#crossbites

[podapsiweb]

Understanding Masticatory Function in Unilateral Crossbites Understanding Masticatory Function in Unilateral Crossbites by Maria Grazia Piancino and Stephanos Kyrkanides About Understanding Masticatory Function in Unilateral Crossbites…

[orchardscottsdental]

You have probably noticed children and teens wearing braces, or perhaps wearing Invisalign in Singapore. When teeth are corrected earlier in life, the results can be enjoyed for decades; but even if you’re an adult now, it’s not too late to get your teeth fixed. Check out of few of the popular reasons for adults choosing to correct their teeth.

#1. Better Options

With Invisalign, you won’t have to deal with metal in your mouth; instead, you’ll get a clear, colourless plastic appliance that fits smoothly over your teeth and is barely visible to others. it’s a much more aesthetically pleasing look. In addition, you can take the Invisalign trays in and out for eating, so you don’t have the concern of unsightly bits of food wadded into your braces every time you eat.

#2. Availability of Invisalign in Singapore

Perhaps when you were growing up, Invisalign in Singapore was not a very common or readily available option. Fortunately, you now have direct access to an Invisalign provider, Orchard Scotts Dental. Our dentists have helped many patients through the Invisalign process, and they’re experts in each stage of the journey.

#3. More Money

Getting your teeth corrected is expensive; but as an adult, you have access to resources and possibilities that you may not have had as a teen. You have a job, and perhaps your spouse works as well. You have access to credit, and you can take on extra side jobs to supplement your income and pay for the work on your teeth. Plus, the Invisalign cost in Singapore is not prohibitive; it’s actually comparable to the cost of braces. If you’re responsible and careful with your Invisalign trays and your oral hygiene, you can keep the costs down.

#4. Clearer Speech

Have you always struggled with a lisp or an odd accent? Perhaps you often mispronounce words or you have to shape your mouth a strange way for some sounds. Some of these occurrences may be caused by crooked teeth or a misaligned bite. With Invisalign, you can have straight, properly aligned teeth that eliminate or reduce those speech issues, allowing you to pronounce clearly for the first time.

#5. Less Pain

People with crooked teeth, overbites, crossbites, or underbites are often forced to chew or bite differently. Their teeth, especially the molars, do not have the correct contact points, so their entire mouth and jaw has to work harder to masticate food. This can cause longterm pain and discomfort. Your dentist in Singapore can identify such issues and lay out a treatment plan that not only gives you straight teeth, but corrects bite problems so that your jaw pain is relieved.

#6. A More Appealing Smile

Of course, a top reason for getting braces or Invisalign is to achieve a better smile. A great smile can give you the confidence you need in your personal or professional life. It makes you more attractive and appealing to others, whether they are colleagues, friends, family members, or potential romantic partners.

Don’t wait any longer to improve your oral health! You deserve to be able to chew comfortably, speak clearly, and show off an attractive smile. Contact Orchard Scotts Dental today to arrange a consultation and start the journey towards a better smile.

Source: EMaxHealth, 19 January, 2017

[orchardscottsdental]

Do you want to change your smile? Perhaps you have heard about Invisalign, the nearly invisible clear aligners that move your teeth gradually and give you the smile makeover you’ve always wanted. Although Invisalign is a practical solution for a broad variety of dental problems and tooth issues, it cannot solve the most complex cases alone. According to an article on TechFeatured.com, Invisalign may need the help of traditional braces to resolve certain complicated cases.

Complex Oral Issues

Overbites, underbites, and crossbites are usually fixable with Invisalign at your local dental clinic in Singapore. However, when those issues are combined with other serious problems, such as a lack of palate space, jaw bone issues, or severe crowding, the Invisalign trays may need the partnership of braces. Some people have teeth that are too dramatically tipped or rotated to permit the use of an Invisalign tray.

Remember, your dentist isn’t just straightening the visible part of your teeth— the roots of the teeth have to be straight as well. Since those roots go down to the bone, moving the teeth around is a process that requires care and the correct use of the available methods.

Invisalign Before Surgery

In some situations, patients may need to have surgery in order to correct oral problems. Your Singapore dentist may have you wear Invisalign trays to get a head start with the alignment process and to prepare your mouth for the surgical procedure.

Braces or Appliances Before Invisalign

Depending on the type and extent of your issues, your dentist in Singapore may suggest using traditional braces or appliances first. Appliances can help to alter the shape of the palate, gradually fix some formation issues, and ensure the space and structure that your mouth needs in order to have a great smile.

Rubber Bands and Partial Braces with Invisalign

Occasionally, a Singapore Invisalign provider may suggest the use of rubber bands or partial braces. Sometimes, the braces or bands are on the back teeth or the bottom teeth, where they aren’t very visible. If you have to have braces on the front teeth, your Singapore dentist may be able to offer you ceramic brackets that are almost the same colour as your teeth. There are also clear brackets for braces that minimise their appearance.

Invisalign Trays to Complete Treatment

If you have to go through a phase or two of braces and appliances, remember that the period is temporary. Before long, some of the underlying issues in your mouth will be resolved, and your dentist can switch you to Invisalign trays for the remainder of your treatment.

Your Invisalign Provider in Singapore

When you’re ready to pursue a smile makeover, whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or for the comfort and health of your mouth, visit Orchard Scotts Dental, a premium dental clinic in Singapore. We are a top Invisalign provider, and we employ a variety of modern technology and methods to ensure that our patients have a safe, healthy, and effective journey through their smile makeover.

Source: Tech Featured, December, 2016

[sagedental]

[smilegen-blog]

Ask an Orthodontist

This week’s featured Smile Generation Dentist is an Orthodontist!  In case you were wondering, orthodontics is the dental specialty and practice of preventing and correcting irregularities of the teeth. Think braces and retainers.

Dr. Sergio Ferreira is the orthodontist at San Clemente Dental Group, a member of the Smile Generation family.  He has been practicing orthodontics since 1997. His jovial personality helps him form relationships with patients. You get a sense of his pleasant disposition in his answers to these two questions posted on our Facebook page.

Q. From Alicia Johnson:

“I had braces for 2 years when I was about 11-12 or 13 (don't remember exactly). I wore my removable retainer (top teeth) nightly until about freshman year of college and stopped. I have since put in my old retainer a few times and it is tighter- would it hurt to start wearing it at night again to make my teeth as tight together as they used to be? ( I am now 25, so I haven't worn it for about 6 years) THANKS!!!”

A. Hello Alicia!!!!!

The biggest mistake orthodontic patients can make after treatment is not wearing their retainer. A lot of patients need braces again for not wearing retainers properly... It looks like you did follow the instructions. Regarding your question about whether you should start wearing your retainer again,

Well, it all depends on how your teeth look. If they look good, and  if you do not present any crowding or spacing, and if your wisdom teeth are erupted or extracted, you do not need to go back to the retainer. 

Wisdom teeth may be responsible for shifting of  teeth. It is normal for your retainer to feel tight after 6 years because teeth always shift a bit. If you see spacing or crowding, "Yes", you should start to wear the retainer every night again. If the retainer feels very tight, it means that your teeth are moving or moved a lot. If it feels a bit tight, this is normal after 6 years.  Retainers are like "money in the bank".  More is better. If you start to wear it again, your teeth will feel tight for a few days until you get used to it again.

I always tell my patients: Wearing retainers to sleep does not bring any inconvenience to you. They are the "pajamas for your teeth.” I am much older than you and I still wear mine! I had treatment as an adult and stability is harder.

Q. From  Katee Afshar:

“ What is Phase 1 and why do most dentists think it's so important?” 

A. Hello Katee!!!!!

This is a very important question!

Phase I treatment in Orthodontics is an early treatment performed when the child is in mixed dentition (from 6 to 9 years of age). It is very important to understand that the child may need to go to phase II of treatment. It is necessary to make this very clear to the parents. 

A lot of doctors do not explain that and when phase II is needed, parents do not have money or the insurance was used already... Parents must ask the doctors what will be accomplished on phase I. I’ve seen many cases where patients just had four brackets and nothing was accomplished. I do perform phase I,  but only when it is really necessary. In lots of cases, I’d rather wait for full treatment. 

Here are some cases when Phase I  is recommended:

- Posterior or anterior crossbites. Basically, a crossbite is when one or all of the upper teeth are inside the lower teeth when you bite.   It is much more difficult to treat when one is an adult. Sometimes, only surgery can correct some cases.

- Extreme flaring of upper incisors.

- Severe crowding. Expansion of the arches or serial extraction of deciduous teeth may be performed in an early age to open spaces for erupting teeth.

Depending on the age, I usually combine both phases of treatment and perform full treatment for about 3 years. It is more cost-effective that way. I do not like the idea when phase I is finished and parents are charged again to go to Phase II. A detailed treatment plan must be always reviewed by the parents. Lots of problems presented in mixed dentition can be easily treated in full treatment case.