Orthodontist

Underbite vs. Overbite

Understanding Malocclusions The word malocclusion is a Latin term meaning ‘bad bite.’ A ‘bite’ is the way teeth fit together. Problems with a person’s bite can cause many different issues, if not corrected. The highly skilled doctors at Burke & Redford Orthodontists understand the importance of and are experienced in correcting these issues in children and teens. Malocclusions can be divided into separate classes. These classes were first developed by Edward Angle, who is widely regarded as the “father of modern orthodontics.” These classes make it easier for an orthodontist to distinguish between the types and severities of problems that…

Invisalign Clear Aligners

What to Expect When Getting Your First Set of Invisalign Clear Aligners What are Invisalign Aligners? Invisalign aligners are customized trays used to shift teeth gently and accurately into their correct position over time. This can be a great choice for adults and older teens who are deemed good candidates for Invisalign, as the appearance of the trays is much less noticeable than traditional metal braces. Is Invisalign Braces? No, Invisalign is not braces, it is a braces alternative. Invisalign uses a set of clear plastic aligners that are removable to straighten the teeth. These aligners are also able to…

What are Elastic Bands for Braces?

There are two different kinds of elastics that orthodontists employ to help straighten teeth and correct bite issues in children, teens, and adults. The first type is called ligatures, or o ties for braces. Ligatures are small, elastic rings that secure the archwire to brackets in traditional (sometimes called “twin”) bracket systems. In self-ligating bracket systems, o ties are not required, but can be used as a fun color decoration. O ties get replaced at every adjustment appointment. The other type of elastic band is orthodontic rubber bands, or elastics. These are a powerful tool used to correct bite issues.…

Damon System Bracelift

What are Damon System Braces? Damon System Braces are self-ligating, which means no elastic ties are needed to hold the archwire in place. Rather, a door mechanism is used to secure the wire. Damon braces are high-quality brackets that can produce excellent results. That said, claims by the company and some orthodontists that this system moves teeth faster and with shorter treatment times than other brace types have not been supported by well-designed studies. Learn more about the Damon System Bracelift. Other unsupported claims about the Damon system are that it moves teeth more efficiently and comfortably than other braces…

Three Stages of Orthodontic Treatment

What Are the Three Stages of Orthodontic Treatment? Regardless of the orthodontic issues that need to be addressed, all our patients go through three stages of orthodontic treatment. These three stages are: Planning Stage — involves photos, necessary x-rays, 3D imaging, and any preparatory work needed before the application of braces or Invisalign Active Stage — the patient actively wears braces or Invisalign Retention Stage — focuses on holding teeth in their new position with retainers In this article, we’ll look at what is involved with each stage of orthodontic treatment, so our patients are prepared and know what to…

Glossary of Orthodontic Terms

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 Invisalign Teen Differs from Invisalign

Invisalign Teen vs Adult Invisalign Invisalign (sometimes referred to as Invis) is a popular choice among adults and teens for achieving a beautiful smile. More than 11 million adults and teenagers have improved their smiles using Invisalign. Because of the unique needs of teenagers, Invisalign developed a version of their product called Invisalign Teen. Invisalign Teen is very similar to the “adult” version of Invisalign but has some key differences. In this article, we’ll provide a general overview of Invisalign, highlight the benefits of Invisalign, and then discuss the features of Invisalign Teen that differentiate it from the regular version…

Floss for Braces

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

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…

Classes of Malocclusions

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…

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Orthodontist

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