How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?

April 11, 2023 Sturbridge Orthodontics

Having healthy nutrition, following a good oral hygiene routine, and attending dental checkups do not guarantee a patient might not need a root canal, might lose dental pieces, or have cracks that require veneers, crowns, or dental bridges in adulthood. 

But how in the world could someone be so careful about their dental health but, at some point, oral problems unchain and require immediate treatment? The answer is dental patients must also care about its bite functionality, and the sooner, the better at Sturbridge Orthodontics.

Indeed misaligned teeth and a jaw malposition might make a tooth produce unwanted friction onto another tooth, wearing them both off. Teeth-wearing also damages the teeth’ outer layer, named enamel, debilitating them and letting bacteria penetrate further layers of a tooth.

Consequently, a non-functional bite or malocclusion might lead to severe problems from unwanted friction or bacteria penetration. Solving these problems requires a preventive and timely orthodontic approach. 

Also, Sturbridge orthodontic treatment might be lengthy, and depending on the type of device suggested by your orthodontist, either braces or clear aligners, a patient must work on expanding oral hygiene measures and complying with the specialist’s recommendations.

How Long Do Braces Take To Straighten Teeth?

There are several factors influencing a brace’s treatment length. Also, patients must know treatment plan depends upon the type of braces used. So, we separate these factors into two groups:

Patients Compliance

Research findings account for patients’ cooperation as the most critical factor determining orthodontic treatment success. Strangely, in clinical investigations, the rate of default attendance to visits increases after the second visit.

However, compliance goes beyond attending checkup visits. Patient compliance means following the orthodontist’s recommendations, including an outstanding oral hygiene routine, complying with dietary restrictions, and visiting the orthodontist for checkups.

Oral Hygiene Routine

Your oral hygiene routine with braces is different from what used to be before them. In short, wearing braces requires a commitment to clear all debris and food removal you might find with a visual inspection, so to get the best results, we advise patients to:

  • Extend their brushing for at least one minute per month quarter
  • Use interdental brushes to complement their flossing routine with a floss threader and identify difficult spots where food gets stuck with a water irrigator splash;
  • Use a mouthwash at least every night before getting to sleep and;
  • Attend dental checkup visits at least twice a year.

Dietary Restrictions

Braces can detach from teeth, and wires might bend, derail or break. So, specialists recommend patients care about what they eat to avoid these inconveniences. 

In short, patients must avoid eating hard-to-bite foods like meats to the bone or foods like whole apples that patients must tear down with the front teeth braces. In general, the easiest forms to comply with these restrictions are:

  • Cut hard-to-bite foods like apples or meats into small bite-size pieces;
  • Soften foods like vegetables by boiling them and;
  • Avoid crunchy or sticky foods.

Patients Physiology

Not all bodies react similarly to therapies or treatments, which also applies to orthodontics. For example, braces move teeth that sit in the alveolar bone. But, as you might wonder, they are both hard tissue and are affected by an external force.

How wouldn’t these external forces cause friction between two rigid bodies? A thin, soft tissue layer named the periodontal ligament wraps the tooth, providing a cushion and allowing infimal mobility.

Braces exert a bit more force than expected by the ligament, slightly breaking the tissue that sends a signal to the brain asking for reinforcement.

Reinforcement tissue follows the tooth’s new location, and so does the bone that forms a bony callus according to the tooth’s displacement.

This process occurs without patients noticing, but it might be quicker or slower depending on the physiological response to strain.

This response might be affected by factors such as:

  • Age;
  • Genetics;
  • Health conditions and;
  • Nutrition.

Types of Braces

Treatment options with Braces might also impact the efficiency of the treatment.

To summarize, depending on the type of malocclusion, treatment with braces might extend to a couple of years for complex cases and one year to solve a mild malocclusion, with moderate cases fluctuating in the middle.

Damon Self-Ligating Braces

The most effective orthodontic treatment is the advanced technology offered by Damon Self-Ligating Braces.

These braces use clips instead of rubber bands to control the wire strain exerted over teeth, reducing friction and making treatment more comfortable, offering the shortest time up to seven months quicker than with traditional braces.

How Long Is Invisalign Treatment?

Treatment with Invisalign is shorter than treatment with braces, but there are some notes to make before we jump to a conclusion, so let’s check them out.

As does treatment with braces, some of the same rules apply with Invisalign, especially the one where the patient does most of the job, and that particular rule is compliance, but in different forms:

Use

Invisalign is detachable, so patients might decide when to use removable aligners, but orthodontists’ recommendations indicate patients must use them for at least twenty-two hours per day.

Hygiene

You can practice your daily dental hygiene routine with Invisalign, with the sole difference you must detach your aligners to clean them after meals and sanitize them at least once every night. 

There are no dietary restrictions when using Invisalign, but patients must avoid eating and drinking anything but water with the aligners on. 

However, Invisalign cannot escape patients’ physiology, which is the patients’ body reactions and acceptance of treatment.

This means that in a few cases, treatment might extend for a few months for a dazzling smile. Also, there is Invisalign First, a dedicated product for kids to start early interceptive treatment at Sturbridge Kids Invisalign Treatment, which could make things easier for adolescent patients, making treatment shorter.

After we mentioned these essential factors, it is plausible to say Invisalign provides results that are fast as six months and up to a year in some mild cases. Invisalign is proven effective in solving mild to moderate malocclusions quickly. 

How to Speed Up Invisalign Treatment?

Patients might speed up their Invisalign treatment by following the orthodontist’s instructions to the letter. This means wearing the aligners for at least twenty-two hours daily, never eating nor drinking anything but water with them on, and sanitizing the trays to eliminate bacteria.

Can I Cancel My Invisalign Treatment?

Yes, patients might cancel their Invisalign treatment before approval of their Clincheck. But what is Clincheck? Invisalign differentiates from other teeth alignment systems for its use of technology to predict the final results.

Clincheck is a software the orthodontist uses to show the patient how their mouth will look even without having used a single tray yet. So, to get to the prospect of the final result implies following a profound analysis of the patient’s mouth structure. 

So, it is essential to note there is a planning process associated with treatment; canceling it will disrupt it. Moreover, stopping the treatment at any point after getting alignment trays will eventually produce a relapse in its progress.

Can I Switch From Braces to Invisalign Mid Treatment?

Patients can switch from braces to Invisalign and, conversely, from Invisalign to braces. However, in the first case switching to Invisalign depends on the orthodontist’s evaluation, and the patient might need to wait.

But why do patients need to wait in some cases? From our discussion about the types of braces, you might remember metal braces are formidable for treating complex malocclusions.

As severe malocclusion treated with traditional metal braces progresses, getting less severe with time, your orthodontist might approve of moving to Invisalign.

Conversely, patients wearing Invisalign clear aligners can switch to braces anytime during treatment.  

Your Sturbridge Orthodontist and You Make the Best of Your Smile.

At Sturbridge Orthodontics, we look forward to helping our patients lead the band to a rocking healthy, and beautiful smile. Our job is to take care of the details so you succeed with our recommendations for quicker results.

Schedule an appointment, or call us at (508) 347-7540. Our friendly staff will receive you with a guitar solo, so you get confident you are in good hands for a perfect smile.

Posted in Orthodontic Treatment

Deep Bite and Bad Bite: Causes and Orthodontic Treatment Solutions

March 13, 2023 Sturbridge Orthodontics

You may not know why people develop a bad bite. Ultimately, there is a close relationship between dental alignment, and something you might be sure of is that a dentist is going to say dental health is paramount for your kid’s overall development, but the thing is, it’s true. Dental and oral health has a crucial role, especially during infancy. Dentofacial structures and teeth participate in everyday activities such as eating and speaking.

You have surely heard oral hygiene is the key to good dental health; this is also very true. Crowded or crooked teeth create nooks perfect for bacteria and food particles, making the hygiene process difficult. Being able to brush your teeth correctly requires straight teeth.

Sturbridge Orthodontic treatments such as braces or clear aligners ensure more than a beautiful smile; they achieve a healthy mouth. Without good oral hygiene, tooth decay represents only a part of the risk. Tooth loss due to cavities, intense pain, and severe infections are common consequences. 

Bad bites can lead to headaches and mandible pain due to the position of your teeth when your mouth is closed. The term “bad bite” is not clear enough. Let’s review what it means so you know for sure.

What Is a Bad Bite?

Orthodontists and dental experts refer to misalignment problems with the name malocclusions. Malocclusion is the technical term for a bad bite. There are different classes of malocclusions and various levels.

You have a malocclusion type when your teeth don’t sit in the correct position. In most cases, if a tooth is crooked in the upper jaw, it affects your lower jaw, causing an impact or for the whole mandible to sit in a different position, hence the term malocclusion.

The name “bad bite” could refer to the way this condition affects the bite in its function and appearance. Since there are levels of teeth misalignment, some patients need mandatory treatment while others don’t.

If the situation is detected early, patients can avoid the development of malocclusions in specific cases. 

What Causes a Bad Bite (Malocclusion)?

The causes of teeth misalignment are diverse. Some classes of malocclusion result from bad oral habits from an early age, and others manifest due to genetic factors. Once the issue is causing problems in the patient’s life, orthodontic treatment is the only way out, regardless of the origin.

Thumb-Sucking and Tongue-Thrusting

Oral fixation habits have an important role to play in the alignment of your teeth. Until kids are two years old, oral habits like thumb-sucking or sleeping with pacifiers won’t necessarily be a problem. However, they can become an issue after they are three years old.

The thing with thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, and pacifiers is they can alter the palate and jaw structures. The prolongation of bad oral habits can cause an overbite or open bite.

Tongue-thrusting is a little different since doctors can point to a cause. It’s normal in toddlers of a certain age, but older kids should not have this issue. The problem of tongue-thrusting is related to the jaw structure and teeth and not so much to crooked or crowded smiles.

Genetics and Other Causes

For some patients, the origin of their malocclusion problems is not in their oral habits but in genetic factors. Underbite cases are usually inherited and less common than overbites.

With early orthodontic examination, orthodontists can diagnose preventative treatment to avoid the development of malocclusions like underbites and crowding.

Tooth loss at an early age can lead to alignment issues such as crooked teeth and spacing problems. When a child’s jaw or mandible is too small, the eruption of permanent teeth can end in crowded smiles (bad bite/malocclusion).

Taking care of baby teeth is highly important because they have an impact on a child’s permanent teeth.

What Is a Deep Bite?

In dental jargon, a deep bite is an overbite. When the upper teeth sit too distant from the lower teeth, partially or entirely covering the bottom teeth, that is a deep bite.

Genetics, but more often oral habits, cause overbites. A deep bite can transform dentofacial structures and become an esthetic problem as well; even the nose can change its appearance due to severe overbites.

Sturbridge Orthodontic treatment is the best way to correct this problem. However, severe overbites can forever alter the facial structure. The teeth will look good after traditional metal braces or Invisalign treatment, but the nose and mandible bone may not return to their original place and shape. Here is when preventative orthodontics can save you lots of time and money.

Kids Invisalign treatment is usually the best course of action in case of a deep bite. Since every patient has particular needs, metal braces represent another effective alternative. 

Sturbridge kids Invisalign treatment and Sturbridge metal braces count with state-of-the-art technology and techniques in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Why Is It Important to Treat a Deep Bite?

The first thing a patient of teeth malocclusion notices is the alterations in the appearance of their teeth and face. But this is just the tip of the problem; complex dental and oral conditions often arise from deep bite misalignments.

Mandibles under overbite conditions tend to suffer from abnormal positions. The lower teeth appear worn down, and functional activities such as chewing or drinking are at risk. Biting with your front teeth also becomes a problem since the jaws are not aligned.

Depending on the severity of the case, overbites can lead to gum disease. 

How to Fix a Misaligned Bite?

Orthodontic appliances serve different purposes, although teeth alignment is a common principle for all of them. A healthy bite is the main goal.

But in the process of achieving a perfect smile, sometimes it’s necessary to use orthodontic appliances on the jaws, palate, and even dentofacial structures. This is the field of palate expanders, rubber spacers, fixed destabilizers, and more.

At Sturbridge Orthodontics, metal braces require a design for your smile to allow you a better understanding of the treatment plan. Nowadays, with the 3D scan process, it’s even easier for doctors to see your future smile.

Orthodontists approve of correcting children’s misaligned teeth with Invisalign. In the city of Sturbridge, Invisalign treatment for kids is as good as in any other city in the U.S. Since clear aligners are a new technology, after all, the 3D scan and smile design is mandatory.

Correcting crooked teeth or thumb-sucking teeth is a task only for certified orthodontists, and if the patient is a child or a teenager, we recommend seeing a pediatric orthodontist.

Sturbridge Orthodontics for Kids, MA

Dr. Sabelis is an accomplished orthodontist who is prepared, like no other, to provide attentive care for your family’s smiles (adult teeth included!). He and Dr. Tiberii, a dual specialist in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, ensure the best orthodontic care in Sturbridge.

But traditional metal braces and Invisalign alignment are not the only treatments at Sturbridge Orthodontics. This dental home offers surgical interventions, Two-Phase treatment, adult treatment, and more.

Visiting your dentist and orthodontist is the best way to protect and correct your teeth. Set an appointment to have a dental examination.

Posted in Orthodontic Conditions

Surviving the First Week With Braces

February 14, 2023 Sturbridge Orthodontics

Orthodontics can have a deep impact on our overall health, and, as a new patient, you might not know what to eat the first week you get your traditional braces. Please note that the recommendations we gather about your dietary habits will apply if you’re using Damon self-ligating braces; however, if you’re one of the lucky patients to have their Sturbridge teen Invisalign treatment with us, you won’t have to worry too much about your choice in foods.

There are countless advantages of getting straight teeth, including decreasing the risk of infections that could spread through the bloodstream. You might not believe it, but proper tooth alignment helps new patients in several aspects. Before we go over a list of what you can eat with braces, why not check some of the benefits of Sturbridge Orthodontics?

Here we list some of the most crucial:

Improves Oral Hygiene

Aligned teeth are easy to clean, as the brushes can smoothly pass through the interdental spaces clearing debris.

Improves Occlusion

A perfect occlusion means teeth match at the bite. Misaligned teeth might damage adjacent teeth or create unwanted friction wearing the teeth on the counter jaw to a breakage point.

Improves Digestion

An improved occlusion also means better digestion as the patient triturates food more efficiently, facilitating the digestive system’s nutrient assimilation process.

Improves Sleep

In some cases, a sleep disorder derives from causes like a narrow and deep palate, being the orthodontist the first professional to identify the problem. Although a physician is a qualified professional to diagnose this condition, they often recur to an orthodontist to change the position of the teeth and supporting structures to clear space and solve the obstruction problem.

So, now that we’ve created a picture of the importance of orthodontics, why not tell you that little sacrifice you must make in exchange for a healthy and beautiful smile?

We refer to dietary restrictions, especially the foods you might want to avoid during the first week of orthodontic treatment with braces. If you want more information on other foods you can have during your treatment, and what you have to avoid at all times, you can check out our other blog post article right here. This article addresses this point and provides some options that will help you survive this moment.

What Not to Eat With Braces Along the Entire Treatment

It is not that orthodontists don’t like you to eat the food you love; orthodontists seek patients to get the best out of their orthodontic treatment. So, for your treatment to succeed, orthodontists recommend patients stop seeing the forest for the trees and focus on what they have ahead; a healthy and beautiful smile.

Brackets might fall off, a tooth might break, gums can get inflamed, and there is a higher risk of caries. All this means is that numerous factors contribute to complications in your orthodontic treatment, delaying it and increasing treatment time.

So, here we have a list of the foods you must avoid or at least what you need to do to prevent dental problems:

Raw Fruits and Vegetables

  • carrots;
  • celery;
  • pears and;
  • apples.

You can cut these foods into small bite pieces to chew them directly with the occlusal portion of your teeth. For corn, you can thresh the cob or buy a can of corn instead.

Fast Foods and Meats

  • ribs;
  • chicken wings;
  • hamburgers and;
  • pizza.

If you want to eat these foods, use a knife and a fork to make little bite pieces before eating them to avoid tearing them down with your front teeth.

Hard-To-Bite or Crunchy Foods

  • Hard bread or bread crusts;
  • bagels;
  • Pizza crusts;
  • Pretzels and;
  • Popcorn.

Orthodontists firmly oppose to hard-to-bite foods. At first sight, brackets, and wires might look all right after eating a bag of pretzels, but the strain caused by bitting could deform the wires altering their intended structure and performance.

Nuts

  • almonds;
  • cashew nuts;
  • hazelnuts;
  • macadamias;
  • pecans;
  • pine nuts and;
  • pistachios.

At the top of our list, we find nuts. Unfortunately, all types of seeds and nuts are hard to bite, so you must be careful at eating soft, moist cakes that contain almonds or macadamias in full. Moreover, cross them from your diet during treatment.

Sticky Foods

We don’t recommend patients chew anything that could stick to the braces or wires, as these foods might adhere to the appliances making them hard to remove.

Also, sugary gum that sticks to teeth might become a breeding niche for bacteria to accumulate. In some cases, dentists recommend ADA-approved gum sweetened with xylitol.

Chewing gum helps patients produce saliva, a natural defense mechanism against bacteria. Xylitol reduces the prevalence of dental caries by augmenting salivary flow, decreasing the (Helicobacter pylori) bacteria population.

What Not to Eat With During the First Week with Braces

During the first week of braces, avoid eating any of the foods listed in the previous section, and you might also add chewy foods or any other food that requires a slight extra effort at bitting. 

For instance, instead of eating bite-sized pieces of chicken, try to shred chicken into strips and make soup. The boiling heat will make the meat tender, and the broth moist it, facilitating trituration by teeth.

What to Eat With Braces the First Week

You can eat primarily soft, very soft foods. But, for instance, there are braces-friendly foods you might eat during your treatment with braces, like tender meats. But, during your first week with braces, even tender meat will be too hard to bite.

We recommend patients replace their source of protein the first week for fish that requires a minimal effort to triturate with teeth. Following this example, we prepared a list of foods that will make your life easier during the first week:

  • soft fruit;
  • soft cheese;
  • eggs;
  • fruit smoothies;
  • oatmeal;
  • cereal in milk;
  • yogurt;
  • pasta;
  • soup (chicken broth) and;
  • mashed potatoes

You might feel discouraged after reading this list and feel it lacks something or that the food noted there seems like hospital food. But don’t be disappointed, we thought of a solution, so we brought some delicious recipes you can prepare at home that will make the first week with braces pass as quickly as a blink.

Soft Delicious Recipes After Getting Braces Installed

A week goes by so quickly you won’t notice the discomfort fading away. Nevertheless, here is a short list of delicious recipes you can eat during the first week with braces.

Chicken Broth

To prepare a homemade chicken broth, you will need the following:

  • a cup of water
  • two and a half pounds of chicken meat;
  • two onions
  • two pieces of celery with leaves;
  • two carrots;
  • two bay leaves;
  • half a teaspoon of dried and crushed rosemary;
  • half a teaspoon of dried thyme
  • eight peppercorns

Preparing a chicken broth is quite simple. First, cut all the veggies into chunks and the onions into quarters. Next, shred the chicken meat into small strips. Then, add all the ingredients to a pot to boil. Reduce the heat to the minimum and leave the mix uncovered for three hours.

Ensure you don’t overcook the veggies, as they might taste bitter.

Cheese Scrambled Eggs

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so here we list the ingredients for a delicious early meal:

  • a tablespoon of butter;
  • eight eggs;
  • half a cup of milk;
  • four ounces of cream cheese;
  • a tablespoon of minced fresh parsley;
  • a tablespoon of minced chives;
  • half a teaspoon of minced thyme;
  • an eight of a teaspoon of salt and;
  • an eight of a teaspoon of white pepper.

Mix all the ingredients except the butter in a bowl and whisk them until you get a consistent mixture. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a skillet. Pour the mixture into the skillet, checking for any liquid remains to thicken.

Sweet Salmon in Ginger

We told you that you don’t have to skip protein the first week for your new braces. Fish is an excellent source of protein and is safe to chew with braces discomfort. Here we have a recipe that has a good amount of protein that you will enjoy; here are the ingredients:

  • a salmon fillet
  • a third of a cup of orange juice
  • a third of a cup of soy sauce
  • a fourth of a cup of honey
  • a green onion
  • a teaspoon of ground ginger
  • a teaspoon of garlic powder

The first step is to make the marinade. Mix the juice, sauce, honey, onion, ginger, and garlic, place two-thirds of it into a shallow bowl, bathe the salmon in the mix, and refrigerate for half an hour. Next, grill the salmon on medium heat for fifteen minutes, basting it with the remaining marinade for the last five minutes, and there you go; you have a healthy, delicious, and soft meal.

What to Do in Case of an Orthodontic Emergency the First Week With Braces?

Our friendly team will help our patients get healthy and beautiful smiles. To do so, we give plenty of advice about their diet, how to protect their teeth, and all they need to know to have a happy smile. But, sometimes, things happen differently than expected.

Brace issues happen sometimes. Instead of calling these issues emergencies, we want to name their hardships. For instance, a patient might have bitten a pretzel and gotten a broken wire. She can use a tweezer and cut the poking wire. Another patient might have eaten a nut and gotten a derailed wire; he might have used a pencil eraser to affix a wire back to the bracket.

However, sometimes, kids forget to use a mouthguard while playing football or at their karate lessons; these are immediate care emergencies. So, in case of a hardship or a primary care emergency, call Dr. Ferdinand Sabelis for immediate Sturbridge Orthodontics emergency treatment and assistance.

Posted in Foods and Drinks, Orthodontic Treatment

Why Your Child Needs to See An Orthodontist by Age Seven

January 31, 2023 Trenton Elkins

If you’ve had orthodontic treatment in your life, we’re curious: Can you remember how old you were when you visited an orthodontist for the first time? Orthodontics is for people of all ages, but today, our Sturbridge Orthodontics team wants to tell you why your child needs to see an orthodontist by age seven, if at all possible!

The Magic Number

Typically, a child is referred to us for an initial evaluation by Dr. Sabelis or Dr. Tiberii by their general dentist around age seven. This is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). But there are times when even earlier intervention is necessary if they’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, for example:

  • Early loss of primary teeth
  • Overbites
  • Underbites
  • Crossbites
  • Thumb-sucking after age five
  • Pacifier use
  • Spacing
  • Crowding

These are all valid reasons to visit our office! But why is seven such a key number?

A Turning Point

There are actually a number of reasons this age is so heavily emphasized as a deadline of sorts for initial consultation—many of them simply being the timeline on which our bodies develop.

  • Early Detection of Issues: By the age of seven, a child’s permanent teeth are beginning to emerge. This is an ideal stage for us to detect potential orthodontic issues and hopefully catch them before they develop into something more serious.
  • Guidance of Jaw Growth: Our doctors are able to assess the growth of the jaw and identify potential discrepancies. Anatomically speaking, it’s easier to help this manner of issue earlier in life.
  • Spacing: An early evaluation helps in assessing the space available for permanent teeth, showing us crowding or spacing problems.
  • Detection of Habits: Certain habits, like thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting, can impact dental development. If we can assess the behaviors early on, we can work with parents to try and absolve them. 
  • Preventative Measures: Addressing early issues prevents the development of more severe conditions. Our goal is always to try and avoid extensive, invasive treatment if we’re able to.
  • Improved Confidence: When a child has early orthodontic treatment, their self-esteem can be positively impacted as they grow up.

Why Your Child Needs to See An Orthodontist by Age Seven

Two-Phase Treatment

Of course, our chosen course of treatment will depend on each individual child—but something called Two-Phase Treatment is an option unique to our youngest patients. This method can be preventative or interceptive. 

  • Phase One: This process sets the stage for a full set of braces. Typically, it involves baby teeth, resolving issues with spacing and crowding in the mouth to provide adequate room for alignment. It can also focus on the alignment of the jaw being corrected.
  • Phase Two: Once the mouth has been prepared and all permanent teeth have erupted around ages eleven or twelve, we’ll commence with a long-term appliance like traditional braces or clear aligners. They’ll wear these until we achieve our desired results. 

The key to this process is that transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth, or catching the permanent teeth around when they first appear.

Other FAQs

  • Does every child need braces?
  • No, they all don’t. Many children don’t require our intervention—but many, many do! It’s important to know as soon as possible. As we said, we proudly treat teenagers and adults, as well as pediatric patients. But generally speaking, earlier treatment is easier for all involved. 
  • How long does orthodontic treatment for children typically last?
      • This can vary quite a bit; it depends on the complexity of the case. Treatment will last anywhere from several months to a few years.
  • Do braces hurt?
      • Braces don’t hurt so much as cause some discomfort at first. It’s a big change for kids in particular. Over-the-counter pain relief is often recommended in the earliest stages of braces. There’s also always a possibility of wires being abrasive to gums. Orthodontic wax can help to provide a barrier. 
  • Can children play sports with braces?
      • Yes—but they must wear a mouthguard. Failing to do so puts not only the appliance but also a child’s teeth at risk of damage. If they are dealing with bite issues that involve any sort of protrusion of teeth or the jaw, this is particularly risky.
  • How often should a child visit the orthodontist during treatment?
    • Regular appointments are typically scheduled every four to six weeks for adjustments and progress assessments. We maintain regular communication with all of our patients during their treatment. These aren’t really optional visits; it’s very important that you and your child stick to the schedule so that everything moves along as planned.

Why Your Child Needs to See An Orthodontist by Age Seven

Making Moves

Hopefully, we’ve cleared up the reasoning behind this common guideline! We take such pride in helping set up kids with beautiful smiles. If you’re in the Sturbridge neighborhood and planning orthodontic treatment for your child, we are happy to help! You can reach our office at (508) 347-7540.

Posted in Uncategorized

Everything About What Foods You Can Eat With Braces

January 18, 2023 Sturbridge Orthodontics

It may be hard to know what you can eat with braces. Following your orthodontist’s advice during your braces treatment is the best course of action you can take if you want quick and good results. That includes not only brushing and flossing properly and consistently but also avoiding dangerous foods. Following these recommendations will lead to expected results, better oral health, and fewer orthodontic emergencies.

Foods to Can’t Eat With Braces

One of the most important factors that could affect your orthodontic treatment, next to a good brushing routine, is your diet. If you are going through braces treatment, you’ll have to respect your orthodontist’s instructions on dietary restrictions. Failure to follow their guideline and remove some foods from your diet can result in longer treatment times, white spots on your braces, cavities, infections, and much more.

Here are the types of foods that you should avoid during your times with braces.

Crunchy Food

Crunchy foods like potato chips, hard-shell tacos, popcorn, and crackers can all damage your braces if consumed. While braces are more durable than ever, brackets can still loosen, and wires can still bend. As mentioned, repetitive occurrences can lead to delays in the treatment or even allow your teeth to move into a non-intended position.

Hard Foods

Much like crunchy foods, hard foods can and will damage your appliances if you eat them without care. Hard fruits, hard vegetables, thick cuts of meat, ice, nuts, and pizza crust are just a few examples. However, If you are careful and cut them into small pieces, then you and your appliances should be safe to eat them. As a general guideline, avoid anything that you need to bite into. The motion of taking a bit out of something puts your braces under severe stress, and it’s here where they generally break.

Sticky Foods

Aside from the pulling and pushing motion they exert on your braces, which could make the brackets or archwires break, they are also obviously very sticky, meaning that they will get stuck in the most hard-to-reach places in your teeth and braces. They will make brushing and flossing much more difficult, and not cleaning at all will have even worse consequences in the form of tooth decay and cavities.

Sugary Foods

While you can have foods like pancakes, sodas, milkshakes, cakes, and ice cream occasionally without the immediate danger of damaging your braces, eating them too often is dangerous to your oral health. The sugar in sugary foods reacts with bacteria and food residues in your mouth to form acids which then mix with the bacteria and residues to form plaque. The plaque will stick to your teeth and gums and, if left undisturbed, will eat away the outer layer of your tooth, leaving you more exposed to cavities and infections.

What Fast Food Can You Eat With Braces?

As you can see, many foods can and will damage your braces if given a chance. Sadly, this makes people believe that during their time with braces, they won’t be able to enjoy most of the delicious foods normally available to them. Fortunately for them, there are many unexpected foods that they can still enjoy. For example, there are many braces-friendly fast food items that orthodontic patients can still consume to their liking.

Here is a list of fast food items you can consume and when to be careful around them.

Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets are great to eat as long as you cut them into little pieces. While the inside of the nugget is quite soft, it is the harder outside layer that could damage your appliances if you bite into it. Cutting them into little pieces should let you enjoy as many as you want.

French Fries

You can eat french fries, but you will have to be careful with some of them. Overly crunchy fries or fries heavily coated in sauces can represent a danger to your appliances. While most of the time, fries aren’t hard enough to cause damage, they or some heavy sauce accompanying them can still get stuck in your braces.

Pizza

As long as you don’t have any hard, crunchy, or sticky toppings, pizza is mostly safe for you to eat, except for the crust. The pizza crust is either too chewy or too crunchy for your braces to handle. If you want to be able to eat pizza at all, you’ll have to make the sacrifice of leaving your crusts on the side until you finish your treatment.

Burgers

Burgers come back to the biting into food situation. You’ll want to avoid that motion as much as possible, so consider cutting the whole burger into small bite-size pieces. This way, you’ll be able to avoid damage to your braces while still getting to eat the deliciously greasy treat.

Enjoy Your Treatment With Profesional Help

While we insist you enjoy delicious meals as much as possible, we remind you to always space out your fast food outings to avoid health complications. If you have more questions regarding your oral health or decide it’s time for regular professional cleaning, contact us here at Sturbridge Orthodontics.

Posted in Orthodontic Treatment

Two-Phased Orthodontic Treatment

December 11, 2022 Sturbridge Orthodontics

Everyone knows that orthodontic treatment can help reduce pain and prevent cavities, infections, and even tooth removals, but did you know that two-phase orthodontic treatment can make your future procedures simpler and, on some occasions, prevent orthodontic issues completely?

Child patients can avoid invasive treatment in the future by going through two phases of treatment instead of going only through one.

What Is Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment?

Interceptive treatment, also known as Two-phase orthodontic treatment, is a treatment plan that involves two stages at two different periods in a patient’s life, one at around 7 years old and the other at around 13 years old. The goal is to simplify or completely eliminate any treatment necessary in the future by discovering the existing and developing orthodontic issues at hand and intervening when possible.

Two-Phase treatment is more common and recommended than you may believe. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends parents take their children to visit an orthodontist when they turn 7 for an examination. Here is where orthodontists will decide whether a patient needs two-phase treatment or not. Some patients will need early treatment, while others will have to wait until they are older to get any type of treatment. As with many things in healthcare, it will ultimately depend on their specific case.

Phase One

Phase one occurs while a children’s teeth and jaws are still developing. The mix of permanent and baby teeth allows the orthodontist to plan ahead to avoid and fix issues such as overcrowding and misaligned teeth. The orthodontist in charge will determine if a patient needs phase one treatment only if the procedures available have an actual impact on their mouth’s structural development.

During phase one, patients can wear regular appliances like traditional braces or more specialized orthodontics such as palatal expanders and quad-helixes. The expected treatment during phase one is shorter than the ones in phase two, with treatments lasting from 9 to 12 months.

After the treatment ends, there is a resting period for the patients. This allows the dental structures to heal before the next phase begins.

Phase Two

Phase two is where patients use the more common appliances like braces and Invisalign. Given that it starts after the end of the resting period that comes after phase one, almost all permanent teeth have developed, making the upcoming treatment time last anywhere from 12 to 20 months.

If you went through phase one treatment, the necessary treatment in phase two is much simpler than for those who didn’t. Shorting your treatment times and possibly avoiding uncomfortable surgeries. Whether you suffer from overcrowding, overbite, underbite, crooked teeth, or anything else, your orthodontist will fix it during this stage. Allowing you to finally come out of the treatment with a beautiful smile that took years to make.

Braces or Invisalign? Can Patients Carry On Two-Phased Orthodontic Treatment With Invisalign?

Yes, patients can carry two-phase orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. Fortunately for many, Invisalign technology has come a long way since its creation and is now available for kids to use even in the first stage of their interceptive treatment. The specific name for this early treatment is Invisalign first.

Before comparing braces and Invisalign together, we must remember how Invisalign works. First, orthodontists take a scan of your upper and lower set of teeth and then proceed to order a pair of clear plastic molds that fit your teeth perfectly. These molds, also called trays, apply light, constant pressure on your teeth to move them into their desired position. The patient must wear them for around 20 to 22 hours a day, only removing them to either clean or eat. Finally,  every few weeks, your orthodontist will give you a new set of trays that will push your teeth even further.

To decide between traditional braces and Invisalign, you must first ask your orthodontist if you are eligible for the clear aligners treatment. While Invisalign is able to fix a variety of orthodontic issues such as underbite, overbite, gaps in teeth, and more, there are still some severe cases that require more force than the aligners can generate.

If you are eligible, however, you will find Invisalign very attractive because of its lack of strict diet, its removable nature, and its virtually invisible look. Additionally, It is much more comfortable than regular braces, and your smile keeps its natural look. It comes at a cost; however, not only can it be more expensive than regular braces, but it also requires a high level of compliance on the side of the patient. Failure to use the appliances for the 22 recommended hours a day will result in longer treatment times.

Start the Journey for a Better Smile

If you wish to know if your child is eligible for two-phase orthodontic treatment, contact us at Sturbridge Orthodontics and schedule your appointment with us here. We are happy to help you and your family get the smile you deserve.

Posted in Orthodontic Treatment

Guide to Having Clean Teeth While Wearing Braces

November 29, 2022 Sturbridge Orthodontics

A lot of people still feel insecure about how they would look if they had braces. And let’s face it, traditional metal braces may not be the biggest favorites regarding appearance. But it is also true that metal brackets have been changing through time, and they have evolved.

Setting that aside, the looks shouldn’t matter if we are talking about orthodontic appliances because the whole point of orthodontic treatment is to make you feel better, whether it is about the physical aspect of your smile or dental health issues.

The oral hygiene habits you maintain will definitely improve how you look and feel as an orthodontic patient. A clean and bright smile is always a great presentation card, no matter what.

Is It Difficult to Brush With Braces On?

If you currently wear Damon self-ligating braces, or if you are planning to, you should know that most orthodontic appliances can suppose difficulty in the cleaning and brushing process. Having metal wires all across your mouth and metal brackets attached to your teeth will make it harder to wash your teeth.

This is why your orthodontist puts such emphasis on dental hygiene. Flossing becomes almost impossible for a great number of patients with braces. You have to be very thorough with the process of brushing your teeth, so you leave zero rests of food or drinks.

There are foods you can happily eat, as well as there are some dishes you should avoid for the sake of your orthodontic treatment and your denture’s health. If food gets stuck on your brackets or wires, oral bacteria will start to grow and thrive.

And you know what happens when dental bacteria stay in your mouth for too long:

  • Tooth decay and cavities.
  • Gum disease.
  • Tooth loss.
  • And bad breath appears.

Since we are sure you don’t want any of those, we prepared a quick guide on correct brushing and cleaning your teeth if you have orthodontic braces.

How to Brush With Braces?

First things first: don’t worry. You can brush your teeth as usual when you are wearing traditional braces. Twice a day and all that. It would be good for you to add a third time daily.

Try to use toothpaste with fluoride because it helps to fight dental bacteria and maintain control of Ph levels in your mouth.

Keep in mind that being thorough does not mean that you have to put more pressure or use more strength while brushing your teeth. Doing this can cause bleeding in your gums which is bad for your teeth and breath.

What Else Can I Do to Thoroughly Clean My Teeth While Wearing Braces?

Brushing your teeth is not the only thing you can do to get an A from your orthodontist on cleaning your teeth. Nowadays, we can count on fabulous inventions that our lives easier in this matter.

Water Irrigator

A what? A water irrigator, yes. But this one doesn’t belong in the garden. A water flosser is a mechanical device that you can use at home. Its sole purpose is to remove plaque and food particles from your teeth.

It works with common water in the form of pressure steam, and it’s perfect for reaching the harder spots of your denture.

Interdental Brush

You have probably seen these at the supermarket or your local pharmacy. They look like a brush intended to clean a baby bottle, except for the fact that they are tiny. Interdental brushes are designed to fit the spaces in between your brackets and archwires.

They are normally used without toothpaste, but putting some on is also okay. These do not substitute a normal toothbrush, though; you’ll need both.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash is fantastic for various reasons.

  • It contributes to having a nice breath.
  • If specialized, it can help combat plaque dental biofilm.
  • It can have whitening components.

After you have brushed your teeth and used floss, it’s recommendable to use a specialized mouthwash to help the chemical components of your cleaning routine to eradicate bacteria and even heal mild issues you could have with your gums or breath.

Floss Threader

Everyone says the same two things: brush and floss. And yes, they are paramount for your dental health, but something nobody is saying is that flossing can be hard when you have brackets.

You should use waxed floss to prevent tearing when flossing. The real game changer is floss threaders. They are inexpensive and can be found in supermarkets and pharmacies.

This is a tool that can make the flossing process so much easier and save you lots of time in your oral hygiene routine. They are designed to enter the space in between your teeth without touching your archwires.

Customize Your Braces

Just as you can do with your nails or clothes, you can add a little fun and personality to your braces, and this is something you can only do with traditional brackets.

Since you will have to wear rubber bands in your mouth every two to three weeks, you can get creative and make combinations to make statements about your taste. The color variety is immense, and there are even different shapes, like flowers or bats!

Need more ideas? Check this article.

How to Keep My Teeth Clean With Clear Aligners?

One of the main differences between traditional braces and clear aligners is the comfort they suppose for the cleaning process. You can take off your orthodontic appliances and wash your teeth with invisible aligners without further complications.

What Is the Best Orthodontic Treatment for You?

Make an appointment with our dental office if you have doubts about what would be the best treatment plan for you. Braces or clear aligners?

If you are having trouble keeping your brackets clean, our team can help and provide personalized advice to solve your problem.

Posted in Orthodontic Treatment

How to Find the Best Orthodontist Near Me?

September 18, 2022 Sturbridge Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment is fundamental in creating a healthy bite that allows you to take proper care of it from the moment your treatment is done to decades into the future. Part of the objective of orthodontic treatment is to avoid any possible pain or difficulty that may arise in the future because of an existing condition. Sturbridge Orthodontists are the ones responsible for these procedures, but what exactly do they do?  And what are the benefits of going through these long and sometimes uncomfortable treatments?

What Does an Orthodontist Do?

The word orthodontist comes from the two Greek words “orthos” and “odon”, which mean correct and tooth respectively. That is exactly what an orthodontist does, they correct your teeth and jaws by moving them into their proper position for you to have a healthy and beautiful smile. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) definition, orthodontists tackle facial and dental irregularities by diagnosing, preventing, treating, and intercepting them.

Orthodontists are dentists that specialize in orthodontics, and tooth movement, and thus focus mainly on treating malocclusions. Orthodontists use the term malocclusion to refer to bites where the upper and lower row of teeth don’t meet as they should. There are many different types of malocclusions as well as many different reasons for them. Orthodontists train to know how to deal with every one of them.

Once you present yourself with a malocclusion to your orthodontist, they will design a treatment plan tailored to your specific problem. From here, they will give you a few options of appliances for you to choose from, as not every appliance can deal with every problem. In case you receive braces treatment, an orthodontist will be the one who attaches them, and they will also be the person in charge of checking up on you every few weeks.

Here are a few of the different malocclusions that orthodontists treat.

Class 1

Class 1 malocclusion refers to the upper teeth protruding over the lower teeth. It can be a result of bad habits as a child such as thumb sucking, or it could be a result of genetics like jaw misalignment. It’s a very common type of malocclusion and it usually has very minor effects on your bite.

Class 2

Class 2 malocclusion, also called overbite, is a more severe case of class 1 malocclusion and will have significantly more damaging effects on your bite. It benefits from early orthodontic treatment and requires the use of an appliance for a long period.

Class 3

Class 3 malocclusion, or underbite, occurs when the lower jaw protrudes forward and overlaps the upper jaw. Similarly, to a class 2 malocclusion, it requires an orthodontic treatment that involves an appliance for continuous use.

What Are the Benefits of Orthodontics?

Following through on your orthodontic treatment and respecting your orthodontist’s guidelines, regardless of how tiring it can be at some points, allows the patient to get to their desired result in as little time as possible. But why start the process in the first place? Here are a few benefits that come with bettering your dental health with orthodontics.

A Healthy and Straight Smile

As explained previously, a variety of orthodontic problems are partially caused by misaligned teeth. To fix the issue, orthodontists will straighten your teeth and move them to a more orderly position, ultimately giving you a smooth even smile in the process.

Avoid Wear and Tear

Sometimes crooked and misaligned teeth change the way you bite and as a result, it can cause extra wear and pressure in some teeth more than others. Making them more prone to chipping and breaking in your daily activities. Orthodontic treatment allows your orthodontist to redistribute all the pressure evenly among your teeth.

Allows for Better Dental Hygiene

Crooked teeth can be at odd angles and very close to each other, which makes it very difficult to brush properly. Bacteria and food residue can accumulate in these hard-to-reach crevices and will eventually mix into plaque. Plaque can in turn lead to tooth decay, gum infections, tooth loss, and more. Having an orthodontist move your teeth into their desired orderly positions allows for better access that transforms into better cleaning, greatly reducing the chances of any dental complication.

Orthodontic Treatment in Sturbridge

For any questions regarding orthodontists, orthodontic treatment, or orthodontics as a whole, feel free to contact us at Sturbridge Orthodontics. If you have already decided on getting your teeth as healthy and pretty as possible, make an appointment with us here.

Posted in Community

Wisdom Teeth & Orthodontic Treatment Planning

August 31, 2022 Sturbridge Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment requires planning. To understand the process, orthodontists have spent hours training and perfecting specialized techniques to master the biomechanics rules at the core of orthodontic results.

In fact, biomechanics understands the forces of physics and their impact on the human body. To do so, orthodontists project a healthy and beautiful smile and use customized mechanical devices specially made for each patient.

However, sometimes things come in the way. For example, patients’ poor compliance with the specialist recommendations or differences in the patient’s body’s response to mechanical stress might impact the projected planning.

Also, sometimes, patients have concerns about how wisdom teeth affect orthodontic treatment outcomes. Although wisdom teeth seem to be something coming in the way that could affect orthodontic planning, they might not be as bad as we think.

This article addresses some frequent questions patients have about wisdom teeth and the challenges of Sturbridge orthodontic treatment planning.

What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Some questions we have from patients include, “When do wisdom teeth come in?” Or “Should I get Braces After My Wisdom Teeth come in?” However, before answering those questions, we first need to know what wisdom and impacted wisdom teeth are.

Wisdom teeth, as their name implies, develop at a more mature age than the rest of the teeth, which is associated with sound judgment. However, in a professional setting, they are known as third molars.

Third molars erupt following a pattern to the back of the second molars. Therefore, they are at the rear extreme of the jaw. Some people develop all four wisdom teeth, others develop some of them, and in some cases, patients don’t have any wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth are useless. You can’t bite or chew with your wisdom teeth, which could become a problem in many cases. In addition, sometimes, patients don’t have enough space in their jaws for wisdom teeth.

When there is not enough room in the jaw for wisdom teeth to erupt, they might sprout partially, angled, or just never erupt and remain below the gums. These are what we know as impacted wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth usually sprout between ages 17 and 25 during orthodontic treatment or before a patient considers getting into it, placing a significant concern regarding extraction.

The good news is that regularly, you don´t need to have your wisdom teeth removed before or during orthodontic treatment. This is because wisdom teeth do not exert enough strain to produce a misalignment over the rest of the teeth. In fact, an orthodontist could also cement brackets on wisdom teeth.

However, the not-that-good news is that wisdom teeth might develop impacted. Depending on the specialist evaluation, a patient might require extraction to avoid an infection or damage to other teeth.  

For instance, impacted wisdom teeth might sprout partially and angled, producing a perfect space for food to get trapped and difficult to remove mechanically by brushing.

In some cases, the gum might partially cover a wisdom tooth from above, and food might get stuck between the tooth and the gum. In both circumstances, tooth decay, gum disease, or an infection might occur that could spread, damaging a second molar.

A wisdom tooth might sprout, producing a cyst or an infection, and wisdom teeth might remain below the gums, impacting the lower part of a second molar to the pulp, and damaging a fully functional tooth.

However, the extraction of wisdom should follow a pathology associated with it. This is because the extraction of wisdom teeth might require a surgical procedure with some risks. For example, during an extraction, there is a slight possibility of damaging the ID and lingual nerves. 

Therefore, before considering the extraction of wisdom teeth, a patient must pass an evaluation by a professional.  

Can I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed During Orthodontic Treatment?

Yes, you can. However, as previously stated, you must seek a specialist to perform an evaluation that includes getting a panoramic X-ray to determine the suitability and need to get an extraction.

Patients often ask how long does wisdom teeth removal take? The removal of wisdom teeth takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and it requires the administration of local and sometimes general anesthetics. 

Also, a common question from the previous one is, how long does it take for wisdom teeth to heal? In most cases, patients experience lesser pain and discomfort after the third day after surgery. 

However, you can expect a full recovery two to three weeks after surgery; it all depends on a patient following the medical prescription and oral surgeon’s recommendations. 

Can Wisdom Teeth Shift My Teeth?

No, wisdom teeth themselves cannot shift your teeth. However, there are circumstances where wisdom teeth do not sprout and remain below the gums producing a cyst that could debilitate the jaw bone.

A weak jaw bone might be prone to a fracture that could affect the position of surrounding teeth. Also, wisdom teeth might contaminate a second molar with caries, resulting in losing not a single but two dental pieces.     

Although these events rarely shift other teeth, they harm orthodontic treatment outcomes. Finally, in many cases, shifting is attributable to aging, but patients might relate teeth shifting to wisdom teeth.

For these reasons, we recommend an evaluation from a specialist to determine whether wisdom teeth affect orthodontic treatment.

What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

The general consensus about a diet after wisdom teeth extraction is to avoid chewing with the back part of the mouth to the fullest possible. Consequently, to minimize this possibility, you can try eating blended foods, soups, or easy-to-byte foods like mashed potatoes for the next 24 hours after a surgical procedure.

Contact Your Sturbridge Orthodontist

Our caring staff will guide you through the entire orthodontic treatment process, following a procedure that will help you understand the complexity of your malocclusion, including an exhaustive evaluation of your wisdom teeth. We invite you to set an appointment and have a smile that rocks!

Posted in Orthodontic Treatment

What Happens When You Have Your Teeth Removed for Braces?

July 18, 2022 Sturbridge Orthodontics

Planning is a methodical and conspicuously wise thing to do. Orthodontists, for instance, design a well-elaborated plan to define a path to follow to achieve a wonderful result, a beautiful smile for their patients.

However, patients should also carry out planning. This means that patients are also part of the process and must have information on all the upsides and downsides of orthodontic treatment in Sturbridge; removing a piece of a denture or two is indeed a major concern.

This article addresses a contested topic. Is removing teeth before starting Sturbridge orthodontic treatment good or bad? We found divergent positions about it that need to be exposed, and certainly, we include a final opinion we hope serves as a light at the end of the road.

Are Tooth Extractions Necessary for Orthodontics?

To start this discussion, removing teeth can and surely is avoidable when treating kids at an early age. This is a two-stage course that begins with interceptive orthodontics. The process involves detecting abnormalities that orthodontists can correct with special orthodontic appliances to expand the jaws.

Palatal expanders, for instance, make room for permanent teeth to sprout in a previously accommodated space. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends parents take their kids for their first orthodontic visit at seven.

After a first consultation visit, an orthodontist can decide whether or not a kid requires an expander that perfectly works with the malleable mouth structure. Then, a second stage starts in the early teen years when the young patients might need to use braces to complement the first stage’s achievements.

In this case, a patient might need the extraction of baby teeth after a study reveals a permanent tooth is developing, and there might be an orthodontic compromise if neglecting extraction.

But what about teens and adults? Do they need to get a piece of denture extracted before entering into orthodontic treatment? There are two sides to the same coin. Scholars of the subject evaluated extractions in patients with a variety of malocclusion cases.

The study findings revealed a statistical incidence of facial profile change in the lower lip and chin. However, these changes had no impact on the clinicians’ perspective, and they favored extractions as an effective approach to most malocclusions.

Notwithstanding, for some specific malocclusions, including lateral occlusion, mid-line symmetry, posterior occlusion, overbite, tooth alignment, and overjet, there was no consensus on whether or not removing the tooth was the most optimal option.

Also, extraction reduces protrusions related to the lower lip, supporting the inclination of the chin. These might be revealed in cases like underbites, where an extraction is an optimal option.

Another study demonstrated no significant differences in orthodontic treatment outcomes between subjects with no extraction, two maxillary premolar extraction, and four premolar extractions.

However, concerning differences were evident between patients with no extraction and four premolar extractions. Patients that kept their teeth showed better contact and relationships of the upper and lower teeth surfaces (occlusion) and better root angulations.

When Be Will Tooth Extractions Necessary?

An orthodontist will clear out any doubts concerning teeth extractions. Purposedly, the main reason that a specialist will point out is, without a doubt, to make room for overcrowded teeth to get aligned during orthodontic treatment.

Also, in some cases, persistent baby teeth are in the way and need to be removed to let permanent teeth sprout. Parallelly, orthodontists’ training helps them determine if removing a piece of denture is the path to follow.

However, we recommend patients ask as many questions as needed and work out options that can best ensure keeping dental pieces to the best possible. For example, there might be reasonable situations where removing a tooth does not affect the bite functionality. Still, there might also be cases where the orthodontist can set an alternative strategy.

Alternative strategies might include a more complex set of braces and a more extended treatment duration. However, after reaching a definition, if extraction is the path to follow, there is a list of reasons for extraction you need to know from where you can draw one that applies to your specific case.

Overcrowding

This term refers to a jaw that is not sufficiently big to house permanent teeth. As teeth do not have sufficient space to erupt aligned, they erupt crooked or do so partially, twisted, or above other teeth.

An orthodontist knows what piece can strategically extract, and with the help of Sturbridge orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners, align teeth, moving them to the space previously created.

Protruding Teeth

In some cases, front teeth protrude, which means they stick out to the front out of the arches line. This produces a considerably projected profile, lips to stick out, and might affect a person’s speech.

An orthodontist might remove a denture piece located in the back and place braces on a patient to transfer teeth a little backward and fix the projected profile.

Unusual Teeth

This might sound a little strange, but some people develop extra teeth. Orthodontists can detect these abnormalities with an X-ray and plan an extraction of the extra denture piece that exerts unwanted pressure on other oddly angled teeth.

Jaw Development and Stability

Orthodontists’ training allows them to determine the best mechanism to align teeth and the jaw. However, to work on a growing jaw and to stabilize teeth, they need enough space. So, orthodontists’ work consists also in making dental pieces stable by eliminating the pressure that puts them at risk.

Impacted Teeth.

Sometimes teeth grow on top, behind, next (parallel) to other teeth in the palate, or stay in the gums producing pressure from above. In some cases, they might get infected due to the abnormal position of these teeth. Therefore, it might be inevitable not to remove one of the teeth that impacts its neighbor.

Do You Have To Get Wisdom Teeth Removed for Braces?

It depends on the case. We have made a tour that depicts the types of abnormalities that can lead an orthodontist to recommend extraction before placing braces in a patient’s teeth, including impacted teeth.

Sometimes wisdom teeth remain below the gums but impact the lower portion of a second molar, producing an unnecessary strain that can reach the pulp. In this case, an orthodontist might recommend the extraction of a denture piece to avoid potential damage to a fully functional tooth (second molar).

Also, wisdom teeth might partially erupt angled, creating entrenched areas that favor food accumulation that is hard to remove. As food accumulates, bacteria feed from it, causing cavities, gum disease, and infections that affect the orthodontic treatment outcome. In this case, the extraction of Wisdom Teeth is the optimal choice.

Balancing Approaches

We have commented on two perspectives about the same case. Now it is necessary to reach a balance, so these pieces of information fully serve their purpose: to educate our patients and readers.

There is a long list of orthodontists favoring teeth extraction before entering into an orthodontic treatment with braces or other appliances. There is also an extensive list of specialists that refuse to recommend extractions. Then, good judgment enters into play.

Removing teeth might be harmful when it decreases the facial profile, making the lips and chin sink. However, in cases where teeth protrude to the front or there

`is an underbite, an extraction might serve to balance an already projected mandible.

Some Sturbridge orthodontists are against extracting denture pieces and recommend using a palatal expander to make the arches and jaws bigger. This creates space for teeth and helps avoid an extraction.

However, this method is undoubtedly more uncomfortable. In addition, it takes more time than a treatment that includes teeth extraction, as it first needs to produce mechanical jaw expansion before installing the braces in Sturbridge.

On the other hand, losing a piece or more than one piece of denture affects the occlusion (upper and lower teeth touching each other), their matching relationship, and root angulations.

Our final verdict on this matter is to have an objective approach. Talk to your orthodontist and try to secure all of your dental pieces to the most possible, and also be open to getting an extraction.

Furthermore, if your orthodontists present you with the option of saving a denture piece at the expense of extending treatment time, and having a little more discomfort, try to opt for a not extraction of teeth.

Conversely, if there is no option due to an infection, the appearance of problematic impacted teeth, or a protrusion, be open to getting your teeth extracted as it will significantly impact your smile.

Posted in Braces