Retainers and Sports Mouthguards
Brief Introduction to the Concept of Malocclusions A malocclusion, or in simpler terms, an “improper bite,” occurs when there is a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws, leading to an irregular fit of the teeth. These misalignments can range from subtle, aesthetic concerns to severe, functional problems that impact daily life activities like eating and speaking. Whether it’s an overbite, where the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower ones, or a crossbite, where one or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth, or even a more complex case, malocclusions are common…
Orthodontic relapse refers to the tendency of teeth to shift back to their original positions after orthodontic treatment, such as with braces or clear aligners. We will discuss the factors that might contribute to this relapse. Inadequate Retention Phase Management Non-compliance with Retainer Use After active orthodontic treatment, such as with braces or aligners, a retainer is used to maintain the teeth’s new positions. Retainers work by holding your teeth in place, preventing them from shifting back to their original alignment. Non-compliance with retainer use is the most common cause of orthodontic relapse. This can happen when a patient does…
A Comprehensive Sports Mouthguard and Braces Guide for Athletes In the world of orthodontics, advancements in technology have brought about an extensive array of devices designed to help people achieve the perfect smile. Burke & Redford Orthodontists, with offices in Temecula and Lake Elsinore, California, offer a broad spectrum of these treatment options. Dr. Ryan Redford and Dr. Michael Burke offer the most advanced self-ligating ceramic, metal, and Damon braces. Patients who are good candidates for clear aligners might also consider Invisalign and Invisalign for Teenagers. However, for anyone involved in sports, especially extreme and contact sports, a crucial question…
Achieving Optimal Jaw Alignment and Facial Aesthetics with a Reverse Pull Headgear Burke & Redford Orthodontists stand at the forefront of innovative orthodontic care, led by orthodontists Dr. Ryan Redford and Dr. Michael Burke. Their expertise in using reverse pull headgear, which is a specialized orthodontic device, has transformed the smiles, bites, and oral health of countless children and teenagers. This personalized approach enhances jaw alignment and facial aesthetics, establishing a new standard for orthodontic excellence. The Magic of Reverse Pull Headgear: A Brief Guide Understanding the Device: Also known as a facemask, the reverse pull headgear corrects malocclusions, specifically…
A Comprehensive Overview for Orthodontic Treatment Orthodontic treatment has come a long way in recent years, with advancements in technology and techniques leading to improved patient outcomes. Among the various approaches, functional appliances have proven to be an effective method for correcting malocclusions and promoting proper jaw development in growing children and teenagers. Twin Block and Bionator appliances are two of the classic functional devices used by orthodontists, although not used commonly in our practice. At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, with offices located in Temecula and Lake Elsinore, California, we more typically use other functional appliances that achieve a similar…
What happens when a patient’s lower teeth are significantly crowded, but there are several baby teeth still present, and the family does not want to have two separate sets of orthodontic braces? As an example, for 10-year-old Charlie, this was his reality. His orthodontist recommended an orthodontic lip bumper as the ideal way to resolve lower crowding as a tween, so his braces treatment at around 12 years old was less invasive and more straightforward. Many dentists refer their patients to Burke & Redford Orthodontists in Temecula and Lake Elsinore, California, when they need a lip bumper appliance or any…
What Does a MARA Appliance Do? A MARA appliance is a dental device used to correct overbites. It works by encouraging the patient to reposition the lower jaw forward into its correct position, putting differential pressure to move the upper teeth backward and the lower teeth forward. This helps to correct excess front to back overbite that is seen in many young patients. The MARA appliance has many other benefits including improved speech clarity, reduction in front tooth protrusion, broadening of the smile, and better facial aesthetics. What Type of Condition Does a MARA Appliance Treat? The MARA appliance is…
Have you ever wished there were a way to correct your child’s overbite issues easily? Well, the Forsus appliance can help to do just that. It is an innovative device that makes it easier for both patients and parents alike to get ideal overbite correction. This appliance has revolutionized how orthodontists approach complex cases – making them less reliant on patient compliance than traditional methods. What exactly is the Forsus Appliance and how can it help? The Forsus appliance is a groundbreaking tool in the field of orthodontics. Developed by Dr. John Graetz, this device works as a spring-based…
What Is an Asymmetrical Face? Symmetry is generally defined as “balanced proportions.” When it comes to human faces, symmetry means that the two sides of a face are in balance. In other words, the right side of the face looks like the left side of the face, or the top half of the face is in proportion to the lower half of the face. However, most people do not have perfectly symmetrical faces. Most people have slight differences, such as one eye being bigger than the other, ears of different sizes, or eyelids that do not match. Although facial asymmetry…
Orthodontic Appliance One of the primary tasks of an orthodontist is to address issues related to malocclusions. Malocclusion is a fancy term for “bad bite.” To correct bite issues, orthodontists use orthodontic appliances (devices) to widen the jaw, make space in the mouth, and move teeth into optimal positions. One such appliance is the fixed pendulum appliance (FPA). What Does a Pendulum Appliance Treat? A pendulum orthodontic appliance helps to create more room in a patient’s mouth by widening the upper jaw and shifting a patient’s top molars back to provide more room for crowded teeth to move into alignment.…