Why Adults Should Get Braces Too

September 10, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

When you picture somebody wearing braces, the immediate image in your head is probably a pre-teen or teenager. While the majority of people who get orthodontic treatment fall into this age group, braces aren’t just reserved for the younger years. There are plenty of great reasons to consider getting braces or clear aligners as an adult.

Orthodontic Treatment Isn’t Just for Looks

Yes, getting braces will result in your smile looking straighter than ever, but that is far from being the only reason you should get treatment. In fact, your smile can look basically perfect and you could still benefit from having braces. 

Many issues of crookedness are often found in the rear teeth, causing a wide array of possible problems. Crowding, which occurs when your teeth are too close in proximity, can make it easier for food to get stuck in between your teeth and cause decay. Crowding can also cause height differences in your teeth, leading to a disproportionate amount of pressure being applied on the taller teeth. Over time, this pressure can erode the enamel or even cause cracks in your teeth, leaving them more susceptible to infection or chipping. 

Even problems with excess spacing can lead to long-term oral health concerns, along with overbites or underbites. Overall, choosing to get orthodontic treatment is well worth the investment for more than just for looks.

Gain Confidence for All Aspects of Adult Life

Lets face it, navigating your career and social life can be intimidating enough as it is. If you’re not confident with your smile, you’d be surprised how much it may be affecting your confidence in yourself overall. Your smile is a huge part of your first impression, and having a bright, straight smile you are proud of can go a long way in boosting your confidence when you meet potential new bosses, new friends, or people at networking events. Many people getting married also find it worth it to straighten their teeth by getting braces before the big day. 

If you’re worried about the appearance of braces during the course of the treatment, keep in mind that braces don’t look like they did when you were a kid. Plus, you can get invisible treatment options, like ceramic braces and Invisalign, which will help you maintain your confidence during treatment. 

Fix Issues if Your Teeth Shifted

In a perfect world, every patient would wear their retainer exactly the way they are supposed to. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for many people. Retainers either get damaged or lost and patients fail to follow up to get a new one. Or, patients simply give up on wearing their retainer. In any case, your teeth very could have shifted if you stopped wearing your retainer, causing noticeable crookedness and creating potential oral health problems. Luckily, these issues are very easy to fix and can require short treatments with partial braces or accelerated versions of Invisalign like Invisalign Lite or Invisalign Express. 

It’s never too late to get the smile you’ve always wanted. To see if adult braces could be right for you, schedule your free consultation at Austin Orthodontics today! 

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The Best Ways to Keep Invisalign Aligners Clean

August 27, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Choosing an orthodontic treatment that is convenient for you has never been easier. When you visit Austin Orthodontics for your free consultation, you’ll get to hear all about the great treatment options we have available to make the time spent straightening your teeth easy and fun. The Invisalign Clear Aligner System is hands down the most convenient treatment option because you can remove your aligners when you eat, brush your teeth, and floss. However, using this treatment does add the step of needing to clean your aligners on a regular basis.

Importance of Keeping Your Aligners Clean

One advantage Invisalign aligners have over traditional braces is it’s not as easy to get food stuck in your teeth after you eat. However, there are other ways plaque can start to build up underneath your aligners, leading to tooth decay. If your teeth are still dirty when you place your aligners back on your teeth, all of the food particles will be trapped and won’t rinse out with water consumption, making matters worse. 

Failing to clean your aligners thoroughly can also cause calcium buildup, which can compromise the precise fit of your aligners and subsequently alter your progress. Not to mention, if your aligners aren’t kept clean, they can become stained, defeating the purpose of having invisible aligners in the first place. 

Brush Your Teeth and Your Aligners After Every Meal

The most essential strategy for keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is remembering to take them out every time you eat or drink anything other than cold water. If you forget to do this, you risk staining your aligners or possibly warping them due to heat. 

The next most important thing to remember is to always brush your teeth after you eat or drink. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste to thoroughly clean off your teeth, then do the same to your aligners. When cleaning your aligners, be sure to brush gently in a circular motion on all sides and only use a small amount of toothpaste. This way, both your teeth and your aligners will be clean and you’ll avoid plaque buildup. 

Soak Your Aligners

Brushing your teeth and aligners is an essential step in keeping your aligners clean, but you should also take other steps if you want healthy teeth and the best results when you are done. Calcium can start to build up in your aligners even if you’re keeping up with routine brushing. To prevent this buildup from altering your progress, soak your aligners when they aren’t in use with Invisalign’s specialized soaking fluid. Be sure not to use other fluids like mouthwash since they can end up eroding some of the plastic with extended exposure. The fluid provided by Invisalign is designed to break down calcium buildup and prevent bacteria growth without damaging the aligners. 

Keeping up with your cleaning routine might be a bit of a challenge at first, so try setting reminders for yourself on your phone or leaving notes on your bathroom mirror to help you remember until it becomes a habit. If you keep your aligners clean, you’ll get done with your treatment and find your teeth are straighter and cleaner than ever. 

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Heading Back to School with Braces and Confidence

August 1, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

While the summer fun isn’t over quite yet, it is time to start thinking about getting back into the routine of the school year. If you have pre-teens or teenagers, or if you are a college student getting ready to head back for another year, it can be a bit nerve wracking thinking about going back to school with braces. Luckily, you have plenty of reasons to feel confident about walking through your school doors while your going through orthodontic treatment. 

Getting Past the Nerves

Many people in school highly value the views of their peers, with many going to great lengths to gain approval. While many kids think having braces will be embarrassing, the fact of the matter is having braces isn’t viewed the way it used to be. In the old days, braces weren’t nearly as common and kids that had to get braces were often stuck with very bulky metal braces. Today, braces are much more common and far more subtle than they used to be, and you rarely hear kids bullying others because of their braces. 

In fact, modern options for orthodontic treatment can even make you feel excited to head back to school and show off your smile before your treatment is even over. When you visit Austin Orthodontics for your free consultation, be sure to ask about these fun options for braces. 

WildSmiles

Many tweens and teens go into their treatment with braces thinking they are simply going to have to tolerate them. However, your kids can find ways to have fun with their braces, and the options available with WildSmiles are proof of that. These fun braces work just as well as traditional braces but come in a wide variety of stylish shapes, including sports balls, diamonds, and stars. Your kids can mix and match their favorite designs when they get adjustments for different events or if they just feel like switching things up. 

Colored Bands

Each set of braces comes with elastic bands called ligatures, which connect the different parts of your braces together. Your kids can choose bright colors for their ligatures based on their favorite colors, teams, or for different seasons. There are even glow-in-the-dark bands available for a spooky addition to any Halloween costume. 

Subtle Treatment Options

There are plenty of options to choose from that make orthodontic treatment less visible. Ceramic braces work the same way as traditional metal braces, but have tooth-colored, medical-grade ceramic brackets instead of metal brackets. This makes these braces much harder to see throughout the course of the treatment. 

Invisalign is hands down the most discreet treatment option thanks to aligners that are completely clear. The additional advantage to this treatment option is the aligners are also removable for limited hours during the day, allowing for removal during meals or sporting events. 

Contact Austin Orthodontics today to learn more about treatment options that are perfect for going back to school! 

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Invisalign and Ceramic Braces: Invisible Options for Orthodontic Treatment

July 16, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

One of the biggest reasons people choose orthodontic treatment is to improve the appearance of their smile, so it makes sense that people wouldn’t want their smile to become cluttered with metal braces. It used to be the only way to get your desired result was with months, or even years, of having teeth covered in highly visible metal. However, patients have more options than ever due to brilliant innovations in orthodontic treatment options.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces move your teeth using the same set of mechanisms as traditional braces. Ceramic braces feature a series of brackets combined with archwires and elastics. But, instead of using metal for the brackets, ceramic braces are made out of clear medical-grade material, resulting in a more discreet look and a less cluttered smile compared to traditional braces. 

Just like traditional braces, ceramic braces can fix a wide range of orthodontic problems, including major gaps, crowding, or severe crookedness. You can also use interarch bands with these braces to fix underbites or overbites. Since the brackets on these braces are made of a clear material, be extra careful to avoid foods that stain and to keep up with brushing and flossing as much as possible. 

Invisalign

As one of the most significant advances in orthodontics, the Invisalign clear aligner system offers a very different experience from traditional braces, but with the same great results. While Invisalign can’t treat quite as wide of a range of cases as traditional braces, it can still give dramatic results to patients in need of orthodontic adjustments. 

The aligners are made of a sophisticated plastic material, which was actually created just for Invisalign. The system is irritant-free and is totally invisible when worn by any patient. This means you have a smile free from brackets and wires throughout your treatment, allowing you to have confidence and see your progress along the way. 

In addition to being clear, Invisalign aligners are also removable. They conveniently snap in place when you put them in and are easy to take out for meals or for playing contact sports. As opposed to wearing braces, you don’t have to alter your diet in any way while you are on your way to your perfect smile with Invisalign. 

You’ll of course want to avoid staining foods while keeping up with regular cleaning to get your brightest smile at the end. In addition, you should regularly clean your aligners to avoid the growth of plaque or calcium buildup. Be sure to avoid drinking coffee, tea, or any hot beverage while wearing your aligners to avoid warping them. The only thing you should consume with your aligners on your teeth is cold water. You should also store them safely away from the Texas heat (such as a hot car) to keep their shape. 

To learn more about the great options for orthodontic treatment available for you, schedule your free consultation at Austin Orthodontics today! 

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Is Mail-Order Orthodontic Treatment Right for You?

July 9, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Throughout the history of orthodontics, there have been several key innovations that have made orthodontic treatment more effective, convenient, and comfortable. One of the most significant developments in orthodontics is the Invisalign Clear Aligner system, which allows you to get straight teeth with invisible, removable aligners. 

One fascinating and slightly disconcerting development in orthodontics more recently is the trend of companies marketing mail-order aligners similar to Invisalign. The treatment is completed entirely at home and you get your aligners delivered to your doorstep. Sounds like the next big thing, right? Unfortunately, there are several major issues with this new type of treatment that should make you seriously think twice before using it. 

No In-Person Visits

Interestingly enough, the main selling point of mail-order braces is that you never have to leave your home to get orthodontic treatment. However, with no orthodontist, there is no actual orthodontic treatment. Instead, there’s mostly a lot of guesswork while you attempt to take care of your teeth on your own. Any help you get is all done remotely through images on computer screens.

This means you can never get the precision and personalized guidance that comes with having a certified expert looking at your teeth in person and taking xrays to uncover any underlying issues in your smile. During the whole process, you have to do the work yourself, trust the images you take, and hope it ends up well. You also miss out on the personal relationship you develop with an orthodontist and the team when you are seen at an office.

Inaccurate Impressions

The aligners you receive during the whole course of your treatment are based on impressions you take yourself. Again, this is meant to add to the convenience factor; however, and no offense to you, you’re not an expert at taking dental impressions. Sure, you will get instructions, but there are nuances to getting accurate impressions that can only be learned through the years of training and practice, which all orthodontists and their teams are required to complete. 

Possible Damage to Your Teeth

Without professional, in-person guidance, the inherent risks of doing mail-order braces go beyond just getting subpar results. For one, the at-home impressions often result in aligners that don’t quite fit the way they should. This can result in severe discomfort while your teeth are adjusted in the wrong direction. And since you don’t have anyone looking at your teeth, it is very easy to miss problems under the surface. 

Even if your mail-order braces give you teeth that look straight, that’s not the only reason you should get orthodontic treatment. You can have perfectly straight teeth but still have underlying issues that need to be fixed. If you simply rely on mail-order braces, those problems will never be addressed, leading to long-term oral health problems. 

When you see an orthodontist for the first time, he or she will draw up a comprehensive plan to treat all of your issues. However, this plan may need to be modified slightly throughout your treatment if things are not progressing as planned. With no follow-up visits, mail-order treatment cannot be altered, which means you may not be getting the treatment you really need.

To learn more about how expert, personalized guidance can get you the smile you want while setting you up for long-lasting oral health, contact Austin Orthodontics today to set up a free consultation.

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What the Elastics on Your Braces Do

July 3, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

During your orthodontic treatment with braces, you’ll become familiar with the various aspects of the orthodontic products being used. One of the most important parts of your braces is rubber bands, or elastics. Elastics play a major role in the process of correcting your teeth during your treatment, so it’s worth getting to know a little bit more about what they are and how they work.

What Are Orthodontic Elastics?

It may seem strange to put elastic bands in your mouth, but these bands are specially designed to provide necessary adjustments to your teeth. Orthodontic bands are quite a bit smaller than the typical rubber bands you might think of and are stiffer than conventional rubber bands to provide the force needed for adjustment. Orthodontic elastics are also made to be durable and to last a significant amount of time attached to your teeth.

There are two types of elastic bands you may end up having as part of your orthodontic treatment: elastic ligatures and interarch bands.

Elastic Ligatures

Most likely, you’re familiar with what braces look like. One thing you’ve probably noticed when you see someone with braces or a photo of braces is the tiny bands that surround each bracket of the braces. These small elastic bands hold the archwire in place against the bracket. The level of tightness of your elastic bands also helps in creating the pressure needed to straighten your teeth.

Your elastic ligatures will stay on your braces throughout the course of your treatment, and your orthodontist will often adjust or replace them when you go for your follow-up appointments. Many orthodontists have these bands in different colors, which means you can get them in your favorite colors, be festive for the holidays, or wear the colors of your school or favorite team.

Interarch Bands

Whether you get traditional metal braces or the Invisalign Clear Aligner System, you could also have interarch elastic bands. Rather than helping straighten your teeth to fix issues of crowding, large spaces, or crookedness, interarch bands fix problems with the jaw alignment. Interarch elastic bands run from the lower jaw to the upper jaw, connecting at attachments on your brackets, or on your teeth when it comes to Invisalign.

The pressure created by the interarch wires helps fix instances of overbites or underbites. As you wear your interarch bands with your braces, the pressure pulls the jaw in a direction that corrects your bite over time. In the instance of an underbite, the elastics attach towards the front of the jaw on the bottom and attach towards the back on the upper jaw, and vice versa for instances of an overbite.

When it comes to interarch bands, you’ll most likely wear these for the full length of your treatment, but you will need to replace them frequently yourself rather than waiting until an appointment to have them changed.

To learn more about how elastics play a role in your treatment, contact Austin Orthodontics today!

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Which Invisalign is Right for You?

May 29, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Modern innovations in orthodontics provide excellent alternatives to traditional metal braces, and the most innovative solution available today is the Invisalign clear aligner system. Invisalign allows you to get thorough correction for your misaligned teeth without having to usemetal braces. The system is completely clear and can be removed when you need to eat, drink or brush your teeth. There also are several types of treatment you can get based on your specific needs.

Invisalign Full

The most common form of Invisalign is the full version of the treatment. This type can treat a wide range of orthodontic problems, including moderate to severe crowding, gaps, and some instances of underbites and overbites. While each case will last different lengths of time based on the individual needs of each patient, this form of Invisalign usually lasts around 9-24 months.

Invisalign Lite

Some patients have mild or moderate cases of crowding that won’t require Invisalign Full. This treatment is less expensive than the full version, so it comes with fewer aligner trays, but the amount provided will be sufficient to make the necessary corrections. Since Invisalign Lite is designed to treat milder cases than the full version, there are fewer appointments needed, and treatment only lasts five to eight months, significantly less than the full version.

Invisalign Express

Sometimes people strike the genetic lottery and have a smile that looks nearly perfect as is. However, since any misalignment can cause oral health problems later on in life, such as decay or wear, it’s advisable to correct even those really small issues. Invisalign Express is an affordable option for people who only need mild correction to their teeth. It uses five to 10 trays throughout the course of the treatment and can last as little as 10 weeks.

Invisalign Teen

Invisalign Teen is the perfect solution for students in high school or in college. This treatment plan includes all the benefits of Invisalign Full, with the ability to tackle tough orthodontic adjustments. Invisalign Teen offers the discreet look teenagers want while also making life more convenient with the ability to remove the aligners for meals or sports events. One of the added perks of Invisalign Teen is the six complimentary replacement trays in case of damage or loss. The system also includes eruption tabs to guide the growth of permanent teeth in younger teens and has indicators that show how frequently the aligners are being worn.

Invisalign could be a great choice for you or your child’s orthodontic treatment, offering a clean look, complete alignment, and convenience throughout your treatment. Contact Austin Orthodontics today to schedule a complimentary consultation to see which version of Invisalign is right for you.

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Invisalign vs. Braces: Deciding Which Is Best for You

April 23, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

When you visit Austin Orthodontics for your free assessment, Dr. Briggs and his team will gladly go over which orthodontic treatment will achieve you or your child’s desired result. Two of the most common types of orthodontic treatment are Invisalign and braces.

Braces

Still the most effective method of straightening teeth, braces have the capacity to correct some of the most severe orthodontic problems. Braces are made up of brackets adhered to your teeth using dental adhesive. In self-ligating braces, which are used at Austin Orthodontics, archwires are attached to the brackets with little gates and apply corrective pressure to the teeth.

Many patients immediately think of silver, square brackets when they hear the word “braces,” but there are more options today. If patients want their treatment to be less noticeable, they can choose clear, ceramic braces, which work the same as metal braces and can tackle the same issues. Kids and teens can express their personality and sense of style with WildSmiles braces, which offer brackets in several fun shapes.

When it comes to braces, even with the technological advances that have been made, there are still some drawbacks. Your smile will look different over the course of your treatment and you will need to get used to some mild discomfort. You will also need to be careful when choosing what foods to eat and during brushing and flossing.

However, braces are hands down the most affordable option for getting a straight smile and they are the most effective way to treat tough orthodontic issues.

Invisalign

The Invisalign clear aligner system stands out among other types of orthodontic treatment because they don’t stand out when placed on your teeth. The aligners are invisible and removable, allowing you to have an uncluttered smile and zero restrictions on the types of food you can eat during your treatment. Just remember to take your aligners out and put them in a safe place if you are eating or drinking anything other than cold water.

Many people who want to maintain a mature, professional appearance prefer this option since the aligners are undetectable unless inspected up close. Couples approaching their wedding day may prefer this option since they can look at their best on their big day and look back at photos of themselves with clear smiles. Teens can also take advantage of this type of treatment with Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign is effective for mild to moderate types of orthodontic adjustments, including some malocclusions. More severe crossbites, overbites, or underbites, along with large gaps and significant rotations, may require braces.

Some patients prefer the consistency and security of having braces on their teeth, while others may value the freedom Invisalign offers and feel confident in their ability to keep track of their aligners. The experts at Austin Orthodontics can discuss the options available and help you choose the best solution for you or your child.  

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What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?

April 17, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Like all medical practices, orthodontics has seen some exciting technological advances over the years. It wasn’t that long ago that the only choice if you wanted to get a straight smile was metal braces. One of the most significant milestones in orthodontics was the introduction of the Invisalign clear aligner system, giving patients a whole new alternative to bonded braces.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of clear, plastic aligners rather than brackets and wires. The clear aligners are made from a 3-dimensional scan of your teeth and bite.  Using this 3D model, Dr. Briggs plans the movements of your teeth using a highly specialized software, then Invisalign fabricates a custom series of aligners according to his plan. Over the course of your treatment with Invisalign, you will visit our office to ensure the teeth are moving correctly and to get additional sets of your custom aligners, each one progressively moving your teeth until they are straight. Because the aligners are made especially for you, they fit snugly and securely right over your teeth, easily snapping into place with little to no interference with speech or other activities.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign aligners are totally clear, giving you an uncluttered smile you can proudly share during any occasion while you are in treatment. The close fit also results in a very high comfort level and poses no risk of gum or lip irritation or abrasions.

In addition to being almost invisible, the two biggest additional benefits of Invisalign are:

  1. You can simply take them out any time you eat, effectively eliminating any dietary restrictions while your teeth are being straightened.
  2. You can brush and floss normally (no special cleaning tools required)

Some other awesome benefits are you can play sports without worrying about damaging any brackets or wires and can play wind instruments without having to adjust to the feeling of braces on your teeth. Just remember to store your aligners in a safe place when you remove them to play and wear proper mouth protection when playing contact sports.

Best Practices with Invisalign

You will need to keep your aligners in for at least 22 hours per day to complete your treatment on time.  Consistent wear is the KEY to Invisalign’s success.

The ability to remove your aligners during your treatment allows for life to be more convenient, but it also protects your aligners from damage. You will need to remember to remove your aligners for each meal or snack, or anytime you drink hot or dark liquids to prevent cracking, warping, or staining. Since the aligners are clear plastic, you will want to place them directly in their case when not in use. Otherwise, they can get lost or damaged.

You will be changing to a new fresh aligner each week and so keeping your mouth and aligners clean is easy.  You should clean your aligners at least twice a day when you brush your teeth, simply brush your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse them with fresh water. We do also have a few specialized cleaning solutions you can use to soak your aligners to prevent calcium buildup if needed.

If keeping your smile looking bright and uncluttered during your treatment is important to you, schedule a free consultation to learn more about Invisalign at Austin Orthodontics.

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