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One of the most commonly expressed complaints among individuals who have acquired dental braces as a means of correcting tooth problems is the difficulty of keeping one’s teeth and braces clean. In recent years the orthodontic community has seen a rise in the number of individuals who have turned to sonic toothbrushes in an attempt to keep their mouths healthy and feeling fresh. But do sonic toothbrushes—which can range in price from $80 to over $150—really offer a considerable advantage o
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Of the many options orthodontists have to assist patients with bite and spacing issues, rapid palatal expanders (RPE) can be a sound choice for many patients. The RPE is a dental apparatus placed on the roof of the mouth, between the two sides of teeth. The center of the expander is 'turned' with the use of a special tool called the key. These turns are executed at regular intervals, as directed by an orthodontic professional, to slowly push open the jaw structure. This allows for alignment of t
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Sometimes it seems like children and parents spend most of the year looking forward to the summer, and those few short months of sunshine and fun can quickly fill up with vacations, family road trips, days on the beach or at the swimming pool, etc. But summer is also a perfect time for kids and parents to make health and lifestyle changes, since it gives them time to adjust before they have to go back to busy school year schedules. One important change that many people don't consider making duri
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Traditional dental braces use elastic o-rings (which most patients just know as tiny, colored rubber bands) as ties to hold archwires in place on the teeth. Heavy forces are applied to overcome friction and ensure that the teeth are straightened and any malocclusions or other improper bites are corrected. For years, these have been the standard, but advances in orthodontic technology are allowing for new ways of creating orthodontic appliances that can be safer, more comfortable, and lead to bet
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Anyone who is at all active on the Internet, especially in tech circles, can’t possibly have avoided hearing a lot about recent advances in 3D-printing (more formally known as “additive manufacturing”) technology. A 3D-printer essentially lays down multiple layers of material over and over again to produce a solid, three-dimensional object in almost any shape. Materials used range from thermoplastics and metal alloys to paper and plaster. The first published account of what would come be c
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The use of orthodontic appliances to correct misaligned bites, crooked teeth, and a plethora of other dental problems is a practice dating back several hundreds of years. The twentieth century witnessed the development of orthodontic dentistry as we know it today, with what is now known as the American Association of Orthodontists coming into being in the year 1901. While orthodontic techniques have come a long way since their early inception, only recently have advances in orthodontic technolog
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Being fitted with braces—or any dental fixture—can be a painful, unpleasant experience. The first few weeks after the initial fitting are particularly uncomfortable and problematic because it takes time for teeth and gums to adjust. Braces realign the teeth by applying constant, low-grade pressure, and the gums respond by becoming swollen and sore. Fortunately, there is a simple and low-cost remedy that is clinically proven (and dentist approved) to ease pain and promote dental health: Low-t
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Tooth care is essential for everyone. At an early age we are taught the importance of brushing our teeth and flossing twice a day for a nice smile, but as we get older some people require braces to straighten teeth. These people have an extra challenge with keeping their teeth clean and brushing and flossing becomes even more important.
Braces are appliances that an oral health specialist uses to help straighten teeth. There are many kinds of braces including: traditional, invisible and remov
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Preparing children for dental exams can be a source of stress for parents. With a little care and some planning, preparing children for the dentist visits can be a streamlined and successful experience. Start children off with a dentist as soon as they need to start seeing one. Generally, visiting the dentist can start at age 1, or when their first tooth comes in. Making dental exams an annual, normal part of life makes it a much less fraught experience.
Keep a positive attitude while explain
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Where oral health is concerned, orthodontists agree that for individuals who wear a retainer—an orthodontic appliance designed to hold a patient's teeth in place following the removal of tooth realignment devices such as braces—sanitation is of the utmost importance. Retainers are subject to two issues in particular: bacteria, which in addition to increasing one's risk of illness may also cause odor; and plaque, a white film that, when not cleaned away regularly, hardens to such a degree tha
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Author kevinpike 
Posted in Orthodontic Patient Care
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