Child Orthodontist

Guiding Lower Jaw Growth Braces and Invisalign are not the only ways that orthodontists improve the smiles of their patients. Several different orthodontic appliances are used to help correct various issues, such as malocclusions (bad bites) and jaws that are too narrow. To help educate our patients, Burke & Redford Orthodontists has been providing information about the different orthodontic appliances that may be used during a patient’s treatment. This article focuses on the Herbst appliance. Problems Corrected with the Herbst Appliance The Herbst appliance is most often used to correct moderate or severe overbites, which is when the lower teeth…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Making Choices Your Orthodontist Will Approve Wearing braces doesn’t mean eating a bland diet of soft foods. However, some restrictions and precautions will prevent damage to brackets and wires. By following these guidelines of foods to eat and avoid with braces, patients will avoid emergency visits to their orthodontist and ensure a beautiful smile once the braces come off. These guidelines apply to all types of braces, including self-ligating braces, which include: clear ceramic, metal braces, and Damon braces. Since Invisalign clear aligners can be removed for eating and brushing, Invisalign® patients don’t need to follow any particular dietary guidelines.…