Orthodontists are trained to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.  The advantage for patients of early detection of orthodontic problems is that some problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated early.

But what are realistic expectations for smile correction? Parents often ask about the lasting impact for their child’s smile, and what can they expect to see?

While the aspects and severity of individual cases can determine the length and success rate for orthodontic treatment, the end result can be dramatic and often can exceed expectations.

But seeing is believing, so view this time lapse video from the American Association of Orthodontists to see firsthand what braces can do for a child’s smile.

The post What results can orthodontic braces deliver for my child’s smile? See for yourself… appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Root canal treatment is performed when the soft tissue of a tooth, called the pulp, is infected or inflamed due to untreated decay, injury or trauma. During the procedure, an endodontist removes the affected pulp before cleaning the root canal and finally filling and sealing the space. Following the procedure, the tooth may undergo restorative work, after which it functions, looks and feels just like any other natural tooth.

A reflex reaction when considering a root canal, is that root canal treatment is extraordinarily painful, but in fact, if people were to take the opportunity to talk to patients who have had one recently, they would learn that many of those patients report feeling little to no pain. Not having the necessary endodontic treatment to remove an infection or inflammation is actually more painful than the procedure itself, and endodontists take care to prevent as much pain as possible during and after the procedure, and many can also offer sedation dentistry to address any patient anxiety.

If given the option to consider a root canal versus tooth extraction, it is important to consider the potential longer term impact. Once a (non-wisdom) tooth is extracted, the remaining teeth will begin to move and over time, and your bite will most likely become misaligned. This can potentially be a significant problem for your mouth and overall oral health, especially as you get older and there are visible impacts on your smile and impacts on your ability to properly chew your food. Additionally, restorative work in the future to correct this effects of tooth extraction might involved dental bridges or implants, which can cost significantly more than root canal treatment.

Discuss the benefits and potential near and long term impact of root canal therapy with your dentist or endodontist, and decide for your self if keeping and preserving your natural teeth and smile is preferable to having one or multiple teeth extracted. I would suggest that a root canal is preferable over tooth extraction for these reasons outlined above (and more), as one of the main goals of your dentist and endodontist is to help preserve and maintain your natural teeth for years to come, and root canal treatment allows them to do just that.

The post Why Root Canals are Preferable to Tooth Extractions appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Some of the treatment options for adults to straighten their smiles include:

Clear Orthodontic Braces

Clear braces are a popular choice for adults because they are exactly as their name implies: braces that are clear. Therefore, they aren’t as unsightly as traditional metal braces. There are numerous types of clear braces, but they all feature the same basic benefits. They allow you to get the beautiful smile that you’re always wanted without the discomfort of regular braces and without you having to undergo tightening of braces every week or two. Instead, clear braces usually consist of a series of aligners that move your teeth invisibly without anyone even knowing that you have braces.

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Damon Orthodontic Braces

Damon braces are a popular type of clear braces. They employ high technology archwires and tieless braces to move teeth quickly and comfortably. The results that Damon braces offers people can be dramatic, as they allow people to get the smiles that they want discretely, and they also take into account the shape of your face, your profile, what you will look like into your 40s, 50s, and older. The way that Damon braces works is by utilizing a slide mechanism to maintain the archwires in their brackets while still allowing them to move freely. The sliding mechanism reduces any friction and binding so the teeth are permitted to move more quickly and comfortably than they would otherwise.

With Damon braces many patients can begin to see these results with their smile in as little as 10 weeks.

Lingual or Inside the Teeth Braces

Lingual, or inside the teeth braces, are similar to traditional braces except that they are hidden inside your teeth. Rather than the braces being placed on the outside of your teeth, they are placed on the inside where they work in the same manner as they would if they were on the outside. Yet, because they are on the inside of your teeth, nobody even knows that you have braces. Discreet and effective.

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Clear Retainers

Clear retainers are popular ways for adults to get their teeth straightened as well. One of the most popular brands in clear retainers is Invisalign. Clear retainers are designed and modeled specifically for a certain individual’s teeth. They allow you to achieve a straighter smile over time without anyone being any the wiser that you have braces, and they can be easily removed.

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From this overview you can see that modern orthodontic care presents adults with difference treatment options, which provide less discomfort and more convenience to accomodate your lifestyle. The treatment option that is best for you depends upon your individual circumstances and personal preference. If you have been putting off orthodontic care as an adult, discuss the alternatives to traditional metal braces that are available with your orthodontist, and get the smile you want.

The post If Adults think orthodontic braces are only for kids, think again. appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.