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.

Types of Retainers

Dental Retainers At Cronauer & Angelakis Orthodontists

Retainers are worn by my patients either before or after they have has braces in order to keep the teeth in their new position until they have settled. Retainers are custom made and can be either metal or clear. Some patients are required to only wear them at night while others have to wear them 24/7. Patients who wear retainers prior to braces may find them uncomfortable at first, especially with the back teeth, but they are not painful.

Four Types of Retainers

·         Hawley-This is the most well-known retainer. It is made of a metal wire that goes around the back teeth to keep them in place. A plate sits at the roof of the mouth to help keep it in place.

·         Essix- This is another popular name orthodontists are familiar with. This is a clear removable retainer that fits over all the teeth. It is similar to the Invisalign tray.

·         Zendura- This is another clear retainer made of polyurethane. The difference with this retainer is that it is a bit tougher that the Essix, however, it still works the same way.

·         Bonded (fixed) - These retainers are bonded with a wire to the incisors and unlike the other retainers; this one cannot be removed by the patient.

Proper Care for Retainers

I tell patients all the time that properly caring for retainers is just as important as proper care for braces. A removable retainer needs to be brushed as often as the teeth are brushed. Even though the retainer does not go around all the teeth, it is still easy to get food and plaque build-up. For the retainer that is not removable, the patient has to make sure to take the extra time to brush it and not just the teeth.

Another important tip in caring for a retainer is to always keep it in a case when it is not in use. This will prevent it from being damaged or collecting germs. Also, if you play sports, please make sure to remove the retainer and put in in the case in a safe place. Replacing lost or broken retainers can be expensive and it prolongs the teeth straightening process due to the wait times.