Great Question! Expansion is the process of creating growth change — usually to help alleviate crowding which most often prevents the need for extractions. Expansion also can correct a dental cross bite where the back teeth fit inside of the lower back teeth.Not all cross bites, however, require a growth change. Often, the back teeth are tipped to fit inside the lower back teeth. In this case, we simply need to upright the upper molars cheek-wise to make the correction. We make the decision on whether to expand by measuring the width of the upper front teeth and the width of the jaw at the upper 1st permanent molars. The upper jaw should be 35 to 40 millimeters for us to obtain a stable result. So we actually measure to make sure there is a proper proportionality. James McNomara has been teaching this diagnostic method since the late 1980’s and…
collegeville orthodontist
The future of Invisalign
Align Technology has provided orthodontists with a novel treatment that has enabled us to serve patients who otherwise would never have considered treatment with traditional braces. Initially, we only offered Invisalign® in simple cases with moderate spacing or crowding. We did not attempt to correct severe bite problems, such as overbite and open bite cases. The past few years have brought significant changes to our Invisalign® possibilities. Technological advances such as digital scanning of teeth contours and improved aligner plastic have contributed to a farm more accurate fit of the appliance. A better fitting aligner means more streamlined movements of teeth. Thus Invisalign® has become the treatment of choice for most adults and teenagers. The advantages of having Invisalign® treatment vs. braces include shorter treatment times, less discomfort, and easier cleansability. The cost of treatment is about the same, so increasingly patients are choosing Invisalign® treatment. Coming soon are overbite…
Soda, Braces, And Your Teeth
What’s In That Drink? You probably already know that soda is chock full of sugar, but did you know that it’s also highly acidic? For reference, stomach acid, one of the strongest acids, has a pH of 1.5, whereas water is neutral at a pH of 7. Sodas generally range in acidity from a pH of 2-4. The strong acidity from citric and phosphoric acids is actually the reason for all the sugar—without it, soda would be too sour to drink! Effects On Teeth The sugar and acid in soda launch a two-pronged attack on your oral health. Sugar is bacteria’s favorite food, so you’re giving the bacteria in your mouth a feast when you drink anything full of sugar, which allows them to reproduce faster. You’ll end up with bad breath and a higher risk of cavities as a result. As for the acid, the protective enamel coating your teeth…
Invisalign is an option for YOU!
Orthodontics has improved dramatically since the mid-eighties when I first became certified as an orthodontist. Braces are engineered to be more esthetic as well as well as more “patient-friendly.” They are easier to brush and keep clean, as well as healthier for the teeth and gums. Arch-wires also make the orthodontic experience more comfortable and efficient. They deliver lighter forces more continuously than in the past. This enables patients to finish treatment faster with fewer patient visits to the office. Since 1999, Invisalign has dramatically improved the orthodontic experience. Clear removable plastic aligners are worn in sequence to achieve orthodontic treatment goals. They must be constantly worn 20 – 24 hours per day to gain results akin to what achieve with braces. Additionally, they work best with full adult dentition which limits its use to adults and teenagers. We ask all prospective Invisalign patients to “know thyself” and envision whether…
Self Improvement
Orthodontics is all about self-improvement. We are very thankful to have the opportunity to improve your smiles. Helping you look great boosts your confidence and enables you to optimize your dental health. The trend today is to want to look your best, stay healthy, and fit. Workout centers are everywhere and they are always busy. I urge you to seek self improvement in every way possible. The past few years, I’ve enjoyed staying fit, but also have focused on reading. I am not just reading anything, but I am reading books that focus on self-improvement. I’ve shared these books with my friends and family. It is consensus that the favorites are by Andy Andrews. The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift being the most liked. Adults favor Og Mandino and well as Andy Andrews. Og wrote The Greatest Miracle in the World and The Greatest Salesman in the World. Reading these…