Who Benefits From Invisalign?

For many of our patients, Invisalign clear aligners have been a dream come true. They love that they can wear braces that are practically invisible and still get a gorgeous smile. The fact that you can take them out while eating or brushing your teeth just makes them even better. Ideally, everyone would be able to benefit from them; but not all patients are candidates. 

To read more about how we select candidates for Invisalign, and to see if they might be the way for you to straighten your teeth, please visit our website!

Is Thumb Sucking Bad For My Child?

Thumbs Down To Thumb Sucking

If your baby was a thumb sucker, it was probably good news for you at the time. Their thumb never got lost, they could pop it in whenever they needed to and it meant less stress for you as a parent. As time went on, you may have realized that this was not a habit they were going to give up any time soon, but does it really matter? The answer to that is a resounding, “Yes!” Thumb sucking that carries over into the toddler and preschool years can actually harm your child’s mouth--especially if the do it throughout the day.

Before the age of 2, thumb sucking is actually pretty harmless and very natural. It used to be believed that as long as the child stopped before their permanent teeth erupted, there would be no oral consequences. Today’s orthodontists no longer believe that to be true. As the child gets older, the sucking motion puts pressure on the upper jaw and the soft palate on the roof of the mouth. Over time, the jaw will narrow and cause the top and bottom teeth to not align properly. This not only requires braces later on, it can also lead to speech problems such as lisps. In extreme cases it can even create a “thumbhole” on the roof of the mouth that can cause the back teeth to take the brunt of the force from regular chewing. 

If your older child is still sucking their thumb, you’re not alone. Approximately 18% of children between the ages of 2 and 6 still do. Here are some tips to help break the habit:

·         Use a Reward System: Have a special calendar that you can mark with a sticker each day that they go without sucking their thumbs. When they’ve reached the amount of days that you set for their goal, give them a special reward.

·         Use a Glove or Mitten: Have them wear a glove or mitten on the hand that they use to suck. This will remind them not to do it when they have a mouthful of yarn or fabric.

·         Never Yell or Scold Them: This is a behavior that brings them comfort so creating more stress for them will cause them to want to do it more often or in secret.

·         Let Them Decide It’s Time: Some children will desire to stop on their own after being teased or embarrassed by the behavior.

If your worried that thumb sucking has done harm to your child’s mouth, it’s time to see the orthodontist. We have several options to reverse the damage caused by this habit and kids are our specialty. Call to schedule an appointment today.

Removable Retainers vs. Fixed Retainers

Once your braces are finally off, the next step in the treatment process is to use a retainer to maintain the position of your teeth over the next 9-12 months. After the time and expense involved with getting your smile just right, you’d hate to have to get braces put back on again! It is even possible to have a removable retainer for the top teeth and a permanent retainer for the bottom teeth, which are smaller and more prone to shifting.

Continue reading about the pros and cons of fixed and removable retainers, please go HERE, to the Cronauer and Angelakis website!

Who Should You See? Orthodontist or Dentist?

Orthodontist vs Dentist

So many people are confused about the difference between an orthodontist and a regular dentist. Both of them are doctors who deal with teeth, so what is the difference between them?  READ MORE...  to make an educated decision about which doctor to see with your dental problems.

All About Lingual Braces

At Cronauer & Angelakis Orthodontics we are proud that we are in a position to offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments to our patients. One of the specialist treatments that we as orthodontists offer at our practice is lingual braces. We care about our patients, so we have successfully completed the extra training to be able to offer this treatment, and we also attend the continuing education courses in your best interest.

What Are Lingual Braces?

So; what are lingual braces? Well – the word ‘lingual’ means “of or pertaining to the tongue”, so lingual braces are little blocks affixed next to your tongue - on the inside of your teeth. Lingual braces are also sometimes called hidden braces for this reason.

Some teenagers who are going through adolescence are very conscious of their appearance. Others just don’t want anything ‘to cramp their style’! All the same, there are adults who are often in the public eye and who do not want the attention of others to be focused on their teeth rather than on the important things that they are busy with. Lingual braces are ideal for these individuals.

How Are They Placed?

Generally lingual orthodontics will apply to the top teeth. If the braces are used for the bottom jaw, they will however be placed on the outside of the bottom teeth. This is fine though because our bottom teeth are not as visible! Although these braces are not suitable for people who have extreme bite problems or very small teeth, they are perfect for those who enjoy playing sports and the musical ones among us who play wind instruments!

About The Treatment Process

The treatment duration with lingual braces is the same as with normal braces. The results are as impressive as with normal braces too, but appointments take a little longer. They are also more expensive, but there are very good reasons for both – and the benefits are so worth your time and the cost involved!

Fitting lingual braces is a more complicated and technical procedure, and we do not rush it. The brackets themselves cost more than traditional braces because custom-made things always involve higher fees. Also, very specialist equipment is used to make the braces that will eventually reward you with a huge confident smile! Specialized technology such as CAD/CAM and robotic wire technologies are used to make the braces that will sort out your individual, specific needs.

Are you ready to smile bigger and wider? Go ahead and call us then, or drop in at our friendly offices to make an appointment!