A Perfect Smile Orthodontics

McAllen Orthodontist providing Braces & Invisalign

Call: 956.630.6166
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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.

3D printer modelImproving 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

invisalign tipsHere 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.

orthodontistDr. 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?

braces for children

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. 

orthodontistWe 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.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) or At-Home Teeth Straightening – Warning

at-home teeth straighteningDr. Taylor would like to warn people in need of orthodontic care about the dangers in the recent trend of at-home teeth straightening techniques. In some cases these do-it-yourself braces can cause irreparable damage to your teeth and gums.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently reported that many of its member orthodontists have seen patients who have attempted DIY teeth straightening.

Some of the attempts at DIY teeth straightening included the use of rubber bands, dental floss, fishing line, paper clips or other materials. Recently videos featuring amateur tutorials on how to straighten your teeth at home have also surged in popularity on social media and on YouTube.

Dr. Taylor is very concerned about this recent increase in DIY attempts at teeth straightening as he has now seen the repercussions of these as sometimes the damage done to their teeth is so extensive that their teeth cannot be saved. Often by the time someone recognizes that something is wrong, it may not be reversible, even with professional help. The cost of dealing with the problems that these DIY techniques could exceed as much as $20,000 over a lifetime.

Our goal is to obtain a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime and while there may be some cost involved in accomplishing this, it can save you a lot of money and grief in the long run by doing it the right way. If you have concerns about the cost of orthodontic treatment, please realize that we at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics offer interest free financing with low monthly payments. 

DIY attempts to straighten your teeth may look simple, but it can end up creating worse problems, not to mention costing you thousands of dollars to deal with it.

We offer FREE Consultations with Dr. Taylor. Call us to schedule an appointment to discuss all of your options before you make any attempts at at-home teeth straightening remedies. 

Braces for Adults

Braces for AdultsYou should never consider yourself “too old” for braces. Braces for adults has become quite common. In fact, approximately one out of every four orthodontic patients is an adult. And this really only represents a small portion of adults who could actually benefit from orthodontic treatment. The increase of adult braces is mostly due to the availability of more subtle, less visible options like clear braces and Invisalign. As an adult, considering braces can be daunting in many ways. However today there are many options to accommodate most lifestyles. 

Some adults may have had straighter teeth when they were younger, or may have even had braces earlier in life. Teeth can shift with age, whether due to injury or just natural growth or other circumstances, previously straight teeth can move out of alignment.

You should know that adults’ teeth don’t move as quickly or as painlessly as children’s do, so you can expect some discomfort initially and when you get your braces adjusted. You might find you have trouble speaking and eating at first but within a few days you will get used to them and be speaking normally. 

Invisalign is a great option for Braces for Adults

One option to consider is Invisalign, which straightens your teeth by wearing clear aligners. Invisalign is basically a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. Not only are these braces less visible, but they also are removable so they won’t trap food and plaque between your teeth like metal braces. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only removed for eating, brushing and flossing.

Clear aligners are different from clear braces. Clear aligners are made out of clear plastic and are designed to fit into your teeth, similar to a mouth-guard. Every couple of weeks you start using a new aligner that moves your teeth a little bit more than the previous set. Over time, your teeth are gradually moved into correct alignment.

Not only is Dr. Taylor a Board Certified Orthodontist, but he is the Elite Provider of Invisalign for the Rio Grande Valley.

Clear Braces for Adults is another option

“Clear Braces” are relatively new but highly effective. These braces are very similar to traditional braces, in that they are wired in. But they are practically invisible, unlike metal braces. They are made of clear materials, making them less visible than metal braces, while also being strong and resistant to staining. Clear braces provide the same benefits as metal braces, except that they’re clear!

If you feel that you may lack the discipline required with Invisalign Clear Aligners, Clear Braces may be a better option for you. 

Are braces for adults worth the trouble?

You might ask – Is it worth it? While initially the cost of braces might seem high, rest assured they are worth it and may even save you money in the long run. Misaligned teeth, improper jaw positioning or an irregular bite can cause a myriad of problems as you age. But in addition to that, having a professional appearance and greater confidence can also have a significant positive impact on your professional and personal life – more than you may realize. 

Explore all of your options

Come in for a FREE CONSULTATION with no obligations and get everything you need to make an informed decision. Here we will take the necessary x-rays and our Board Certified Orthodontist will exam you and formulate a treatment plan and discuss all available options with you. We also have financing options to fit your budget with our in-house, interest-free financing. 

Call now to set up your Free Consultation today! 956.630.6166

 

FSAs and HSAs – No Need to Wait!

If you are using an FSA or an HSA to cover payments for orthodontics there is GOOD NEWS!  You do not need to wait until next year to use your FSA/HSA for 2017. 

Any payments made by the end of the year or treatments that are started can be refunded when the FSA disperses.

An FSA is a Flexible Spending Account. An FSA allows an employee to set aside a portion of earnings to pay for qualified expenses, most commonly for medical expenses. Money deducted from an employee’s pay into an FSA is not subject to payroll taxes, resulting in substantial payroll tax savings.

An HSA, or Health Savings Account, is similar to an FSA but is only for those who have high deductible health plans.

So you can start on your beautiful new smile NOW without waiting!

Call NOW to set up your FREE CONSULTATION where Dr. Taylor can explain  all of your options and finalize the best treatment plan for you.

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A Perfect Smile Orthodontics
1400 E Expy 83 #155
McAllen,
TX 78503
956.630.6166

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