Now that I got braces, what gadgets are in my mouth?

After much thought and consideration, you've finally decided to get braces. You are on your way to achieving a beautiful smile that you always wanted. Your teeth will line up straighter. Your bite will come together better. You will chew food better. You will speak better.

However, first you want to know what gadgets are in your mouth. Below are some orthodontic components that Dr. Nancy Phan uses in her orthodontic practice:

Braces refer to a combination of brackets, bands and wires used in orthodontic treatment:

• Brackets are handles to move your teeth.
• Bands are rings around your molars to carry a bracket
• Wires are tracks for your teeth to slide. .
• Spacers are little rubber bands that go in between your back molars. They create spaces for insertion of bands or orthodontics devices.

Orthodontic devices refer to apparatus that are inserted in the mouth to aid in tooth movement:

• Expanders are used to widen your jaws and to create spaces. A Palatal expander can separate your palatal bone to make your upper jaw larger and fit better to the lower jaw. It creates space while the jaw is still growing to allow the permanent teeth to erupt more easily. A Quadhelix expander can be used in both upper and lower jaws to create more space.
• A Bite Plate is used to correct a deep bite. When your lower teeth come up too far and hit hard on the back of your upper teeth causing heavy pressure or swollen gums, then a bite plate is needed to correct the deep bite.
• Space Maintainers are used to anchor the back teeth and maximize your orthodontic outcome. A Trans-Palatal arch is used to anchor a molar. A Nance Holding Arch is to hold space for the permanent premolars to come in. A Lingual Holding Arch can be used to hold space or it can also be used to lift an impacted tooth.

Retainers are used after braces come off to hold the shape of the jaw and position of the teeth:

• A Hawley retainer is a removable retainer that has a wire in front of the teeth with an acrylic plate on the back of the teeth and the roof of the mouth to hold teeth in place and maintain the shape of the jaw.
• An Essix retainer or Clear retainer is a shape performance tray that holds teeth in place. It is clear and durable and helps to maintain the position of the teeth after orthodontic treatment.

Other orthodontic devices are added tools to aid the orthodontist in correction of your teeth and jaw. They are customized and recommended based on an individual's age, pubertal growth stage, maturation phase and specific orthodontic needs to correct the bite and jaw.

• A Headgear is an orthodontic appliance that aids in the correction of a long upper jaw or an excessive overjet (or often referred as "overbite").
• A Facemask is an orthodontic appliance that aids in the correction of an anterior crossbites (or often referred as "underbite"). 
• A Bite Corrector is an orthodontic appliance that aids in the alignment of the upper and lower jaws.
• TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) are mini-implants or fixed anchorage that assists in the efficiency of orthodontic treatment 
• Soft Tissues Laser, such as a Diode Laser, is used to correct uneven gum height, remove gummy smile, remove excess nodules in the mouth, remove thick frenum, uncover thick fibrous tissues that impact permanent teeth, and many other applications. The benefits of laser surgery are huge, such as no suture, comfortable patient's experience, minimal bleeding, minimal pain, minimize infection, and quick recovery. For example, 2% of the population has tighten frenum, an over-pulling gum tissue that cause teeth to space apart, tongue tie, or gum recession. Patient who has a laser frenectomy can go back to work or school within the next day and have very little pain or swelling.  Dr. Nancy Phan is a Certified Laser Provider for many orthodontic-related procedures.

Contact us at www.CareOrthodontics.com for more information.

We can predict your child’s face by the age of 7

As parents, you look at your children from the day they were born and wonder what will become of them? What will they be when they grown up? What will they look like as they get older?

Of course, as with physical appearance, everyone knows that your genes will dictate your children’s facial features. It’s a given that they will look a bit like you and your partner. It has to be…and definitely not look like the neighbor’s face… or there will be issues...!

What if you wish you could change some facial features to make it better for your children? You may have strong upper jaw and an overbite...or you may have a strong lower jaw and a little of an under-bite and you want not want them for your children.

At age 7, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends you schedule an orthodontic examination for your child. By the age of 7, the growth pattern in your child’s face continues on the path that the genetic make-up has defined.

At Care Orthodontics, our orthodontist can do an examination and predict your child’s facial growth. We can let you know if there are any dental or cosmetic needs, and let you know if and when any treatment may be indicated. We can provide you a personalized payment plan and help you with obtaining insurance benefits if treatment needed. The best part is:

• Your child’s examination is complimentary
• If no treatment is needed, we will do a follow up exam at 6-12 months at no additional cost
• Your child can join our Kid’s Club and collect Smile tokens for prizes at no charge
• You do not need a referral from your dentist to see us
• Above all, you do not feel pressured into orthodontic treatment until you are ready

At Care Orthodontics, we want to be the orthodontist and expert that you come to love and trust. Above all, we are in existence because we care and we want to make a difference in your smile. We want to give you a best smile possible.

Please feel free to contact us today for you or your child’s orthodontic exam. You can check out our website at www.CareOrthodontics.com