What’s so great about having straight teeth anyway?

You might ask yourself:

Is it worth it to endure orthodontic treatment?

Yes… an emphatic yes! In exchange for the discomfort of having sore teeth during orthodontic treatment, you'll get a beautiful smile that lasts. You'll have a confident smile and a proper bite that can last a lifetime.

You might also ask:

What are the benefits of braces and Invisalign?

First and foremost, you get straight teeth. Beyond cosmetics, you achieve psychological gain. Straight teeth give you the added advantage of more self-confidence when interacting with others. When you smile more, you interact more. You attract more friends into your life and gain more satisfaction and happiness in life.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay. Well-aligned teeth hold less food impaction as well as less plaque and stain. Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss. Straight teeth, combined with good hygiene habits and frequent check-ups with your dentist, can lead to fewer periodontal pockets, less gingivitis and fewer cavities.

Functionally, straight teeth allow you to chew and eat food better. A stable occlusion distributes bite force evenly throughout the mouth. For example, if you start out with an open bite, where only the back teeth touch and your front teeth do not, you have no chewing force in your front teeth. You will not be able to bite into a piece of lettuce or a thin slice of turkey.

Straight teeth can improve speech. When you have an open bite, your front teeth will not form a proper seal. This can result in speech difficulties, such as a lisp. Straight teeth allow for a proper seal for accurate articulation and speech.

The next time someone asks you why you wear braces or Invisalign, think of all the benefits that orthodontic treatment brings, such straight teeth, a nicer smile, easier brushing and flossing, better chewing, proper speech, more self-confidence, and a better chance of keeping your teeth the rest of your life.

Then you know you are making a wise investment in yourself by obtaining orthodontic treatment. The next time you flash that beautiful smile, you'll know you have a beautiful look and a more confident self!

Dr. Nancy Phan and the entire team at Care Orthodontics work hard to give all our patients the best smile and bite possible. We offer complimentary consultations. You can visit us at www.CareOrthodontics.com for more information.

Am I too old for braces?

From time to time, we have grandparents who are interested in orthodontic treatment after having brought the grandkids into our office. We also have middle-aged adults who would like to get started with treatment or want re-treatment. Nowadays, there are more adults getting braces and Invisalign treatment than decades before. According the American Association of Orthodontists, currently 20% of orthodontic patients are adults, compared to less than 5% over 20 years ago. 

Reasons why it is easier for adults to wear braces these days:

• The metal brackets are thinner and smaller
• The clear, ceramic brackets are thinner, less brittle, less likely to cause stains
• Optional lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth and are less noticeable
• Invisalign is a good alternative for adults who do not want to wear braces
• Socially, it is more acceptable to wear braces and more people are doing it than ever before

As more people are aware of the benefits of straight and healthy teeth, they are more motivated to obtain treatment. You don't have to live with negative consequences of physically limited oral health due to bad bite, uneven teeth, gingival recessed gum, or trapped plaque. You don't have to suffer the psychological setback of covering your unattractive teeth while smiling, and you don't have to fear that people will judge you negatively due to crooked teeth.

Here are the benefits of receiving orthodontic treatment:

• Less chance of food build-up, stain, and plaque accumulation with aligned teeth
• Less periodontal disease and gum recession when teeth are in proper occlusion
• Less trauma in occlusion when teeth are properly fitted
• It is much easier to brush and floss with straight teeth
• You chew food properly and avoid gastrointestinal problem with correction of improper bite
• You speak better and digest food better with correction of an open bite
• You show more self-confidence when you have a better smile
• When you smile more, you are more approachable to others, make more friends, attract the opposite sex, and perform better at job interviews.

Should you consider orthodontic treatment at your age?

You are never too old for orthodontic treatment. Even in your 70s or 80s, as long as there is normal bone metabolism and no periodontal disease, tooth movement can occur. However, here are some important differences to consider in adult orthodontics:

• By adulthood, bone growth has stopped. Therefore, there are no opportunities to manipulate jaw growth except for jaw surgery. With severe underbites, overbites, crossbites, or facial asymmetry, a combination of jaw surgery and orthodontic treatment may be necessary.
• Treatment may take longer in adults compared to adolescence. With age, teeth may move a little more slowly due to dense bone. With age, adults are more prone to root resorption and periodontal diseases. Thus, adults need to be more closely monitored and need more frequent cleanings. Adults need gum pockets checked every 4-6 months to ensure healthy periodontal structure.
• Adults often need more inter-discipline care and dental cosmetic treatments along with orthodontic treatment. Procedures such as veneers, porcelain crowns, teeth whitening, gum grafting, etc. are often indicated to restore size, shape, and function of teeth as a result of heavy grinding, bruxism, root-canal treatment, internal staining, or gum recession.

The outcomes are just as good for adults. Even though many adults worry about the age to pursue orthodontic treatment, the majority are satisfied with the end results. They are happy that they invested the time and money in their smile and they can keep their healthy smiles for many more years to come!

At Care Orthodontics, we are here to help. If you have any questions about your bite and would like to consider treatment options, you can schedule an appointment for complimentary consultation with Dr. Nancy Phan at 408-971-2885. You can also find other beneficial information on our website at www.CareOrthodontics.com.

8 Benefits of Invisalign Treatment for Teens and Adults

Most people recognize the Invisalign brand name and have heard that it can help adjust your teeth. However, do you know all the benefits that Invisalign can bring?

Invisalign is an orthodontic system that uses transparent, removable aligners to move teeth. Almost everyone who has healthy, permanent teeth can benefit from Invisalign treatment. Aligners can straighten teeth without metal brackets. They can be removed daily for eating, brushing, flossing and any social events. In addition, there are other benefits that are specific to teenagers and adults.

Benefits to teenagers:

1. Invisalign Teen protects teeth during contact sports. At Care Orthodontics we recommend wearing a mouth guard for all contact sports or gymnastics. It absorbs shock from any object that can shatter teeth and lacerate lips. For teenagers who are in braces, a custom fit mouth guard is expensive to fabricate and is difficult to fit over braces. With Invisalign, aligners already wrapped around the teeth to provide some protection. For heavy sports, aligners can be removed and a normal mouth guard can be worn without the added expense of a specialized mouth guard.
2.  Invisalign protects lip irritation for anyone playing "wind-musical instruments" such as clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horns, etc... Unlike braces, Invisalign has no raised metal brackets or sharp corners to cause scratches, canker sores or inflammation. Teenagers can remove aligners while practicing and playing in a band. Since aligner material is very thin, it is an ideal dental device for music lovers. 
3. Invisalign trains kids to be more responsible. Since Invisalign requires kids to wear aligners full time with an average of 22 hours per day, kids are treated like an adult and asked to be responsible for their treatment. Surprisingly, I find that kids enjoy their responsibility when being challenged on a daily basis. They comply better when they see their teeth becoming straighter. They are motivated to wear the aligners because they can see the changing results.
4.  Invisalign saves time. I understand that kids are busy with many school activities such as academics, sports, and after-hour curriculum, while parents are busy with work and commuting. Going to an orthodontic office and waiting to be seen for a monthly adjustment is a chore that both parents and kids are glad to eliminate. Invisalign offers a perfect alternative because they require a fewer number of office visits. There are no monthly adjustment, no dental emergencies such as loose bands, brackets or pokey wires, and no alteration in diet or flossing. For busy teenagers, Invisalign saves time and makes treatment a convenience.

Benefits to adults:

1.   Invisalign is a versatile therapy for adults.  Aligners can be removed to eat, brush, and floss. You don't have to worry about changing your diet or avoiding certain favorite foods as required by braces. You don't have to deal with special brushing or flossing tools. Without brackets, there is less plaque accumulation near the gum line, thus less risk of gum diseases and deep pockets. Adults also experience lighter force with aligners, thus making treatment more enjoyable and less painful. 
2.   Invisalign is a good solution for social settings. Many adults aren't sure if it is worth wearing braces to have straight teeth. They don't want to be noticed for having metal brackets in their mouths or having food stuck between their brackets. Now adults can achieve straight teeth, without the hassle of worrying about metal brackets.
3. Invisalign is a good fit for adults who have busy schedules.  Between works, meetings, picking up and dropping off kids at schools, groceries and meal preparation, adults usually have no time left at the end of the day. With Invisalign, there are virtually no emergencies or loose appliances, discomfort is minimized, and fewer visits to the orthodontist’s office are required. It is the preferred appliance for many busy adults.
4. Invisalign can help with teeth whitening. Patients can buy whitening kits over- the-counter and whiten their teeth while getting their teeth straightened. It is an ideal set-up for a beautiful and healthy smile.

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. Give us a call at (408) 971-2885 or visit us at www.CareOrthodontics.com . 

  

What are the benefits of braces…other than just to straighten teeth?

Everyone wants a naturally straight and beautiful smile. It is no secret that braces can deliver a good smile. However, there are many additional benefits to having braces other than just having straight teeth. You will gain many oral health benefits in addition to the cosmetic ones:

1. Reduce tooth decay and gum disease. Crooked teeth, crowded teeth, overlapped teeth create tight spaces, lead to food traps and difficulty brushing and flossing. Gingivitis and periodontal diseases are different types of gum disease, caused by certain strain of bacteria found in plaque sitting above the gum and deep inside the gum pockets. These bacteria break down bone and tissue attachments to cause teeth mobility and tooth loss. Having straight teeth allows better brushing and flossing, reducing food traps and encouraging healthy gingival and bone.
2. Improve your speech. Your teeth play a significant role in speech. The way your tongue is positioned in relation to your teeth contributes to the formation of sound. When your teeth are too far out forward or backward, they can affect speech and cause lisping, frustration or embarrassment. Aligned teeth allow for more clear and acute speech.
3. Improve your eating. Your top and bottom teeth need to come together evenly to break down food. A person who has an open bite, when the top and bottom front teeth are not aligned, will not be able to bite into a piece of lettuce or into a thin slice of ham with the front teeth. Another person with an overbite or an under-bite will have a hard time chewing food normally. Straight teeth allow better chewing and mastication. 
4. Prevent bone erosion. Bone and gum begin to erode when there are no teeth to support them. Teeth that are far out of alignment can lead to bone and gum erosion, resulted in teeth mobility and teeth sensitivity. With braces, Dr. Nancy Phan can bring poorly fitted teeth back into a healthy range. 
5. Reduce risks of temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Bad bites can cause stress to the temporal mandibular joint and lead to muscle fatigue, muscle spasm, joint soreness or joint inflammation. By eliminating a bad bite, Dr. Nancy Phan can establish a harmonious occlusion with minimum joint stress. 
6. Improve your digestion. Your teeth play an important role in digestion. Before food gets digested in your stomach, they are first digested by your teeth. When teeth are severely out of line, they do not break down food effectively. With braces, you can achieve more optimal chewing. 
7. Improve your self-esteem. A research by Wakefield and the American Association of Orthodontists revealed that 1/3 of American adults are unhappy with their smile. Bad teeth represent one of the biggest dating turn-offs among men and women. Bad teeth lead to lack of self confidence and lead to missed opportunities on career advancement, social interactions, and a better job interview or a job offering. Having a beautiful smile is the first step to gaining self confidence.

With today's technology, braces are thinner, smaller and far more esthetics than the 1960s -1970s. People can get their teeth corrected with different options such are metal braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners, Invisalign, etc. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. You are never too old to enjoy a straight and healthy smile!

Call us at 408-971-2885 or check us at www.CareOrthodontics.com to schedule a complimentary consultation for orthodontic treatment. You can enjoy all the benefits of braces discussed in this article.