Invisalign treatment is touted as being the almost invisible and totally comfortable way to straighten teeth. But is that reality? Most patients with more serious malocclusions would probably say otherwise, especially if their treatment involves the use of buttons or attachments.
Dear Dr. Spector,
I recently took my daughter to her dentist and he raised some concerns about her orthodontic treatment. He thinks the end result of her treatment may not be the smile the orthodontist said she’d have. Now I’m confused and concerned we are paying for orthodontic treatment that may have just be corrected later.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ Disorder creates jaw and bite alignment problems in people who suffer from it. The temporomandibular joint is a hinge and gliding joint that is one of the most used joints in our body. Patients who suffer from TMJ problems will experience clicking of the jaw at the joints, jaw and/or facial pain, headaches, earaches, locking of the jaw, worn teeth and ringing in the ears.
Have you had friends get braces, only to have white spots on their teeth once the braces were removed? No matter what you may have heard, these spots are completely preventable and it’s up to you to prevent them.
“The main cause of white spots on the teeth during orthodontic treatment is poor oral hygiene,” says Kenilworth orthodontist Dr. Sara Spector. “Failing to brush properly leads to de-mineralized areas of your teeth. And no matter what anyone may tell you, they are caused by poor brushing and are 100% preventable.”
In order to ensure your mouth stays healthy, it is important to properly brush and floss your teeth. Ther can be a bit trickier while you’re in braces because the brackets and wires create nooks and crannies where food particles can get trapped. But, it is more important than ever to pay close attention to your oral hygiene while you are in braces.
If you are in braces treatment, chances are good you’ve fantasized a few times about a magical way to speed up your treatment so you can enjoy your new smile. The manufacturers of orthodontic device AcceleDent claim they have it. Kenilworth and Grayslake orthodontist Dr. Sara Spector says don’t be fooled by great marketing. “AcceleDent is a handheld device that fits over your braces and emits gentle pulses that its makers claim speed up orthodontic treatment,”...
