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Crooked or misaligned teeth can negatively impact your appearance and self-confidence. More importantly, they can encourage plaque and bacteria buildup in the mouth, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease.

Orthodontic treatments are a great way to straighten crooked teeth and improve the appearance and function of your mouth. The treatment can also help maintain the long-term health of your teeth, jaw joints, and gums.

Mainly, orthodontic treatments aim to correct numerous imperfections such as:

• Closing improper teeth gaps
• Aligning the tips of your teeth
• Correcting an improper bite
• Straightening crooked teeth
• Boosting the long-term health of your teeth and gums
• Correcting overbites, underbites, and crossbite
• Correcting overcrowding
• Improving chewing and speech abilities

What is Meant by Orthodontic Phases?

Orthodontic phases are the number of phases your treatment will take. On average, orthodontic treatments take about 6-12 months to complete. Depending on the severity of your condition, type of dental devices, and the patient’s perseverance, orthodontic treatments can occur in several phases.

The Different Phases of Orthodontic Treatment

The various stages in orthodontic treatments include:

Stage 1 – The Planning Stage

As the name suggests, the planning phase involves learning about your condition to make an exact diagnosis to align your teeth. It includes:

• Medical and dental evaluations – Your orthodontist will ask about your medical conditions, allergies, and medications. This evaluation ensures that existing dental and medical issues are under control before the treatment begins. In some cases, oral problems can affect medical complications.
• Study model or bite Impressions – Your orthodontist might ask you to bite down into a mouthguard-like tray filled with a gel that hardens around the teeth. It helps to create models of your teeth.
• Panoramic X-rays – Your orthodontist needs x-rays scans to view your teeth and underlying structures such as roots and jawbone joints.
• Computer-generated images – Your orthodontist also need digital photos of your mouth to make a customized plan. These images also help determine how specific treatments affect your face’s shape and jaw’s symmetry.
• Photographs – Your orthodontist may suggest taking pictures before, during, and after the treatment to assess the progress and impact of your treatment.

Stage 2 – Active Stage

The initial stage focuses on diagnosing your condition and developing a customized treatment. In the second stage, the orthodontist will recommend customized orthodontic devices to help move the teeth to the desired position. The device may be removable or fixed depending on your condition and preferences.

If you don’t like fixed orthodontic devices such as traditional braces, you can use removable devices such as clear aligners, facemask, and headgear. These devices should be worn for a few hours daily over the entire phase of the treatment.

Whatever orthodontic device you use will need to be adjusted or changed regularly to ensure the adequate and continual movement of the teeth. If your device gets damaged during treatment, notify your dentist immediately for a replacement.

Stage 3 – Retention Stage

Once you’ve finished the treatment and your teeth are correctly aligned, you will no longer have alignment devices. You will have to wear a retainer to ensure that the teeth do not shift back to their original positions.

Aligners must only be worn for a few hours daily over a specified period. The jawbone will gradually reform around the newly aligned teeth and stabilize them in the correct alignment.

Benefits of getting Orthodontic Treatment at Sunny Smiles

There are numerous benefits of getting your orthodontic treatments with us. These include:

• They improve your oral health: Straighter teeth are easy to clean, protecting your future oral health from issues such as gum disease and cavities.
• They improve your appearance: Straighter teeth make you look more beautiful, attractive, and youthful.
• They treat jaw problems: Correct teeth and jaw alignments can help treat and prevent jaw issues such as pain, poor bite, and TMJ problems.
• They improve oral function: Crooked teeth or improper teeth gaps can make biting and chewing harder. You should avoid certain foods which can cause malnutrition. Straightening crooked teeth and closing teeth gaps will restore your bite function for better feeding.
• They improve your self-confidence: Orthodontic treatments enhance your teeth’ appearance, positively impacting your self-confidence and overall wellness.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Do you or your kid need orthodontic treatments? Contact a kid’s dentist near you or Sunny Smiles Kids Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics for more information.

Although not all visits to dentists are associated with traumatic experiences, many people still have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety starts early in childhood, and when not contained, it follows you into adulthood. Therefore, it’s recommended you start taking your child to a dentist from an early age to prevent dental anxiety.

However, it would be good if you were not bothered since our dental practitioners offer sedation dentistry near you. Sunny Smiles Kids ensure that your children do not fear dentists. By taking your kids for regular dental visits from an early age of two years, you can help them beat dental anxiety.

How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?

Sedation dentistry comprises administering different drugs to keep the patient calm, relaxed, and peaceful during dental procedures. Sedation dentistry makes you feel comfortable in the dental room, especially if you fear visiting the dentist.

In most cases, sedation is administered to children since they are most affected by dental anxiety. The dentists use sedatives or tranquilizing drugs to help the kids get relaxed. Sedation is usually administered at different levels, depending on the procedure or test.

Firstly, minimal sedation keeps a child in relaxation mode yet awake and capable of responding to stimuli and providing feedback. Secondly, there is moderate sedation which the child drifts in and out of consciousness but can be woken by touch or sound. Lastly, deep sedation is when a child is unconscious and does not respond to stimuli.

The dentists administer various drugs that lower the patient’s degree of consciousness, thereby removing anxiety, eliminating pain, and keeping the patient calm. The dentist determines whether to administer sedation drugs by inhaling or via an injection.

Types of Sedation For The Child

• Inhalation

The dentist uses nitrous oxide for sedation, especially for mild tests, and procedures. It’s popularly known as a laughing gas and is famous for its properties to offer instant relaxation after being inhaled. It’s beneficial since its effects only last for a couple of minutes. The dentist determines the proper dosage for a child based on allergies, medical history, and radiological procedure required.

• IV Sedation

Popularly known as Intravenous (IV) sedation, it is used when a dentist needs to perform a painful, uncomfortable, and lengthy procedure. The patient falls asleep several minutes after getting the injection and remains in that state for as long as the dentist requires. The dosage may be added to increase the period of the effects.

• General Anesthesia

In some situations, children get overwhelmed by lengthy procedures, and it’s during such instances, the dentist may use general anesthesia. This sedation, however, requires an anesthesiologist to monitor and keep the patient comfortable in the course of the procedure.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe For Your Child?

Unlike popular beliefs, sedation dentistry is safe for your child. Luckily, the dentist always chooses between the different types of sedation when dealing with a child to guarantee safety. Nitrous oxide is one of the safest options for children.

The dentist uses an ideal type of sedation after evaluating a child’s traits and medical history. Whichever procedure the dentist chooses, you can trust it to be safe and keep your child as comfortable as possible.

Who Needs Sedation Dentistry?

Children are the top candidates for sedation dentistry since they are most affected by dental anxiety. Even so, other individuals require sedation dentistry.

They include:

• Patients with low pain tolerance
• Patients that are bothered by dental smells and sounds
• Persons with a highly sensitive gag reflex
• Patients who require a complex or lengthy dental procedure
• Individuals with physical complications that hinder effective dental treatment

Conclusion

Sedation dentistry is not reserved for children only. If you experience dental anxiety, request the dentist for sedation. Lastly, it would be best to book an appointment with a professional dentist to ensure you get the right sedation.

Children are playful, and nearly 50% of them will experience some injury during childhood. Mouth injuries are the most common injuries among children, especially toddlers and babies learning to walk.

Mostly, mouth injuries happen from a fall, fight, or injuries or biting on hard items such as nails. While possible, it’s very rare for a child to develop any serious complications. If it happens, serious injuries can have long-lasting effects on the child’s appearance, function, and self-confidence.

Getting your child the proper treatment on time is the best way to protect their oral health and prevent long-term complications. Besides, knowing how to administer the appropriate first aid for oral trauma gives your child the best chance of recovering quickly.

Causes of Dental Injury

Numerous factors can cause dental injuries among children. Falls, fights, and sports injuries are the most common. Oral injuries can also occur from car or bike accidents, burns, or when a child bites or pushes a hard or sharp object in the mouth.

Common oral injuries to watch out for include cuts and scratches on the mouth’s inner tissue, such as the gums, tongue, lips, and inner cheeks. Dental injuries such as chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth are also common. Your child’s oral injuries include mouth pain, chewing pain, swelling, bleeding, and difficulty eating or speaking.

Treatments of Dental injuries

Dental injuries can expose your child to cavities, decay, and oral infections. Therefore, it’s essential to have your child checked out by a healthcare provider. The treatment for your child’s dental injuries will depend on the child’s age, type of injury, and location of the injured tooth. Common treatments include teeth bonding, dental veneers, crowns, and extraction.

• Long-Term Follow-up After Injury

Even if the injured tooth isn’t painful or looks healthy, it’s still essential to take them to a dentist for treatment. Specific injuries to the teeth can require follow-up dental care, depending on the complexity of the injury and the child’s age. The treatment can take anywhere from weeks to years.

• Broken Primary Tooth

If your child’s primary tooth has broken, you should immediately take it to a pediatric dentist near you to determine whether nerves or blood vessels are damaged. The dentist will likely leave the tooth in place and repair it with a tooth-colored resin bonding material.

• Broken Permanent Tooth

If a child’s permanent tooth breaks, prompt treatment is essential to save it. You may be experiencing pain, bleeding, or sensitivity to cold or hot items. If there are tooth fragments, rinse them and store them in a glass of milk. You can repair the tooth with a composite resin filling material.

• A Dislocated or Loose Primary Tooth

Dislocation of the primary teeth is a common injury among children. In most cases, the dentist will leave the tooth in place to heal naturally. However, if the tooth is interfering with your child’s bite or there’s a risk of the tooth falling out and the child swallowing it, the dentist may recommend removing it. If the primary tooth falls out, it shouldn’t go back into the socket as it can affect the development of the following permanent tooth.

• Dislocated permanent tooth

If your child’s permanent tooth knocks out, you should immediately take them to the dental clinic, ideally within one hour. There’s a chance of saving the tooth by placing it back in the socket. In the meantime, rinse the tooth and save it in a glass of cold milk or a child’s saliva. The chance of saving the tooth reduces the longer the tooth hasn’t been reattached.

• Soft Tissue Injuries

Commonly, minor injuries to the cheeks, gums, lips, or tongue should heal naturally without any stitches. Large cuts may require stitches and follow-up care with a dentist. If the child has pain, you can apply an ice pack to the area or consult your dentist for pain medication. The dentist might also prescribe some antibiotics to prevent infections for large cuts and children with serious underlying issues such as heart infections.

Ensure your child:

• Brush their mouth at least twice daily using a soft-bristled brush
• Wear a mouth guard during sports
• Floss daily
• Use a mouthwash to prevent infection and swelling
• Eat a soft and non-spicy diet until the injury heals
• Take medication as prescribed by the dentist
• Go for follow-up meetings
• Go for regular dental checkups and cleanings

For more information about dental care and treatment for mouth injuries among children, visit our pediatric dentist near you at Sunny Smiles.

Children are not the best when it comes to maintaining excellent dental hygiene. For instance, they might not be able to brush and floss their teeth well, making them vulnerable to cavities and gum disease.

Additionally, dental trauma from playing sports is common in childhood. Helping your child with their daily dental hygiene, taking them for regular pediatric check-ups & cleaning, and getting a sports mouthguard are great ways to ensure optimal oral health.

Unfortunately, your child may still develop a dental problem. When dealing with children’s oral health, early intervention is critical. It would help if you always were on the lookout for any issues that may arise in their mouth. If you spot or your child complains about a dental problem, the best thing is to see an emergency pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

Indications That Your Child Needs To See The Pediatric Dentist

If you’re wondering how to tell if your child needs to see a pediatrician, here are the seven most common signs to watch out for:

• Complaints of Pain

Pain is always an indication that something is wrong. If your child complains about pain in their teeth, cheeks, gums, or mouth, try to talk to them to determine how severe the discomfort is. Pain can indicate tooth decay, damaged restoration, or damaged tooth. If your kid has hurt themselves recently, it could indicate dental trauma. Visiting a pediatrician will help relieve the discomfort and address the underlying issue.

• Loose Teeth Accompanied by Pain or Discomfort

While children lose their baby teeth to give way to adult teeth, it’s an excellent idea to see a pediatrician to review the condition if the child experiences pain. If necessary, the kid’s dentist in 92014 can extract the tooth and address any issues.

Similarly, if one of your child’s permanent teeth is loose and accompanied by pain, it could indicate tooth infection or gum disease. You should see a pediatrician to address the condition and save the tooth.

• Change in Tooth Color

Teeth discoloration, yellowing, or stains can be external or internal. For instance, if your child has had an accident recently, a change in tooth color could indicate a damaged nerve. It could also result from poor dental hygiene, tooth infection, certain medications, excess fluoride, and high consumption of acidic & colored foods and beverages. Visiting a pediatric dentist for urgent assessment will help determine the cause and solution of the discoloration.

• Persistent Bleeding Gums

When brushing, bleeding could indicate gum disease, tooth infection, or your child’s toothbrush is wrong. Bleeding is also common after tooth extraction or dental trauma to the soft tissue such as gums, tongue, cheek, or lip. For these reasons, consulting a pediatric dentist is required to address the issue and prevent further complications.

• Swollen or Sore Gum Tissue

You can expect minimal swelling if your child has hurt themselves when eating or playing. However, swelling could also indicate an infection or gum disease. If a swollen pimple or abscess accompanies the swelling, you must immediately take your child to the pediatrician. The dentist will address the infection and prevent further spreading to the surrounding structures.

• Terrible Breath

Suppose your child’s dental hygiene is good but has bad breath. If not addressed timely, it could indicate an infection spreading to the surrounding teeth, bone structure, and gums. Please speak to a pediatrician to determine the cause of the problem and fix it timely.

• Damaged Filling, Sealant, Braces, or Restorations

Does your child have a filling, sealant, brace, or crown? These dental work or restorations can break, chip, or fall out when exposed to excessive pressure. A damaged restoration can’t provide adequate protection against cavities and infections. Similarly, braces can hurt the child’s teeth, gums, cheeks, lips, or mouth if braces slip.

Visit an emergency pediatric dentist immediately to repair, restore, or replace your child’s damaged or lost restoration.

• Final Verdict

As we’ve seen above, your child isn’t too young to experience dental issues such as dental trauma, cavities, and gum disease. Neglecting their oral hygiene or possible dental problems could harm their current and future oral health.

Always consult a pediatric dentist urgently if you notice any child’s oral health issue. To speak with our kid’s dentist in 92014, contact Sunny Smile Kids Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.

Teeth are essential since they enhance your life in extraordinary ways. They improve your smile and allow you to speak well and eat comfortably. Many parents do not take the dental hygiene of their children very seriously. To ensure your child gets good oral health, take them to a pediatric dentist.

A pediatric dentist specializes in children’s dentistry, specifically preventative dental hygiene, restorative dentistry, and early growth and development evaluations. Although regular dentists often care for kids properly, your kid is in safe hands with a pediatric dentist. It would be best to take your child to a pediatric dentist near you irrespective of their oral issues. Sunny Smiles Kids offers pediatric dental services allowing kids to have optimal dental hygiene.

Children get their first tooth at six months and begin losing it at six. Therefore, ensuring they get excellent dental care and healthy teeth is critical. Children’s dental health is a battle that requires the dentist, the child, and the parent. A pediatric dentist helps promote healthy teeth in various ways.

Pediatric dentists receive additional training to understand child psychology, growth, and development of newborns, children, and teenagers. They also learn about children with special needs. Pediatric dentists are equipped with adequate skills to handle all problems arising in the mouth and prevent them. Furthermore, pediatric dentists talk to your child calmly, making them comfortable during the dental visit.

How to prevent early dental problems in kids

The pediatric dentist helps in various ways:

• Preventing cavities in your child

A pediatric dentist practices preventative dentistry, ensuring optimal dental health. The dentist counsels you to ensure you and your child understand the dental practices you should always follow. It involves brushing the teeth daily and flossing them regularly.

• Enlightens you about unhealthy feeding habits

Feeding habits are primarily responsible for oral hygiene. The dentist explains the unhealthy feeding habits that will cause poor mouth hygiene in your child. Unhealthy feeding habits include eating sugary foods, biting hard materials, and thumb sucking. If not controlled, these poor feeding habits result in poor dental hygiene. By adhering to healthy feeding habits, you may avoid putting your child on expensive dental treatment such as braces.

• Infant Oral Hygiene Toothbrush

The pediatric dentist also informs you about brushing the teeth of the infant or child. Unlike adults, children have special toothbrushes that are more kid-friendly. Infant toothbrushes have extra-soft bristles that take good care of their mouth. It’s also advisable to replace your kid’s toothbrush every three months. Brushing your infant’s teeth clears all the bacteria build-up, thus protecting their teeth and gums.

• What parents and caregivers can do

Besides taking the children to a pediatric dentist, the parents can prevent early dental problems in their children. Parents and caregivers are pivotal in determining their kid’s dental health trajectory.

As previously mentioned, dental hygiene for your child involves the pediatric dentist and the parent. As a parent, you must ensure all the guidelines and recommendations issued by the pediatric dentist are followed. Parents and caregivers are closer to the children and thus should enforce strict oral hygiene and practices.

Use a clean, soft, moist cloth wrapped around your finger to brush the baby’s gums for newborns under six months old. Between 6 months and one year, use a finger toothbrush with a drop of fluoride toothpaste. Past age 2, allow the child to brush their teeth with your guidance and supervision.

Parents and caregivers should also prevent their children from engaging in bad habits detrimental to their oral health. Such practices include thumb sucking and eating sugary foods. Further, they should ensure children’s feeding bottles and other accessories are clean.

Conclusion

Pediatric dentists are very crucial for any child’s development. The goal is always to raise a child free of dental problems such as tooth decay, tooth misalignment, gum disease, or early tooth loss. Early visits to the pediatric dentist will help you save so much, which would be spent rectifying dental conditions ignored earlier. Preventative dentistry is the first option when caring for your kid’s teeth. Children are delicate, and they, therefore, must be handled exquisitely.

Dental damage or injury can happen at any time, day or night. When you’re faced with a dental emergency, time is of the essence. It’s crucial to contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Unfortunately, not many clinics or dentists offer emergency dental care. Therefore, you should always have an emergency dentist to handle such cases.

Especially for children who may not control their feelings, having an emergency pediatric dentist can make all the difference. Such a dentist will ensure that they receive immediate attention when they need it the most. If you’re looking for pediatric emergency care, you can visit a children’s dental clinic near you or contact Sunny Smiles Kids.

Who’s An Emergency Dentist?

An emergency dentist is a dentist or healthcare professional that offers immediate care to dental patients. Most emergency dentists are available 24/7, ensuring that their patients receive ongoing oral care on time.

Reasons For Emergency Dental Services

Are you wondering when you might need to see an emergency dentist? Usually, not all dental issues require immediate attention. For instance, mild toothache can’t be a reason to seek emergency treatment. However, serious dental problems such as severe toothache or infection require emergency treatment.

If you’re curious when one should see an emergency dentist, below is a breakdown of dental issues that require emergency care:

• Knocked-Out or Lose Teeth

In most cases, accidents and sports are to blame for dental emergencies. If you’ve had an encounter that has caused your teeth to lose or fall out, you should seek immediate attention. For instance, a knocked-out tooth can be saved if treatment is obtained within 2 hours. Later than that, you may lose your tooth forever.

If your tooth is damaged due to tooth decay or gum disease, it’s also possible to loosen or fall out. In such a situation, it’s essential to see a dentist as soon as possible to develop other complications such as bleeding.

• Teeth Chips

Teeth chipping can happen for various reasons, including sports injuries, biting down hard objects, and accidents. Also, individuals who suffer from bruxism are more vulnerable to teeth chipping and breaking. Any chipped or broken tooth pieces should be preserved in a glass of water or milk and brought to the emergency dentist.

Having a broken or fractured tooth can be harmful. For instance, it’s possible to swallow pieces of the teeth, leading to further complications. Similarly, the damaged tooth can hurt or cause injuries to surrounding dental structures such as the tongue and gums.

• Severe and Consistent Tooth Pain

Consistent tooth pain can signify various dental problems, such as severe tooth decay and periodontitis. If a tooth’s pulp is infected, tooth pain and sensitivity are common side effects. When tooth pain comes suddenly, you should see an emergency dentist.

• Bleeding

Dental bleeding is another reason to see an emergency dentist. If your gums or teeth add bleeding, it could be a sign of severe gum disease, and the problem should be addressed immediately. Besides, if you’ve been involved in an accident and have sustained injuries, you should seek immediate attention to stop the bleeding.

• Damaged Restoration

Whether it’s a bridge or a crown that has cracked or chipped, you should see a dentist immediately. If the restoration can be repaired or replaced, the dentist should do it as soon as possible to prevent complications.

• Soft Tissue Injury

If you have injuries on the mouth’s soft tissues, such as the lips, gums, tongue, and inside of the cheeks, you should seek emergency care. As you wait to see the 24-hour dentist, you can rinse the injuries with warm water to cease the bleeding.

How To Avoid Potential Dental Emergencies

While not all, some dental emergencies can be avoided. Use these tips to prevent dental emergencies;

• Brush and floss daily
• Schedule professional check-ups and cleanings
• Wear mouth guards during sports and other physical activities
• Individuals with bruxism should wear night guards
• Avoid chewing hard foods or biting down on hard objects
• Avoid smoking

Final Verdict

How soon you can get in touch with an emergency dentist, the faster you can find relief. Besides, it will reduce the chances of further complications. If you’re interested in 24-hour dentist emergency services for kids, contact Sunny Smiles Kids to schedule your appointment today.

Statistics show that every three out of five people get jitters whenever they think of a dental appointment. So, if your child has dental phobia, you should know that they are not alone, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of since millions of children have dental anxiety.

So, don’t hesitate or feel embarrassed whenever you want to make your next dental appointment since you know your child throws a fit during a routine exam or even cleaning.

Dental phobia is an irrational and uncontrollable fear towards dental procedures or even the dentist. Dental phobia is a bit on the severe side and is different from dental anxiety. With dental anxiety, your child can be reassured and convinced that it is necessary to undergo the procedure.

In any case, dental phobia or anxiety can negatively impact your kids’ oral health. Hence the reason why our general anesthetic dentist offers sedation dentistry near you.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

People who have never undergone sedation dentistry may think it is a scary procedure. On the contrary, sedation dentistry is offered to help many patients with dental phobia relax to get the oral care they need.

In most cases, people may fear sedation since they think they may be unconscious during the procedure. Yes, there are forms of sedation that can render your child unconscious, but that’s not always the case. There are other forms of sedation that our general anesthetic dentist can help you pick what suits your child best and is appropriate for the procedure that you are undergoing.

When a trained and certified team administers sedation dentistry, it is safe. However, you can do the following to ensure your child’s safety during the procedure:

• Would you mind going over the complications or risks linked to sedation with our dentist?
• Ascertain that our dentist has gone through your child’s medical history to determine whether they are eligible for sedation.
• Find out what dosages our anesthesiologist will administer and if they are appropriate for your child.
• Find out whether our dentist or anesthesiologist is trained and has experience administering the sedative.

Who Administers Sedation?

Many dentists are certified to administer moderate and mild forms of sedation. A dentist must be accredited and trained to administer intravenous and general anesthesia.

However, our pediatric dentist near you has an anesthesiologist within the team who is certified and trained to administer and regulate levels of sedation when your child is undergoing dental procedures.

When is Sedation Dentistry Deemed Essential?

Besides having dental phobia or anxiety, sedation dentistry can be used in the following circumstances:

• If you have a sensitive gag reflex
• If you had a traumatic dental experience before
• If you are undergoing several dental procedures in a single visit

Types of Sedation

Understanding the different forms of sedation can help ease your mind. It is best to know the available safe options for your child. The types are:

• Inhalation Sedation

Our anesthesiologist will administer laughing gas to help your child relax during treatment. Technically, laughing gas is not a sedative but anxiolytic. Your kid will be completely conscious during the procedure. However, they would be more relaxed.

It is administered via a small breathing mask placed over your kids’ nose and calms their nerves but doesn’t cause them to sleep.

It is a very effective and light method of sedation. Laughing gas is mild and is quickly eliminated from their body.

• IV Sedation

If your child has dental phobia or anxiety, is very young, or has special needs, laughing gas will not work. Then, our dentist may recommend the use of IV sedation. Our anesthesiologist will administer the sedative intravenously. This type of sedation is fast-acting, and your child will feel the effects almost immediately after administration.

IV sedation may induce a moderate or unconscious response based on the dosage. Our anesthesiologist will adjust the levels as needed during the dental procedure.

A sedation dentist can help your child get the oral care they need. At Sunny Smiles Kids, we have a team of trained and certified experts who can administer sedation dentistry. Visit us today.

Most people visit the dentist for cleanings and treatment for other dental issues such as cavities and gum disease. However, most people tend to overlook the importance of orthodontics near you. For the most part, people view orthodontics as a cosmetic procedure, but it has more benefits than improving dental aesthetics.

You’d be shocked to know that very few people have perfectly aligned teeth. But as the years are progressing, more people are beginning to embrace the importance of getting orthodontic treatment.

Children benefit the most since their teeth are developing, making it easier to grow as they should. Hence, the reason why you should bring your little one to see our kids’ dentist in Del Mar is to get their teeth straightened.

But this doesn’t mean that adults cannot benefit from orthodontia. There are excellent solutions that can help straighten your teeth.

Why Do You Need Orthodontics?

When people dismiss orthodontics as a cosmetic procedure, they downplay its overall importance in oral health. Instead, most people fixate on the perfect smile at the end of the procedure and conclude that beauty was the purpose of undergoing the treatment. However, this is not the whole story.

View some of the reasons why you should consider undergoing orthodontics near you:

• • Orthodontic Problems Can Cause Speech Issues

Your teeth play a huge role in how you speak. Misalignment will affect how you pronounce words and even annunciate. This can make communication challenging, especially when you speak to strangers.

• • Orthodontic Issues Can Increase the Chances of Getting Periodontitis And Tooth Decay

Crowded teeth, poorly spaced teeth, or crooked teeth can be a nightmare to clean. In addition, the teeth can be closely packed together, making it difficult for you to floss or brush as you should. Therefore, there will be an accumulation of plaque. Eventually, tooth decay and gum disease can arise as a result.

• • Bite-Related Issues Can Affect Food Absorption

As you already know, digestion begins in the mouth. So, if you cannot chew food properly, your overall digestion rate will be poor.

• • May Cause Jaw Pain and TMD

Whenever your teeth are poorly aligned, you might have some discomfort in how your jaw is positioned. So, you will tend to use more energy when you are chewing, leading to extra stress on the temporomandibular joint. The problem can sometimes escalate and lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

• • Improves Your Appearance

When you have a perfectly aligned smile, you might be motivated to wear your smile proudly. A straight smile is always a delight to look at. Your confidence can be off the charts when your smile is straightened.

What Will Our Orthodontist Do For You?

The goal of orthodontia is to give you a functional bite and a healthy smile. Our orthodontist will accomplish this goal by:

• Straightening crooked teeth
• Aligning the tips of your teeth
• Closing wide gaps or space between your teeth
• Treating an improper bite
• Boosting the health of your gums and tooth

Some devices have to be used by our orthodontists to accomplish these goals.

Devices Used in Orthodontic Treatment

Irrespective of the device you choose, they all work under the same principle. All these devices are made to shift your teeth to the appropriate position b gently applying pressure on them. The goal is achieved after some time. In most cases, it’s somewhere between six months and two years.

All these devices fall under two main groups: removable and fixed devices. Here they are:

• • Traditional/Conventional Metal Braces

The traditional metal braces have been synonymous with orthodontics. This is because they are very effective when it comes to severe cases. Now, they have evolved and are made from high-grade stainless steel.

The problem is that they are not aesthetically pleasing to most adults because of the metal brackets.

• • Clear Braces

Clear braces are more aesthetically appealing than metal braces. They are similar to metal braces, but the only thing that sets them apart is that the brackets are created from tooth-colored material.

• • Self-ligating Braces

Also, self-ligating braces are similar to traditional metal braces. The main difference is that their brackets hold the archwire in place using a small spring-loaded door instead of elastics or o-rings.

• • Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are for people who desire a more discreet treatment. You get customizable trays of clear aligners that look like protective mouth guards, only that these have a sleek design.

• • Orthodontic Retainer

An orthodontic retainer is an essential component of orthodontic treatment. At the end of your treatment, it is used to hold your teeth in place as the gums adjust to their new positions.

Contact our kids’ dentist in Del Mar at Sunny Smiles Kids Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics if you need orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that diagnoses and corrects teeth and jaws that are ill-positioned and bite patterns that are misaligned. Most of these treatments are progressive and, therefore, require time for positive results to appear.

Is Orthodontics Only For Kids?

This is a misconception that adults tend to have when it comes to orthodontics—that they are only for young children. But, contrary to popular belief, adults can benefit from orthodontic treatments, too. Take a look at some of the basic treatments available to adult patients:

Basic Orthodontic Treatments

1. Braces 

Dental braces are alignment tools wherein brackets are adhered to each tooth and are regularly adjusted to forward your teeth’ alignment development.

These “brackets” are typically made of metal, although there are options for ceramic and/or plastic as well. Like the brackets, the coils, wires, wire ligatures, and hooks are also composed of metal. In contrast, its other parts like the separator, elastic ligature, and elastic chain are either latex or vinyl.

Patients who are allergic to these elastics can opt for their non-synthetic alternative.

There is a reason why braces are “glued” on with a tough, specialized bonding agent. The glue is used to affix brackets securely since you wear your braces for about two to three years or more.

And after that, you will be prescribed a set of retainers. Retainers are to be worn consistently for several months to a year or two.

2. Clear Aligners 

Clear aligners are well-known from the brand “Invisalign.” These removable aligners are used to align teeth gradually. Your dentist will plan your dental condition and map out how many aligners you will be using throughout the treatment.

Each new tray will differ in structure to slowly advance the alignment process.

Clear aligners generally necessitate 12 to 18 months before maximum results are seen. However, it is possible to notice minor teeth shifting in less than a few weeks from your first day of putting them on these trays.

Ensure to follow your dentist’s recommendation regarding these invisible braces for adults, which is to wear at least 22 hours daily.

3. Lingual Braces 

Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces. However, they are glued to the distal or “back” part of your teeth. Therefore, the brackets, coils, and wires are not visible when you smile.

These braces require adjustments, much like their traditional alternative.

You will have to wear lingual braces for about one to two years. At any rate, extremely overcrowded teeth will need an extra year or two. Afterward, I will fashion a retainer for you once your braces are removed.

4. Self-Ligating Braces 

Self-ligating braces function the way traditional braces do. Each bracket is bonded onto the anterior (front surface) of your teeth. But instead of having metal ties or elastics for securing the archwire in position, the self-ligating type has either an active or a built-in passive mechanism. This mechanism works as a door-like tool in locking the archwire to the brackets.

Active self-ligating braces require some pressure around the spring clip as it is slid in place. In contrast, passive self-ligating braces do not require pressure. Instead, your dentist will slide them through.

Despite the differences in their mechanism for holding the archwire and keeping it from moving, self-ligating braces are similar to traditional and lingual braces in function and treatment duration. They require a minimum of 12 to 24 months of treatment, with scheduled adjustments in between.

5. Surgical Orthognathic Procedure

Also called “orthognathic,” orthognathic surgery or “jaw surgery” is a dental operation that corrects severely misaligned teeth and jaws. This is an option for patients whose dental conditions are untreatable by orthodontic devices alone.

Patients with congenital disabilities in and around the oral cavity, along with those who have suffered from major accidents, can go for this type of dental surgery. Beyond cosmetic purposes, orthognathic surgery aims to repair teeth and jaw abnormalities permanently.

The surgery itself will take two to six or more hours. But the treatment duration, which includes a lengthy healing process, may last from one to three years. Furthermore, patients who undergo orthognathic surgery may still be prescribed specific orthodontic devices as a post-surgery treatment.

To schedule a consultation for orthodontic treatment in Del Mar, CA, give Sunny Smiles Kids a call. We provide orthodontic treatment to kids, teenagers, and adults.

Very few people naturally have straight teeth. However, you are not alone if you desire a perfectly aligned and beautiful smile. Nearly 4 million Americans wish to have a straighter set of teeth.

Years ago, metal braces were the only treatment that could straighten teeth. We now have various treatments in adult orthodontics that range from conspicuous metal braces to inconspicuous clear aligner braces. With these options, you can bid farewell to all the alignment and bite-related issues that have deterred you from having a healthy and stunning smile.

Orthodontics 101

Most people think of orthodontics as a cosmetic procedure. But this is just part of what the treatment can do. Orthodontics’s heart is giving our patients a healthy and functional bite. As an orthodontist for adults near you, we can help you get a functional bite by carefully analyzing your jaw’s position and tooth alignment.

Our orthodontist can make it so that your teeth line up like they are supposed to function as designed. The attractive smile is just the cherry on top.

Malocclusion will not only affect the aesthetics of your smile, but it can come with other issues. For example, you may have increased jaw pain because your teeth aren’t lining up correctly, leading to temporomandibular joint disorder. You can also experience speech issues and digestion problems.

Who Needs Orthodontic Treatment?

Almost anyone can benefit from orthodontic treatment, but some patients might need it more than others. If any of the following issues plague you, you may need to see our orthodontist for adults near you:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Spaced teeth
• Open bite
• Misplaced midline
• Crowded teeth

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?

Whichever device you pick, they all operate under the same principle. They are designed to shift teeth to a better position by applying pressure on them over a given time frame.

Orthodontics works by using various devices. The devices will fall into two categories: removable and fixed appliances.

Here are the various orthodontic treatments that our dentist near you offers:

• Traditional Metal Braces

Metal braces have evolved ever since they came into the market decades ago. As a result, they are much lighter and more effective than ever before. In addition, they are made from high-grade stainless steel, making them sturdy.

They have metal brackets, which are attached to your teeth. Then an archwire is used to link one metal bracket to another. These wires are the ones that apply pressure on your teeth so that they can move them to their new positions. They are effective clear aligner braces when dealing with severe cases.

The only downside is that most adults find them aesthetically unappealing and associate the treatment with teenagers and children.

• Lingual Braces

Lingual braces operate the same way as conventional metal braces, with the major difference being that they fit on the inner teeth’ surface. This is a fantastic feature that makes them virtually invisible when you smile.

Can use them to correct specific needs. For example, if you desire to straighten just six teeth, they are a great option.

• Clear Braces

Clear braces have more aesthetic appeal than metal braces. They are similar to metal braces; however, the brackets are made from tooth-colored material. Clear braces are also referred to as ceramic braces.

• Clear Aligners

If you are skeptical about metal braces because of their poor aesthetics, you can go for clear aligners. They come in customizable trays that look somewhat like boxers’ mouth guards. However, these have a better design and are more discreet.

• Self-Ligating Braces

These braces are similar to conventional braces. However, they differ in how they are designed. Traditional metal braces have o-rings or elastics that hold the archwires to the metal brackets. The brackets hold the archwire in place with self-ligating braces by closing a small spring-loaded door.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are looking for an inconspicuous option or you don’t mind having a bit of color in your mouth, we have a suitable orthodontic treatment for you. In any case, orthodontic treatment is essential if you have bite-related issues. Contact our dentist at Sunny Smile Kids to schedule a consultation for orthodontic treatment today.