Patients at our El Dorado Hills orthodontic practice frequently ask about getting braces just on top teeth only, either because their bottom teeth are straight, or they feel like they’re not that visible so they don’t see the point.
So, you’re thinking about kicking off braces or Invisalign treatment to bring out the best in your smile? You probably know the basics of both treatment options. One involves brackets and wires, while the other relies on a series of custom clear aligners designed by your orthodontist. But did you know there are actually different stages of braces and Invisalign treatment? As an El Dorado Hills, CA orthodontist, I don’t just glue brackets to the teeth or hand patients aligners and call it a day. To get optimal results that last a lifetime, orthodontic treatment involves careful planning and follows a tried-and-true sequence.
So, you’ve decided you want straight teeth, a healthy bite and, of course, a fantastic smile. Yet, before you kick off the teeth-straightening process, the first step is choosing the right orthodontist. Remember, any treatment is only as good as the doctor performing it. You can’t just put on braces or wear Invisalign and call it a day. It takes a lot of behind-the-scenes planning, expertise, and skill to achieve lasting, stunning results. You want to make sure your orthodontist is on the same page as you and has the necessary training to give you the new smile you deserve.
Teeth Whitening With Braces
You’ve invested in your smile with orthodontic treatment and, of course, you want it to look as dazzling as possible, so you might be wondering how to whiten your teeth with braces. Before you start researching the best at-home teeth whitening kits or browsing for special toothpastes or rinses, let’s address a key question: Can you whiten teeth with braces? The answer is, yes, but you should be cautious depending on the type of braces. There is good news though. With diligent oral hygiene and some handy tools, you can keep your teeth bright and stain-free throughout your treatment, with or without whitening.
Invisalign® was truly a revolutionary development in the world of orthodontics. While smile solutions had evolved from the animal intestines (eek!) Ancient Egyptians wrapped around their teeth and the big, bulky, gleaming metal braces that dominated much of the 20th century, there wasn’t an option to fix misaligned teeth that didn’t involve brackets and wires until Invisalign hit the market. With the system that facilitates different types of clear aligners, orthodontists could suddenly give patients’ amazing smiles in a way that was virtually invisible, comfortable, and convenient.
Can Invisalign fix gaps? Will braces work for an overbite? Which treatment option is best for an open bite? To help shed light on some of the questions I get from my El Dorado Hills orthodontics patients about different smile concerns, I put together a guide on the common orthodontic cases and how I treat them using braces and Invisalign®. I’ll be covering everything from what an overbite is to the basics of how to fix a crossbite. While this will hopefully give you a better idea of what your potential treatment options are, the only way to receive an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment for your individual needs is to visit an orthodontist.
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As any of our El Dorado Hills Invisalign® and braces patients can attest, we’re a festive bunch here at Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics. From our Halloween skull design contest to our annual Giving Tree, my team and I love to celebrate and give back to the community. Aside from service opportunities, having a blast and spending time with our families, another key reason the holidays are so important to us is the food. I know if you have braces, especially if you just started treatment, you might be worried that you’ll miss out on your favorite holiday dishes this year. Well, I’m here to reassure you that’s not the case. While, yes, there are some holiday foods to avoid with braces, there are so many more that you can still eat. To help, I’m sharing a guide to what to eat with braces during the holidays, as well some general tips for keeping your smile healthy all season long.
Have you been thinking about straightening your teeth, slaying that snaggle tooth or addressing your bite for functional reasons? Do you love the idea of having a set-it-and-forget it type of orthodontic treatment that doesn’t involve keeping track of aligners or worrying about how many hours you’ve worn your appliance? But not into the thought of highly visible brackets and wires? At Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics, we have a solution that offers the best of both worlds: InBrace hidden braces. This revolutionary treatment was designed by orthodontists to give patients an invisible treatment option that doesn’t need to be taken in and out of the mouth. The braces are placed behind your teeth, so no one can see them at all.
I love dentists! Okay, full disclosure, as an El Dorado Hills orthodontist, I am technically a dentist and I went to dental school. Furthermore, my better half and wife, Lisa, is also a dentist, so I literally LOVE dentists. Additionally, a lot of my patients are referred to Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics by their general dentist so maybe I’m a little biased. But, still, your general dentist plays such an important role in maintaining your oral health and, by extension, your overall health. So when it comes to orthodontist vs. dentist, is there a big difference? Can’t your orthodontist also check for cavities or treat gum disease? Could you ask your general dentist to put braces on your teeth? To help clear up these questions, I’ll be covering the difference between an orthodontist and dentist.
First, before we get into our newest blog post, I wanted to say just how awesome it’s been seeing all of our patients again now that our offices are re-opened. If you’re wondering how things have changed and the steps we’re taking to keep patients and our team safe during visits, read all about our new protocols here.
As for our post, today I’m talking about clear aligners for teenagers. Even with the smaller, more streamlined metal braces and clear braces available today, at my office and many other practices around the country, we’re noticing a huge shift in the popularity of Invisalign Teen. To help give you a better idea of how the treatment works and whether it’s something you want to consider for your own teenager, I’m answering the questions I hear most often from the parents at Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics.
Meet Dr. Jeffrey Kwong
Dr. Jeffrey Kwong, fondly known as Dr. Jeff, earned his dental degree at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. He then stayed on to complete his orthodontic specialty training where he received the clinical award at his graduation. He relies on his extensive experience and education to offer attentive, personalized care and outstanding results. Read more about Dr. Jeff.