Welcome to the Blog of

The Orthodontic Clinic, P.C.

Many people visit their local orthodontist to receive braces, and once they receive braces, it can be difficult to adjust to at first. Braces have many benefits, and it's essential to know how to properly care for your braces to ensure that your teeth align within the recommended time. Your orthodontists will be able to go over how to care for your braces, and we're here to provide some tips to help you achieve a straighter, healthier smile.

Rural areas continue to suffer yearly from the lack of economic welfare, and there has been a driving need for higher-paying jobs to maintain a living. However, many orthodontists graduating from college have found themselves in significant debt, making rural areas less appealing for income. However, there's a need for orthodontic treatment no matter where you go. 

Whether you're addressing concerns with a tooth needing a crown or correcting any dental misalignments, you'll need a dental professional to deliver this kind of care. However, locations may inhibit access to this crucial form of care in areas with lesser populations and reduced income. Teledentistry is a form of care working to fill that gap, making crucial care accessible anywhere patients might live.

In orthodontics, CAD/CAM technology plays a huge role in the design of fixed appliances, clear aligners, customized appliances, and other types of retainers. Due to the developments in 3D printing, all of these devices can be fabricated in a digital environment and increase digital workflow. So how does all of this apply to patients? CAD/CAM technology allows us to create three-dimensional images that can be manipulated through computer software, and it's just one aspect of today's orthodontics that has not only increased workflow but also patient satisfaction with their treatments. This is often due to its increased focus on aesthetics - where traditional methods of treatment lacked this form of precision and care, digital workflows have created an overall better environment for their patients, providing needs that go beyond just health concerns.

One of the sole goals of dentists is to replace missing teeth, and back then, osseointegration was the primary objective for oral care. However, advances in today's technology have now led us to focus on aesthetics as the primary objective because longevity and function are more predictable than ever before. When it comes to malocclusion, the absence or presence of a missing tooth often leaves many dentists wondering whether or not to leave open space for tooth replacement or close the space using orthodontics. For those in the particular scenario of choosing between implants or braces for their treatment, it might be good to know that orthodontic work may be easier than you'd think. 

Regardless of your profession, there’s nothing that ensures success like having the right materials. Your dentist understands this and makes a point of finding the best products to use in your treatment. These practitioners share a need for artistry in their profession with cosmetic surgeons. When they’re working on cosmetic and restoration procedures, they need to produce results that are effective, resilient, and attractive. Part of achieving this goal is selecting the right products for the job.

Many general dentists are seeking out more ways to help their patients, and one of the current trending ways they're doing so is by improving their areas of specialty. General dentists have begun adding orthodontics to their skill set, allowing them to produce better results throughout the smile zone and correct complex cases of malocclusion. With this form of training pervading the dental sphere, if you've begun noticing more orthodontic options at your practice of choice, then we're here to explore this ever-growing trend further and see why more general dentists are choosing orthodontics as their focus.

Having straighter teeth can bring you more confidence and more opportunities in your life, but one undiscussed aspect of straightening your teeth is white spot lesions. Most often occurring after the removal of braces, white spot lesions are light, white spots on the surface of the tooth that are the result of demineralization caused by the wear down of the enamel. If you get white spots on your teeth are removing your braces, then there are several ways it can be treated. 

Conservative care is a term often quoted by orthodontists alike, but what does it truly mean? Orthodontics is more than braces, as it focuses on the growth and development of the jawbone and makes recommendations for treatment based on those changes. However, within conservative care, treatment options focus on either minimally invasive to non-invasive procedures that help correct orthodontic problems such as tooth misalignment.

Wearing‌ ‌braces‌ ‌often‌ ‌means‌ ‌that‌ ‌there‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌challenges‌ ‌ahead‌ ‌with‌ ‌brushing‌ ‌and‌ ‌flossing.‌ ‌

Flossing‌ ‌is‌ ‌often‌ ‌considered‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌hardest‌ ‌parts‌ ‌of‌ ‌working‌ ‌with‌ ‌braces,‌ ‌as‌ ‌the‌ ‌wires‌ ‌and‌ ‌
brackets‌ ‌used‌ ‌to‌ ‌align‌ ‌the‌ ‌teeth‌ ‌often‌ ‌get‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌way‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌areas‌ ‌in‌ ‌between‌ ‌the‌ ‌teeth.‌ ‌The‌ ‌
floss‌ ‌can‌ ‌easily‌ ‌get‌ ‌stuck‌ ‌along‌ ‌the‌ ‌wires,‌ ‌pieces‌ ‌of‌ ‌floss‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌cut‌ ‌off,‌ ‌and‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌worst‌ ‌
moments,‌ ‌attempting‌ ‌to‌ ‌floss‌ ‌can‌ ‌even‌ ‌cause‌ ‌the‌ ‌wires‌ ‌and‌ ‌brackets‌ ‌to‌ ‌fall‌ ‌out‌ ‌if‌ ‌they're‌ ‌not‌ ‌
properly‌ ‌placed.‌ ‌However,‌ ‌if‌ ‌your‌ ‌orthodontist‌ ‌has‌ ‌told‌ ‌you‌ ‌anything,‌ ‌then‌ ‌you‌ ‌know‌ ‌that‌ ‌
flossing‌ ‌is‌ ‌even‌ ‌more‌ ‌crucial‌ ‌than‌ ‌ever‌ ‌for‌ ‌your‌ ‌teeth. ‌ 

Overcrowded teeth can impact our oral health in many ways; it can lead to an increased risk of cavities due to plaque development, lead to gum disease due to the pressure the teeth place along the gums, etc. even lead to tooth decay when those factors are combined. However, one under-noted aspect of protruding teeth is that it can lead to traumatic dental injuries. For children and teenagers especially, protruding teeth have an increased risk of injury compared to aligned teeth, which can have long-term consequences on their dental health. Receiving treatment for protruding teeth is one of the best ways to prevent traumatic injuries from occurs, but how do these two areas connect?

Orthodontic braces have constantly been evolving to correct alignments since the 18th century. Traditionally, stainless steel and titanium have become the standard for working with bites affected by a malocclusion. Correcting tooth alignment becomes an art form. With the development of using new metals such as cobalt, copper, and nickel, these metals have provided people with improved results and make braces more bio-compatible with the patient’s teeth.

Health insurance attempts to cover the costs and increase the availability of health services needed for people with conditions that affect their lives daily. Typically, coverage costs can be covered under insurance companies, whether private or federally, for essential services such as checkups, x-rays, and other forms of diagnostics. Despite its integral part of general health, dentistry takes on additional prohibitive costs that significantly affect people annually. With the increasing demand for dental health services, many have to look towards insurance companies that separate dental healthcare from general healthcare, making processing payments and receiving benefits all the more confusing for those new or struggling to gain access. Here, we'll provide some basics for dental insurance and provide what experts say people should do to achieve the most out of dental healthcare. 

Glass ionomers are a unique tool for dentists to help patients receive fillings for teeth that have recently suffered from cavities and tooth decay. Recent innovations in dental technology have allowed engineers to develop new materials for correcting people’s teeth. Glass ionomer fillings present an avenue of restoration that has assisted many in restoring their teeth to health. Glass ionomers, when observed through an analytical standpoint, offer many benefits and have helped advance dentistry to provide people with alternative options to composite fillings. 

It's been a long road of orthodontic treatment, and you're finally ready to have your braces removed. By now, you've heard that you'll have to wear a retainer once the braces are removed. If you're like most orthodontic patients, you're probably wondering how long you'll have to continue wearing it. While all orthodontic cases are different, one thing remains consistent when it comes to retainers. The simplest way to ensure that your new smile stays in place for the rest of your life is to continue to wear them consistently.

Until you've needed the help of a dental specialist, it's probably never occurred to you to ask what each type of specialist focuses on. Every specialist gets additional training on one particular area of dental health. As a result, they become an expert on the specific practices of that field. Today we're going to examine the differences between an Orthodontist and a dentist. At the end of this article, you'll understand what specific dental needs require the attention of an orthodontist. You'll also know which ones need a visit to your general dentist.

 Braces are often associated with teenage years; icky, obtrusive, and just plain unsightly. But that stigma has been ending, because more adults have now turned to braces as a way to correct their teeth. The stigma of bad teeth has permeated society as a form of self-improvement and a new beauty standard, even during adult years. There are also adults out there who need braces not just for their looks, but for their health - malocclusion, or "bad bite" can create swallowing and chewing problems, and can make it difficult to pronounce certain words and eat certain foods. Braces offer a more permanent solution to these issues, but one of the biggest debates surrounding braces is whether or not adults can correct their teeth.

Why Your Child Can Benefit From Early Orthodontic Treatment 

It's often a surprise to parents when they get advised to take their child to an orthodontist early in life. When children have reached the age of seven, they should be scheduled to see an orthodontist for the first time. During this visit, the dentist will have a chance to explore the overall health of your child's oral cavity and catch conditions that can benefit from early treatment. If you've had early orthodontic work suggested by your dentist, and are wondering how your child will benefit from it, read on.

Orthodontics by Mail: Are They Safe?

Being lured by the low price can cost you more than just your money. For those with hectic work schedules and constant commitments, aligners may seem like the last idea on your mind. Many times, people ultimately end up ordering aligners and braces online to save time and money. The lack of time investment sounds great at first, but with ordering orthodontics online, there are a significant number of risks associated with mail-order. In short, no, they are not safe at all. Here’s why orthodontics treatments ordered by mail isn’t the best option for your teeth.

Orthodontic work doesn’t have to be scary. Understanding the nature of the tools used in performing these kind of procedures can be a big step towards eliminating anxiety related to orthodontic procedures.  One important piece of equipment used when realignment of the mandible is necessary is known as the MARA device. This device helps resolve concerns with overbite in children with the aim of preventing the need for future surgery. If you have a child who is experiencing severe overbite, you’ll want to learn more about this device and how it can help give your child a perfect smile.

Flossing is one of the most underappreciated habits, but it’s essential to great oral health, just as much as brushing on a regular basis. Flossing removes additional debris, plaque, and tartar that builds up overtime from your teeth. It gets into places your toothbrush can’t reach, and if not taken care of, can cause bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

When you are careful about your oral health you may wonder why it is that you need to schedule that twice a year appointment with your dentist.  Even if you’re flossing every day on top of a good brushing regime and are careful to use mouthwash, there are still important reasons to make your way to the dentist.  There are multiple reasons, most of which involve concerns that you may not be able to identify at home. Following are just a few of the reasons why getting your yearly dental checkup isn’t optional.

We often get warned about drinks that can have a negative impact on our oral health, but have you ever wondered which ones they are?  If you think that only sugary drinks like coffee, soda, and sweet teas are a risk to your oral health you’re in for quite a shock. There is quite a collection of beverages that you may have never thought could have an effect on your teeth that can have quite an impact on the health of your smile.  We’re going to go through a list of beverages that affect your oral health, some in unexpected ways.

When you’re taking care of your car or home, you want the best tools available to help keep it clean and working in top condition.  The same can be said of the state of your dental health and the tools you use in oral hygiene. While brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash are essential parts of the oral hygiene process, there are ways to enhance your effectiveness by using better equipment.  One of the options available is to switch to an electric toothbrush, bringing the power and effectiveness of battery driven brushing to your routine. In this article we’ll cover the benefits of electric toothbrushes and why you should consider switching.

No one looks forward to having their wisdom teeth removed, which makes it an uncomfortable truth that 50% of all Americans will have to have them extracted.  There are many reasons why someone who has wisdom teeth that are causing them pain may not have had them removed. Fear of the dentist, no dental coverage, and never making the time to get an appointment can all contribute, and if enough time passes they may wonder if it’s even possible to still have them removed.  While this procedure typically takes place by the age of 25, but it’s possible to have them removed later.

One of the challenges that people living with braces undergo is the necessary changes in their diet.  The ability to eat without thinking about it becomes a struggle as they start having to consider what will be safe for their new hardware.  The foods they can eat are limited to those that won’t get caught into their braces, and won’t cause corrosion or staining. If you’re beginning a journey to great teeth with braces and want to know what you’ll be able to eat along the way, read on.