What are Impressions for Braces?

When a patient starts orthodontic treatment there will be some preliminary steps that are taken before braces are placed.  One of the items performed are impressions. Most young patients have never had impressions before and they are nervous about going through it.  – CONTINUE READING –

How Can an Ankylosed Primary Tooth Effect Jaw Growth?

Young children fall all the time when they are playing and starting to learn to walk.  When a young child falls, they could hit their front primary teeth causing a primary tooth to become ankylosed.  Usually the traumatic event is not – CONTINUE READING –

What is a Rapid Palatal Expander?

A Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) is an upper appliance that places pressure on the upper jaw (maxilla) by turning a midline screw. The pressure separates the mid palatal suture thus making the maxilla wider, which can correct crossbites and creat space. RPEs are used often to correct posterior crossbites. – CONTINUE READING –

Top 10 Reasons to Choose an Orthodontist

In most locations in the United States, there is competition among Orthodontists.  We try to put our best effort in making a parent/patient comfortable about their decision in who is going to provide them with orthodontic services.  To determine what – CONTINUE READING –

How Do You Treat White Spots After Braces?

What are these white spots on my teeth?  A very common problem that can occur while a patient has braces is the formation of white spots during treatment.  When the braces are removed, some patients will have unsightly white spots – CONTINUE READING –

How Do You Clean a Retainer & Retainer Case?

At the end of orthodontic treatment, a patient will wear retainers to hold their teeth in proper alignment.  If retainers are not worn, the teeth have a high chance of moving out of position.  So, after braces are removed, we – CONTINUE READING –

What is a Crossbite?

When a patient puts their teeth together we call that relationship – in occlusion.  One of the things an orthodontist looks for, in a patient’s occlusion, is that the upper teeth are out over top of the lower teeth.  That is normal – CONTINUE READING –