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September 30th, 2010
If your teeth are crooked, misaligned, have large gaps in between them, or are overcrowded and on top of each other, not only can it cause you to have lower self esteem, but it can also cause you problems later. Having straight teeth can help you to chew, bite, and even speak better. In fact, individuals with straight teeth and properly aligned jaws are less likely to experience certain physical health problems. On top of that, those with straight teeth tend to have healthier gums and a lower incidence of cavities. This is why it is very important to see a trusted orthodontist.
Of course, one of the biggest reasons to straighten your teeth is because it will allow you to improve your smile. This can be done with braces or with aligners, like Invisalign braces. A great smile has a lot to do with self confidence, self image, and self esteem. This is true regardless of a person’s age.Being able to show others that your pearly whites are perfectly aligned not only gives you self esteem, but there is some additional psychological value there as well.
Did you know that alignment plays a major part in overall attraction? It’s true! An aesthetically pleasing appearance starts with alignment. The more misaligned an individual’s features are, the less likely it is that others will be drawn to them. This is not necessarily an intentional action of people, but simply part of the natural process that we are somewhat preprogrammed to act on.
For all of these reasons and more, straightening your teeth is important. It can literally open up a whole new world of opportunities for you, both socially and health wise, as well as provide you with a “new and improved” perception of yourself.
Posted in Braces, Cosmetic Dentistry, Oral Hygiene, Orthodontics | Comments Closed
September 30th, 2010
Many don’t realize that there are very specific differences between an orthodontist and a dentist. An orthodontist possesses additional years of training and specialization in order to treat patients with more severe dental issues. Your Beverly Hills orthodontist will use both fixed appliances and removable appliances in order to shift the teeth and retrain the muscles of the mouth.
Some common appliances include:
Braces – Braces are by far the most common of the fixed appliances. Consisting of wires, brackets and bands, braces assist in straightening teeth, narrowing gaps, or properly spacing overcrowded teeth.
Aligners – These are basically an alternative to braces. Aligners are removable appliances and do not include the metal brackets or wires that traditional braces do, but move teeth in the same way. Invisalign is a good example of a popular and effective aligner.
Removable Retainers – These devices help to stop the teeth from shifting back into a previous position. These are used on the roof of a patient’s mouth and can actually also be modified to assist in the prevention of thumb sucking.
Removable Space Maintainers – These appliances are an alternative to the fixed space maintainer and are fitted over the jaw. They have either wire or plastic branches that sit between certain teeth so that the space between those teeth remains open.
Headgear – This appliance helps to slow upper jaw growth while holding the back teeth in place. It is comprised of a strap that wraps behind the head and is attached in the front to a face bow or metal wire.
Posted in Braces, Orthodontics, Treatment Options | Comments Closed
September 30th, 2010
For those who are interested in getting braces in Los Angeles, there are a few different types that you can choose from. Two popular choices are Damon Brackets and the traditional braces. Both are popular in part because of their cost; however, there are major differences between the two that might make one choice better than the other for certain individuals.
Traditional braces are made up of large metal brackets that are affixed to the teeth by bands or elastics. A wire is then used to align the teeth and is tightened as needed. These braces are extremely easy to see by others, which many patients do not particularly like because it makes them want to hide their smile.
The Damon Brackets are much smaller metal brackets and, though the wire is still present, there are no elastics in place. This not only makes them much less noticeable, but also a lot more comfortable. You will also enjoy easier dental hygiene than you might experience with traditional braces, as well as fewer visits to the orthodontist because the Damon Brackets tend to work much more quickly on the teeth.
Now, both are great appliances that are used to treat overbites, underbites, overcrowding, and crossbites. It really just depends upon which appliance the patient is more comfortable with. After a discussion with your orthodontist, you might even decide that another appliance would be more suitable for you.
Do not be afraid to discuss your feelings with your Los Angeles orthodontist. It will allow them to assist you in finding the device that is right for you, and that is what will ultimately determine your overall level of satisfaction with your treatment.
Posted in Braces, Orthodontics, Treatment Options | Comments Closed
September 29th, 2010
Invisalign braces are a custom-made system of carefully calculated and manufactured aligners that are specifically designed to shift an individual’s teeth into the perfect position over time. The fascinating aspect of Invisalign is that it offers a transparent alternative to traditional metal braces, so it is very likely that no one will ever realize that the patient is being treated.
Now, you may be asking yourself what type of dental issues Invisalign will work on, and that’s a great question. Invisalign braces provide an ideal solution for a variety of minor to moderate dental issues. Examples of these issues would be overbites or underbites, overcrowded teeth, crossbites, and widely spaced teeth.
If your teeth issues fall into any of the above mentioned situations, your Los Angeles orthodontist may recommend Invisalign as one of your best options to achieve an aesthetically pleasing smile. However, there are a few situations that Invisalign is not an ideal solution for. These situations often include severe dental issues in which bone or teeth require major movement, as well as individuals that are much too young to take caring for their teeth responsibly. Good oral hygiene is imperative for users of Invisalign braces.
Invisalign continues to grow in popularity due to the system’s capability to quickly and precisely move teeth into place, while still being virtually invisible. With Invisalign braces costing only a minor amount more than traditional metal braces, it certainly makes this choice not only a more aesthetically pleasing option for correcting your smile, but also a relatively affordable one!
Posted in Braces, Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontics, Treatment Options | Comments Closed
September 29th, 2010
As parents, we all want the best for our children. Health, happiness, and success all rank high on our wish list for their future. Most of us are well aware of the impact that good parenting can have on our child’s happiness and success, but what you may not realize is that you, as a parent, have a larger influence on your child’s future health than you might think.
By ensuring that your child’s health is always monitored with regular visits to their medical doctor, dentist, and Beverly Hills orthodontist, you can prevent many of the health issues that crop up early and follow them into their adult years.
Orthodontics plays a huge role in not only health, but also happiness and success. Why? Well, a child that is provided with orthodontic treatments, such as a children’s braces, will grow up to be an adult with a beautiful smile. But that’s not all.
By treating crooked teeth, overcrowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and other issues of the mouth early, your child will have a much healthier mouth, and that leads to a much healthier life.
You see, plaque can build up in areas that are difficult to clean. This can cause not only a variety of dental issues, like gingivitis and cavities, but plaque also contributes to several major medical issues. In fact, dental plaque has been linked to heart disease.
You child can begin benefitting from orthodontics as early as age 7, which is why it is important to make an appointment with your orthodontist at this time. By ensuring your child’s oral health, you are providing them with a stable foundation for a healthy, happy, and successful future.
Posted in Braces, Oral Hygiene, Orthodontics, Treatment Options | Comments Closed
September 29th, 2010
The only way to truly know if you could benefit from orthodontic treatment is by seeing your dentist or orthodontist in Los Angeles. The determination is going to be based on a variety of diagnostic tools. These include a complete dental history, a complete medical history, an exam, X-rays, photos, and even a model of the teeth. Once these are obtained and carefully examined, your dentist or orthodontist will be able to tell you if you actually need expert orthodontics.
Here are some common issues that are treated with orthodontics:
- Crowding – This occurs when the dental ridge is unable to accommodate all of the teeth. An individual with crowded teeth might have one tooth overlapping a portion of another or multiple teeth overlapping each other.
- Spacing – This term is used to describe the spaces or gaps that are present between teeth. Large spaces can be due to a missing tooth or can occur when the teeth don’t properly fill the mouth.
- Overbite – This is when the upper teeth (generally the front teeth) tend to protrude or clearly stick out farther than the teeth below. Many call this “buck teeth”.
- Underbite – This is when the bottom teeth sit farther forward than the top teeth.
- Open Bite – This is when there is a space between surfaces of an individual’s front teeth and/or the individual’s side teeth when bringing the back teeth together or biting down.
- Crossbite – This is when the top teeth fail to come down a little in front of the bottom teeth during a normal bite.
- Misplaced Midline – This is when the midpoint of an individual’s top front teeth fails to properly match up with the midpoint of the bottom front teeth.
Posted in Orthodontic Issues, Orthodontics | Comments Closed
September 29th, 2010
Braces are not just for kids and teens, but for adults as well. Unfortunately, traditional braces can often stand out on teeth and many adults fear that this will make them look unprofessional in the workplace. Metal braces can also have a negative impact on kids and teens as well, because large metal brackets often make the wearer feel as if their smile is inadequate. In fact, many with braces try to avoid smiling altogether.
Now, there are the much smaller Damon Brackets available, but another option that might outweigh those smaller brackets is the clear brackets. Your Los Angeles orthodontist will likely have a variety of clear bracket options available, but many orthodontists, like Dr. Sid Molayem, believe that the best clear braces available are the Ice brackets.
The Inspire Ice brackets are a remarkable addition to orthodontics because they are so aesthetically pleasing. Not only do they match a patient’s teeth almost perfectly, but they also resist staining – something that no other clear bracket on the market can promise.
Ice brackets are made from sapphire, clear of course, which allows them to easily match the color of the patient’s teeth. In addition, the Ice brackets are extremely smooth and much less porous than many of the other clear brackets that are available. That lack of porousness is what allows them to retain their clear color and repel stains. The Ice brackets are also much less likely to easily break and they are a great deal easier for the orthodontist to remove.
Posted in Braces, Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontics, Treatment Options | Comments Closed
September 29th, 2010
If you’re preparing to start a new job in Los Angeles, then you will definitely want to make sure that you are at your best. A perfect smile can give you confidence, but if you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable about your breath, then that confidence can be overcome by feelings of inadequacy. There are many things that you can do to ensure that bad breath (clinically known as halitosis) doesn’t shake your confidence.
Regular visits to your dentist can certainly assist with alleviating your bad breath concerns. Of course, there are several reasons that bad breath occurs. One such reason has to do with the different foods that you eat. Garlic, onions, and foods flavored with these are known to cause unfriendly breath. Therefore, watching what you eat can help to ensure that your breath is fresh and friendly.
Other common reasons for persistent bad breath might be dry mouth, infections or other health issues, or tobacco use. In most instances, dry mouth causes only temporary bad breath. This can often be relieved through fluid intake, or even eating; however, if good oral hygiene is not present in your daily repertoire, then this can cause small particles of food to assemble in various areas of the mouth. These particles can quickly give way to bacterial growth, which is a major cause of bad breath.
Sometimes these particles lodge themselves in the crevices of overcrowded teeth and this can make them extremely difficult to get rid of. An appointment with an experienced orthodontist, like Dr. Sid Molayem, can help to formulate a way to decrease the overcrowding of your teeth, thereby eliminating additional bacterial hot spots in your mouth.
Posted in Oral Hygiene, Orthodontic Issues, Orthodontics | Comments Closed
September 29th, 2010
Depending upon the condition of your teeth, your dentist may recommend that you see an orthodontist. Orthodontists study your teeth, facial structure, and jaws through X-rays to determine what the best treatment solution may be for your situation. Common orthodontic services are aligners, ceramic braces, metal braces, clear braces, and lingual appliances.
In many cases, a person usually has a good idea of whether or not they could benefit from braces, but they may not be quite as familiar with some of the other different types of orthodontic appliances that are available. Of course, once you take the initiative to improve your smile, you can schedule an appointment with your orthodontist in L.A. to discuss the many treatment options that are available to you.
For straightening teeth, there are the traditional braces, Damon Braces, ICE braces and other clear bracket options, and Invisalign. Of course, there are several other options, like retainers, headgear, palatal expanders, and positioners. Your orthodontist will thoroughly review your records and X-rays, examine your teeth, and discuss the options that he or she believes is best to give you the smile that you’ve always wanted.
Your teeth are more important than you think, not only for aesthetic purposes, but for sustaining overall good health throughout your lifetime. If you have a crossbite, an overbite, an underbite, crowding, or issues with separation present, you can most definitely benefit from orthodontic treatments.
Taking the initiative to fix issues with your teeth can provide you with a sound foundation for future health, along with the confidence that you need to achieve the life that you want.
Posted in Braces, Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontic Issues, Orthodontics, Treatment Options | Comments Closed
September 28th, 2010
Finding the right orthodontist might seem intimidating, but if you are aware of what to look for, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Because orthodontics is not only an art, but a science, it is very important that the orthodontist you choose is an expert of both.
One effective way to find a skilled orthodontist is to ask your dentist who he or she recommends. Your dentist should have some insight into which of the orthodontists in your area will be best suited to improve your smile. If you are new to the area and don’t yet have a new dentist, you might try calling a dental school nearby and asking them for suggestions.
A few questions that you will want to ask are: What types of treatments are offered? What is the size of the practice? How long has the orthodontist been in practice? What is the level of this orthodontist’s experience? Can you see photographs of patients that have had the treatment that you require, both before and after?
The orthodontist that you choose should have a minimum of 2 years of postgraduate education and it should be clear that they continue to obtain education on any new advances and research that is taking place. Above all, you should schedule a consultation to discuss your issue and the options for treatment to ensure that you are comfortable with your choice of orthodontist.
Dr. Sid Molayem, an expert L.A. orthodontist, has been in practice for over 25 years. He is a Diplomate on the American Board of Orthodontics as well as the American Dental Association.
Posted in Orthodontic Issues, Orthodontics | Comments Closed
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