients.…

Types of Teeth Retainers

Maintenance After Braces Come Off A patient’s orthodontic journey isn’t finished once braces come off. This simply concludes the active treatment stage. Now comes the maintenance phase, which includes wearing certain types of teeth retainers. Getting a beautiful smile took time, effort, and financial investment. Patients want to protect their investment and keep their teeth aligned and stable for the rest of their lives. The key to maintaining that new smile is a retainer. Without the use of dental retainers, newly straightened teeth can shift back to their original positions. Teeth are most vulnerable for the first several months after…

Impacted Teeth

What Is An Impacted Tooth? The typical adult mouth has 32 teeth—8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, 8 molars, and 4 wisdom teeth (also called third molars). Each type of tooth has a distinct function and location. Impacted teeth can happen for many reasons. Incisors (the middle front teeth) cut food into small pieces. Canines (the pointed teeth next to the incisors) grip and tear food. Premolars (located between canines and molars) crush and tear food. Molars (flat teeth at the rear of the mouth) grind food. If a tooth doesn’t grow in as expected, it is called an impaction.…

Interceptive Orthodontics

Early Orthodontic Treatment Shapes a Healthy Smile An orthodontist does much more than straighten teeth. The primary focus of many orthodontic treatments, especially for younger children, is fixing malocclusions (bad bites) and ensuring all teeth erupt normally and safely. Early orthodontic treatment is called interceptive orthodontics. The goal of interceptive orthodontics is to fix developing problems earlier rather than later. This means patients normally do not need to undergo more extensive interventions when they get older. Also, orthodontists can easily and predictably accomplish some things in younger children that aren’t always possible with older patients. Since 1991, Burke & Redford…

Pediatric Orthodontist

Benefits of Early Orthodontics If your child has straight teeth, it is not necessarily an indication everything is always all right. Early orthodontic screening has many benefits and can find problems the human eye cannot see. In young children, a pediatric orthodontist is adept at evaluating jaw development and underlying issues that may be present with teeth. The American Dental Association recommends children undergo orthodontic screening by seven years old. Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke provide children in their Temecula and Lake Elsinore offices with a kid-friendly environment. Importance of Interceptive Orthodontics Early orthodontic treatment is called interceptive orthodontics (or…

Dentist vs Orthodontist

What Is An Orthodontist? Many people are unsure about the difference between dentists and orthodontists. Although there are similarities between the two, significant differences relate to education and services provided. We want to help our patients understand the difference between a dentist vs orthodontist. Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke believe it is essential to know what distinguishes an orthodontist from a dentist. This knowledge allows patients to make educated decisions and choose the best provider for their needs. Educational Differences Between a Dentist and Orthodontist The first thing to understand is that all orthodontists are dentists. However, not all dentists…