Blog - Burke & Redford Orthodontists in Temecula & Lake Elsinore CA

When Should I See an Orthodontist?

Reasons it May Be Time to Seek Orthodontic Treatment In many situations, people do not seek out orthodontic care on their own accord. Instead, the person’s primary dentist will refer them to see a qualified orthodontist for things such as spacing between teeth, a crooked smile, or an improper bite. Other people take the initiative themselves and seek out treatment from a local orthodontist. If not referred by their family dentist, children should see an orthodontist for an evaluation beginning at the age of 7 years old. This is done to determine if any issues are present or developing. It…

How Teens Can Have the Best Experience in Braces

Orthodontist-Approved Tips for Teens in Braces Is it Normal to Feel Apprehensive About Getting Braces? Of course, each person is different, but some teens can be apprehensive about going to the orthodontist, which is completely normal. While some children and adults may feel hesitation about orthodontic treatment, children are usually too young to fully understand that the course of treatment is straightforward. Most adults often see it as nothing to worry over. However, for teenagers, getting braces is an unknown experience and they may worry about the social implications of undergoing orthodontic treatment. How Many Teens Get Braces Per Year?…

Common Terms Used in Orthodontic Procedures

At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, it is a priority for our doctors to fully explain what to expect during treatment, and we also want to list the most common terms surrounding orthodontic care. This helps bring comfort and peace of mind to the patient, which is important to us. While the specific terms discussed below are not exhaustive, they are some of the most used in an orthodontist’s office. Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke are happy to explain any term a patient may be unfamiliar with during your consultation appointment or at any stage of treatment. Important Terms in Orthodontic…

How To Fix an Overbite Using a Carriere Distalizer and Invisalign

Many teenage and adult orthodontic patients prefer to use Invisalign for aesthetic reasons. After all, wearing clear aligner trays is less noticeable than wearing braces. However, Invisalign cannot always correct all orthodontic issues present in a patient with predictability. One such example is when patients have a moderate or severe overbite. Although patients may prefer to use Invisalign instead of braces, overbites cannot always be corrected using Invisalign alone. In these cases, orthodontists often first treat the overbite and then focus on aligning teeth with Invisalign to achieve the best result. An overbite can be corrected with the use of…

Problems to Watch for in Seven Year Old’s

When Should a Child First See an Orthodontist At 7 years old, orthodontic problems can be extremely hard to detect due to the mouth being in the early stages of growth. However, this does not mean oral issues and maladaptive habits are not already present or forming at this young age. At age 7, children are early in the process of losing their baby teeth, so many parents assume that seeing an orthodontist is years away. This is a commonly held, yet inaccurate belief. The major professional associations within orthodontics, such as the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), strongly encourage…

Orthodontic Concerns in Growing Children

Why Childhood is the Best Time for Treatment In today’s world, getting braces or other forms of orthodontic treatment is commonplace. It is almost seen as a natural part of growing up for many children, given that they are the most common demographic treated by orthodontists. Despite this fact, many parents are left wondering if their child even needs orthodontic care in the first place. Most orthodontic issues are blatantly obvious, like crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw. Yet, a child may appear to possess perfectly straight teeth and still have underlying issues that remain undetectable to an untrained eye.…

Bite Problems to Correct in Adults

Common Orthodontic Problems in Adults In the past, many adults have mistakenly believed that orthodontic treatment is reserved for children, teens, and young adults alone. This is no longer the case. In 2016, nearly 1.7 million adults were receiving treatment for orthodontic issues. Today, with that number continuing to grow, it has become clear that this outdated belief has changed. Nowadays, no one is too old for braces. While adults can present with issues that may compromise the safety of teeth and the surrounding bone if not accurately diagnosed and addressed beforehand, orthodontic treatment is very safe when a patient…

Invisalign SmartForce® Attachments

How Invisalign SmartForce® Attachments Benefit Patients Within the span of just 20 years, Invisalign has become one of the top choices for those looking to straighten their teeth. Due to its minimalistic appearance and capability of being removed at a moment’s notice throughout treatment, this transparent appliance is used in more than 45 countries around the world. From a lifestyle perspective, it is often selected by older teens and adults who are seeking a versatile appliance. In terms of effectiveness, Invisalign can do many (but not all) things well. When used in the right situations and when a patient is cooperative…