Serenity Orthodontics Blog

You’re not alone if you’re feeling self-conscious about crooked or gapped teeth, especially if they’re located in the front of your mouth where they’re easy to see. But many patients with more minor issues wonder if there’s a more comfortable and convenient alternative to undergoing treatment with traditional braces.

Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a clear orthodontic alternative, but if you’re on a tight budget, you might wonder if you can save money by adjusting just one row of teeth rather than both. Continue reading to learn more about single-arch treatment and why it’s not usually recommended!

If you have an overbite, then you might not think much about it. After all, everyone has a slight one, so it’s only natural. However, if it’s severe and pronounced, then correcting it with orthodontics can go a long way in improving your quality of life. Here are four ways that fixing this malocclusion can be worth your time and money in the long run.

(more…)

Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a clear alternative to traditional braces because many teens and adults consider it to be a more discreet and comfortable treatment. These transparent trays are customized to fit over your arches to shift them to their ideal places over a set period.

But if you’ve noticed your aligners don’t fit correctly, it’s natural to have questions about what to do next. Continue reading to learn 3 tips you can try that might help before reaching out to your orthodontist to check the fit!

You’re not alone if you want a straighter smile but prefer to avoid the frustration and discomfort often associated with traditional braces. Many teens and adults alike choose Invisalign, which utilizes transparent plastic trays that fit over your teeth to exert consistent but gentle pressure to shift them to their ideal places.

But these clear aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours daily to be effective, and some patients struggle to meet this wear-time requirement. Continue reading to learn about 3 tips that can help you stay on track with your treatment!

Parents often assume braces are something that happen after all of a child’s baby teeth have fallen out. But in some cases, orthodontic treatment can begin earlier. Phase 1 orthodontics, also called early orthodontic treatment, can help guide the development of a child’s smile while they still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth.

So, can a child actually get braces on their baby teeth? In certain situations, yes. The goal isn’t necessarily to straighten every baby tooth. Instead, early treatment focuses on creating healthier conditions for the permanent teeth and guiding the growth of the smile.

You might think of your gapped or crooked teeth as more of a cosmetic concern, but they can also affect your dental health. For example, it can be harder to clean all sides of teeth that are pressed too closely together, which increases the risk of developing cavities or gum disease.

Thankfully, many dentists can help straighten your smile with Invisalign, but you might avoid it if you’re unsure what to expect. Continue reading to learn more about the step-by-step process to help determine if it’s right for you!

If you’ve recently been told that you need to wear rubber bands with your braces, you might be wondering, “What are these little bands actually supposed to do?” After all, your braces already have brackets and wires working to straighten your teeth. Why add another piece to the puzzle?

Rubber bands, also called orthodontic elastics, provide additional force that braces alone can’t. They’re often used to correct your bite and help your upper and lower teeth fit together properly. Your orthodontist selects the placement and strength of the elastics based on your individual treatment plan.

Losing an Invisalign aligner can be surprisingly stressful. After all, those trays are an important part of your orthodontic treatment, and you don’t want one missing tray to throw your progress off track.

The good news? Losing an aligner doesn’t necessarily mean your treatment is ruined. There are steps you can take to protect your progress and get your treatment back on track. The most important one is to contact your dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible.

One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign is that you can watch your smile gradually transform with each new set of aligners. But what if your teeth don’t seem to be moving according to plan? Maybe your aligners don’t fit quite as snugly as they used to, or you’ve noticed small gaps between your teeth and the trays. If so, your teeth may not be “tracking” properly.

While this can be frustrating, it’s often a problem that can be corrected. Understanding why your teeth may not be moving as expected can help you get your treatment back on track.

If your orthodontist has recommended “shaving” a small amount of enamel from between your teeth before starting clear aligner treatment, you might understandably have some questions. Don’t worry—interproximal reduction (IPR) sounds much more dramatic than it actually is!

IPR is a common orthodontic technique that involves carefully removing a very small amount of enamel from the sides of certain teeth. The goal is to create additional space so your teeth can move into better alignment. When performed properly, IPR is a conservative way to help make room for your teeth without requiring an extraction.