Retainers and Sports Mouthguards
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…
Appliances for Widening the Upper Jaw When most people think of the orthodontist’s office, they usually think of braces and Invisalign. However, orthodontists use a variety of appliances to achieve different goals—such as preserving space in the mouth or widening the jaw. This article focuses on appliances used to widen a narrow jaw—banded and bonded expanders. At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, we believe in educating our patients and their families so they feel comfortable with the different appliances that may be used during orthodontic treatment. Problems Caused By Narrow Upper Jaws An upper jaw that is too narrow can cause…
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…
Benefits of Early Orthodontics If your child has straight teeth, it is not necessarily an indication everything is always all right. Early orthodontic screening has many benefits and can find problems the human eye cannot see. In young children, a pediatric orthodontist is adept at evaluating jaw development and underlying issues that may be present with teeth. The American Dental Association recommends children undergo orthodontic screening by seven years old. Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke provide children in their Temecula and Lake Elsinore offices with a kid-friendly environment. Importance of Interceptive Orthodontics Early orthodontic treatment is called interceptive orthodontics (or…
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…
Orthodontist Treatments and Correction Some of the most common orthodontic problems that require orthodontic intervention are crowded teeth, impacted teeth, and poor oral habits. Luckily for residents of Temecula and Lake Elsinore, Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke are available to correct these problems using their years of orthodontic training and experience for patients. Causes and Reasons to Fix Crowded Teeth Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough space for teeth to fit in the mouth. If left untreated, the problem gets worse with age. Over time, teeth move in front of or behind each other—causing alignment issues. For this reason, overcrowding…
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.…
Patients with Anterior Open Bites Have Several Treatment Options A healthy bite is an essential part of oral hygiene. In a healthy bite, the upper teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth, and the molars fit together properly. However, when the teeth don’t line up correctly, the result is a “bad” open bite. (The medical term is malocclusion, which is a fancy way of saying that the teeth aren’t aligned properly.) Having a healthy bite is important because it: Helps with efficiently biting and chewing food Promotes clear speech Prevents strain on jaw joints (which can contribute to headaches) Helps…