Understanding the key differences between these orthodontic options can help you make an informed choice that best suits your needs and lifestyle when straightening your teeth.

So, how do invisible braces compare to traditional braces? Is one better than the other? Here’s what you need to know.

Traditional Braces: The Time-Tested Solution

Traditional braces consist of metal or ceramic brackets attached to teeth, connected by wires and elastic bands. Modern brackets are smaller and less noticeable than their predecessors, but some people still don’t like the altered appearance that can come with traditional braces [1].

Invisible Aligners: The Modern Alternative

Invisible braces, or clear aligners, are custom-made series of transparent, removable trays that gradually shift teeth into proper alignment. These nearly invisible appliances have revolutionized orthodontic treatment, offering a more discreet and comfortable option for teeth straightening.

Treatment Effectiveness and Duration

Both clear aligners and regular braces can effectively treat various orthodontic issues, but their capabilities differ [2].

Traditional braces excel at correcting severe misalignment, rotation issues, and significant bite problems, while clear aligners work best for mild to moderate alignment issues. Clear aligners are particularly effective for adults with previous orthodontic treatment.

Treatment time varies by case, but traditional braces typically require 18-24 months on average, while invisible aligners might complete treatment in 12-18 months for some cases.

Comfort and Adaptation

Traditional braces initially cause more discomfort and require longer adaptation periods. Patients often experience soreness after adjustments, including potential soft tissue irritation from brackets and wires. Patients are also more limited in the foods they can eat.

Clear aligners are different. They allow for more comfortable daily wear and are completely removable. As such, patients aren’t limited in their diet, and they generally don’t cause gum or cheek irritation. Many patients appreciate the comfort of clear aligners as opposed to metal or ceramic braces. 

Maintenance and Care Requirements

The care for traditional braces differs from that of clear aligners. With regular braces, it’s important to brush around brackets and wires to remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria, which can be challenging for some patients and often requires special tools. Floss threaders or water flossers are also necessary for properly flossing teeth.

Invisible aligners are a bit different. Since they can be removed, they allow patients to brush and floss their teeth normally. This means that most patients have better periodontal (gum) health with clear aligners than those with regular braces [3]. Clear aligners do still need to be brushed daily to ensure cleanliness and prevent staining.

Ask Your Orthodontist About Traditional vs. Invisible Braces

Ready to start your journey to a straighter smile? Contact your orthodontist today for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment recommendation for regular braces or clear aligners. Your perfect smile is just a consultation away!

Sources:

1. https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/braces-vs-clear-aligners/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6343314/
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4478712/ 

The post How Do Invisible Braces Compare to Traditional Braces? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Here, we take a closer look at the causes of overbites to help patients understand this common alignment problem and make informed decisions about their dental care. 

Genetic Factors

Many overbites are inherited traits passed down through families. Genetic factors influence jaw development, tooth positioning, and overall mouth structure. This means that if one or both of your parents have an overbite, you’re more likely to have one as well. The size and shape of your jaw and teeth are largely determined by genetics, which can naturally lead to the development of an overbite [1].

Developmental Causes

During childhood, several habits and behaviors can contribute to overbite development, including prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use, extended bottle feeding beyond the recommended age, and tongue thrusting [2].

Often, parents don’t realize that these things are a problem until the bite has already developed improperly. Regular dental checkups can ensure that a child’s bite development is on track and minimize the risk of an overbite.

Certain Habits

Some children have habits that can cause an overbite to form, including nail biting, chewing on objects such as pens, and even mouth breathing.  Children may breathe through their mouth due to allergies or congestion, so resolving these concerns is important for both your child’s health and proper bite development.

Existing Tooth Issues

In some cases, losing baby teeth too early or too late or impacted teeth can affect jaw development and lead to an overbite. When baby teeth are lost prematurely, the remaining teeth may shift to fill the gap, creating misalignment that can develop into an overbite as permanent teeth emerge.

Additionally, retained baby teeth can force permanent teeth to erupt in incorrect positions, altering the natural bite pattern. Impacted teeth, particularly in the front of the mouth, can create pressure on surrounding teeth and cause them to shift forward, gradually contributing to the development of an overbite over time.

How an Overbite Impacts Oral Health

Untreated overbites can lead to various oral health complications. The misalignment often causes excessive wear on certain teeth, potentially leading to enamel erosion and increased sensitivity.

Patients may experience difficulty biting and chewing properly, which can affect digestion and nutrition. Some people with an overbite develop speech impediments or experience jaw pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Research also shows that improper bites, such as overbites, can increase a patient’s risk for periodontal (gum) disease, making addressing this alignment issue important [3].

Get Treatment for Your Overbite

Whether an overbite has impacted the appearance or function of your teeth, there is treatment available. Braces, clear aligners, and other orthodontic appliances can help properly align your bite and prevent more serious complications, such as chronic pain or gum disease. Contact your orthodontist today to discover your options for overbite treatment.

Sources:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21473-overbite#symptoms-and-causes
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6106723/ 
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8117363/

The post What Causes an Overbite? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Why do some people need their wisdom teeth removed but others don’t? Essentially, people who don’t have enough room in their jaw to accommodate all four wisdom teeth will need to have these teeth removed. For people who have larger jaws to accommodate all their teeth, they may not need to have them extracted.

Here’s what else you need to know about who needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted.

When Removal Is Necessary: Impacted Wisdom Teeth

People whose wisdom teeth never fully erupt—also called impacted wisdom teeth—will need to have these molars removed.

Impacted wisdom teeth may partially come in through the gums, or they may come in at an angle that will disrupt the neighboring teeth. These impacted molars can result in infections and an increased risk for tooth decay, as they’re difficult to clean due to their status of being trapped in the gum tissue [1].

Wisdom teeth that are impacted will push against nearby teeth and can cause crowding, which could affect any orthodontic work you’ve previously had done, or make it harder to properly clean your teeth.

When Wisdom Teeth Can Stay: Plenty of Room in the Jaw

Some people will have their wisdom teeth come in completely without any issues. In cases such as these—provided there are no adverse symptoms—wisdom teeth may be fine to leave alone [2].

However, some patients who have plenty of room in their jaw for their wisdom teeth to erupt still experience symptoms that could necessitate removal. For example, wisdom teeth are located far back in the mouth and be difficult to clean, increasing the chances that these teeth would experience tooth decay.

Have Questions? Schedule an Exam

The only way to know if your wisdom teeth are impacted or require removal is with a professional exam and x-rays from your dentist [3]. X-rays can reveal if these third molars are present and whether they’re coming in crooked. Some patients don’t even have wisdom teeth, or some people may only have two instead of four!

Wisdom tooth extraction is a very common procedure that can be done by an experienced dentist or an oral surgeon. Recovery time typically only takes a few days, and the discomfort is minimal. Whether or not your wisdom teeth have already come in, your dentist can let you know if they’re healthy or if they could require an extraction in the future!

Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wisdom-teeth/expert-
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/wisdom-teeth
3. https://www.livescience.com/34755-impacted-wisdom-teeth-removal-oral-surgery.html

The post Does Everyone Need Their Wisdom Teeth Extracted? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

These devices are custom made for your smile and typically involve metal wires and plastic—it might sound uncomfortable, but since it’s made for your unique smile, retainers are comfortable when worn properly!

However, many people don’t realize that they need to wear their retainer for much longer than expected. Depending on your unique case, most orthodontists recommend wearing these devices full-time for approximately one year after your orthodontic treatment is complete.

But do you need to wear your retainer forever? The answer may surprise you.

Yes, Because Your Teeth Will Shift!

Your teeth are vulnerable to shifting throughout your lifetime. Forces naturally exerted by the jaw when chewing and the aging process can cause the teeth to shift forward in the mouth, towards your lips.

This effect is amplified if you’ve received orthodontic treatment, as teeth can shift back to their original positions in the mouth. In order to maintain your newly-straightened teeth, you must wear your retainer for an indefinite amount of time after your treatment [1].

Don’t Worry, You Don’t Have to Wear Them 24/7

Generally, most orthodontists will recommend wearing your retainers nightly once your year or other specified time of wearing your retainers full-time is up. So while you won’t have to wear them during the day forever, you can and should still wear them every night to help maintain the alignment of your smile for the rest of your life [2].

Make Your Retainer Use Part of Your Oral Care Routine

It sounds like a big commitment to wear your retainer every night, but consider the consequences of not wearing your retainer.

For too many adults, having to invest in orthodontia again is an unfortunate reality of not wearing their retainer. For many, they had braces as a teenager but neglected to wear their retainer, forcing them to consider orthodontic treatment again as an adult.

It can feel difficult to get into a routine of wearing your retainer, especially if you haven’t worn it in a while. But the best way to commit to your straight smile is by incorporating your retainer use into your nightly oral care routine [3]. Keep your retainer case by your toothbrush to remind you to wear it!

Don’t Forget About Your Retainer!

It can be tempting to think that you’re finally done with orthodontic appliances, especially if your treatment was lengthy. But wearing your retainer is the best way to keep your smile straight and prevent the need for future treatment. Even if you wear your retainer only a few nights a week, it’s better than not at all. Stay invested in your beautiful new smile by wearing your retainer regularly!

Sources:
1. https://cao-aco.org/long-need-wear-retainer-braces/
2. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=retainers-keep-teeth-from-
3. https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/parent-s-guide-post/post-treatment/

The post Do I Really Need to Wear My Retainer Forever? (And Why) appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for looks. Straight teeth actually encourage a healthy oral
cavity, which means a reduced risk for numerous dental health issues—but why is this?
Here are just a few reasons why straight teeth can encourage a healthy smile for life!

Proper Alignment Eliminates Jaw Issues

The temporomandibular joint, commonly referred to as TMJ, is one of the most complex joints
in your body. It joins the bottom part of your jaw to the top part. Since this joint allows us to
chew and move our mouths in a variety of ways, any issues that arise with this complex joint
can be painful.

A misaligned bite, also referred to as a malocclusion, can cause pain in the face and jaw. Many
people experience overbites, underbites, crossbites, or open bites as a result of misaligned
teeth. When left untreated, these bites can cause chronic pain when chewing or speaking.
Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can correct these problems and enable you to have a pain-
free smile with no more jaw or bite issues!

Easier to Clean and Take Care Of

Crooked teeth or crowded teeth can be nearly impossible to clean properly. The tight spaces in-
between teeth are the perfect places for bacteria, plaque, and food debris to hide. Sometimes,
even the best brushers and flossers can’t get into these tight spaces, making tooth decay and
gum disease more likely.

With orthodontic treatment, all the teeth are moved into their proper positions. This not only
gives you straight, even teeth, but also provides you with a better foundation for your oral
health, as you’ll be able to brush and floss without any issues. Straighter teeth are easier to
clean and take care of, reducing your risk for oral health problems.

Prevent Problems with Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

In addition to being easier to clean, straighter teeth help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Misaligned teeth not only provide places for bacteria to hide, but they can also prevent people
from seeking the care they need to have a healthy smile.

People with crooked or crowded teeth may be self-conscious of their smile, leading them to
avoid the dentist despite any problems they may encounter. When a straight smile is possible,
people tend to want to take care of their smiles and will seek treatment to keep their smile
looking beautiful.

Whether or not you received orthodontic care as a child doesn’t have to impact your oral
health today. Nearly 25% of all people who have braces are adults. With many treatment
options today to get your smile in shape, in addition to many orthodontists offering payment
plans, your treatment is more achievable than ever.

Don’t let your smile prevent you from having a healthy oral cavity. With straighter teeth, your
smile is easier to care for and you won’t experience the daily pain of having an improper bite.
With a healthy smile, you’ll be ready to take on the world!

The post How Do Straighter Teeth Promote Oral Health? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So how does Invisalign work to transform your smile?

Custom-Fitting Trays Adjust Your Teeth

Instead of using metal brackets, Invisalign uses custom-fitting trays to slowly move your teeth into place. These trays are designed specifically for your teeth and are changed out every two weeks to keep your teeth moving into their correct positions. These series of aligners are pre-made for you after your orthodontist designs your treatment plan.

The aligners are clear and, hence their name, virtually invisible when worn. Invisalign aligners are meant to be worn for 20-22 hours every day. During each phase of treatment, certain teeth are moved into their correct positions due to the constant, gentle pressure of the aligners. This makes the treatment easy and the best part—no bracket adjustments!

Corrects Most Alignment and Bite Issues

Invisalign transforms your smile by correcting nearly any problem your smile has. These orthodontic issues that could be impacting the beauty and quality of your smile include bite problems, misaligned teeth, or crowded teeth. Invisalign can help correct overbites, underbites, and even open bites and cross bites. They can correct gapped teeth and overcrowded teeth as well.

These seemingly minor structural problems in your smile can lead to bigger problems like trouble speaking and chewing. Complex bite problems could even lead to the development of pain in your jaw muscles and joints, also known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. When you receive treatment with Invisalign, you can correct your smile and be totally transformed without the use of traditional braces!

Boosts Your Confidence

Invisalign helps to boost your confidence in two ways—you have no braces and no change in your appearance while receiving treatment, yet you have straighter teeth! People won’t even notice you’re transforming your smile yet they’ll notice something different about you. Invisalign gives you the power to attain your dream smile without having to deal with the appearance of metal braces.

Don’t worry about chewing with metal braces— with Invisalign aligners, you have the option of fully removing the trays before eating. This isn’t an option when you have traditional braces. So don’t worry about getting food stuck in your brackets, instead you can simply remove the aligners until you’re ready to wear them again.

Invisalign treatment is a great choice for kids and adults alike. From students who are sensitive about the inconvenience or appearance of braces to adults who want a perfect smile without announcing to the world that they’re receiving treatment, Invisalign just works. Schedule a visit with your orthodontics provider to talk about whether or not you qualify for Invisalign to perfect your smile!

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