Damon Braces Orthodontist
Understanding Orthodontic Treatment Terms Most people have a general understanding of common orthodontic terms, such as braces or Invisalign. However, most people are not familiar with many of the more specific terms related to different orthodontic treatments. To help educate our patients about the various devices that may be used during orthodontic treatment, we have put together a glossary of orthodontic terms. Because not all patients will have the same treatment, we’ve divided the list into general categories. General Orthodontic Terms These terms refer to the types of problems corrected by orthodontics, diagnostic tools, and accessories that may be used…
How to Floss with Braces Flossing with braces can be more challenging than flossing without braces, especially for younger children. Most orthodontists who treat young kids recommend that parents help them with flossing until they can do it well on their own (typically around 10 years old). Even teenagers may need to learn new flossing techniques and get accustomed to new tools once they begin wearing braces. This article discusses some of the different tools and techniques that can be used to floss with braces. Parents may want to try a few until they find one that works best for…
Dental Midline Definition A non-medical definition of the dental midline is a vertical dividing line between one side of the face and the other. Running from the top of the head, this line should pass through the eyes, over the nose, and down to the chin. Ideally, the line falls directly between the two upper center teeth and the two lower center teeth. In addition, the upper and lower jaws should ideally align with the middle of the face. When the dental midline is off center, it is called a dental midline shift. Other common terms for this misalignment are…
What Is a Malocclusion? Malocclusion is a medical term that refers to the abnormal alignment or fit of the upper and lower teeth. The term comes from the Latin word’s “occlusion” (which means “bite”) and “mal” (which means “bad”). Thus, the literal interpretation of malocclusion is “bad bite.” Most malocclusions can benefit by orthodontic treatment, usually with braces or Invisalign. However, more severe bite problems may require specialized orthodontic appliances or treatment approaches. What Causes Malocclusions? Malocclusions can be caused by a variety of factors, including: Many bite problems are passed from one generation to the next. Behaviors such as…
Smile Direct Club vs. Your Local Orthodontist What’s the Difference and Why Should You Care? Today, it can be exhausting keeping up with all the quick-fix, minimal-effort-needed products that appear to make life easier at first glance. Direct-to-consumer products have taken the business market by storm in recent years, from personalized meal plans to prescription eyeglasses delivered to your doorstep and ready for wear. After filling out a short questionnaire online, a person can seemingly get all the vitamins needed to supplement a healthy lifestyle. While these products may be viewed as quick and easy solutions initially, you will notice…
People often assume that orthodontic treatment is reserved for teenagers. However, early orthodontic treatment (called interceptive orthodontics) can help children between the ages of 7 and 11 with developing orthodontic issues. In this article, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about orthodontic treatment for children. What Does Orthodontic Treatment Do? A main goal of orthodontic treatment focuses on creating a healthy and normal bite. A healthy bite is when the upper and lower teeth fit together as intended. Contrary to what many people think, orthodontic treatment involves much more than simply “straightening teeth”—although this is a component…
Straight Teeth Provide More Than A Beautiful Smile At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, we pride ourselves on shaping beautiful smiles. However, the benefits of straight teeth are much more than just cosmetic. There are also significant health and social benefits related to straight teeth and an attractive smile. In this article, we will examine the health benefits related to straight teeth. We will also discuss some of the issues that straight teeth can address or alleviate. We will look at some of the social benefits of straight teeth. Finally, we will discuss the financial benefit of addressing orthodontic issues earlier…
What Is An Overbite? Almost everyone has top teeth that slightly overlap their bottom teeth. However, when the overlap is significant or protrudes excessively over the bottom teeth, this is called an overbite. To be classified as an overbite, the upper teeth must protrude forward over the lower teeth by more than 3 millimeters. An overbite is a type of malocclusion, which is the medical term for the abnormal relationship of the upper and lower teeth. A malocclusion is just a fancy term for a bite problem. While orthodontists refer to overbite as excess vertical overlap of front teeth, lay…
What Is A Crossbite? A crossbite is a type of malocclusion (a fancy term that means the bite is out of alignment). Also known as a “bad bite” or “poor bite,” malocclusions are one of the problems that orthodontists like Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke receive special training to correct. A crossbite is a bite problem that occurs when the top and bottom teeth do not come together properly. There are two types of crossbites: Anterior crossbite: Upper front teeth set behind the lower front teeth Posterior crossbite: Upper back teeth set inside the lower back teeth An anterior crossbite…
How Damon Braces Differ From Traditional Braces When it comes to choosing braces, teens and children have more options than they did in the past. At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, patients can choose from a variety of braces options, including self-ligation braces (such as Damon braces and GC Experience braces), lingual braces, metal braces, and ceramic braces (sometimes known as clear braces). In this article, we will look at how modern self-ligating braces differ from traditional braces. Many types of braces effectively straighten crooked teeth, close gaps, and correct bite issues (malocclusions), but there are some distinct advantages that make…