Blog Archives - A Perfect Smile Orthodontics

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.

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Been Told Invisalign Won’t Work For You?

Have you been told by an orthodontist or general dentist that “Invisalign doesn’t work” or that braces are a better option for your orthodontic treatment?

Before giving up on clear aligners, I highly recommend getting a second opinion.

We have seen many patients in the consultation room in the last few months who have been discouraged from starting with Invisalign treatment by other orthodontists when they are a perfect candidate for clear aligner treatment.

What that orthodontist does not tell the patient is that Invisalign wont work in their office because they don’t know how to use it. It is very important to understand that the effectiveness of Invisalign treatment greatly depends on the experience level that the treating orthodontist has with the product. Unfortunately, many doctors will tell patients that Invisalign won’t work because they are inexperienced with clear aligner treatments.

So how does the patient know if the are getting the real scoop about Invisalign treatment?

Go to Invisalign’s Doctor Locator, and research the experience level each orthodontist has with Invisalign treatment in your area.

Check It Out Here

If a doctor is not listed on the site, they do not use any Invisalign in their office.

Invisalign Elite Providers and higher have significant experience with Invisalign.

Also, be wary of chain practices that carry a high Invisalign ranking across their many locations as the Doctor you will see at your appointments may have little or no experience with Invisalign at all. Or the orthodontist working for a chain practice may live in another city (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio) and will not be in the Valley for the majority of your appointments.

Dr. Taylor is an Invisalign Elite Provider and a VIP Invisalign Orthodontist who has many years of experience treating patients with Invisalign. He is the RGV’s only Invisalign Elite Provider.

During the complimentary Invisalign consultation, he will let you know If Invisalign is a possible treatment option for you. Get the results you want with Invisalign clear aligners at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics.

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.

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

Dr. 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.

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

You 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

What is a Board Certified Orthodontist?

A board certified orthodontist is an orthodontist who has studied and performed hundreds of additional hours to fully demonstrate the judgment, skills and knowledge required for providing orthodontic services at the highest level of patient care. They have achieved board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics, the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association and in affiliation with the American Association of Orthodontists. The chart shown here is from the American Board of Orthodontics.

An orthodontist has not only fully trained as a dentist, including having completed a graduate program in dentistry to receive their DDS or DMD (Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine), but they have also done a competitive residency at a Commission of Dental Accreditation (CDA) approved orthodontic program for an additional 2-3 years to be trained specifically in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. And a board certified orthodontists must renew their certification every 10 years to demonstrate their continuous commitment to excellence.

Achieving board certification is the final step in a years long and intensive education to ultimately be able to provide the highest quality service to patients.

Orthodontics is more than just straightening teeth. Orthodontists understand the complexity of growth development and facial form. Treatment plans include issues related to the jaw and bite, not just movement of teeth. There’s a reason orthodontists go to additional years of highly competitive orthodontic school – to learn and perfect their ability in this specialty. A general dentist is ideal for providing regular oral health check-ups, comparable to your family doctor. Many dentists offer orthodontic treatment plans, but they do not have the extensive training or education in the area that an orthodontist has.

Although many Dentists offer braces, only 5% of Dentists are Orthodontists, and only 1% have completed their board certification exams to become a Board Certified Orthodontist.

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of orthodontic problems. They dedicate their professional lives to creating healthy, beautiful smiles in children, teens and adults. Well-aligned teeth are more than attractive: they make it possible to bite, chew and speak effectively. Orthodontic care is often part of a comprehensive oral health plan.

Dr. Taylor has dedicated himself to providing our community with the best in orthodontic care, and is proud to share his qualifications with you. He attended dental school, then specialized in orthodontics, and underwent the vigorous process to become a Board Certified Orthodontist.

What is an Elite Provider of Invisalign?

Dr. David Taylor is an Invisalign® Elite Provider. However most people don’t really know what that means. While every dentist or orthodontist who offers this revolutionary treatment is trained by the makers of Invisalign® to become a certified provider, there are different doctor designations based on overall experience and success.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably considering Invisalign for straightening your teeth and improving your smile. An equally important part of your decision is who will provide your treatment, guiding you through the process and ensuring success.

Elite providers are in the top 5% of providers as designated by Invisalign. Elite Providers have been working with the Invisalign product for a long time, with at least 300 lifetime patients treated. It is the highest level of achievement for Invisalign providers.

Reasons to Choose an Invisalign Elite Provider

Significant Invisalign experience under their belt.

It’s simple—if you want your orthodontist to be the most experienced Invisalign provider available, then you should choose one with Elite Provider status. These professionals are given this designation only if they meet the experience requirements. Elite Providers make up only 5% of all Invisalign providers in North America.

Elite Providers have received the best Invisalign training.

Only an orthodontist who has completed Invisalign training is qualified to determine whether or not Invisalign treatment is right for you. Dr. Taylor has committed many hours of education on the use of Invisalign technology to ensure you receive the best quality service.

Invisalign Elite Providers can treat more complex cases.

Because of the extensive experience they have acquired, Elite Invisalign Providers are able to treat moderate to complex orthodontic cases using Invisalign’s clear removable aligners. The Elite status means these providers are qualified to plan for even complex tooth movement.

Elite Providers put their long-term experience to work for you. Keep in mind that for some Invisalign patients, particularly for more complex cases, other orthodontic treatments may be required in conjunction with Invisalign. The Elite Providers know how to move teeth, guide the jaw and improve the bite for a healthier mouth—not just how to apply Invisalign.

An Invisalign Elite Provider results.

Because Elite Providers are experienced, potential patients will be able to see pictures of other patient’s successes. Even some of the Smile Team or the orthodontists themselves may be currently wearing, or have worn, Invisalign before! Also, an Elite Invisalign Provider will be able to tell you how many patients they have treated.

Remember, you are not purchasing Invisalign. You are buying orthodontic expertise that will use Invisalign. The orthodontist’s level of experience is essential to your smile satisfaction. Elite Providers have achieved a significant level of experience in treating patients with the Invisalign system.

How Does the Free Consultation Work?

Free Consultation with Dr. Taylor Anyone who is considering braces or orthodontic services can schedule to come in for a FREE CONSULTATION with Dr. David Taylor, a leading orthodontist in South Texas.

Your Consultation will include any needed X-rays and an exam by Dr. Taylor. Based on this, Dr. Taylor will discuss with you all possible options to straighten your teeth and give you a beautiful smile.

Whether you are looking at traditional braces, clear braces or Invisalign, Dr. Taylor will tell you exactly what you need to do, answer all your questions and together you will finalize the best course of treatment.

We will also check out any dental insurance you may have to see exactly what kind of coverage you can get for your treatment. If you need to co-pay or if you don’t have dental insurance, we can work with you and your finances to establish a low downpayment and low monthly payments that can fit your budget.

If you are looking for Medicaid coverage, please understand that Medicaid does not cover braces or orthodontic treatment unless it is deemed to be medically necessary. If Medicaid offered coverage, we would certainly utilize this, but unfortunately it does not.

However, we do offer affordable payment plans that are interest free and require no credit checks.

Dr. Taylor is a Board Certified Orthodontist and an Elite Provider for Invisalign. He’s gentle, caring and highly skilled. Call us to schedule an appointment. We are even open most Saturdays. Come in for a FREE CONSULTATION to get your teeth examined, discuss all of your options, find out exactly what you will need as a treatment plan and work with us on any financing to make it as easy as possible for you.

Clear Braces – A Great Braces Option

Straightening your teeth has so many great options that really anyone can have a beautiful smile without much suffering. It use to be that one had to deal with the slow form of torture often referred to as “metal mouth” for a couple of years to get your teeth straightened. Now we have many incredible options.

Invisalign has been a leader in the concept of invisible braces introducing a new way to straighten your teeth using a series of clear aligners that gradually moved your teeth into place. You take the trays out to eat, brush your teeth and put them back in. Invisalign gets great results and can handle most teeth alignment problems. The best thing about the Invisalign treatment is that it’s almost impossible to tell that you are wearing them.

However some people have had a concern that they may lack the discipline to wear the aligners for the required minimum of 22 hours per day. Or they don’t like pulling them out to eat and having to go brush afterwards each time. Or there may be other considerations or concerns.

Clear Braces – The New Kid on the Block

There’s a relatively new option in teeth straightening that not everyone knows about, and that’s CLEAR BRACES!

We have been providing Clear Braces to many patients in the Rio Grande Valley, here at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics. You can see how they look in the larger photo at the top of this post. Clear Braces are almost invisible. Now you can have regular braces but without the metal. Although they are clear braces, they are just as strong. They don’t get discolored and are easier to keep clean than traditional braces. You can read more about Clear Braces here.

A Perfect Smile Orthodontics offers easy payment plans with monthly payments as low as $99 per month.