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My Braces are Off But My Wisdom Teeth are Coming In

woman looking worried You’ve been patiently waiting for your orthodontic treatment to come to an end and your braces to come off. You followed all the oral hygiene instructions during and after treatment, but now your wisdom teeth are starting to come in. Will they ruin your new smile?

At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we get this question a lot and rightfully so. With the typical timeline for orthodontic treatment being between about 18 and 36 months, we understand that it would be very disappointing for all that hard work to go to waste. In some very rare cases, the eruption of wisdom teeth can shift the teeth and ruin past orthodontic treatment, but again, this is rare. This is why it is important to maintain a relationship with an orthodontist, like Dr. Amir Davoody, even after treatment has ended. Once your wisdom teeth do come in, it can be determined if they need to be removed or not. Read More

What to Expect in Your First Week With Braces

young adult girl smiling in braces You’re getting your braces put on for the first time and you’re not sure what to expect. One thing is for sure; your oral hygiene practices will definitely change. To help prepare you for what’s in store and make the most of your orthodontic treatment, we at Greater Houston Orthodontics explain what you can expect from your first week in braces:

Placement Day

On the day your braces are put on, the process should be relatively painless. In the hours following placement, you may notice that it will take you longer than usual to finish meals as you get used to wearing and chewing with braces. Stick to softer foods (like soups, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, shakes, etc.) for the first few days while your teeth and mouth adjust. You may also experience slight discomfort or soreness as the teeth begin to move.Read More

What To Ask At An Orthodontic Consultation

Dentist-showing-patient-her-x-ray Orthodontic consultations are often times a complimentary introduction for orthodontists, like Dr. Amir Davoody, to get to know you and your oral health concerns. The best thing you can do to make the most of your consultation is to prepare a list of questions beforehand. To help you get started, we’ve come up with a list of common questions answered during our complimentary smile exams.

How Long Will My Treatment Take?

It is important to first note that orthodontic treatment is not a “one size fits all” approach to straightening teeth. At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we develop orthodontic treatment plans based on the individual needs of each patient to ensure they get the best results. Be sure to ask the orthodontist for an estimate of how long your treatment will take as the length may vary depending on how complex your situation is. Read More

The Top 3 Best Drinks For Your Teeth

green and herbal teas In a previous post, we discussed some of the drinks that have a negative effect on the teeth. This included soda, fruit juices, and coffee. While it may seem like water is your only beverage option, fear not. There are a few drinks still available to quench your thirst without affecting your orthodontic treatment.

Milk

Not only can it help build strong bones, but milk is a great source of calcium. Calcium helps to repair and maintain tooth enamel to keep your teeth strong. Lactose intolerant? Don’t worry. Calcium-fortified soy milk is a great alternative to getting the same benefits as regular milk. However, it is important to keep in mind that milk also contains sugar which, if left on the teeth for too long, can cause tooth decay.Read More

Orthodontic Treatment: One Phase Or Two?

Did you know that orthodontic treatment is not just for teens and adults? In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that by the age of 7, children should have an initial orthodontic consultation. These comprehensive consultations determine whether or not a child’s teeth are developing properly or if early orthodontic treatment is or will be needed in the future.

Phase 1 vs Phase 2 Orthodontics

The typical process for Phase 1 orthodontic treatment involves a patient being fitted for their appliance (braces for example) which is worn until their teeth move into their proper positions. Some patients may require extractions or surgery prior to beginning treatment. Once the teeth are properly aligned, the patient wears a retainer to keep the teeth from shifting back. Read More

Are You Too Old For Braces?

Portrait of a happy patient with braces on the teeth, sitting in the dental chair, in the background a young doctor dentist When you think of braces, who do you picture wearing them? If you’re like most Americans, children and teens come to mind. If you’re unhappy with your smile, you probably think you missed your chance for straight teeth, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanks to advances in technology, orthodontic treatment for adults has become more common while producing excellent results. So much so, The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) found that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 18.Read More

What is the Value of Orthodontic Treatment?

woman getting braces examined Did you know that orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth? The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) states, “The goal of orthodontic treatment is a beautiful smile and a good bite—meaning straight teeth that mesh well with the teeth in the opposite jaw and look great.” A straighter smile isn’t only good for aesthetics, it can also make it easier for you to bite, chew and even speak.

Cost vs. Value

Compared to the drastic increase in the price of a house or car in the last 20 years, you will get more value with orthodontic treatment as it typically lasts longer than most people keep a car or even the same house. With proper oral hygiene, the beautiful new smile you achieve with Dr. Amir Davoody at Greater Houston Orthodontics can last a lifetime at an unbelievable value. Read More

Now Available For Kids as Young as Six!

The same impressive Invisalign technology adapted for children who have mixed adult and juvenile teeth, aged 6 to 10-years-old.

At Greater Houston Orthodontics we highly recommend having your child seen by an experienced orthodontist around their 7th birthday. Why so soon? Early orthodontic treatment isn’t for everyone but in specific cases, a child comes to us with moderate to severe orthodontic issues that just can’t wait for later treatment. This is referred to as Phase 1 treatment or early interceptive treatment and is performed before all of a child’s permanent teeth have erupted, a situation called early mixed dentition (a mixture of primary/baby and permanent teeth.)

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