As a parent, hearing that your child needs orthodontic treatment as young as age 7 or 8 can come as a big surprise. While my team and I do treat kids conservatively and only recommend early intervention if there’s a clear health or functional benefit, there are cases when it can make a huge difference.
To help give you a better idea of the process and benefits, I’ll be answering some of the most common questions I get surrounding phase 1 orthodontic treatment here at Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics.
Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen are awesome for people who want a discreet treatment option. But removable, clear aligners aren’t for everyone. A lot of the patients at Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics prefer an under-the-radar treatment that is completely hidden, doesn’t require keeping track of an appliance you have to wear for 22 hours per day, and let’s you live you normal life of eating, drinking, brushing and flossing while treatment keeps working.
Dear JKO Fam,
Time for a little COVID update. We’re happy to hear that the mask mandate is being relaxed on February 16th. Since our office is considered a healthcare facility and is regulated by the California Department of Public Health, the current regulations and mask policy remain the same for us.
If you’re one of my El Dorado Hills braces patients, then I know you’re well aware of how important it is to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy throughout your treatment. While plaque removal is always crucial, it’s even more key when you have braces. Maintaining outstanding oral hygiene is worth the extra effort and will help you get the results you want. In this post, I’ll be covering everything you need to know about cavities with braces.
I’ve been hearing and reading about an increasing number of people saying their back teeth don’t touch after online, at-home clear aligner “treatment.” Unfortunately, this problem, technically called a posterior open bite, is a pretty common side effect of direct-to-consumer aligners. What causes this to happen? Can it be fixed? Let’s talk about it.
In-person school is officially back! While the school year can be a hectic time for parents, there is one way to make the week go a little easier, and that’s having plenty of ideas for simple lunches on hand. Stock up on supplies and either meal prep or throw lunch together the night before school for your kiddo to take with them.
When the patients at our practice get their braces put on, my team and I fill them in on the foods to avoid. Things like whole, raw apples, unpopped popcorn kernels, and caramels are on this list, because they can damage your brackets and wires. But what about gum? Sure, it’s led to a few impromptu haircuts over the years, but is gum really that bad for braces?
The team at Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics is well aware of how hard it can be to get kids to engage in healthy habits. Hey, I’m not just an El Dorado Hills orthodontist; I’m also a father of two young boys, so I know what it’s like to wrestle and brush teeth at the same time. While we can’t help you get your little ones to eat their green veggies, my team and I do have some knowledge when it comes to encouraging kids and teens to brush their teeth the right way.
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.
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.