About Braces
Your braces will be attached quickly and easily to your teeth, but a full day is necessary for the bands to completely affix. It is a good idea to wait several hours after getting braces before eating solid food. You may find it easier to eat soft foods for the first couple of days while you are becoming accustomed to eating with your new braces.
Comfort Concerns
The braces may feel a little awkward at first, and the teeth may be tender or sensitive to pressure. This is completely normal and will go away soon. It may feel as though the braces are “sticking out” at first, but this sensation will also soon pass. Small pieces of orthodontic wax may be used if the brackets irritate cheek tissues. The orthodontic office always has extra wax in case you run out, so give us a call if you need more!
Many patients will experience some discomfort at first, but the soreness will go away within the first few days or even hours of getting braces. It is impossible to predict exactly when the tenderness will end. Some patients choose to take over-the-counter pain relievers the first day of treatment to lessen the discomfort. To ensure the best result, take the medications before your appointment.
Eating Right
Braces are attached to your teeth with a strong adhesive but may become loose by eating certain foods. It is also possible that wires could become bent or broken without proper care. Since it is best to achieve orthodontic treatment goals with as few disruptions as possible, a well-balanced diet is important to ensure a healthy environment for your teeth.
Patients should avoid foods that are sticky, hard or chewy. They should also avoid any food and drinks that are known to cause cavities. Patients should brush, floss and rinse their mouth regularly between meals.
Eating restricted foods may cause problems which will result in extra visits for repairs and will ultimately extend the length of treatment. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy these restricted foods after completing your treatment. Any specific questions about food choices should be directed to the team.
Types of Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Dr. Martin offers traditional metal braces in Conyers, GA and Augusta, GA. These are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene, because ceramic braces are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth. Contact our staff to learn more about ceramic braces in Conyers and Augusta, GA.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and are therefore “invisible” when you smile. Lingual braces are 100% customized to match the shape of your teeth, and the metal appliances are created uniquely for you. Lingual braces are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors/actresses, musicians who play wind instruments, and adult professionals.
Invisalign
Dr. Martin’s office provides the most state-of-the-art procedures available to ensure optimal results for our patients. Invisalign® is a revolutionary system that utilizes 3-D computer graphics to design and manufacture customized clear appliances called “Aligners.” Invisalign appliances are virtually undetectable, easy-to-use, and comfortable to wear, ensuring that you can smile confidently both during and after treatment!
Q: How much does Invisalign cost?
A: As with other types of orthodontic treatment, the cost of Invisalign depends on the complexity of a patient’s case. The cost is generally slightly more expensive than traditional braces, but find out what your individual treatment involves by contacting our office for a free consultation! Here at Dr. Martin Orthodontics, we do not let finances stand in the way of you getting the beautiful smile you deserve. We offer a number of payment plans that allow any treatment to fit our patients’ budget.
Q: Does Invisalign really work?
A: Yes. In both clinical research and in orthodontic and dental practices nationwide, Invisalign has been proven to be highly effective at straightening teeth.
Q: Does insurance cover Invisalign?
A: Because medical benefits differ significantly from policy to policy, each patient should review their coverage to determine if Invisalign would be covered by your insurance. However, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, Invisalign should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces.
Q: What are aligners made of?
A: Aligners are made of clear, strong, medical-grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.
Q: What do aligners look like?
A: Aligners are nearly invisible and look similar to clear tooth-whitening trays, but they are custom-made for a better fit to move teeth. Some orthodontists and dentists have referred to them as “contact lenses for teeth.”
Q: How does Invisalign effectively move teeth?
A: Like brackets and arch wires, Invisalign aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that Invisalign not only controls the force, but also controls the timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system.
Q: What is the minimum age a patient must be to be treated with Invisalign?
A: Doctors can use Invisalign to treat a vast majority of patients with fully-erupted molars.
For more information on Invisalign, please visit www.invisalign.com.
Common Problems
Achieving a healthy bite is important at any age. Left untreated, crooked teeth can lead to periodontal disease and create abnormal amounts of stress on teeth and jaws which can lead to premature wear. The effects of crooked teeth can get worse over time and can adversely affect your overall health. It is important to have an evaluation done by an orthodontist to see if you can benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth, the opposite of spacing, is caused where there just isn’t enough space in the mouth for all your teeth. Crowding just gets worse over time as one tooth pushes over the other, leading to overlapping teeth. Crowded teeth are harder to clean than straight teeth, which will eventually lead to cavities and tooth decay. Crowding can often be corrected by expansion so as to avoid tooth removal.
Underbite
In an underbite, the lower jaw is longer than the upper one, which causes the lower teeth to protrude in front of the upper teeth. It is best to diagnose the problem early.
Overbite
An overbite, or deep bite, is when the front teeth cover the lower teeth too much. An excessive overbite leads to wearing down of the teeth and may even cause the bottom teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth.
Spacing
The malocclusion known as spacing is too much room between the teeth. Spacing can occur if teeth are missing, small, or if the dental arch is wide. The most common complaint from patients with excessive spacing is cosmetic.
Cross Bite
A crossbite is when the back upper teeth fit into the inside of the lower back teeth. A crossbite causes tooth stratification and misaligned jaw growth.
Protruded Teeth
When the upper front teeth stick out too far forward, or the lower teeth don’t extend enough, this is called protrusion. Because of the abnormal contact between the upper and lower front teeth, it could cause injury to the lower teeth. It also causes poor bites and may even be from uneven jaw growth. This problem can be caused by thumb and finger sucking.
Midlines Off
In a perfectly aligned face, there should be a straight line from the bridge of the nose to the bottom teeth – all should be lined up. If they are not and the bottom teeth are actually misaligned from the top teeth, then your midlines are off. When your midlines are off, your teeth could be drifted or your lower jaw could be shifted, which would result in an improper bite.
Open Bite
The common result of thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, an open bite, is when you can actually stick your tongue between your teeth while biting down. An open bite is a cosmetic problem, but it can also cause chewing problems.
Pain Relief
LIFE CHANGING DENTISTRY
Headache disorders impose a recognizable burden on sufferers including sometimes-substantial personal suffering, impaired quality of life and financial cost. Repeated headache attacks, along with the constant fear of the next one, damage family life, social life and employment. The long-term effort of coping with a chronic headache disorder may also predispose the individual to other illnesses. For example, depression is three times more common in people with migraine or severe headaches, than in healthy individuals.
The head and mouth are home to a myriad of nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones, which affect not only your teeth, but your overall health and well-being. The forces, which are created by these elements, when not properly balanced, can result in various symptoms. These include chronic head, neck and face pain, clenching, grinding, tinnitus, broken teeth, clicking/popping of the jaw and numerous other symptoms.
DR. MARTIN – TRUDENTA SPECIALIST
Dr. John Martin is proud to be on the forefront of offering this painless and comfortable therapy to ease head and neck discomfort. Dr. Martin is trained and equipped with patented examination, diagnostic and treatment technologies. He will quickly and objectively measure the dental forces which often lead to painful symptoms.
You will see a real time movie of your bite, and the distribution of the forces within your mouth, on a tooth-by-tooth basis. TruDenta’s proven methods identify issues which can lead to painful symptoms.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
“I truly enjoyed the treatment and definitely feel the difference.”
“After 40 years of headaches, I have not had another one in the 15 months since completing treatment.”
“I felt like a million bucks. After my treatment yesterday, I felt wonderful. It’s a total well-being experience.”
“It was absolutely amazing. It was really truly amazing. It was almost overwhelming. It was incredible.”
“Surprising how quick the results are after treatment.”
“It actually shows results after only one treatment.”
“I had headaches all day, every day. I was taking probably 24 Ibuprofen every day. [Since the treatment] I haven’t taken Ibuprofen for headaches for four weeks!”
RELIEVE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT
- Headaches
- Jaw, tooth, face, neck or shoulder pain
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Grinding of the teeth
NO PAIN, NO DRUGS, NO NEEDLES
TruDenta utilizes systems and methods perfected in sports and advanced dental medicine. The treatments are painless, pleasant and require no drugs or needles. With TruDenta, we are able to provide lasting relief from issues that you may have suffered with for many years. We also help reverse the unbalanced bite that leads to painful dysfunctions of the TMJ and dental foundation.
Call us today to schedule your brief and painless exam to find out the appropriate treatment option for your needs.
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