7 Common Myths about Braces

When thinking about braces, people tend to have a stereotypical image about people wearing braces as well as many myths about braces themselves. Here are 7 common myths that Dr. Nancy Phan often hears in our Care Orthodontics practice.

Myth 1: Braces are just for kids. 

Although many kids wear braces, adults have braces, too. The American Association of Orthodontists conducted a survey in 2015 and found that nearly 40% of orthodontic patients are adults. Adults can still wear braces to correct teeth, bite and achieve a better smile appearance.

Myth 2: My general dentist can do braces faster and cheaper. 

With a flood of advertisement about "six month braces" or "fast braces," it may seem like your general dentist is better at doing orthodontics than an orthodontist. They market wearing braces for only six months, while your orthodontist may recommend 18 months of treatment, and you may wonder why. The devil lies in the details.

As the old adage says, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." With speedy braces, you get only a quick alignment of teeth, not the full correction of the bite. Your treatment may include just the alignment of the front teeth.

The deep bite, open bite, excessive bite and misaligned bite are not commonly addressed. Without proper bite correction or root alignment, aligned teeth can relapse quickly. Depending on if you want to get partial treatment or full treatment, you have to decide with whom to render orthodontic treatment.

Myth 3: Braces mean metal mouth.

Although traditional braces are metal braces, there are many options to having braces today. You can get ceramic braces that include clear-colored brackets. You can also get removable braces, such as Invisalign, without any type of metal in the mouth.

Myth 4: Braces are just for crooked teeth.

Braces correct more than crooked teeth! For example, you may not have crooked teeth but your front teeth may not come together. They interfere with the way you eat and talk, thus you need braces. In other cases, your teeth may be straight but you show too much gum and your bite is off to one side when biting down. Braces can correct all of these bite problems in addition to straightening the teeth.

Myth 5: Braces are too costly and I cannot afford it. 

Braces take time and resources, and just like any medical procedure, they can be expensive. At Care Orthodontics, we work out flexible payment plans along with insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts and other payment options to reduce the financial burden and make it fit within your budget.

Myth 6: Braces are too painful. 

Although braces can cause discomfort, they are not as painful as you might think. Many studies have been done to survey patients. People, statistically averaged, rate the discomfort of having braces at about two on a scale of one to ten. This discomfort happens mostly during the first three days after braces are put on. Don't let the fear of pain keep you away from attaining that attractive smile that you've always dreamt of!

Myth 7: Braces will make me lose weight.

While some people see it as a good thing, others may not want to lose any weight. Most people think that, with braces on, you have to stop eating normal food and start eating soup every day. 

Although we tell you to stay away from hard and sticky food while wearing braces, you can eat 95% of the foods you normally eat. For the hard and sticky foods, such as apples, corn on the cob and caramel, you have to find creative ways to eat them, such as cutting it into small pieces, chewing slowly or taking small bites.

Give our office a call if you wish to schedule a complimentary consultation. For more information, please visit our website, www.CareOrthodontics.com.

The Invisalign way to straighten teeth

Less than 20 years ago, the only orthodontic method to correct the alignment of teeth was through braces. Nowadays, with our advanced technology, Invisalign has become a very effective alternative and is gaining popularity. According to Align Technology, the company that makes Invisalign, there are more than three million people wearing Invisalign, and that number is continuing to grow. For those of you who are not quite familiar with Invisalign, here is how it works.

Invisalign use a series of trays and sometimes elastics to guide your teeth to their final position. Invisalign is a good option for those who do not want to bring attention to their teeth during orthodontic treatment. It is also a good option for busy adults who travel a lot, who are away from home for school, and who have to do a lot of public speaking. Invisalign aligners cut down risk factors such as pokey wires, loose brackets, loose bands and the discomfort from wearing braces.

Consultation with an Invisalign provider:

To achieve a beautiful smile through Invisalign, you need to choose a provider who has received specialized training and who has experience using Invisalign. After all, Invisalign is just a material. Just as with a bucket of good paint, you need a good painter to create a masterpiece. Similarly, with Invisalign, you need a doctor to design, monitor and make adjustments to your case in order to achieve the best results.

At Care Orthodontics, Dr. Phan treats many Invisalign patients. She can give you recommendations on whether or not your case should be corrected with Invisalign or advise you on any special conditions to watch out for while going through Invisalign treatment.

Creating a customized treatment plan:

Once you get started with treatment, Dr. Phan will take X-rays and impressions to create 3D images of your teeth. Based on her specific treatment plan, she will design the movements for your teeth and work with the lab technician to get the custom trays generated. A 3D video will demonstrate how your teeth will move, the end results and an estimated treatment time.

Arrival and delivery of your trays:

Once the custom trays are created, they will be sent to Dr. Phan's office to begin treatment. Invisalign should be worn 22 hours a day, except to eat, drink, brush and floss. In general, you will replace the trays every 10 to 14 days during the treatment plan. These trays will move your teeth into the proper alignment and bite. You will come into the office every few months to pick up more trays and for Dr. Phan to monitor your treatment results.

Touch-up trays:

When you finish with your custom trays, Dr. Phan will determine if your bite needs retainers or more touch up trays. Sometimes one or a few teeth move slower than expected and may need more trays to add needed movement.

Retainers to reserve a beautiful smile:

Once you complete your smile transformation then it's time to enjoy your beautiful smile for a lifetime. At the end of treatment, Dr. Phan will order your retainers to ensure that your teeth settle into this new position. Just remember to wear them as recommended so that your teeth do not move.

It seems like there is a lot of work involved in creating a beautiful smile…and there is. But at the end of the day, it's all worth it. You get to keep your smile for the rest of your life. So smile confidently, you earned it!

If you cannot decide whether braces or Invisalign is right for you, give our office a call to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Nancy Phan at www.CareOrthodontics.com.

When will my braces come off?

At Care Orthodontics we're frequently asked, "When will my braces come off?" The short answer is, "When your bite looks perfect." The long answer is that it depends on many factors.

The biological response rate of each individual is different. Some people's teeth move faster than others. Then there are factors like the severity of the bite as well as the compliance of the individual toward attendance, wearing appliances and taking care of the braces.
Despite certain factors that you cannot control, there are things you can do to avoid setbacks and speed up your treatment time. Below is a list of things that you can do to keep your treatment on track:

1. Keep your appointments. Missing appointments will delay treatment length. At each adjustment visit, treatment plans need to be renewed and monitored. Canceled or postponed appointments will delay treatment time.
2. Show up to appointments on time. When you are late, there is often not enough time do all the procedures that were planned.
3. Watch what you eat and avoid hard foods. While wearing braces, you need to follow the diet restrictions that your orthodontist recommends. You must avoid eating hard and sticky foods, such as gum, caramel candies ice chips, apples and carrots because they will cause the brackets to come off. Loose brackets will delay treatment completion.
4. Wear your rubber bands. If your treatment requires you to wear rubber bands, you have to comply and wear elastics full time in order to finish your treatment on target. If you do not wear the rubber bands as recommended, your bite will not finish beautifully.
5. Wear your orthodontic appliances. As with rubber bands, you may be required to wear appliances, such as bite plate, expander, headgear or facemask. You need to wear these appliances daily and follow the instructions that are given to achieve optimal results. 
6. Wear your mouth guard during sports activities. To protect your lips and gums, and avoid damage to your orthodontic appliances, wear a mouth guard during sports activities. By avoiding emergency visits and unexpected procedures, your treatment will progress quickly.
7. Brush and floss daily. Whether or not you are wearing braces, you need to brush your teeth. However, while wearing braces, it is even more important to brush and floss thoroughly to avoid cavities and periodontal problems. With braces, there are more surfaces for food, plaque and bacteria to bind to. Dr. Phan recommends five minutes of brushing three times a day and after each meal to avoid cavities, gingivitis and bad breath. The rate of teeth movement drops significantly in the presence of plaque, bacteria and swollen gums. Thus, clean teeth means more efficient tooth movement.
8. See your general dentist two to three times a year. Many times, parents mistakenly think that their child does not need to see a general dentist during braces treatment. However, the opposite is true. Orthodontists and general dentists have different sets of exams, x-rays and treatment plans. For example, your general dentist takes specific x-rays and performs specific exams to check for cavities, deep pockets and bone and gum attachment. If you don't have frequent cleanings, your gums will swell up and bleed, and this effects the rate of tooth movement. Since teeth move slower in the presence of gingivitis and gum disease, by maintaining healthy teeth and gums, you can finish orthodontic treatment more quickly.

If you follow these guidelines, you will be on your way to completing your treatment efficiently. You will avoid setbacks that can delay your orthodontic treatment. Meanwhile, Dr. Phan and her team will do their best to correct your teeth and bite, and finish the treatment quickly.

Our goal is to give you a radiant smile in the shortest treatment time! Visit our website at www.CareOrthodontics.com.

When is a good age for my child to start braces?

This article answers some commonly asked questions that parents have about when their child should see a dentist or seek orthodontic treatment.

When is a good age for my child to see a dentist?

Age one.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age one or within six months after the first tooth erupts. At six months of age, the two lower front teeth begin to erupt. Around age one, your dentist can evaluate the condition of your child's teeth and give recommendations on daily oral hygiene and routine dental care.

When is a good age for my child to see an orthodontist?

Age seven.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that a child see an orthodontist by age seven. At that age, the orthodontist can evaluate your child's jaw and facial growth patterns, as well as tooth development and bite. Around age seven, your orthodontist can evaluate any dental malocclusion and give recommendations on the best time to start orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist can help you monitor the eruption of your child's permanent teeth and jaw development.

When is a good age for my child to start orthodontic treatment?

It depends.

Orthodontic treatment varies from child to child. Some children may not need any orthodontic treatment until age 11 or 12. These children may have good jaw and facial growth and only need orthodontic treatment to correct the teeth and occlusion. Other children may need early orthodontic treatment to change the jaw features.

Genetics may dictate a non-favorable jaw relationship, and these children may need interceptive treatment, such as jaw expansion. This jaw modification during growth creates space and reduces the chances of needing jaw surgery later on. Early orthodontic treatment, when required, is usually recommended around age 7 to 10.

A review on development of permanent teeth:

At age six, lower permanent incisors grow in. At age seven, the first back permanent molars grow in. Sequentially other teeth such as canines and premolars erupt in both the lower and upper jaws. When permanent teeth start to grow in, this is a good time to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist.

Why you shouldn't wait to seek orthodontic treatment:

Most parents wait until they think their child needs braces. Then they make an appointment. However, waiting is not a good solution. You can miss out on many available treatment options that are more effective while the jaw is still growing, or before all the permanent teeth are in place. For example, without adequate space, many permanent teeth may fail to come in. The longer you wait, the denser the bone quality and the more slowly teeth erupt.

Waiting can make the face look worse. Since genetic make-up already dictates how the face will grow, you should seek an orthodontic consultation at the first signs of possible problems. Waiting will not reverse growth patterns - they will need orthodontic intervention eventually, and the longer you wait the harder it will be. In addition, older children are less compliant to follow treatment regimens than younger children. Preteens and teens are less willing to wear headgear, expanders, a facemask or rubber bands. They may want braces off quickly before treatment is fully completed.

An early orthodontic evaluation will also allow you more flexibility, not just with treatment planning, but also with financial planning.

At Care Orthodontics, Dr. Nancy Phan provides complimentary consultations and follow-up visits. At these visits, she will check your child's bite and make specific recommendations on when and what needs to be done.

In the follow-up visits, she monitors teeth that are delayed in eruption and verifies any factors that contribute to a bad occlusion. Depending on the diagnosis, she will give you recommendations on whether to pursue orthodontics now or in the future.

Dr. Nancy Phan has been providing orthodontic treatment for children and adults in San Jose and the surrounding Bay areas for over ten years. Schedule a complimentary consultation for your child by calling our office at (408) 971-2885. Check out our website for other beneficial information and educational videos at www.CareOrthodontics.com.

Should I buy an electric toothbrush?

Can an electric toothbrush brush your teeth better than a manual toothbrush? No. As long as you can do a good job of brushing and removing all plaque on the teeth and around your gums, then either toothbrush can help you accomplish this goal.

Can an electric toothbrush brush your teeth faster than a manual toothbrush? Absolutely.

Is it worthwhile to spend $70 on an electric toothbrush? Yes. If you can afford to buy one, it will save you time and effort. You just need to hold the angle of the toothbrush correctly and it will do the job for you.

Comparing electric tooth brushing with manual brushing:

If the ultimate goal of brushing is to remove plaque and bacteria then either method can work as long as the end goal was accomplished – that is the removal of plaque. Research has found that electric toothbrushes are no more effective than manual toothbrushes, assuming that the people used a manual toothbrush effectively. [Source: Manual versus powered brushing]

Research has concluded that the way brushing is done and the amount of time spent is more important than the choice of brushes. [Source: Meta Analysis]

Special features of an electric toothbrush:

Did you know the first electric toothbrush was invented in 1954 in Switzerland by Dr. Philippe-Guy Woog? It was created for patients with limited motor skills and for patients in braces. [Source: Wikipedia]

Here are a few reasons why you should spend $70 on an electric toothbrush:

1. An electric toothbrush can have two types of action: vibration or rotation-oscillation. A vibrating toothbrush is similar to manual brushing, however, at a faster rate. A rotational oscillation toothbrush alternately rotates in one direction and then the opposite direction. They can both deliver around 20,000 to 50,000 strokes per minute compared to 100-300 strokes per minute with manual brushing.

2. An electric toothbrush is classified based on speed, such as power brush, sonic brush or ultrasonic brush. If it is below 1000 oscillations per minute, it is a power brush. If it is below 20,000 oscillations per minute, it is a sonic brush. If it is above 20,000 oscillations per minute, it is classified as an ultrasonic brush. An ultrasonic toothbrush emits vibration in high frequency and low amplitude to break up plaque and bio film on teeth surfaces as well as up to 5mm below gum level.

3. An electric toothbrush comes with a small head to get to hard-to-reach surfaces, such as behind the last molars and around inside surfaces of the teeth.

4. An electric toothbrush can come with a bigger handle to make it easier for young children and adults with arthritis to operate.

5. An electric toothbrush is rechargeable so it can deliver the same force after it is fully charged.

6. An electric toothbrush has a 30-second beeping feature for each quadrant and a two-minute timer for entire mouth brushing.

Don't forget to change the brush head every 3-6 months or when the brush bristles are visibly worn out. If you decide to keep using a manual toothbrush, you can do so, just make sure you spend at least 2 to 3 minutes to brush, reach all surfaces including gum-line level to adequately remove plaque, and get in between the brackets. Brush and floss daily.

Dr. Nancy Phan and the team at Care Orthodontics in San Jose, CA love to see you with a beautiful and radiant smile. Please check out our website www.CareOrthodontics.com for more information about Invisalign or braces.

Resources:

1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_toothbrush

2. Robinson PG, Deacon SA, Deery C, Heanue M, Walmsley AD, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Shaw WC (2009). "Manual versus powered tooth brushing for oral health"  Cochrane Database Syst Rev (1): CD002281. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002281.pub2.  PMID 15846633 -  Meta-analysis of studies of the effectiveness of electric toothbrushes.

3. Deery C, Heanue M, Deacon S, Robinson PG, Walmsley AD, Worthington H, Shaw W, Glenny AM (March 2004). "The effectiveness of manual versus powered toothbrushes for dental health: a systematic review". J Dent 32 (3): 197- 211.  doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2003.11.006.  PMID 15001285

5 commonly asked questions regarding Invisalign

Orthodontic treatment has come a long way since the advancement of technology and material options. Unlike the old days when the only option to straighten your smile was to wear a mouth full of bulky bands and brackets, today's braces are thinner, smaller and more aesthetically designed. In addition, there are other treatment options that can hide the look of braces, such as lingual braces and Invisalign.

Invisalign is a popular option to correct crooked teeth and crooked smiles with minimal discomfort. Today it is estimated that nearly two million adults and teenagers wear Invisalign aligners.

Below are five commonly asked questions regarding Invisalign:

1. Are they really invisible?

Yes. Since the aligners are crystal clear and they are trimmed to the gum margins, they appear "invisible" to onlookers.

2. Are they less painful to move teeth than braces?

Yes. First, since the aligners are smooth, round and flexible, as opposed to raised corners and shapes in metal or ceramic brackets, they are more comfortable to the mouth. Secondly, since teeth are moved with mild, gentle and continuous force, they are less painful. Any discomfort associated with moving teeth is limited to just day one and two of wearing new aligners. Most patients rate the discomfort level at 1 or 2 out of 10 on the scale of tolerance.

3. Does Invisalign work as well as braces?

Yes. At the molecular level, bone biology works the same whether the teeth are moved through Invisalign force or braces force. The principle is that bone cells have to break down and regenerate to allow bone around the teeth to soften so the tooth can move. With Invisalign, plastic materials are programmed to push teeth. With braces, fixed wires and brackets are used to push and pull teeth. Although one treatment method uses removable products and the other method uses fixed appliances, both methods should render a nice, straight, beautiful smile.

As with an artist and painting, the artist's experiences and skills dictate whether or not the painting looks good in the end. With Invisalign treatment, an experienced orthodontist leverages his or her expertise, knowledge of teeth movement, mechanical force principles and force mechanics to design and create a beautiful smile.

4. Is wearing Invisalign better for your teeth?

Yes, Invisalign aligners allow easier brushing and flossing than wearing braces. Wearing aligners also allows some protection from bruxism and teeth grinding at night. Since aligner materials are more clear and invisible, they are more discrete and more socially acceptable for patients, especially adults and teenagers. Patients can eat any kind of food without having to cut it into small pieces or avoid hard foods. Invisalign is a great choice, especially for adults who want to straighten their teeth but minimize the risks of gingivitis and periodontal diseases.

5. Do they cost more than braces?

While cost of treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the level of treatment and needs, the cost for Invisalign and braces are very similar. In general, Invisalign and traditional braces may vary by a few hundred dollars, which makes Invisalign a good alternative to braces.

For more information about Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Nancy Phan. She can answer your questions and concerns. The consultation is complimentary. You can visit us at www.CareOrthodontics.com.

5 Ways to clean your retainers and aligners and keep them smelling fresh

If you wear retainers or Invisalign aligners, you need to clean them and keep them smelling fresh. 

Here are five ways to keep them clean:

1. Mechanical Cleaning 

The most reliable way is daily mechanical cleaning using a toothbrush and storing your retainers in an open lid case during the day, when you are not wearing them. Dry air will wick away any odor to leave the retainers dry and fresh for the next night’s wear.

2. Baking Soda

A second way is using baking soda. You can soak your retainers in a solution of 1 part baking soda, 3 parts water for 20 minutes. Baking soda neutralizes any acidic content in plaque and biofilm that normally surface on retainers. It also deodorizes the smell. After soaking, make sure you brush the retainers or aligners with water to get rid of minerals and build-ups.

3. Mouthwash Solution

A third way is soaking in mouthwash solution. You can soak retainers or aligners in mouthwash for 20 minutes or less. It is best to use alcohol-free mouthwash since the alcohol can degrade the plastic material of retainers overtime. Since most mouthwash solution such as Listerine contains alcohol, you should brush your retainers first, then soak your retainers just a short period to achieve a fresh scent.

4. Retainer Cleaning Products

The fourth way is using over-the-counter retainer cleaning products. Samples of retainer cleaning tablets are Retainer Brite, SonicBrite, DentaSoak, and Efferdent. Other products that also work effectively are retainer cleaning gel, spraying foam, retainer wipe, and retainer spray. They all have deodorizing effects to give a fresh-smelling scent. You need to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the box.

5. Castile Oil

The final way is soaking in Castile oil [Source: Wikihow]. Castile oil is made out of coconut oil and olive oil, so it is organically safe and free of harmful chemicals. You can purchase a bottle of peppermint Castile liquid soap at the body cleanser section at Walmart or order online for about $5 to $10. Castile soap contains a main ingredient called Castile oil.

You can also substitute with peppermint oil to give it a very pleasant smell. Squirt 2 tablespoons of Castile liquid soap or peppermint Castile liquid soap in a cup of warm water and soak your retainers or aligners for 15 minutes. After you take them out and rinse them with water, you will have very clean and peppermint-smelling retainers [Source: AskTheDentist].

If you find this post helpful, let us know. You can find other useful information and articles at our website, www.CareOrthodontics.com. Dr. Nancy Phan and the team love to give you a beautiful and radiant smile.