What You Should Know About Clear Aligners

Kelly Orthodontics

Advancements in orthodontics have given our patients more options for achieving the smile they have always wanted! At Kelly Orthodontics, we offer the latest in orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners, like Invisalign! Clear aligners allow Dr. Kelly to achieve the same results as traditional braces but without any brackets or wires. If you are thinking about improving your smile but can’t picture yourself in braces…clear aligners might be the perfect option for you.

What are Clear Aligners? Clear aligners use cutting-edge software and technology to shift misaligned teeth with a series of customized trays. Clear aligners are a removable orthodontic appliance. Clear aligners are made of a thermoplastic material and custom-designed to fit over your teeth. Although they look very different from braces, clear aligners use the same gentle pressure to gradually move your teeth into the perfect position.

Clear aligners offer more flexibility than traditional braces. Unlike braces, no part of the aligner is attached to the actual surface of the tooth. Because the aligners can be removed, they make it easier to keep your teeth and gums clean throughout the treatment process. Clear aligners are taken out before you begin your normal dental hygiene routine, allowing you to brush and floss the same way you always have. Did we mention that since the aligners are removable…there are no restrictions on what you can eat!

Are Clear Aligners Expensive? As clear aligners have become more popular over the years, they have also become more affordable. Clear aligners tend to cost about as much as traditional braces; however, the cost of your orthodontic treatment will vary depending on your individual needs and treatment plan.

At Kelly Orthodontics, our goal is to provide affordable, high-quality treatment that fits your budget. Our staff will discuss the cost of your treatment and your payment plan options so you can make the best choice for you, and your smile. We offer several payment programs including interest-free financing, prepayment discounts, and extended third party financing. We also have a multiple family member discount policy. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express and can easily arrange for automatic payment from your credit or debit card.

How Long does Clear Aligner Treatment Take? Each patient’s orthodontic problem is unique, and each patient responds to treatment differently, so there is no universal answer for how long your clear aligner treatment will take. In general, the total treatment time for clear aligners can be anywhere from 12-18 months.

There’s a lot to love about clear aligners, but they aren’t always a good fit for every patient. If you’d like to learn more about how clear aligners can transform your smile, give Kelly Orthodontics a call today and schedule a complimentary consultation. Dr. Kelly will assess your smile to determine if clear aligners are a good fit for you.

 

Throw Your Toothbrush Away

Kelly Orthodontics

Brushing your teeth is one of the most important ways you maintain your oral health. However, if you are brushing your teeth with an old or dirty toothbrush, you might be doing more harm than good.

At Kelly Orthodontics, we recommend that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months and even more frequently if you are wearing braces because your toothbrush becomes less effective once the bristles begin to wear down. Also, bacteria tend to build up on your toothbrush over time. Therefore, to stay in good health and ensure you are brushing successfully, it is important to replace your toothbrush after three months of use.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t keep a record of the last time you switched out your toothbrush…and that’s okay…we have some easy ways to tell if your toothbrush is ready to be replaced.

1. Do the bristles on your toothbrush look worn down or frayed? Check out the bristles on your toothbrush. Damaged bristles are not going to do the best job of cleaning your teeth. Therefore, if they are looking worn, it is probably time for a new one.

2. Have you been sick? While your toothbrush is used to clean your teeth, it is not immune to the accumulation of bacteria. If you’ve been sick, those germs can linger on your toothbrush. It is always a good idea to swap out your toothbrush after dealing with an illness.

3. Have you traveled lately? If you have visited another country or a new place where the water is not safe to drink, it is likely time for a new toothbrush to avoid getting sick.

4. Do you store your toothbrush correctly? When storing your toothbrush, you want to ensure you leave it in a place that is clean, dry, and allows airflow. Therefore, you shouldn’t be keeping your toothbrush near the toilet or in the shower, and you should not store it in an airtight case. Otherwise, your toothbrush could become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. If you have been storing your toothbrush incorrectly, toss it and replace it with a new one that you can hang in an upright position so it can dry out between brushings.

If you feel like changing your toothbrush every three months is wasteful, we’ve got a solution. Put that old toothbrush to work doing odd jobs around the house. Old toothbrushes are great at cleaning around facet fixtures and in tile grout. They can even be used to clean tools, computer keyboards, and tennis shoes.

 

Beautiful Smiles That Last A Lifetime

Kelly Orthodontics

It’s time to celebrate! You’ve just gotten your taken braces off and your smile looks amazing!

If you want to keep that beautiful smile for life, you are going to need to make sure you wear your retainer. Your orthodontic treatment does not end once we remove your braces. Wearing your retainer is the final step in keeping your smile perfect.

Your teeth aren't set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. They are held in place by bands of fibrous tissue called the periodontal ligaments. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position by your braces it takes time for the periodontal ligaments to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift. Even if your teeth don’t look like they have moved, that doesn’t mean they haven’t. If you go without wearing your retainer for long periods of time, your teeth will continue to move until misalignment is visibly noticeable. If you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your teeth will move out of alignment and back into their original, crooked places…it will be like you never went through orthodontic treatment at all.

The retention phase of your treatment begins as soon as your braces are removed and lasts about two years. So, please wear your retainer as prescribed by Dr. Kelly. If you have any questions about the retention phrase of your orthodontic treatment, please don't hesitate to contact our St. Charles orthodontic office. A member of our friendly and knowledge team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Facts About Braces

Kelly Orthodontics

At Kelly Orthodontics, we often get asked a lot of great questions about orthodontic care and treatment. We have also seen a lot of false information on orthodontic treatment. Some are rumors and others are myths that are believed to be fact.

Myth: “Braces and orthodontic treatment are only for children.”

Fact: Braces are not just for kids… orthodontics can be rewarding to adults as well. Teeth provide the support structure for the soft tissue of the lower face, including lips, and cheeks. By repositioning the teeth and jaw, skin can appear tighter, and lips can appear fuller. Adults can often achieve greater facial aesthetics without surgery or the extraction of teeth with a treatment plan utilizing an appliance that can expand the jaw and reposition teeth and gums.

Myth: “I can’t play sports anymore because I have braces.”

Fact: Having braces, does not mean you have to stop living your life! Whether you just received braces or are near the end of your treatment, braces should not be a barrier to playing any type of sport. If you wear a mouth guard, braces should not stop you from playing your favorite sport. If you are unsure which type of mouth guard to use or need more information on mouth guards, ask our staff.

Myth: “My dentist says he can give me braces or Invisalign.”

Fact: Both an orthodontist and a dentist are health care professionals that work on teeth. Both health care professionals help patients achieve good oral health and both are dental school graduates. All Orthodontists are dentists, but only a small percentage of dentists are orthodontists. Orthodontists must successfully complete an additional two to three-year residency program of advanced dental education in orthodontics. Orthodontists specialize in the alignment of teeth and services include treating misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, overbites, and under bites. Only an orthodontist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign.

A new smile means a new life change. At Kelly Orthodontics, we understand that a big decision like this is not easy. We will ensure that we answer all questions and make you feel comfortable. If you have any addition questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask us before coming to your first visit.

Solving Orthodontic Emergencies

Kelly Orthodontics

 

If you ever find yourself in what you believe to be an orthodontic emergency, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: is it really a true emergency or is it a less serious issue that you can fix yourself?

The vast majority of orthodontic problems are relatively minor although some may irritate your mouth or cause discomfort. In general, the best approach is to try to ease the source of the problem, and then call our office to schedule an appointment.

Here are three common orthodontic problems you may be able to take care of at home, prior to scheduling a visit to our orthodontic office:

Loose or Poking Wires: If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax or a cotton ball until you can see us for an adjustment.

If the main wire has come out of the tube on the back tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers. If the wire is sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. As a last resort, you might be able to snip off the end of the wire with a nail clipper you’ve sterilized in alcohol. However, first call our office for advice and instructions.

Loose Brackets or Bands: If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little colored rubber ring or a small steel ligature tie. Tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office and inform us of the problem.

If a piece of your braces break, save the piece and call our office to schedule a repair visit.

In cases of damaged wires, brackets or bands, it’s still important to call our office as soon as possible to arrange for repairs in order to keep your treatment plan on course.

Loose Teeth: It’s natural for teeth to become slightly loose when wearing braces…it’s a sign that your orthodontic treatment is working. Sometimes this tooth movement can be accompanied by tenderness, especially immediately after braces are fitted or adjusted. Try taking over-the-counter pain relief. Rinsing your mouth twice a day with a cup of warm water and half a teaspoon of salt can also be soothing. A heating pad or warm washcloth placed on your face may help to relieve tenderness as well.

If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a proxy brush to dislodge the food. If you cut your gums, tongue or the inside of your cheek, apply finger pressure to the bleeding site for several minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, call your family dentist or our office.

And Remember…If you are a patient in retention and your retainer cracks or breaks, remove the retainer from your mouth and bring all the pieces to our office for professional repair.