Adults Get Braces?

Most individuals receive orthodontic care when they are in their child or teenage years. This is due to the fact that teeth are easier to manipulate easier at this age. But what if you are an adult who needs braces, whether due to injury, natural growth, or lack of previous dental care? Adults may require an expert in adult braces in Northridge if they are experiencing jaw pain, have difficulty cleaning their teeth due to crookedness or overlapping, or simply want to fix the look of their smile. You may be surprised to learn that twenty percent of those who wear braces are adults.

 For some of these twenty percent, braces at a later age may have been necessary despite having had braces in their younger years. This is because our teeth grow and shift throughout our whole lives. Some may have failed to wear the retainer prescribed to them after their braces were removed, and therefore did not allow their teeth time to set in their intended places.

Fortunately, there are several different types of braces available to patients today, and available from your Northridge dentist. These include Veneers, Invisalign, ceramic braces, among others. Because of the advanced condition of the teeth, it may take adults longer to achieve their desired effect. 

Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces and How They Work

As with many other disorders, there are several different types of treatments for sleep apnea. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (or CPAP) machines are very commonly used in both mild to severe cases. Mouthpieces, however, are the most commonly used, and are available in many different types.

Some types of mouthpieces used to treat sleep apnea include:

Mandibular Advancement Devices (or MADs), are also sometimes referred to as dental sleep devices. They work by opening up your airway by moving your mandible forward. When your lower jaw is held in a forward position, your tongue moves forward as well, allowing the collapsible part of your airway to stay open. This allows air to travel easier to your lungs, minimizing symptoms such as snoring and halting breath.

Tongue Retaining Devices (or TRDs) are similar to Mandibular Advancement Devices, but instead of holding the jaw forward, it just holds the tongue. This achieves a like effect on the collapsible airway.

There are many different suppliers of sleep apnea devices who offer many different variations of sleep apnea mouth pieces. They may sport different names and colors, but all should achieve one of the above purposes.

Be sure to ask our expert in sleep apnea mask in Thousand Oaks which type of mouthpiece they recommend for you and your specific case.

How Much Does Getting Invisalign Cost?

If you require an orthodontic appliance to help fix your crooked, gapped, or crowded teeth, your orthodontist may give you a choice between traditional metal braces and Invisalign. Traditional braces are made up of brackets attached to your teeth, and a wire that runs through them, with some additions as necessary. Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible trays that are replaced every two weeks, and apply pressure to the teeth to get them where they need to be. It is a preferable treatment for some patients who enjoy the discretion and flexibility the trays allow. But which option is the most cost sensible for you, and what is the typical Invisalign cost in Los Angeles?

The cost of each patient’s treatment can vary widely, and is very dependent on their specific dental needs. The severity of specific dental problems, the required length of the treatment, and other factors all have an effect on the overall cost. This being said, the typical cost for braces ranges between $2,500 and $6,000, while for Invisalign costs can range between $3,500 and $8,000. The increase in cost for Invisalign is likely largely due to the production of each tray, as they are specifically designed for each patient and their teeth.

For more information about the projected cost of Invisalign for you, contact an Invisalign dentist near you.

Different Types of Braces

The options available for those who require braces are more now than they were even ten years ago. The fact is that dental treatment that requires braces is not as awkward, painful, or extensive any longer. If you have or are planning to schedule an appointment with a braces dentist in Van Nuys to plan your braces treatment, you may benefit from doing some research first, and discovering what your options are.

The most common types of braces are:

•    Metal, or traditional, braces: These look slightly different than the mental image we get when we think of traditional braces. For many, many years these were clunky, awkward, and resulted in a mouth full of metal. These are still comprised of metal brackets and wires, but the brackets are much smaller, allowing for a more delicate, less clunky look. While these are still the most noticeable option, they are also the least expensive.

•    Ceramic braces: These are the same size and shape of traditional braces, but are either clear or similar in color to your teeth. Even the wires connecting the brackets can be tooth colored! Ceramic braces are less noticeable to others, but tend to be more expensive. The brackets are also harder to clean.

•    Lingual braces: This is a technique in which the brackets are placed behind the teeth. Because they are on the backside of your teeth, they are also less noticeable to others. Downsides to lingual braces include difficulty cleaning the brackets, longer adjustment times, and can be more expensive.

•    Invisalign: Invisalign is a series of eighteen to thirty custom-made, clear plastic aligners. These look and feel much like mouth guards. Each aligner is slightly different, therefore adding the appropriate amount of pressure to your teeth over time, in order to get the straight and in the right place. Invisalign is very nearly invisible, and can be removed when you eat and drink. Downsides of Invisalign include longer treatment, and inapplicability for anyone not considered a teen or adult, or who require more serious dental work, according to their cosmetic dentist in Van Nuys.

Tooth Whitening and Dental Bonding

Teeth whitening is all the rage these days. Maybe it has captured your attention too. But if you have, or are soon to have, dental bonding, there are a few things you should know before getting your teeth whitened.

Dental bonding is typically made of a composite resin material, and this material cannot be whitened through teeth whitening treatments. Therefore, if you plan to get bonding on any teeth that are visible when you smile, it is usually best to have the teeth whitening procedure done first. Once your teeth are lightened to the shade you want, you can then get bonding that matches the new whiter color of your teeth. Beware, though, that composite resin material absorbs stains more readily than natural tooth enamel or porcelain. So, over time, the bonding will darken more than the other teeth in your mouth.

If you already have dental bonding on any visible surfaces of your teeth and want to get your teeth whitened, you will likely want to get the bonding replaced with new bonding to match the whitened teeth. Though this can be done either before or after your teeth are whitened, whitening the teeth first and then replacing the bonding will allow for a more perfect match.

If you have or need dental bonding and want a brighter smile, our dentist can help you sort out your options and come up with the treatment plan that works best for you.

Veneers versus Braces

For many years, the only way to address crooked teeth was the use of metal braces. A relatively recent approach that is gaining in popularity is the use of dental veneers. Each treatment option has its pros and cons.

With braces, the biggest drawback for most people is their high level of visibility. For certain people, they may not want to show a mouth full of metal every time they smile or talk. And there are definitely some lifestyle adjustments that are required over the year or two while the patient is wearing braces. Not only is your diet somewhat restricted, but normal brushing and flossing becomes much more difficult when you have to contend with the metal brackets and wire. That being said, braces are usually considered to be the best option for particularly complex orthodontic issues.

Veneers offer the distinct advantage of being instant orthodontics. Veneers can often be placed over the course of just two visits to the dentist. There are no dietary restrictions whatsoever and certainly no need to worry about having a mouth full of metal. In order to have veneers placed, enamel must first be removed from your teeth. Depending on the type of orthodontic issues you are experiencing, more enamel than normal might need to be removed to truly correct the aesthetics of your smile.

If you are interested in learning what the best option is for you, contact our expert in veneers in Los Angeles to schedule a consultation.

How Often You Should Meet Your General Dentist

Many people avoid going to their dentist until they have a problem. Maybe they are busy. Maybe they are afraid of the dentist. Or maybe they are just afraid of the price tag. Whatever the reason, regular visits to the dentist are necessary for our oral health. Your dentist can help prevent dental issues from arising, and can catch little problems before they become big problems. Whether you enjoy going to the dentist or despise it, putting it off is never a good policy, because, needless to say, the bigger an issue becomes, the more time consuming and expensive the treatment becomes.

So how often should you visit the dentist?
It is recommended that patients visit their dentist every six months for a professional dental cleaning. Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, plaque accumulates on your teeth over time and turns to tartar, and professional cleanings are the only way to remove this tartar from your teeth. A dental exam is also completed at this visit to check for and treat any problems that may have arisen since your last visit. X-rays may be taken to check for any hidden problems with your teeth or to assess the amount of damage if problems are found.

If it has been six months or more since you have seen the dentist, contact our general dentists in West Hollywood to schedule an appointment.

Which Dental Problems Can be Solved with Veneers?

Porcelain veneers can be used to correct a wide range of dental problems. Some of these issues can be treated in multiple ways, but veneers are the preferred treatment in most cases for their effectiveness, longevity and shorter treatment time.

Discolored Teeth
Though teeth whitening procedures can remove stains and some discoloration, veneers, particularly those made of porcelain, are a more permanent solution. In addition, veneers are extremely effective in the cases where teeth whitening treatments fail, such as for discoloration caused by the use of tetracycline.

Chipped or Cracked Teeth
Veneers are extremely effective in repairing minor chips and cracks in the enamel of otherwise healthy teeth.

Misshapen Teeth or Gaps Between Teeth
Orthodontics can correct many aesthetic problems, such as changing the position of teeth, making teeth more uniform in shape and length, and eliminating gaps between teeth. But besides the pain that accompanies braces, these treatments can take years to have the desired effects. Veneers can correct most of these problems, quickly and painlessly.

If you suffer from any of these problems, contact our expert in porcelain veneer in Beverly Hills to learn more about how veneers can improve your smile.

What Snap On Smile Patients Think about It

Snap On Smile is a unique cosmetic dental product that offers patients the chance to have an aesthetically pleasing smile that is completely non-invasive and removable. Patients that have decided to use Snap On Smile are overwhelmingly glad that they did.

The reason that Snap On Smile is painless and removable is that it simply covers the imperfections that are affecting your teeth. It does not actually fix your teeth, but rather provides a comfortable and effective aesthetic solution that you place over your teeth. During your first visit, you sit down with the dentist and pick the style and shade of your new smile. The dentist then takes an impression of your teeth. This impression is then sent off to the lab where your Snap on Smile will be designed. In about three weeks, you will return to the dentist and receive your Snap on Smile. Patients love the fact that it is such a quick process. Snap on Smile reviews also cite how they appreciate that it allows them to test drive a new smile without the need to commit to any invasive procedures. Another huge perk is that patients are able to eat and drink while they are wearing their Snap on Smile, as it is designed to be durable and resistant to staining.

If you would like to learn if Snap on Smile is the right solution for your cosmetic needs, contact our Snap on Smile doctor in Los Angeles to schedule a consultation.