Baby Teeth and Orthodontics

Timing of Loss of Baby Teeth and Orthodontics Treatment

There is a direct link between the timing of the loss of baby teeth and Orthodontics treatment. Most children begin to lose their primary (baby) teeth around age 6 and will continue to do so until they are around 12. These are just the averages ages; some kids will start a little early, and others will start a bit later which can be completely normal.

Usually, the baby teeth are lost in the order that they came in. For example, kids will lose their two front bottom teeth first, and then their two front top teeth. The side teeth are lost next, with the molars being the last to fall out, usually by 12-years old. Wisdom teeth don’t come in until sometime between 17 and 21 years old. The American Dental Association has a chart that helps show the order of the loss and eruption of primary and permanent teeth: https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/patient_56.pdf?la=en.

Loss of Early Primary Baby Teeth and Orthodontics

Baby teeth are actually formed while the fetus is still in the womb, however they won’t begin to emerge until around 6-months of age. Children will usually have all twenty of their baby teeth by the time they’re 3-years old.

Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth that will come in later. When a child is young and their jaws are continuing to form, there isn’t enough room in the mouth for the larger, permanent teeth. Thus, those teeth will come in beginning with the front teeth first, just the same as the baby teeth did so that the jaw will be large and strong enough to handle the permanent teeth as it grows.

Some kids can lose a baby tooth early. This can be caused by trauma to the mouth/tooth or a cavity. In some children, genetics play a role on when they lose their baby teeth so it’s not necessarily unusual for the process to begin a little early or a little late.

Early primary tooth loss can also be caused by tooth decay that occurs when the child is using a bottle and it’s left in the mouth for too long (such as when a baby falls asleep) because sugars in the milk or juice can cause bacteria to form.

The permanent teeth grow under the baby teeth and as a permanent tooth starts to emerge, the root of the baby tooth will die off, causing the tooth to be loose. Once this process is complete, the tooth falls out and the new tooth should come in within a month or two.

If the baby tooth has been damaged, it may fall out before the permanent tooth is ready to come in. This can cause future problems with baby teeth and orthodontics may be needed. If a primary tooth falls out too early, it leaves a space. With no permanent tooth coming in behind it to fill the space, the other teeth in the mouth will start to shift towards each other and fill the space. This in turn, creates crowding issues once the permanent tooth is ready to come in which will likely warrant orthodontic treatment such as braces or an extraction later on in order to correct the crowding.

Delayed Loss of Primary Baby Teeth and Orthodontics

If the baby teeth are late in emerging, a different set of challenges can occur because the permanent teeth can start to come in while the baby teeth are still in the mouth. It can look as if there are two rows of teeth in the mouth. This process causes the adult teeth to come in crooked which will require orthodontic treatment to straighten them with braces later on.

Early Orthodontic Intervention

If your child has lost a baby tooth and 2 to 3 months have gone by without the adult tooth coming in, it’s time to see an orthodontist. The orthodontist can place a “space maintainer” (either removable or fixed) between the existing teeth in order to hold that space for the permanent tooth and prevent the other teeth from moving in to fill it.

If a primary tooth is missing for too long, it can cause the other teeth in the mouth surrounding that tooth to become loose because they’re not supported which will cause them to move.

Some space maintainers are removable but these are generally only used by a child old enough to know how and when to remove it and to keep it clean. For younger children, or for back teeth, a fixed maintainer is appropriate. It’s attached to the two surrounding teeth by a cement bond and can be taken off by the orthodontist once the permanent tooth emerges.

For those children who have baby teeth that are delayed in falling out and the permanent teeth are starting to come in, orthodontic treatment is needed as well. After a thorough examination, the orthodontist may want to go ahead and extract the baby tooth in order to make room for the permanent one.

Even if you don’t notice these types of issues occurring with your child, it’s still a good idea for an orthodontic exam at age 7 to see if there are any problems developing with the jaw. Most of the baby teeth are still in place at this time and it’s good to have a specialist identify whether or not there is anything that needs attention.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends this too for all kids. To read more about the advantages of early orthodontic treatment and how it can prevent or reduce treatment time later on: https://www.aaoinfo.org/system/files/media/documents/Right_Time_for_Ortho-MLMS-hl.pdf.

Free Consultation at A Perfect Smile!

Dr. Taylor offers all of his patients a complimentary consultation that includes a complete exam with x-rays.

We would be happy to evaluate your child at no cost to you.

To schedule your free consultation, click HERE: https://www.aperfectsmileorthodontics.com/free-consultation/.

The timing of when your child loses their baby teeth and orthodontics treatment to prevent overly crowded or crooked permanent teeth is very important.

Catching any issues early can save you and your child from more extensive Orthodontic Treatment later.

Single Arch Braces Treatment

We’ve had patients ask about Single Arch Braces treatment and thought it would be helpful to explain this type of treatment in more detail. “Single arch” treatment means that braces are only used on either the upper or lower teeth. Arches are the u-shaped arrangements that make up your dentition (the arrangement of teeth). In other words, your upper teeth are an arch and your bottom teeth are an arch.

This is a common question. For example, if your teeth are crooked on top but perfectly straight on the bottom, why would you need braces on both? The answer isn’t as simple as you would think and varies from patient to patient. The reason for this is because orthodontic treatment is more complex than just straightening teeth.

Malocclusion

When teeth are overcrowded or crooked and braces are applied to straighten them, the teeth will gradually shift into correct position but also move forward to allow for more space. In other cases where teeth have gaps between them and braces are applied to move them together, the teeth have a tendency to move backwards as they align together. Because of this, bite problems (malocclusions) may be created.

A malocclusion as defined by Wikipedia is a misalignment or incorrect relationship between the teeth of the two dental arches (upper and lower teeth) when they approach each other as the jaws close.

Common types of malocclusions include:

Over jet, also known as buck teeth – The top front teeth are pushed forward and outward. This can be caused by a small lower jaw.
Overcrowding – There are either too many teeth in relation to the size of the jaw, or the teeth are too large and crowd each other out.
Overbite – The top front teeth fit over the front lower teeth and touch the gums.
Underbite – The front upper teeth sit inside of the front lower teeth.
Crossbite – Similar to an underbite, however, the upper teeth sit inside of the lower teeth on the sides of the mouth.
Open bite – the teeth don’t meet when the jaw/mouth is closed.
Misplaced midline – The center of the upper front teeth don’t line up with the center of the lower front teeth.

Depending on severity and type of misalignment, malocclusions are rated as Class I, Class II, or Class III.

If you already have an overbite and you have crooked teeth, if we were only treating this condition with single arch braces, then this could actually make the overbite worse since crooked teeth move forward as they straighten. On the other hand, if your bite is fine to begin with but you have crooked upper teeth, putting braces on the top teeth only could possibly create an overbite.

Think of your upper and lower teeth like cogs and a wheel. The “teeth” need to be straightened in order to fit correctly into the wheel, but if the cog and wheel don’t fit properly together because they are misaligned, then all sorts of problems can occur.

Click here for more details on different types of malocclusions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malocclusion.

Complications of Malocclusion

Malocclusions in and of themselves can cause long-term health problems. They can also get worse with time. Additionally, severe malocclusions can cause the jaw to thrust forward or sit too far back and change the outward appearance of a person. Misalignments can also affect facial symmetry.

Other issues that develop include:

Teeth grinding.
Abnormal wear on teeth causing erosion of the tooth surface or broken teeth.
Difficulty chewing.
Speech impediments.
Greater risk of tooth decay/cavities.
Headaches.
Jaw and neck pain.
Tooth and jaw infections.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. To read more about this condition, click HERE: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/t/temporomandibular-joint-disorder.html

Are Single Arch Braces Ever an Option?

There are times when placing braces on only one arch is an option although it’s not that common. They may be used in younger children when beginning Phase 1 of their orthodontic treatment plan before proceeding on to Phase 2.

Another example might be when a patient has a slight overbite and some spacing problems in the upper teeth. Because teeth with gaps or spaces tend to move backwards with braces, a single arch treatment might also correct the slight malocclusion as well.

Free Consultation

Every single person has their own individual needs. Dr. Taylor is a Board-Certified Orthodontist and has years of experience treating all types of conditions. We offer a free consultation to anyone interested in braces for themselves or for their child. This includes an oral exam and x-rays along with a question and answer session with Dr. Taylor to help determine what’s right for you.

Click HERE (https://www.aperfectsmileorthodontics.com/orthodontics/) to see the different types of braces that we offer and to schedule your consultation, or feel free to call us as well.

https://www.aperfectsmileorthodontics.com/single-arch-braces/

Preparing Your Child for Braces

Sitting down and researching this as a family can be a fun way for your child or teen to feel involved and have some control over the process. Lots of kids are enthusiastic about using colored rubber bands. These are used with metal and porcelain braces to adhere the brackets to the adjustment wire and are changed out at every visit. They can be customized to be as colorful and flamboyant as your child desires. Clear or white bands are also available to create a less obvious “braces” look.

Our state of the art offices provide lots of fun things for your kids including a 25 seat HD movie theater. This can free you up to spend some time with Dr. Taylor going over some of the things that kids may find boring. There are also rewards programs and contests for the kiddos to participate in!

The Adjustment Period

Having braces applied doesn’t hurt. In fact, there’s no need for a numbing shot. They may feel some pressure on their teeth, but that’s about it.

A big part of preparing your child for braces is to go over what to expect during the adjustment period. It may take about a week before they’re comfortable “in their teeth” again. The important thing to remember is that this only lasts about a week.

There may be some mild irritation to the inside of the mouth. This is caused by the hardware rubbing or chafing against the mouth or lips. Fortunately, orthodontic wax (also called dental wax) can solve this problem immediately. All they will need to do is pinch off a piece of wax and place it right over the bracket causing the irritation. The wax will stick. It’s always a good idea to send some extra wax with your child when they leave the house so they’ll always have it when needed. Warm, wet tea bags can also be soothing to sore spots in the mouth.

The teeth may be a little sore in the beginning too. (This also can occur after braces are adjusted each month). Ibuprofen helps a lot but it’s a good idea to have plenty of soft foods on hand. Things like rice, pasta and soup are all good choices while the mouth adapts to braces. Chilled foods such as ice cream or popsicles can be soothing as well.

Food Cautions

When preparing your child for braces it’s very important that they understand they may need to change the way they eat some foods. Things like apples, carrots, hard breads, hard crackers, etc., should be cut up before eating rather than biting into them. The reason for this is because taking a bite can cause breakage of the braces on the front teeth. Corn that’s on the cob should be sliced off first as well.

A few types of food should be avoided altogether so as not to cause breakage:

Toffee
Caramel
Popcorn
Gum
Ice
Hard candies
Chewy or sticky candy

Your child will also want to avoid foods or drinks that have strong colors such as berries or grape juice. These can permanently stain rubber bands or clear, porcelain braces and wires.

It’s a good idea to avoid or reduce consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Fructose and other forms of sugar can cause cavities and with braces on teeth, there are more nooks and crannies for bacteria to form.

Dr. Taylor is a Board-Certified Orthodontist and the only licensed Invisalign® provider in the valley. He and our staff are committed to making each experience easy, fun, and exceptional! We are happy to help prepare you and your child for braces.

Signs you may need to see an Orthodontist

Crooked teeth aren’t the only reason to see an orthodontist. There are other issues that can affect the bite, jaw and tooth health which can have adverse effects on overall long-term wellness. If left untreated, some conditions can lead to increased tooth decay, gum disease, headaches, earaches, biting and chewing problems, and can even cause trouble speaking.

Signs that you may need to see an orthodontist may include:

Chewing or biting difficulty
A jaw that makes sounds such as popping or clicking noises
A jaw that shifts with movement
Cheek biting
Jaw pain, or TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)
Uneven or excessive wear on teeth
Frequent headaches that may radiate to the ears or neck
Overbite
Underbite
Teeth that either meet abnormally or do not meet at all
Grinding teeth
Teeth that seem out of proportion to the face
Extra teeth
Crowding teeth
Spaces between teeth
Trouble chewing certain foods

These can be symptoms of such conditions as malocclusions, misaligned jaws, and teeth. Different types of malocclusions such as crossbites, underbites, overbites, and open bites will grow worse over time. They can place extra stress on the jaw muscles causing chronic pain in not only the jaw, but also the neck and shoulder. If a malocclusion is not corrected, it can even cause the face to grow asymmetrically.

Dr. Taylor is a board certified orthodontist and an expert who is trained to diagnose and treat these irregularities. It’s a good idea to have your child come in for a visit at age 6 to 7 to see if any of these irregularities are presenting. Depending on the severity of the condition, Dr. Taylor can determine if early intervention is necessary or if it’s okay to wait until the child is a little older.

Ideally, the best time for a child to get braces is between the ages of 10 and 14 while the child’s jaw and head are still growing. Teeth are easier to straightening during this time period too. However, a person is never too old to see an orthodontist and have any issues corrected; we have many adult patients who are much happier and more confident with their beautiful new smiles after treatment! A lot of them are surprised to learn that there are so many options available that fit easily into their lifestyles.

We offer several different braces options for both children and adults. Invisalign® is often a perfect choice since the trays used are almost totally invisible. Dr. Taylor is the Valley’s only Invisalign® premier provider. If for some reason you are not a candidate for Invisalign® and are concerned about braces showing, we also offer clear braces which a lot of adults prefer.

Traditional metal braces are much smaller than they used to be making them easier on the mouth and less obvious than in years past. A lot of kids and teenagers enjoy making them more fun with the use of colored bands and can change the look with each adjustment appointment!

Dr. Taylor and our team at A Perfect Smile invite you to come in for a consultation to address whether or not you or your child have conditions which may not be as obvious as crooked teeth, but which will affect long-term health if not addressed.

The first appointment is always free and includes an exam including x-rays. Our facility is state of the art and up to date on all of the latest technology so you can feel confident that you are getting the very best care. Our staff is both professional and fun and we strive to make your experience with us as smooth and enjoyable as possible!

We use a scanner and 3D Printer for our dental impressions and models!

What’s so exciting about having a 3D Printer? Well, have you been to a Dentist and had to get an impression of your teeth made? They put this purple or grey colored gooey goop in your mouth that makes you almost gag. It tastes bitter and you have to leave it in your mouth until it sets and then it is pried off of your teeth? Well, if you have had that experience you won’t forget it. It’s not pleasant.

Well, at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics, you won’t have to go through any of that. We pride ourselves on staying ahead of the game when it comes to technology so that our patients always receive the best care in the Valley.

Improving our patients’ experience is very important to us and we are excited to share that we are now have a 3D printer! We are able to generate an exact 3D replica of your teeth and your bite which means less messy dental trays to get impressions! The conventional model of obtaining plaster-like molds involves putting goopy trays in your mouth to get a “model” of your teeth. It takes a few minutes and requires the patient to wait until the product “sets.”

For Invisalign patients, now, all we have to do is perform a scan and voila! We are able to get a perfect 3D replica of your teeth! This state of the art technology allows us to show you digitally how your teeth will move into a perfect position. It also allows for faster service since Dr. Taylor can now create the prescription for your custom Invisalign aligners on site!

We are also using the 3D printer to make retainers for ALL of our patients after their braces treatment has been completed. This makes it fast and easy to transition out of braces.

There are also times when a patient has a relapse because of poor retainer wear compliance, and we now have the ability to print retainers from the patient’s final scan and use this as an aligner to correct the lapse! Many of our patients have been both relieved and surprised that we can do this so easily and quickly!

Dr. Taylor’s office is the only practice that currently has a 3D printer in all of South Texas! We are dedicated to our patients having an awesome experience with us and having a 3-D printer is just one more way that we can make that happen!

So say Goodbye to goopy, icky and gagging impressions and Hello to more modern technology at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics!

More Invisalign Tips

Here are some more Invisalign Tips to help you during your Invisalign treatment. Your aligners are designed to “fit” your teeth after the first few weeks of wear because this is the position in which your teeth need to move during this time period. Because of this, it is possible that you will experience some discomfort during the first few days of wearing them.

Here are some Invisalign Tips for when you first put in a new aligner:

Make sure to wear them as much as possible ESPECIALLY during the first 48 hours.
Try putting in your new aligner before you go to bed so that some of the discomfort can occur while you are sleeping.
Do use OTC pain medications in moderation during the first 48 hours to help with the pain and pressure sensation.
Try sucking on ice cubes (ONLY WHILE THE ALIGNERS ARE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH) to ease discomfort
Use cold compresses on your cheeks
Saliva production could increase during the first 2 to 3 days. To avoid dehydration or dry mouth, be sure and drink plenty of water. If saliva production is causing you problems when you sleep, try sleeping on your back or propping your head up on a pillow. This should resolve within just a few days as your mouth gets used to the “foreign object.”
ALWAYS REMEMBER the end result and look forward to a beautiful smile! This should help keep you motivated to keep the aligners in for the full 22 hours per day and get through any pain or discomfort.
When you first begin to use your aligners, you may talk with a slight lisp. Practice talking during this adjustment period; it even helps to repeat tongue twisters! The lisp should go away after a few days.
Do not let Invisalign interfere with your love life! People have been kissing with traditional braces for years, and there is no reason to let your aligners get in between you and your partner. In fact, it’s likely that your partner won’t notice any difference whatsoever.
Removal of your aligners may take some getting used to. It is harder to remove them if you have “buttons” or other attachments on your teeth. Amazon sells a tool called an “Outie” that can aid in removal.
If you are noticing any roughness on the aligner, dental wax can help to avoid irritation. You can also speak with your dentist about filing these areas down to make them smoother.

Exercising consistent and mindful oral hygiene is of extreme importance when wearing your aligners. Bacteria and plaque can stick to your teeth for hours at a time which can cause cavities, gum disease, and other health problems. Here are some Invisalign Tips to help with that:

REMOVE YOUR ALIGNERS BEFORE YOU CONSUME ANY FOODS OR LIQUIDS OTHER THAN WATER. Hot liquids can cause aligners to warp or distort. Any colored liquid can also stain the plastic which could cause your clear, invisible aligners to change color. Also, foods and liquids can cause your aligner to take on odors.
Always brush your teeth and rinse your mouth well after drinking any liquids other than water. This will prevent any sugar or stain residue on teeth from becoming trapped under the aligner once it is reinserted.
After eating, be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly and floss each time. If brushing and flossing is not possible, rinse your mouth with an anti-bacterial mouthwash and warm water.
Do NOT chew gum when aligners are in your mouth so as not to damage them.
It is okay to use a whitening toothpaste, however, do not use other teeth whitening products throughout the duration of your Invisalign treatment. These whitening treatments can leave debris or particles behind which can bind to teeth once aligners are reinserted and create permanent white marks on the teeth.

In addition to practicing good oral hygiene habits, it is equally as important to keep your Invisalign aligners sparkling clean.

Always rinse and soak your aligners when not in your mouth and do not leave them out, exposed to air.
You can soak them in denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals and water.
Always clean your aligners with cool water and CLEAR anti-bacterial soap. Colored soaps contain dyes which may cause the aligners to take on the color of the soap.
If using a toothbrush to clean your aligners, do so cautiously, and use a very gentle brush with a light touch. Otherwise, the toothbrush can scratch them and leave visible etchings.

Overall, Invisalign does take some getting used to and requires a few lifestyle changes. Hopefully these Invisalign Tips will help. Oral hygiene takes a little discipline, but it also establishes good habits that you can continue after you are no longer using aligners that will provide a lifetime of good health. And keep your eye on the prize; a beautiful smile and gorgeous teeth! Is it worth it?? Absolutely!!

Online Clear Aligners

Do-It-Yourself Online Clear Aligners are being heavily advertised as an inexpensive “at-home” treatment to straighten your teeth. It is important to understand that these products are gimmicks intended to make money. The owners of these companies have little regard for patient health, quality of treatment, and they do not yield results that are acceptable to the standard of care maintained by the American Board of Orthodontists. These companies claim to be able to do so remotely and at a much lower cost than traditional methods. The initial process involves either a photo scan of your teeth, or they will send you a kit to make a 3-D impression, which you then mail back to them. X-rays are never taken and a patient’s proper diagnosis is never done. In fact, we have seen many patients in our consultation room who tried “at-home” aligners with very poor results. They are now starting treatment with Dr. Taylor and regret wasting time and money on these products.

Dr. Taylor is a Board Certified Orthodontist and he will take measurements, several x-rays and photos and a 3D scan of how the jaw and teeth fit together in order to properly diagnose malocclusion. He will also closely monitor progression and identify and correct potential problems throughout treatment. Poorly done orthodontics can be disastrous and potentially cause permanent damage such as TMJ (where the jaw is not properly aligned), and serous occlusal issues later in life. Periodontal disease and even tooth loss can occur as a result of unmonitored or poorly diagnosed orthodontics.

Here is what the medical community has to say about Online Clear Aligners:

The American Association of Orthodontists issued a Consumer Alert on 1/31/2015 regarding the risks involved with “Do It Yourself” Teeth Straightening Products. It states:

Consumers who may be considering “do it yourself” orthodontic treatment should be aware that they may be putting their teeth, gums, and bones of the jaws in harm’s way. This alert is predicted by the uptick and availability of such products available online and in retail stores ……. Any time a dental procedure is undertaken by an untrained, unsupervised individual there is substantial risk for irreparable damage. “The American Association of Orthodontists is committed to consumer health and safety and urges anyone considering any type of teeth straightening procedure to see an orthodontic specialist,” says Robert Varner, DMD, president of the AAO………Aligning jaws, straightening teeth, and correcting bites should begin with a comprehensive examination by an orthodontist, not with a few clicks on a computer screen, and not without the supervision of a qualified dental professional. Throughout orthodontic treatment, and through regularly scheduled appointments, orthodontists assess the movement of teeth, bone, and soft tissue, and make the necessary adjustments to advance the process.”

To become an orthodontist, it takes an additional 2-3 years of education after dental school. Orthodontists are specialists who treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align one’s teeth, bite and jaw. They are experts in occlusion (the meeting of the upper and lower teeth, bone physiology, and bone development).The essential difference between online clear aligners and proper orthodontic treatment is this: The manufacturers of Online Clear Aligners are offering a PRODUCT; aligners. The regulatory safeguards that protect the consumer are nonexistent.

Conversely, an orthodontist offers SERVICES, KNOWLEDGE, MEDICAL EXPERTISE and a PRODUCT; straight teeth, a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.

Dr. David Taylor, of A Perfect Smile Orthodontics in McAllen, Texas, is a Board Certified Orthodontist and an Elite Provider of Invisalign. We offer a complementary consultation including a 3D scan of your mouth to be able to fully evaluate your orthodontic needs. He has treated thousands of patients with excellent results.

Call: 956.443.3579

How Old Do You Have To Be To Get Braces?

Many people are uncertain about if they should consider braces for young children and if so, at what age should they see an orthodontist for the first time?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first be evaluated at age 7. You do not need a referral to schedule this appointment at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics. Dr. Taylor will not generally recommend any treatment for children between ages 7 and 9, but he will monitor their growth and development and the overall oral health. If limited orthodontic treatment (Phase 1) is recommended it is likely because the child has primary dentition (baby teeth) preventing the proper development of the permanent teeth or early identified malocclusion. Done at the right time, Phase 1 treatments may lessen the need for surgery, more invasive procedures, or adult teeth extractions in the future. Also, if a child is experiencing social discomforts with their teeth, limited orthodontic treatments can be recommended that will greatly improve the smile while waiting for development of the adult teeth and the right time for full orthodontic treatment. A child’s smile can be very important to their overall self esteem going into their teen years, Phase 1 orthodontic treatment can have life changing positive results.

Your child’s pediatric dentist or general dentist may or may not recognize the need for early treatment, that’s why the first consultation with a Board Certified Orthodontist at age 7 is so important. Orthodontists have specialized training in craniofacial development, skeletal growth patterns, and tooth development and can identify potential problems in young children. This consultation is always complimentary with Dr. Taylor at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics.

Call us at 956.630.6166 or click here

to sign up for a FREE Orthodontic Consultation!

Cost versus Quality

Trust Your Health and Your Smile to a Board Certified Orthodontist.

We have seen many children and adults in our consultation room lately who started braces with local dental chains and have been displeased with the service in these practices, now wanting to transfer their treatment to Dr. Taylor.

Often, they have invested $1000 or more at a chain practice and now have to start over to have the orthodontic treatment done properly. These patients were attracted to the chain practices because they offered “discounted orthodontics,” but they now realize that starting over is far more costly than trusting their treatment to a Board Certified Orthodontist from the very beginning.

It is very important to understand that Dr. David Taylor is a Board Certified Orthodontist who owns and operates his practice. He ensures that the best in orthodontic treatment is provided to all of our patients at every visit.

Chain practices like Rodeo Dental, Brident, Kool Smiles and Little Heroes cannot offer the same continuance of care as generally they either do not have an orthodontist on staff or the orthodontist only spends a few days per month in each of their chain locations.

Most of the time, the chain practice staff orthodontist lives in another city like Austin, Houston or Dallas and only visits the RGV chain practices a few days each month.

Regular adjustments in chain practices are likely to be delivered by Dental Assistants supervised by a General Dentist or a Pediatric Dentist, but not by a Board Certified Orthodontist. Or, if patients are seen by the staff orthodontist, the scheduling is severely limited to the few days that the orthodontist is in that location.

At A Perfect Smile Orthodontics our Orthodontist Assistants are expertly trained by Dr. Taylor. He personally sees every patient at every orthodontic adjustment and ensures our patients achieve their most healthy, beautiful smiles possible.

Best Braces for Adults

With braces there are many options to choose from, depending on your lifestyle and budget.

Adults who make public appearances or interact with clients may prefer Invisalign Clear Aligners for aesthetic reasons. This treatment involves the use of clear, molded plastic upper and lower teeth trays that fit your teeth through each straightening stage, which is about one week per set. This series of clear, removable orthodontic aligners straighten your teeth without the use of metal or wires. Each custom-made aligner moves the teeth progressively into place. The number of trays or “aligners” depends on how much straightening you need.

Invisalign has been referred to as the “sexy” version of traditional braces as they’re almost undetectable when you’re wearing them. Because they’re a smooth plastic, they shouldn’t irritate the insides of your mouth. You may have achy issues as your teeth begin to shift with each pair of aligners, but it usually doesn’t take long for you to adjust. They’re easy to clean, partly because you have to remove them before eating, and because they’re removable, you can brush and floss without issue.

However, treatment with Invisalign requires a certain level of discipline. As they are removeable, one may be tempted to not wear them at times. Invisalign treatment requires one wear the aligners 22 hours per day, otherwise treatment may drag out for years.

If you lack discipline, you may want to consider Clear Braces for adults. They are similar to traditional braces but, rather than using metal, clear braces are made of incredibly strong clear material, making them less noticeable. Our clear braces perform beautifully for our patients. The material stays crystal clear throughout the treatment and does not yellow or stain.

If you are on a tight budget, traditional braces for adults are your best option. Traditional braces have come a long way since you were a kid. Braces have evolved over the years. The brackets used today are smaller, and no longer are bands that wrap around the tooth used. Now, the options are lighter, more comfortable, cheaper, and less noticeable.

Any braces for adults are better than no braces

In addition to the aesthetic reasons for straightening your teeth, there are important health reasons for treatment with braces. It shouldn’t be considered a luxury or “just cosmetic” — not that that’s not important for one’s self-esteem and confidence.

When you have misaligned teeth, plaque and food buildup between your teeth which can make you more prone to gum disease and increased chances of tooth decay, gum and bone loss, irregular wear of the tooth enamel and TMJ/TMD pain. Even migraines or other chronic pain in the head, neck and jaw can be caused by misalignment of the jaw. So there are real health reasons to straighten your teeth, in addition to having a more confident, beautiful smile.