Wondering About Invisalign? - Braces Las Vegas Can Help

With the increasing popularity for clear, removable braces it’s no surprise that Invisalign is a popular choice. However, there are many adults that are skeptical to the treatment often wondering if Invisalign® is the right choice. Your Las Vegas braces orthodontists can provide help.

Cost of Invisalign®

The cost of Invisalign braces will vary from practice to practice, but generally falls aound $5,000 for a full treatment plan that will last for 12 - 18 months depending on how your teeth respond. This price falls around the same range for traditional metal braces, minus the common problems associated.

Same Price, All of the Perks

The reason Invisalign braces strike well with many people is for a couple of important perks that are not offered with metal braces:

1. They are clear (almost invisible).

2. They are a lot easier to manage.

By having braces that are clear in color, you won’t feel ashamed for having to smile in pictures. Your peers won’t even notice that you have braces in your mouth. This is important in our society, in a world where impressions matter and people are quick to judge. With traditional braces, you may feel ashamed or embarrassed to smile – which could affect your mood greatly.  

The other point refers to Invisalign’s ease of use. The ability to quickly remove your set of invisible aligners means that you can eat, drink, floss, and brush your teeth without worrying about the extreme hassle associated with metal braces.

Please visit our Invisalign frequently asked questions page for more information. As orthodontists of Las Vegas, we also offer traditional braces for those who would prefer that option. 

Halloween Candy Braces Care - Braces Las Vegas

Most of us are probably excited for Halloween right about now, but as an orthodontist in Las Vegas; I wanted to personally remind you how to have a sticky-free Halloween this year.

Some Candies are Worse than Others

First off, you or your children do not have to give up candy completely, but rather take steps in trying to minimize the amount of harm done. The fact of the matter is that there are a wide variety of candy products on the market with some being worse than others.

Icky Sticky

If you’re thinking about putting any sticky candies into your mouth, or candies that are gooey then you may want to reconsider this and evaluate the positives and negatives.

Any candies with caramel, taffy, and others always pose the possibility of breaking one of your brackets off directly from your teeth. The reason is because when the candy sticks to the teeth, it adds extra pressure to your teeth every time you open and close your mouth. If the situation is worse enough, then the pressure will eventually pull a bracket right off. Beware!

Hard Times

If it’s hard, then be careful. Every candy can be considered “hard” to a certain degree but we’re referring to actual hard candies such as jawbreakers or anything that must be sucked on for a period of time before you have any chance at biting down. Biting down too forcefully on hard candies may result in damaged braces. It’s not worth it!

Quick tip: suck on any hard candies instead of biting down, that way you still enjoy your candy! 

It's Not Just About Candy

Lastly, it’s not necessarily all about what type of candy you’re consuming, but rather how frequently you’re consuming it. At the end day, we can all agree that candy is over 50% sugar. Unfortunately, sugar causes our mouth to become an acidic environment that is perfect for initiating tooth decay.

Quick tip: it’s actually better to eat more candy at once rather than stringing it out for the whole day. When you string candy out in small pieces throughout the day, you constantly expose your mouth to an acidic environment and that isn’t good.

If you’re going to partake in the candy tradition this Halloween, then don’t forget to compensate for this by putting extra effort into brushing and flossing your teeth. Make absolutely sure to remove any candy particles that are caught between your teeth and in your braces.

Happy Halloween from your braces orthodontist in Las Vegas!

Orthodontist Offers Tips on Caring For Retainers - Braces Las Vegas

Always wear your retainer!

Retainers are a fact of life for anyone that has recently had their braces taken off. Regardless of the type of braces you chose, a retainer would always be required as a way to help you keep your teeth straight. In a basic sense, if you don’t wear a retainer, then your teeth will begin to return to their unstraightened position. Nobody wants this to happen – it would only result in a huge waste of time and money. Your braces Las Vegas orthodontist offers you tips on how to manage these awkward looking “things”.

Retainer Problems Your Orthodontist May Not Tell You

Your orthodontist may or may not tell you these few things about retainers, but honest information is good – and it’s something you can learn a thing or two from.

Retainers are Fragile

You have to be careful with your retainer, otherwise you’ll ruin it and be forced to obtain a new one, and let’s face it… nobody has time for this if it could have been prevented in the first place. To give you an idea on how fragile they can be: it’s possible to chip or break it while you sleep.

So here’s what we recommend you do. Most people find convenience in grabbing the nearest tissue and then placing their retainer on that when they do not use it. While this does work, we strongly suggest investing in a retainer case or a small Tupperware. These are usually very inexpensive and work well at keeping your retainer free from damage when you aren’t using it. You won’t believe how many times we’ve heard patients say they damaged their retainer because they were careless.

Drooling is Normal

Just like it takes to time adjust to braces; it also takes time to adjust to a retainer. Depending on your situation, your orthodontist may recommend you wear your retainer all day and night for a few weeks. Or you may only have to wear it at night.

Either way, one thing is for sure: you will drool. This typically happens at night when you’re sleeping. Patients will wake up from a good night’s sleep only to find a puddle of drool next to their mouth or smashed within the retainer. Don’t be alarmed, this is common and usually dies down within a week.

Lisp Trouble

Braces may have caused you a lisp, and there’s always a chance retainers will as well. Again, this is a normal phenomenon that dissipates over time as you become comfortable with your retainer.

Our advice: practice talking with your retainer on. To yourself, in front of a mirror, just talk. This will help you get comfortable more quickly.

Follow our advice, and your life with retainers will not be a hassle as it is for those unaware of potential problems that may arise.

If you are interested in learning more about braces and retainers, then please visit our Patient Care section where we cover a variety of different topics and questions.

Tips for Parents with Kids in Braces - Braces Las Vegas

Even though braces for adults have become a growing trend, a large majority of orthodontic patients are teenagers aged 12-16 years of age. Teenagers are notoriously known for being rebellious and ignorant of their parent’s advice. Orthodontic treatment is an investment you make for your children because you want the best for them. They may not realize or understand this, so it’s important to advise them on how to deal with the matter. Here are the tips for parents who have kids with braces:

Your children will enjoy a nice smile soon enough!

Braces Are Temporary

Many teenager kids become self-conscious about their new look with braces, especially girls. As a parent, it’s important to support them emotionally in case they begin to feel down for various reasons related to their braces. On top of this support, you should constantly remind them that it’s a temporary situation that yields great results.

Braces allows teenagers the chance to learn what patience is all about – an aspect of life everyone is forced to learn at some point or another. Remind your child to keep their eye on the prize as the braces gradually work towards producing a lasting, straightened, beautiful smile.

Be Strict on Dental Hygiene

Braces or not, you should always be strict on your children’s dental hygiene (and your own as well!). However, those with orthodontics command greater attention to oral hygiene in order to keep the process flowing. Food can become trapped far more easily with braces – something that leads to rapid tooth decay. Nag your children to brush and floss while reminding them of what can/will happen if they do not.

Plan Appropriate Meals

Those with braces often demand meals that will not cause them unnecessary pain or work. If you cook, then make sure to use ingredients that will not have the possibility of damaging your child’s orthodontics. Soft foods such as soups and pastas are great. Hard foods or anything chewy should be avoided.

Take Advantage of Our Resources

In case you ever feel lost on what to do during situations that your child will experience, then visit our patient care section where we offer many articles on everything to do with braces, including an FAQ section for quick, easy answers.

Quick Tips on Going Back to School with Braces – Braces Las Vegas

Braces are for all ages, children and teens alike!

School has just begun and if you’re new to braces, then you’re going to want to pay attention to some of the back to school braces tips we’re about to offer. If you already have braces, then you can use our handy, little guide as a nice refresher. The main goal is to make the transition from wearing braces at home to wearing braces in school as smooth as possible.

Extra Elastics

You’re going to want to bring some extra elastics in case one of them snaps or falls out for any reason. If you have a locker then consider placing a few inside of it so that you always have a few handy while you’re at school. Elastics are the driving force behind straightening your teeth. If you do not have your elastics on, then you are slowing the process down.

Orthodontic Mouth Guards

Many children sign up for sporting programs at their school – not a problem. Playing sports with braces is a concern for many parents, but there’s no harm done as long as you have a special custom-fit orthodontic mouth guard that is specifically made to protect your braces and of course, your gums and teeth as well. Check with your orthodontist for more information.

Cases

You will only need a case if you have a removable pair of orthodontics such as Invisalign braces or a retainer. By having a case handy, you are able to better track where your expensive appliances are. Believe it or not we have heard stories of patients whose children lost their retainer because they accidentally tossed it without realizing. A case helps prevent this.

Pack Appropriate Lunches

Either bring your own lunch that is great for those braces or if your school offers lunches then make an effort to select the foods that won’t require extensive maintenance later on. We recommend soft foods and vegetables. Hard, crunchy foods may damage your brackets and/or wiring.

Bring one of your special flossing tools to school just in case something get caught between your braces.

Chapstick

Those with braces have a tendency to get chapped lips so keeping chapstick handy (either on you or in a locker) is a great, easy way to take care of this problem.

Remember to brush and floss your teeth every day (and night!) for at least 2 minutes a time for an effective cleaning. If anything happens at school to your braces then be sure to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as you can.

Braces Las Vegas wishes you the best of luck during the school year!

Waterpik Water Flossing With Braces – Braces Las Vegas

Braces are notoriously known for being hard to maintain as traditional metal or ceramic braces cannot be removed like Invisalign braces are capable of. This means that simple procedures such as brushing and flossing your teeth become slightly more difficult.

Regular string flossing is still recommended!

Truth is: many people do not understand how to properly floss with orthodontic appliances in their mouth. Special flossers exist to make the process easier, but sometime we just want something that is convenient and doesn’t require any special technique.

Waterpik® Flossing With Braces

Arguably one of the best ways to floss with braces, the Waterpik® is a tool that can be used at-home for a deeper clean than what standard dental floss offers. Both work very well, but the Waterpik’s pressurized stream of water penetrates deeper as it has the ability to remove biofilm – a substance that cannot be effectively removed through regular flossing and brushing. It can also penetrate deeper into our periodontal pockets, fending off periodontal disease while keeping our gums strong.

The reason the Waterpik® is simple for those with braces is because all you have to do is fill the machine with water, turn it on, and point it in the direction that you want to apply pressurized water too. The pressure is strong enough to remove any food particles stuck in between or around the wires and brackets without hassling with string.

Most water flossing devices may take some time to adjust to as there are varying levels of pressure certain machines can operate at. Always begin at the lowest setting and tweak it as needed. The pressure should be gentle on your teeth and gums, but strong enough to cause action. There are also a variety of tips that can be used, which offer different streams of water. It may take some experimentation to figure out which tip you prefer.

Don’t be alarmed if your gums bleed the first couple of times as you are new to the device and have not been exposed to pressurized water. As your gums heal and strengthen, you will see a drastic decrease in bleeding gums.

We Still Recommend Brushing and Flossing

The Waterpik® or any similar pressurized water flossing device is not meant to be a replacement for brushing. For the most part, it can effectively replace flossing, but using string flossing is still better at removing sticky plaque in between the teeth. You should always focus on brushing your teeth at least twice a day. You can read more about brushing with braces on our website.

5 Things To Consider Avoiding With Braces – Braces Las Vegas

Braces are a great temporary addition to your mouth for a variety of reasons – the largest reason being because they improve the aesthetics of your teeth by straightening them. Studies have actually shown that having straighter teeth does matter in our society. Unfortunately, braces have a downside as well (but remember it’s only temporary!). We have compiled a list for you of 8 things you should consider avoiding with braces.

1. Certain Foods

Foods can be a tricky subject for those with braces, especially to anyone new. You can check out our post on foods to avoid with braces, but there’s one in particular: gum. If you chew gum with braces, you’ll find yourself trying to dig it out piece by piece. All it takes is one bad experience and you will probably never chew gum with braces again.

Apples also pose another problem. They aren’t sticky, but biting into an apple with braces could potentially cause damage to the brackets. If you’re going to eat an apple, then cut it into smaller pieces and chew slowly.

2. Sports

Unless you’re committed to a team, you should probably try to avoid playing sports while you straighten out your teeth. Orthodontic mouth guards do exist to help, but sports and braces generally just do not mix.

3. Red Bands

A lot of people find fun in customizing the color corrective bands they want to use with their braces. Our suggestion is to avoid the color red simply because people have reported that it makes their mouths appear as if they were bleeding – making for a highly unattractive appearance.

4. Playing With Large Dogs

A lot of us absolutely love dogs (we do!), but sometimes playing with a large dog isn’t in the best of our interests. Large dogs may get too excited and jump onto you – sometimes into your face – accidentally, causing damage to your orthodontic braces.

5. Certain Drinks

We also offer a post on drinks to avoid with braces, but the one drink you should consider dropping – both for braces and for your oral health – is soda. The chemicals in most sodas can eat away at your teeth and your orthodontic appliances. It’s really just best to avoid soda altogether.

*This post is meant for those with traditional metal braces. Those with Invisalign® braces do not experience the same problems.

Do You Actually Know What Dental Plaque Is? – Braces Las Vegas

Dental plaque is something we hear often, but most of us do not fully understand. Here’s an interesting fact: about 70% of the population suffers from dental disease. Why is this? The answer is simple: dental plaque.

The earlier you start, the easier the routine becomes.

This plaque begins from a chemical reaction in our mouth when our bodies break down food into carbohydrates as we’re chewing it. After this occurs, it begins to mix with the saliva in our mouth which creates an acid that can eat away at our teeth. This is why dentists often advise against sugary substances or other sources of carbohydrate consumption such as soft drinks, milk, pastries, etc. It causes our mouths to produce more of this “acid” that eats away at our teeth gradually over time. We’re not the only ones who enjoy sugar, our mouths love it too… for a different reason.

The Good News

The good news about dental plaque is during its beginning stages, it’s generally a soft substance that can be brushed away with a toothbrush and some toothpaste.

Here’s where it gets interesting. When you do not brush your teeth on a consistent basis, or you miss certain spots in your teeth that are hard to reach, then the dental plaque that has been sitting on your teeth begins to harden. This hardening process converts dental plaque into dental tartar, which is much harder to remove.

This is why visiting your Las Vegas dentist is important: to take care of the areas of your mouth that you had missed. The scraping aspect of a dental cleaning is your dentist literally scraping away this tartar that has formed on your teeth, preventing tooth decay.

Tooth decay is the main result of dental plaque build-up that has formed over time. Tooth decay is the beginning process that can lead to a slippery slope.

It’s literally impossible to have a plaque-free mouth daily, but by staying active in your dental regimen, we can keep our plaque levels down to a healthy minimum. Having braces or other orthodontic appliances does not serve as an excuse to dodge the routine. 

The Routine

·         Brush twice a day 

·         Floss at least once a day (preferably after every meal)

·         Consider using an antibacterial mouth rinse that aids in reducing plaque

·         Make sure to visit your dentist!

·         Watch what you eat (carbohydrates in particular, especially sugar)

 In short: dental plaque is the reason we brush our teeth, floss our teeth, and visit our dentist.

Does Having Straight Teeth Even Matter? - Braces Las Vegas

Yes, Straighter Teeth does Matter.

If you thought impressions didn’t matter, then think again. We wanted to bring to light a study that was done roughly two years ago, but is still very relevant today. The fact remains: we are grossly judged by our appearance, which includes more than just our smiles.

In short, the study concludes that straighter teeth translates into success, smarts, and more dates. We aren’t even kidding either; it’s all based on the facts that were revealed in the study.

The Facts (only based on those who participated in the study [1,047 respondents])

·      29% of those in the study said the first aspect they notice on someone’s face is their teeth. 24% say this is also the aspect they remember after meeting someone.

·      Respondents perceived those with straight teeth to be 58% more successful than those with crooked teeth. The key here is perception. Those with crooked teeth of course can still become successful!

·      On dating sites, those with pictures featuring straight teeth are believed to be 57% more likely to get a date than those with crooked teeth.

·      Those with straight teeth are viewed as 47% more likely to be healthy and 38% more likely to be seen as smart.

·      An overwhelming 73% of the respondents are more likely to trust someone with straight teeth over someone with crooked teeth.

·      About 57% of the respondents would rather have a nice smile over nice skin. We’re guessing this is because you can cover your skin with the right clothing and makeup.

So, the next time you contemplate going through the “pain” of orthodontic braces, you should take these considerations into mind either for yourself, a child, or someone else that has been debating the issue.

A big reason people fear braces are because they do not want to be embarrassed by them, which is why clear braces are a perfect choice, and because they do not want to deal with the hassle of taking care of them (it’s really not as hard as you think!).

Your Las Vegas braces orthodontist is a great starting point for those looking to make a difference.

How to Know if You Need Braces? - Braces Las Vegas

There are certain scenarios in which braces are a strong recommendation, but many times people often wonder what criteria there is to be a good candidate for braces.

Las Vegas braces specialist notes specific scenarios in which orthodontic braces would benefit you or your child, not just for straightening teeth, but also for a normal functioning mouth. If you're wondering how to know if you need braces, then here’s a quick checklist to follow (provided by the American Association of Orthodontists):

·      Uneven bite

·      Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth

·      Speech difficulty

·      Biting your cheek

·      Facial imbalance

·      Grinding or clenching of teeth

·      Protruding teeth

·      Misalignment of the jaw

·      Crooked teeth

·      Gaps between teeth

If you meet any of the above criteria, then you may want to check in with an orthodontist in Las Vegas to see how serious your condition is regarding the future of your oral health: chewing efficiency, abnormal tooth wear, jaw joint disorders, etc.

Invisalign® Braces

The absolute truth is that many people settle for braces simply because they are unsatisfied with the look of their teeth; an insecurity. They want straighter teeth because straight teeth make better impressions and also make you appear more attractive. People that are concerned with the embarrassment that may result from wearing visible metal braces for a period of time would be happy to learn that clear braces do exist: known under the name Invisalign®.

Keep in mind that anyone can receive braces. There’s seems to be a looming skepticism around the belief that orthodontic treatment is for young children only. This simply is not true. Anyone can benefit from braces, especially adults, either for aesthetic purposes or for proper functionality.

Talk to your local Las Vegas orthodontist to learn more about types of braces, adult braces, or read our FAQ on braces. The path to straightened teeth starts somewhere!

Common Orthodontic Concerns: Playing Sports With Braces

A common concern for those just receiving a pair of orthodontic braces is whether or not they can play sports with braces. The answer is: yes, you can play sports with braces. The reason is because special orthodontic mouth guards exist, which provide protection against your orthodontic appliances. You may have to search around for one that rests comfortably in your mouth.

Orthodontic mouth guards will only provide extra protection; they do not guarantee that damage will not be dealt to your braces. It’s still highly recommended to wear a pair though, just to be on the safe side. Orthodontic mouth guards are typically made with higher quality materials, as the extra support is needed to house the wiring and brackets.

Visit our patient information section to learn more about common questions regarding braces: talking with braces, life with braces, oral health with braces, etc. If an accident does occur, your orthodontist can always repair and readjust the damage. Just be sure not to wait a long time to schedule an appointment, because your teeth will slowly begin shifting out of place.

Talk to your Las Vegas braces orthodontist for information regarding sports and wearing braces. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible while you look forward to receiving a smile not only straightened, but as bright as it can be!

Do You Know the Difference Between Braces?

It’s important to choose braces that you will be most comfortable and satisfied with as you will be responsible for wearing them for a good portion of time, leading to results that will last you a lifetime. In order to choose braces, you need to know the difference between braces!

There are subtle differences in clear braces and metal braces that typically lie in the cosmetic differences. Some people cannot fathom having to wear metal braces that are more obvious to notice than its clear counterpart.

Clear braces have a much better chance of blending in over metal braces. If you’re concerned with the way you’re going to look in pictures, etc. then perhaps clear braces may be the obvious choice. However, clear braces are generally higher priced than metal braces.

This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new – corrected – positions.

The clear braces we offer here at Braces Las Vegas are called the In-Ovation® System Braces which is a technically advanced way of having braces. In-Ovation uses smaller brackets for a more comfortable fit as well as free-sliding technology that speeds up the process of straightening your teeth.

An advantage of metal braces is the fact that they’re made with high-grade stainless steel, meaning they are stronger than clear braces with a smaller chance of breaking. You can also customize your metal braces to use colored bands for a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Beyond clear braces, Invisalign® offers its patients a truly invisible way of straightening your teeth for those who do not want to have the possibility of feeling embarrassed for wearing braces.

Always remember that braces are absolutely a great way to straighten your teeth, having worked for millions of satisfied people. Many people are completely able to look beyond the negatives of braces when they realize how much better their teeth look.

For more information on braces, visit our website or give us a call @ 702-838-0707.
Set up a consultation with a Las Vegas Dentist to see which type of braces would work best for you!