Should You Have More than One Child in Braces at the Same Time?

August 13, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

When you have kids, you’ll often find yourself juggling the different needs of each child while trying to meet your own at the same time. As you’ve watched your kids grow, you’ve likely been mentally preparing for when they will need to get braces to straighten their teeth. If you have more than one child, the idea of having multiple kids in braces at the same time may sound a bit intimidating, but this actually has some benefits you should consider. 

You Can Schedule Appointments at the Same Time

The thing about having more than one kid with braces at once is you will have to go through the process fewer times, perhaps just once depending on how many kids you have and how you time their treatment. If you have multiple kids in braces, you can take care of their appointments at the same time, from when they get their consultation to when they get their braces off. Since each person’s treatment will be different, one may be in treatment longer than the other, but they will mostly be on the same schedule.

It Will Be Easier to Keep Track of Food Restrictions

When a patient has braces, there are certain things they should avoid eating so they don’t damage their braces or get food stuck in them that they can’t remove. Having one child who can eat anything and one who can’t can be tricky. If both of your kids have braces, neither one of them will be able to eat crunchy or sticky foods, so you can simply eliminate them from your grocery list. Once their treatments are over, you can go back to buying all of the foods you normally would and not have to worry about food limitations again. 

Your Kids Are Less Likely to Tease Each Other

If one child has braces and the other doesn’t, it can be a headache dealing with one sibling teasing the other. It can also cause added stress on your child during their treatment. If your kids have braces at the same time, it evens the score and they have no reason to tease each other. Plus, if they encounter any teasing from their peers, they can support each other since they know what the other is going through. 

You Have to Keep Track of Treatment Fewer Times

When your kids have braces, you will need to help them stay on track with their treatment plan. This includes making sure they are eating foods that are safe for their braces, but it also entails other factors. You’ll need to make sure they are keeping their elastics in and replacing them on time, avoiding rough play without a proper mouthguard, and keeping up with good oral hygiene. 

Multiple Family Member Discounts

Orthodontists understand treatment is an added expense and the thought of paying for two or more sets of braces can be daunting. To make braces more affordable for families, many orthodontists, including Austin Orthodontics, offer discounts to those who have more than one child in treatment at the same time. This discount also lessens the need for parents to decide who is going to get treatment first, which can be a hard decision to make.

If your kids are close in age and you manage to get them in braces at the same time, you can deal with the process once and save some money. Obviously if your kids are spread out in age or not ready for treatment at the same time, this won’t work, but if you have two or more that are ready for treatment, consider doing them both at once.

If you have any questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment for your kids, feel free to contact Austin Orthodontics today! 

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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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Why You Still Might Need Braces Even if Your Teeth Look Straight

July 25, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

For people who are unhappy with their smile, getting braces makes sense. However, if you like the way your teeth look, you may not think you need braces. While this could be the case, there may also be issues that aren’t as noticeable when you look in the mirror.

Unseen Crowding

Even if you have a good-looking smile, there could be problems you can’t see. When you get orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners, it fixes far more than cosmetic issues.

One common issue is crowding, which is caused by a shortage of space between your teeth. When your teeth are crowded, it often affects the appearance of your smile, but some people can have crowding in the back of their mouth, leaving their smile still looking straight. The problem with crowding is food can easily get stuck in between your teeth, making it difficult to thoroughly clean them. This will inevitably lead to tooth decay and possibly worse oral health problems.

Crowding can also cause one or two teeth to be positioned higher than the surrounding teeth. This will cause a disproportionate amount of force to be put on those teeth, which erodes the tooth over time unevenly or causes cracking, both of which you want to avoid.

Underlying Issues

Not all orthodontic issues occur above the gum lines. X-rays often discover problems that need to be fixed but are currently not affecting a smile’s appearance. For example, some patients have adult teeth that have never erupted, either because there wasn’t enough space or the baby teeth never fell out. These trapped teeth can even end up sideways under the gums in an attempt to move into their proper positions.

Braces are often needed to fix these types of underlying issues, either as part of the initial treatment, or after the fact to return the smile to its straight, healthy state.

This is one of the many reasons we don’t recommend mail-order orthodontic treatment. These providers rely on impressions and selfies submitted by their customers, which means any issues hiding under the gums are not addressed.

Misaligned Bite

While your smile may look straight to others, many people have to force their smile to look normal due to an overbite or underbite. Both of these conditions can complicate your oral health by leading to uneven pressure in your mouth, speech or eating problems, or jaw pain. By getting braces or clear aligners, you can get your bite to a normal position and always bite down comfortably while never having to adjust your jaw to make your smile look straight.

To schedule a free consultation and see how braces can improve your oral health, contact Austin Orthodontics today!

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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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Why Are My Teeth Crooked?

June 20, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

As you think about starting orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile and improve your oral health, you might find yourself wondering, “Why are my teeth crooked in the first place?” The answer is different for everyone, which is part of the reason why everyone gets a personalized treatment plan to help with their specific issues. Still, there are some common reasons people’s teeth end up crooked.

Genetics

Just like nobody has perfectly clear skin or a totally symmetrical face, nobody has perfect teeth. Some people have pretty straight teeth naturally, but even they may have underlying issues orthodontic treatment can fix. Some people inherit genes that cause their teeth to grow in crooked. The actual ways genetics affect each person’s teeth varies. Some people have jaws that are too small for their teeth, resulting in crowding, or impacted teeth in severe cases. Other issues with the jaw can cause the person’s bite to be off, causing an overbite, crossbite, or underbite. Permanent teeth may simply grow in at awkward angles due to genetic hardwiring as well.

Bad Timing of Baby Teeth Loss

Many people don’t realize their baby teeth actually play a huge role in how the permanent teeth come in. Baby teeth guide the path of eruption, and if they fall out early or late, it can cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked. For example, if baby teeth don’t fall out when they are supposed to, the permanent teeth may erupt in front of or behind the baby teeth instead of in their proper positions.

Losing baby teeth too early can also affect where the permanent teeth come in. If your child sucks their thumb past toddlerhood, they may loosen the baby teeth early. This habit, along with extended pacifier use, also alters the shape of the jaw as the child is still growing and developing, which can lead to crooked teeth.

Other Bad Habits

Beyond thumb-sucking as a toddler, older children and even adults, can engage in bad habits that cause problems for their teeth grow. For instance, anxious habits like tongue-thrusting or teeth-grinding can alter the orientation of your teeth, causing crookedness and other oral health problems.

Injuries

Another potential source of crooked teeth is getting an injury. For one, getting a facial injury as a child can knock out a baby tooth early, which can lead to permanent teeth coming in improperly. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it’s important to get a replacement tooth put in as soon as possible since the surrounding teeth will begin to move to fill in the gap.

To straighten crooked teeth, most people undergo orthodontic treatment with either braces or the Invisalign, which both help move the teeth and jaws to an ideal position. Early orthodontics starting at age seven can also help correct the issues that cause crooked teeth before the permanent teeth erupt.

Contact Austin Orthodontics and schedule a free consultation to see which treatment option could be right for you!

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How to Take Care of Your Retainer

June 13, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Once your braces are removed and you get to see the amazing results of months, or possibly years, of hard work, you want to make sure you maintain your healthy new smile. That’s why it’s important to wear your retainer for the time your orthodontist prescribes. Of course, this also means taking good care of your retainer.

Keeping Removable Retainers Safe

There are several different types of retainers you might get from your orthodontist, and the length of time you need to wear your retainer depends on your specific needs. Sometimes, you may be required to wear your retainer for most of the day soon after you get your braces out. If your retainer is removable, you’ll want to be careful to take it out for meals to avoid damage. Be sure to store your retainer in a distinct case while you eat instead of on a napkin, especially if you are at a restaurant. This will ensure servers don’t accidentally toss it in the trash with your napkin.

If you only have to wear your retainer for part of the day, which is often done at night for convenience, your retainer will be stored much of the time. You’ll want to pick a safe spot away from kids or pets but that’s still easy for you to access so your retainer doesn’t get damaged and you still remember to wear it.

Keeping Your Retainer Clean

After meals, brush your teeth thoroughly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and do the same with your retainer separately. This will prevent food from getting trapped underneath your retainer and causing tooth decay.

When your retainer spends a large portion of the day in its case, you run the risk of bacteria growing on it, which can lead to plaque buildup. Needless to say, this can become very problematic for your teeth. One strategy to prevent plaque buildup is to store your retainer in a case that has small holes near the top for air circulation. It also helps to keep it on a shelf or counter rather than inside a closet or cabinet where there is no airflow.

Another problem that can come up with retainers is calcium buildup, which can interfere with the bite. You can keep your retainer soaked in a denture solution or in water with baking soda to prevent this buildup. Just be sure to avoid harsh chemicals, such as bleach or mouthwash, when you soak your retainer.

Any time you might need to bring your retainer along with you, such as for road trips or if you simply need to get more hours in during the day, be careful about subjecting your retainer to heat. It can be easy to forget about your retainer if you have it in a bag in your car. Summers can get pretty hot in Austin, and the heat can warp your retainer.

If you have any other questions about how to store your retainer, feel free to contact Austin Orthodontics.

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How to Successfully Move with Braces

June 4, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Sometimes, you just need to pick up your roots and plant them elsewhere. When you’re in the middle of a move, there are already plenty of factors to consider. Between finding ways to transport all of your items, meeting new neighbors, and learning about a new city, the stress can pile up quickly! At Austin Orthodontics, we want to do what we can to help make your move as smooth as possible if you have a family member with braces. Here are some tips to help you have an easy transition.

Make a Visit to Your Current Orthodontist

When you are approaching the move, be sure to make a special appointment with your current orthodontist to let them know you are moving soon. Your orthodontist can provide a summary of your treatment progress along with a projection for the remainder of the treatment. This treatment summary can be handed over to you in addition to all of your x-ray and digital scan images. If you don’t want to be responsible for these items, you can always have your orthodontist send them over to your new orthodontist so they can get fully up to speed on your treatment needs.

The American Association of Orthodontists also provides a transfer form that your orthodontist can complete and send over to your new orthodontist. This form provides information not found on your regular records, including a full history of orthodontic problems and an estimate on how much time is left.

Don’t Forget About Finances

When you are in the process of moving and switching orthodontists, make sure your finances are in order. You orthodontist should refund the portion of the treatment they won’t complete if you already paid in full, allowing you to give that money to the orthodontist who will complete your treatment. Be sure to cancel your payments if you are having automatic payments withdrawn from your account each month when it comes time to switch over to your new orthodontist.

Ask for Recommendations

Orthodontists often attend networking events on a regular basis, so before you try to find a new orthodontist on your own, ask your current one if they have anyone they would recommend. You can also have them look up a licensed orthodontist in the area you are moving to in the database provided by the American Association of Orthodontists. Our very own Dr. Seth Briggs is a trusted member of the American Association of Orthodontists, so you’ll likely see his name show up if you’re moving to the Austin, TX area.

When you arrive in your new city, don’t hesitate to contact your new orthodontist so they can pick up where your last orthodontist left off right away. Be sure to provide them with your medical records and transfer form if they haven’t received them already and switch over your financial information.

If you’re planning on moving to the Austin area, contact Austin Orthodontics today for a smooth transition and seamless completion for your orthodontic treatment.

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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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