Month: November 2022

Invisalign Or Braces

Many people choose Invisalign or braces to straighten their teeth and get beautiful alignment. Are you looking for a better smile? Orthodontic procedures will find the solution you are seeking, regardless of age. Orthodontics not only straightens your teeth but also enhances your bite for appropriate function, speech, and aesthetics. 

Invisalign and braces are excellent options to offer you a better smile by fixing your misaligned teeth. The wire of a traditional brace slides through brackets and applies force to the teeth to move them into the correct positions. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, use custom-made trays that fit over the teeth and apply pressure to realign them. Based on your dental requirements, your dental professionals at Oakville can assist in determining which treatment is most appropriate for you.

How does Invisalign work

Using the Invisalign brand of clear aligners, you will use a series of custom-made plastic aligners to fit your mouth. For eating and brushing your teeth, you can remove Invisalign, just like mouth guards. In most circumstances, you’ll need to replace your aligners every two weeks as they shift your teeth to a designated place.

Following a consultation with your family dentist at Oakville to decide whether Invisalign treatment is the right option for you, an initial 3D scan of your mouth is obtained and used to build your treatment plan. After the development of aligners, they will be measured for fit and come with instructions on how often to replace them and how long to wear them. 

We will schedule periodic check-ups for you so that we can assess your progress and give you the next set of aligners. To hold your new, radiant smile in place, you’ll receive a retainer at the end of your Invisalign treatment.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign offers a variety of advantages, including:

• Less noticeable: One of the most appealing elements of Invisalign is that the retainers are clear, so many people may not even know you are using them.
• Easily removable to eat and brush: Able to take out your aligners easily makes it simple to perform your dental hygiene routine and eat your regular meals.
• No limitations on your food choices: Because the aligners are removable, there is no need to be concerned about breaking a bracket with hard or chewy meals.
• Treatment requires fewer adjustments: Unlike traditional braces, you won’t need to visit your provider frequently with Invisalign since you’ll receive multiple aligners you can change at home.
• Easy and comfortable to wear: It’s incredibly comfortable to use Invisalign since it frequently doesn’t irritate your gums or the inside of your cheeks.

Downsides of Invisalign

There are some drawbacks to Invisalign because nothing in life is perfect:

• Requires discipline: You should wear clean aligners for about 22 hours each day to achieve the best treatment outcomes, which requires a lot of dedication. The removable nature of the aligners will need you to become used to putting them back on right away after eating or brushing your teeth. They, too, require frequent cleaning and maintenance, like your teeth, as food can harm them and collect bacteria.
• More likely to misplace: It can be simple to inadvertently lose your aligners when you remove them to eat, drink, or brush your teeth, especially if you’re out in public. Avoid putting Invisalign in napkins or on lunch trays, and keep your case close at hand at all times.
• Aligners can be expensive: Invisalign is more expensive than traditional braces in some practices due to the advanced 3D scanning technology and comfortable transparent material used to produce the aligners.
• Invisalign may not be effective in every situation: Due to its limitations in some tooth motions, Invisalign may not be the ideal treatment for everyone.
• There might be a need for attachments: Invisalign attachments may be necessary to help shift the teeth to their ideal positions in some situations. As the aligners grab onto the connectors, they exert light pressure and snap into place. To match the color of the teeth, the attachments are tiny button-like forms. When connectors are necessary, your dentist will explain which teeth will receive them.

How do Braces work

Traditional braces have advanced significantly over time. Compared to earlier, they are far more comfortable and minimally invasive. Ceramic or stainless steel brackets are attachable to the teeth using orthodontic glue.

A wire, made of various materials such as nitinol, stainless steel, or beta-titanium, is put within the bracket holes on each tooth and kept in place using tiny elastic bands. It applies moderate pressure to the teeth, letting them shift slowly into the correct position.

Benefits of Braces

The following are some advantages of traditional braces:

• It can address severe alignment issues: The severity of your condition has no impact on the use of conventional braces. Braces apply continuous pressure to the teeth, allowing them to move into ideal positions.
• There are various types of braces: You might be able to choose lingual braces or ceramic braces as an alternative to Invisalign if you’re seeking a discrete orthodontic solution. Braces placed on the backs of teeth are lingual braces, and ceramic braces are less noticeable than traditional metal braces due to their tooth-colored brackets.
• Less responsibility for compliance: It can be advantageous not having to remove your braces as you would with Invisalign. It can simplify things and occasionally speed up the course of treatment.

Downsides of Braces

The following are some of the disadvantages:

• Traditional braces are more visible: Traditional braces can be unappealing to certain people. They are more difficult to conceal than transparent aligners because of their metal appearance.
• It gets more difficult to brush or floss: Unlike transparent, removable aligners, traditional braces are only temporarily fastened to the teeth. Food and dental plaque can readily accumulate around braces, resulting in tooth damage and discoloration if not removed. Brushing and flossing after meals are vital for keeping your teeth strong and healthy.
• Need to avoid some food: Diet and beverage intake need to be taken care of when wearing traditional braces. Avoid consuming hard and sticky food to keep the brackets from being dislodged from the teeth. When braces break, it might interrupt treatment goals and result in a prolonged overall treatment period.
• Often necessitates more frequent check-ups than Invisalign: Traditional braces frequently necessitate more frequent visits to your dentist for wire adjustments.
• Wearing traditional braces could be bothersome: Metal braces may occasionally be painful and irritate your mouth tissue. The discomfort often subsides quickly, and any mouth sores that may already be present tend to heal quickly.

When picking between Invisalign and traditional braces, there are many factors to consider. There is no need to panic since your dental professional will help you assess the benefits and downsides to help you decide what is best for your smile. They are often available to respond to any queries you may well have regarding your treatment.

The primary objective of Oakville Family Dentist, Dentistry on Dunn is to offer you a relaxing, personalized, and caring dental experience. You make an appointment with us today.

Understanding the importance of dental care during pregnancy is one of the best strategies to avoid cavities and periodontal diseases in early childhood. It’s crucial to keep visiting your dentist during pregnancy since hormones associated with pregnancy and morning sickness might affect your oral health. While it’s understandable to be concerned about the well-being of your unborn child, skipping your appointment or disregarding tooth pain can do more harm than good.

Why is dental care crucial during pregnancy?

Due to the varying hormone levels, you are more likely to develop several oral issues during pregnancy, such as tooth decay and gum disease. So, preparing for a baby entails numerous preparations, including appointments with a doctor and even your dentist.

Your dental health is vital not just for your overall health but also for your baby’s well-being. It’s crucial to let your dentist know if you’re expecting or think you could be pregnant. Make careful to mention any medications you are taking and any medical issues you may have.

What impact does pregnancy have on oral health?

The effects of pregnancy on your dental health can worsen existing dental issues or create new ones.

There is an increased chance of acquiring the following oral problems during pregnancy:

• Gingivitis: Gingivitis affects 60 to 75% of women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pregnancy gingivitis is a condition caused by hormonal changes that might occur during pregnancy. Your body’s ability to combat oral microorganisms may be compromised, resulting in swollen and bleeding gums. If left untreated, this condition can lead to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontal disease. During your pregnancy, your dentist may recommend more frequent dental cleanings.
• Tooth Decay: There is a higher risk of developing tooth decay during pregnancy due to dietary changes such as frequent snacking and an increase in carbohydrates, exposure to stomach acids after nausea and vomiting, and poor dental hygiene. According to the CDC, if you don’t take precautions to prevent cavity-causing oral bacteria, these hazardous germs can be passed to your baby through mouth-to-mouth contact after pregnancy.

• Dental Erosion: It is common for pregnant women to suffer from morning sickness, which may result in vomiting. Not only is this painful, but it also exposes your teeth to damaging acids that erode your tooth enamel.
• Pregnancy Tumor (Pyogenic Granuloma): Some women may develop temporary extra-oral tissue growth, most typically on the gums, known as a pyogenic granuloma or pregnancy tumor. It could be due to hormonal fluctuations or an accumulation of tooth plaque. They have the propensity to bleed readily and have a raspberry-like appearance.
• Periodontal Disease: According to the CDC, some study has revealed a possible link between periodontal disease, a more advanced and severe form of gum disease, and preterm birth, low birthweight kids, and the development of pre-eclampsia. Inflammation of the gums, bone deterioration, and even tooth loss are signs of periodontal disease. To prevent gum disease from progressing and causing injury to you and your baby, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing).

How to avoid dental problems during pregnancy?

One of the most effective strategies to avoid dental problems during pregnancy is to practice good oral hygiene. Maintaining a healthy mouth requires regular flossing and twice-day brushing with a soft-bristled brush for two minutes each. 

Use toothpaste with fluoride and inquire about professional fluoride treatments from your dentist to reduce the risk of tooth decay and the symptoms of dental erosion caused by nausea. If you are experiencing difficulties cleaning your teeth due to gag reflex, consider brushing your teeth more gently, using a toothbrush with a smaller head, or brushing at different times of the day. Changing the flavor of your toothpaste also might help.

Eating well-balanced and healthy meals is especially vital during pregnancy, as it can affect your baby’s tooth growth while in utero. Make sure to incorporate tooth-friendly foods like calcium, phosphorus, protein, folic acid, and vitamins A, C, and D in your diet. Additionally, drink fluoridated water to stay hydrated and support the health of your dental enamel.

It’s not just you if you’re feeling nauseous in the morning. After vomiting, you should avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading damaging acids throughout your mouth. If you wish to neutralize the acids immediately, you can rinse with a solution of water and baking soda.

How to address dental problems during pregnancy?

Our Oakville family dentist can address dental issues during pregnancy safely and effectively. Unless your dentist recommends it, you should not postpone getting fillings, root canals, or tooth extractions during pregnancy. A dental anesthetic can also be used safely during pregnancy.

Is getting an X-ray safe during pregnancy?

The American Dental Association (ADA) states that X-rays are safe to use at any point during pregnancy—usage of thyroid collars and abdomen aprons for protection while taking X-rays.

When should a pregnant woman go to the dentist?

The importance of dental care during pregnancy should be your top priority. It is vital not to ignore receiving treatment because this can lead to several issues. Make sure your regular check-up and cleaning appointments with your dentist are made and let them know of your pregnancy.

Our Oakville Family Dentist, Dentistry on Dunn will advise you on the importance of dental care during pregnancy.