Functional orthodontics helps reposition your upper and lower jaw to support a better facial profile [1]. This field of orthodontics works to correct both your teeth and your facial structure for people that are concerned about both their teeth and their facial aesthetics.

How else is functional orthodontics different from traditional orthodontic treatment?

A Different Approach to Straightening Teeth

In traditional orthodontics, teeth are treated without looking at the original cause of the problem.

For example, crowded teeth are typically treated by extracting the teeth that don’t have room and positioning the remaining teeth accordingly. However, in functional orthodontics, your orthodontist will actually use a device to expand the jaw to make room for all the teeth, thereby addressing the root cause of the issue—that there was not enough room in the jaw for all the teeth to begin with.

What are the benefits of such an approach?

By expanding the jaw, your orthodontist works to create a more even facial profile and can even influence airway development to prevent breathing issues. Functional orthodontics can also play a role in preventing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which can cause chronic pain in the jaw [2].

Functional orthodontics operates under the philosophy that dental abnormalities are caused by environmental factors and can be corrected without extractions.

Who Qualifies for Functional Orthodontics?

Both adults and children can benefit from functional orthodontics. One of the benefits of functional orthodontics is that its approach can prevent teeth from shifting after orthodontic treatment is complete.

There are a variety of functional orthodontic devices that can be used to stimulate growth of the jaw to correct alignment issues [3]. However, wearing the device as required by your orthodontist is essential to the success of your treatment.

Children may have trouble wearing the appliances as often as recommended, depending on their treatment plan. This is something you can discuss with your orthodontist during your child’s consultation!

Where to Find a Functional Orthodontist

Although all orthodontists are trained to improve aesthetics and function of the teeth, not every orthodontist practices functional orthodontics as a form of treatment. To find an orthodontist who works to address the root cause of the issue, you can ask whether they’ll be using an appliance to correct the jaw or if they’ll be extracting the teeth to make room.

Their approach to your orthodontic concerns will tell you whether or not the orthodontist practices a functional approach as opposed to a traditional one. Regardless of which form of orthodontic treatment you decide is for you, improving your smile will always have benefits!

Proper jaw position can support successful orthodontic treatment and provide the foundation patients need for a beautiful, problem-free smile. Consider functional orthodontics for your child or for your treatment as an adult for lasting results!

Sources:
1. http://www.aafo.org/
2. https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical/occlusion-tmj-and-sleep-
medicine/article/16351120/functional-orthodontics-the-foundation-of-wholebody-
dentistry
3. https://www.jco-online.com/archive/2003/11/599-treatment-of-class-ii-division-2-
malocclusion-in-adults-biomechanical-considerations/

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Meanwhile, Lumineers are made of a patented form of ceramic and offer an even thinner
option for restoring your smile. So which one should you choose? Here are the fundamental
differences between these cosmetic treatments and why some patients would favor one over
the other.

The Difference Between Lumineers and Traditional Veneers

Lumineers provide many of the same benefits as traditional veneers. They’re strong, thin, and
transform your smile. However, Lumineers offer a difference that porcelain veneers can’t
provide—in many cases, no tooth preparation is necessary.

In traditional porcelain veneers, a bit of tooth enamel needs to be removed in order for the
veneer to bond properly to the surface of the teeth. Many patients would prefer to skip this
step to avoid the removal of some of their tooth enamel, even if it is only a tiny amount.

Lumineers allow patients to keep more of their natural tooth structure and tend to be less
translucent than porcelain veneers, which can look slightly less translucent but provide a robust
shade of white that’s resistant to stains.

Why Lumineers Appeal to Some Patients

Lumineers appeal to many patients for a few reasons, the first being the ability to forgo tooth
preparation and keep more of their tooth structure.

Another reason is that the procedure has the possibility to be reversed without permanently
damaging your natural teeth. With porcelain veneers, the removal of tooth enamel is
irreversible and so these are considered a permanent form of treatment.

However, since Lumineers allow the patient to keep their natural teeth the way they are, they
tend to not fit as snugly against the natural teeth as porcelain veneers do. This means they may
protrude slightly, which can make the lips appear fuller (which some patients like).

Making the Best Choice for Your Smile

Both porcelain veneers and Lumineers are custom-made, meaning that your dentist will help
you decide on the best size, shape, and color for your smile. Your restored smile should always
suit your preferences and provide you with confidence and functionality.

Lumineers and porcelain veneers can provide very similar results, but the choice you make will
be based on your unique smile and what you’d like the end result to be. Your dentist can help
you make the best choice for you by discussing the pros and cons of using each in regards to
what you want to accomplish with your smile.

If you want to change the appearance of your smile, considering either Lumineers or porcelain
veneers can help dramatically improve your smile without the need for teeth whitening,
orthodontics, or even tooth bonding. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to ask how one
of these cosmetic treatments can improve your smile!

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Veneers are essentially a very thin layer of durable porcelain that’s placed over your natural smile with minimal preparation. Although veneers are considered a permanent form of treatment, they have many benefits. What are some of the benefits of dental veneers?

Get a Whole New Smile

Instead of having numerous treatments to restore your teeth, dental veneers provide a whole new layer to your smile. Veneers can correct uneven teeth and even crooked teeth to make them smooth and uniform. Veneers can dramatically transform chipped or gapped teeth or even shorter teeth, giving them a new appearance in just one to two weeks for dramatic results.

For patients who want a new smile in a short period of time with minimal preparation work, veneers may be a good choice. You can talk with your dentist about whether or not your concerns about your smile would improve with dental veneers.

Get Rid of Stains

If teeth are deeply stained and don’t respond to a traditional cleaning or even professional whitening treatments, it may be time to consider veneers. Veneers can make yellow or stained teeth whiter and younger looking. It can make thin or translucent teeth thick and strong.

The best part about dental veneers is that the veneers themselves are very resistant to stains, so you won’t need BriteSmile, Zoom, Crest Whitening Strips, or any other chemicals to whiten your teeth after the treatment. Instead, you can just enjoy your beautiful new veneers!

Improve tooth Sensitivity

For people who have experienced enamel damage and have very sensitive teeth, dental
veneers can actually help stop tooth sensitivity from worsening and, in fact, can even improve existing tooth sensitivity by adding a new layer onto teeth and shielding your natural teeth from hot and cold temperatures.

Many patients who receive dental veneers appreciate that their teeth are less sensitive after the treatment. In fact, some dentists use a desensitizing treatment before bonding porcelain veneers to your teeth to help enhance the protection from extreme temperatures you’ll experience with dental veneers.

For patients that qualify, dental veneers make a dramatic transformation and give many
patients the smile of their dreams without whitening treatments, orthodontic work, or tooth bonding. If you have several issues you’d like addressed with your smile, you can ask your oral healthcare professional if dental veneers could be for you!

The post Are Dental Veneers the Best Option for Enhancing Your Smile? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Here are the two different types of Invisalign retainers:

Clear Retainers – These retainers are molded from clear plastic which fits over your teeth. These retainers are more discreet and less noticeable which makes them a popular choice for adults.

Acrylic Retainers – These are the most common types of retainers out there.

Here are 5 tips on taking care of invisalign retainers:

1. Clean Your Invisalign Retainers

Your retainers are going to end up accumulating a lot of food debris, bacteria and plaque which makes it
all the more important for you to keep it clean.

If you have acrylic retainers then make sure that you rinse them out a couple of times every day with
lukewarm water to remove any build-up of bacteria. Ensure that you disinfect your retainer on a weekly
basis by leaving it to soak in a body of distilled water with a little drop of castile soap or baking soda.

You can also make a paste with equal quantities of baking soda and water to scrub your appliance clean.
After which you can gently clean your aligner with it and your toothbrush and then rinse it out with
lukewarm water. Do not put your aligners into boiling water or use harsh chemicals.

2. Protect Your Retainers from Heat

Your Invisalign retainers are composed of plastic so it is hardly surprising that they are likely to become distorted under extreme heat. Always clean your aligners with lukewarm water to prevent your
retainers from losing their fit and becoming distorted. If you happen to leave your retainers exposed to
heat unintentionally then it is best to contact your dentist to ensure that they fit properly.

3. Avoid Soaking Your Retainers in Mouthwash

Soaking your retainer may sound like a good idea to get rid of any odor but it should be avoided at all
costs as mouthwash has a pigment that your retainer will end up absorbing which will make your teeth
appear to be a different color.

4. Watch What You Drink

Be careful about what beverages you consume with your retainers on and how it affects your dental
health. Continue maintaining good oral health by carrying your aligner case with you so you can store
your retainer in it when you drink any beverages.

5. Clean Your Invisalign Retainers Before Placing Them in their Case

Clean your old retainers and store them in their case when you are moving on to another set of
retainers in case you require them later. Storing your retainer properly and in a clean manner ensures
that they stay clean and ready for use.

Invisalign retainers are a great way to improve your smile in a very discreet and almost invisible manner.

Follow your orthodontist’s instructions and stay committed to keeping your retainers clean and
maintaining good dental health.

The post 5 Tips to Caring For Your Invisalign Retainers appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

In addition to straightening your teeth, Invisalign has several other benefits over regular braces. With
everything this orthodontic option offers, it’s no wonder so many people choose Invisalign to get their
dream smile. What are some of the greatest benefits of Invisalign?

More Confidence

Invisalign is an ideal choice for adults who don’t want their professional or personal lives to be impacted
by metal braces. With traditional braces, you may have to see the brackets and wires for a few years
until your treatment is complete.

This isn’t so with Invisalign. Your treatment with these clear aligners is virtually invisible, allowing you to
have confidence while your smile is getting straightened and looking better every day. No need to worry
about others noticing your treatment— they’ll just see the results!

Better Hygiene

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign’s clear aligners are completely removable. This makes cleaning
your teeth much the same as it was before you began receiving Invisalign treatment. You can easily
remove the aligners for daily cleaning and can even brush them separately along with your teeth during
your regular oral care routine.

In addition to facilitating better hygiene, Invisalign can help you avoid the risk of increased gum disease,
plaque, and bad breath that can come with regular braces. Braces are notoriously difficult to clean and
will take extra time and extra tools to clean properly.With Invisalign, you simply remove your trays and
clean daily!

No Food Restrictions

Invisalign aligners aren’t just removed for cleaning—they should also be removed when eating. One of
the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that you won’t have to avoid any particular foods just because your
teeth are receiving orthodontic treatment. You can still enjoy any crunchy or sticky foods that you love
when receiving Invisalign treatment—just be sure to take your aligners out before eating!

Shorter Time to a Better Smile

Although metal braces can take years to properly straighten your smile, the average treatment time for
Invisalign is just one year. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s treatment time will be
different, but the average length of treatment for Invisalign is less than that of regular braces.

In addition, Invisalign aligners also allow you to enjoy fewer visits to your orthodontist, as your aligners
won’t need to be adjusted in the same way that traditional braces do. Instead, you’ll simply swap out
the aligners as directed by your Invisalign provider to enjoy a straighter smile with less time at the
orthodontist’s office.

Have you been considering getting orthodontic treatment for your smile but hate the idea of braces?
Ask your orthodontist if Invisalign would be an option for you to help your smile be as beautiful and
healthy as you always imagined it to be. With better hygiene, a shorter treatment time, and no food
restrictions, Invisalign makes getting a perfect smile easier!

The post What Are the Greatest Benefits of Invisalign? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.