A Wonderful Smile Gets You Noticed – Feel Better With Invisalign®

Straight, aligned teeth are not only healthier, but also better for your confidence. Invisalign braces give you a youthful appearance and a wonderful smile that is more likely to get you noticed. A bright smile evokes both warmth and sincerity, and stimulates the excretion of “feel-good” hormones.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Redesigning the smile you have become accustomed to since birth to better reflect the person you are today is an easy and exciting process with the Invisalign system.

Invisalign refers to a sequence of thin, clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners designed to fit over your teeth and gradually straighten them. Invisalign is a non-intrusive orthodontic treatment that requires you to wear each set of aligners for two weeks, straightening your teeth bit by bit. The Invisalign system usually takes 12-18 months with regular but quick (10-15 minutes) checkups.

The aligners are comfortable to wear, and you can take them out for eating, brushing, and flossing. Unlike braces, Invisalign is practically invisible, which means that it does not draw unwarranted attention to your mouth. In fact, no one will notice unless you tell them. The entire Invisalign treatment plan is designed using 3-D computer imaging technology, so you can view your virtual results to see how your teeth will look like once the treatment is complete.

Common applications of Invisalign include:

1.       Tooth crowding

The problem tends to worsen over time, making it more and more difficult to take proper care of your teeth through brushing and flossing. Because you can’t clean areas with crowded teeth well, those spots are filled with bacteria that can easily attack the gums, teeth, and bone if they find a point of entry, like when you injure your gums through hard brushing. If no remedy is sought, the inflammation can advance to more severe gum disease that leads to gum recession, bone loss, and ultimately tooth loss.

2.       Misaligned bite

Excess wear on your front lower teeth may cause your bite to be slightly off. This, in turn, causes some teeth to meet sooner than others. The resulting stress and flexing can cause the enamel to separate from the inner dentine, forming an abfraction – a notch at the gum line. The notches create weak points that cause the tooth to become compromised and more likely to break or chip.

Final Note

Generally, Invisalign is used to correct mild to moderate bite and misalignment issues. It will not only give you a more youthful, attractive, and beautiful smile, but also deliver more balanced forced, thereby, reducing stresses and trauma responsible for fractures, bone loss, and tooth loss.

Braces Las Vegas is a certified Invisalign® provider and other forms of orthodontic braces designed to help you achieve the smile you've always wanted. Call us @ 702.660.2256 for more information on orthodontics/

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!

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 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!

Orthodontics- A Dental Specialty

Orthodontists straighten teeth with special attention to both the aesthetics of a smile and the function of a bite. You might already know that orthodontists help patients straighten their teeth with the use of braces, but did you know that to be a specialist, one must go through extra training beyond what is required of a general dentist? They must pass the Dental Admission Test even before going to dental school. Braces are kept on sometimes for years at a time, and an experienced orthodontist can help make the process as painless as possible. In order to get the best results with your new smile, make sure you are being treated by an experienced licensed orthodontist.  At Braces Las Vegas, Dr. Kate Nguyen is our orthodontic specialist, having graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and her doctorate, a DDS, MS from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco. Read more about her and general orthodontics at our website. 

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Before getting your braces, you might want to enjoy foods like hard candies and whole apples while you can. While braces are sturdy and made to adhere to your teeth for months and even years, some foods can damage your brackets and wires, so you will have to put off eating those foods until your braces come off. Basically anything hard that is meant to be chewed, or anything highly acidic should either be eaten in very small quantities or avoided altogether.

Certain foods can also do damage to your enamel, so it is important to be aware of the foods you consume and which ones are safer options with braces. The last thing you want to deal with is the extra cost of repairing your orthodontic gear or going through extra treatments to whiten teeth. For more information on specific foods to avoid while wearing braces, visit our page.

Professional Teeth Cleanings with Braces

Having your teeth cleaned by a professional dental hygienist is important, especially for those who wear braces. Even without braces, you will never be able to clean your teeth with brushing and flossing as thoroughly as a professional cleaning. Hygienists use special tools that give your gums a deep cleaning, preventing decay and infections. With braces, it is especially important to remember your professional cleanings because your orthodontic appliances make some areas around the teeth almost impossible to clean. Learn more about how the treatment differs from a normal cleaning on out page.

Don't forget to schedule your professional cleanings every six months. It might help to schedule them during your adjustment sessions, this way the arch wire will be removed, your teeth can be cleaned, and a new wire can be put in, cutting down on your trips to the dentist.

Retainers

Maintaining your new and improved bite once your braces come off is just as important as your orthodontic treatment. Retainers help make this possible, and can make your results last for many many years if you take the time to wear them as prescribed. There are different kinds of retainers and how long you wear yours will depend on your treatment. If you have retainers and would like more information on when to wear them, how to clean them, and what to do if they are damaged, read more at our website.

Cleaning Your Teeth with Braces

Maintaining your oral hygiene with braces can be difficult, but is even more important since those with braces have a higher chance of experiencing decay after their treatment is over. This happens because the orthodontic appliances block areas normally exposed during brushing and flossing. To ensure a thorough cleaning, follow these tips:

• Brush along the line of the wires and alternately along the tops of the wire and from below with the brush at a 90 degree angle. This helps get underneath the wires and closer to the brackets.
• Use special tools for cleaning around braces like interdental brushes and threaded floss to make your hygiene routine a little bit easier.
• Use mouthwashes with flouride after a thorough brushing to help prevent decay.

Keeping your teeth clean and free of decay also depends on what you eat. Avoid eating sugary foods that can get stuck between teeth in hard to reach areas. Nuts can also cause this problem, so if you do happen to have foods that can lodge in between teeth, remember to floss as soon as possible.

Braces tend to make cleaning your teeth a little bit more challenging, but this should not cause you to skip out on any parts of a good hygiene routine. Follow these cleaning tips and eat healthy foods to prevent tooth decay. Visit our website for more details on how to clean your teeth with braces. 

Maintaining Braces Part I

Braces are used to straighten teeth and make them look their best. However, wearing braces and failing to keep them clean can stain them and even lead to additional dental problems.

Braces have many small parts that tend to attract food and keep it stuck there. The best way to deal with trapped food is to carefully brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after every meal. Brushing with braces is slightly different from brushing without them. First, with a regular toothbrush, brush downward from the top and upward from the bottom on each tooth.

If you have any questions about Braces and other Braces for Adults and Kids please call (702) 463.7400 or click here to submit your question.

Adult Orthodontics: Am I too old for braces

Adult Orthodontics is a longer process than teenage or children's orthodontics, however there are no age limits for Orthodontics. The process of enhancing the smile and improving your oral health may be longer, but there are orthodontics patients of all ages. Some adults get braces to enhance their look and others need braces to prevent any future oral health issues.

Your orthodontist will need to review your case individually to determine your specific needs.

For further questions regarding Braces for Adults please call (702) 463- 7400.

Las Vegas Orthodontist Answers Question About "Getting Braces"

Patient: "I'm 15 years old and im getting braces on soon..I have very crowded teeth and a large overbite. Im worried that i might need over things besides braces. Do you think i would need other appliances beside braces? I was also wondering how do they put braces on and what are the spacers for. I forgot to ask my ortho thses questions because i was nervous?"

Kate T. Nguyen, DDS, MS: " That's great to hear that you're getting improving your smile and the health of your teeth with braces. As for your question regarding appliances, each individual is different and it depends on your "bite" if you need appliances or not. Your orthodontist will be the best person to assess and answer that question for you. Also for spacers, they are used to make space between the teeth to fit the braces made for the back teeth, which are also called bands. And how braces are put on is a simple process of gluing the braces onto the teeth with a glue made specifically for teeth. Generally, the day you get the braces on is really easy, so don't worry too much about it. Let me know if you have any other questions!"

For more information about Desert Orthodontics click: Orthodontic Treatments or please call (702) 463.7400.

AIDS Walk Las Vegas: Join Desert Orthodontics in the 20th Annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas

Desert Orthodontics participates in and donates to the 20th Annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas.

For more than 20 years AIDS of Nevada has led the AIDS Walk. AIDS Walk Las Vegas brings public awareness to the fight against AIDS and also raises funds for treatments and cures.

"It is very important that our orthodontics practice supports our local community and helps fight against a prominent disease," said Dr. Kate T. Nguyen. "We will continue our active participation in the community."

AIDS Walk Las Vegas is on Sunday, April 25th, 2010, beginning 8 AM at the World Market Center. It “educate both children and adults about high risk behavior, how to protect ourselves, and how to take personal responsibility for our well being, we must continue to raise awareness.”

For more information about Desert Orthodontics click: Orthodontic Treatments or please call (702) 463.7400.

Las Vegas Adult Orthodontics

Desert Orthodontics orthodontist Dr. Kate T. Nguyen discusses braces for adults in this video.



Dr. Nguyen discusses misconceptions about adult orthodontics, the benefits of having orthodontics done as an adult and the advantages of modern-day orthodontics.

For further questions about Adult Orthodontics, please call (702) 463-7400 or visit BracesLasVegas.com.

Braces Las Vegas - Welcome to the Desert Orthodontics Blog