Think braces and you may conjure up the image of a teenager undergoing what is for many adolescents a rite of passage. But while correcting poor bites (malocclusions) is usually optimal between pre-adolescence and early adulthood, it’s just as viable an option for older adults. Still, many people in their later years with malocclusions think orthodontics isn’t worth the bother — it’s simply too late for them or they don’t want the “embarrassment” of wearing […]
Moving teeth through orthodontics is more than a “smile makeover” — it’s also an investment in yours or a family member’s future oral health. Normally aligned teeth function better and are easier to keep clean and healthy. Ironically, though, the same appliance that helps enhance future oral health can also make it harder to keep the mouth healthy in the here and now. This is because fixed orthodontic hardware like braces can impede a patient’s […]
Think you’re too old to have your teeth straightened? In reality, healthy teeth can be moved at any age to better positions. For the many adults who have some form of malocclusion (bad bite), orthodontics is still a viable option even in later years. As important as it is to self-image and confidence, treating misaligned teeth can benefit you more than just improving your smile. Misaligned teeth may be harder to keep clean, setting up […]
One of the most common parental concerns is the habit of many children, even late into childhood, to suck their thumbs or fingers. Many parents have asked us, “Could this affect their teeth?” The answer, unfortunately, is yes — thumb sucking can contribute to a malocclusion (bad bite) that could eventually require orthodontic treatment. Before making any assumptions, however, we need to understand the bigger picture. To begin with, infants have a different swallowing mechanism […]
Orthodontic treatment (commonly known as braces) can be a lengthy process to re-align your teeth to a more functional and aesthetic position. Once the orthodontic devices are removed, however, the treatment isn’t finished. Wearing a retainer is the final step to ensuring that the re-alignment doesn’t eventually fail. It’s designed to do just what its name implies — to “retain” the teeth’s new position and prevent a relapse to the old. This can happen because […]
Braces have traditionally been seen as a “rite of passage” for teenagers, and while most teenagers learned to “em-brace” their orthodontics, in some situations, braces were less appealing. For example, like many people, you may have old prom and homecoming photos featuring beautiful dresses, tuxedos and a mouth full of metal braces. Luckily, thanks to modern technology, your teen has more options than ever before, including clear aligners. Clear aligners use a system of clear, […]
Everyone knows Vanna White as the elegant co-host of the popular game show Wheel of Fortune. But here’s one thing you may not know: White is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as television’s most frequent clapper, with an average of 720 claps per show — that’s over 28,000 per season! And here’s something else: the star with the megawatt smile wore braces as a kid, and she’s not too shy to talk […]
Lashinda Demus holds the U.S record in the 400 meter hurdles, with a time of 52.47 seconds, the third fastest ever recorded. While her twin 5-year-old boys cheered her on, she brought home a silver medal from the 2012 London Olympics. But when it comes to her full set of upper and lower braces, there’s no silver to be seen! Demus is a top-ranked competitor, a wife and a mom — and an adult who […]
Many adults these days are opting for clear aligners to correct orthodontic problems that have long bothered them. Katherine Heigl is a perfect example. She had one tooth that was out of alignment, and wanted to have it fixed before her wedding day. “I got them [clear aligners] because of this wonky tooth,” Heigl told In Style magazine not long ago. “It’s awesome because every two weeks you switch to a new retainer. Pretty much […]