In This Post, We’ll Cover:
- What are Retainers?
- Are there Different Types of Retainers?
- How Long Do You Have to Wear a Retainer?
- What if My Retainer Doesn’t Fit Anymore?
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Is Invisalign the Key to Your Smile?
It’s a big choice to set a treatment plan for bettering your smile! The decision involves research, planning, and an expert evaluation. The field of orthodontics is constantly innovating and growing, so there are numerous treatment styles that may be the best path for you. One of the biggest choices you’ll have to make is which type of braces you’ll use. You could be the ideal candidate for traditional braces, or Invisalign may be the best option. Whether you choose traditional braces or Invisalign, our team of orthodontic specialists is here to help you!
In This Post, We’ll Cover
- Choosing Invisalign
- Invisalign Candidacy
- What issues can Invisalign help with
- Invisalign Pain
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Can You Get Braces with Missing Teeth
For many children losing teeth is an exciting rite of passage. Another xciting rite of passage is starting orthodontic treatment. And, a question we get from parents bringing in children for s first evaluation is whether or not they can even get started with all of their missing teeth. It’s common to wonder if your child is losing teeth at the right time, or too slowly, or even too quickly. These concerns are normal, and a reason why it’s good to get your child into the orthodontist starting at age seven. Orthodontist Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics can answer all these questions and more and can start any treatment needed early enough to prevent major issues.
When Should Your Child Start to Lose Teeth?
Children typically begin to lose their baby teeth, or primary teeth, around the age of six. This process, known as exfoliation, starts with the teeth at the front of the mouth and then progresses to the back teeth. The process of exfoliation can take several years to complete, and some children may retain their primary teeth until they are twelve or thirteen years old. While the timing of exfoliation varies from child to child, it is typically considered to be a normal and healthy process.
Of course, every child is different, and these ages and average numbers may not prove exactly true in real life. Though your child may not follow this exact timing when they lose their teeth, a first visit to your orthodontist is ideal at age seven to make sure that the progression they are following is healthy and timely for their development.
Most children begin to get their molars around the age of six. However, there can be some variation, and some children may get their molars a little earlier or later. In general, the first molars to come in are the lower ones, followed by the upper ones. The second molars usually come in around the age of twelve. Again, there can be some variation, but this is generally the age range when molars begin to come in.
When Will My Braces Come Off?
The most common question patients ask us is “When will my braces come off?”. More often than “What can I eat with braces?” or “Can I still play my favorite sports?” Patients want to know how long they’ll have to deal with braces at all. It’s an understandable question. Braces are hard to brush and floss around, they come with food restrictions, and they can be a source of embarrassment for teens at school or professionals in the workplace.
It’s common for patients to be excited to begin treatment, but it’s standard for every patient to begin to wonder when they’ll finally get those brackets off. Even though each patient is given an estimated treatment time wearing braces when they start, patients always hope they’ll be the exception that gets their braces off early.
How to Handle Orthodontic Emergencies
At some point during your treatment, something will go wrong with your braces. At home, on vacation, or running on a sports field, it can spark fear to feel your braces start to break. These orthodontic “emergencies” are actually relatively minor, even if they don’t seem that way at the moment! Your orthodontist is well equipped to reattach a wire or a bracket, or adjust a loose or poking piece of metal. But, it’s always best to be prepared. So, there are some things to do after a braces emergency to make sure your treatment continues without a hitch.
Common Orthodontic Emergencies
So what are some common orthodontic emergencies we see? Most of these incidents revolve around a part of your braces becoming loose and then subsequently painful. Some of these issues would include a displaced wire or a bracket coming loose from its bonding. These two issues are minor and can be easily fixed by your orthodontist. Sometimes when a bracket comes loose it could fall out of your mouth. This is an extreme situation, and you should try your best to keep the bracket and take it to your next orthodontic appointment.
Another common emergency is elastics or rubber bands falling off of your braces. These are also minor issues, and as long as you aren’t in severe pain, can be dealt with easily at your next orthodontists appointment.
Why You Need to Floss Everyday
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
- Why Flossing is Important
- How Often You Should Floss
- Why is Flossing so Important with Braces?
- What’s the Best Way to Floss with braces?