Wigal Orthodontics of Heath & Mt. Vernon Blog

Congratulations on your new braces! Soon, you’ll have a healthy, beautiful smile to showcase for all your efforts. However, until your treatment is complete, you’ll still need to take extra care of your teeth and gums to ensure that your results turn out as expected, even while you’re away from home.  Thus, your orthodontist recommends packing a braces survival kit to take with you on the go. Here’s everything you need to include in it, so you can keep your mouth clean and healthy whether you’re at work, school, or anywhere else!

If you underwent orthodontic treatment when you were younger, chances are you were given a retainer to wear to maintain your beautiful results. But often in life, patients let good habits (like using your retainer as prescribed) fall by the wayside. Unfortunately, this can result in your teeth shifting back into their old positions, or into other new improper places.

But what happens if you start wearing them again? Will it fix your smile? After all, it seems much easier and more affordable than getting braces all over again. Here’s why you should always wear your retainer, and if your teeth shift you should never rely on it to move them back!

Braces are one of the most effective and reliable ways to straighten teeth. You can count on them to get the job done! However, it must still be admitted that braces are not perfect. From time to time, you might run into irritating and bothersome issues. What are some of the most common problems with braces, and how can you deal with them? This blog post provides some helpful tips.

With Invisalign, your treatment works because your aligners fit securely to your teeth, moving them gradually without the need for wires and brackets. But what happens when they don’t fit correctly? After all, your treatment won’t be successful if you can’t wear your trays. If you’re struggling to put yours on, here are a few suggestions to help get them to go on, and what you should do if they don’t.

Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a more comfortable and discreet orthodontic alternative to traditional braces. However, because there are no wires or bands that can be adjusted, this method sometimes requires a little extra help to realign your teeth or bite effectively. Sometimes, your provider must bond small bumps or “attachments” to exert the proper pressure to move them as needed.

Although they may be required ongoing, these additions are typically removed after completing your Invisalign treatment. If you’re worried that getting these lumps taken off will be painful, continue reading to learn why you can set your mind at ease!

The air is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, which means it’s almost every parent’s favorite season: back to school! However, you might be a little bit more weary than usual if your little one is a teenager with Invisalign. How can you make sure they don’t fall behind on their treatment when you’re not watching them? Here are a few practical ways you can help make sure your teen with Invisalign stays on track during the school day.

Whether you had traditional braces or Invisalign, few days are as joyous as when you complete your treatment! However, before you leave to celebrate, your orthodontist will provide you with a retainer. After all, the last thing you want is to lose all of your hard-earned results! To keep you motivated to wear yours throughout the years, keep reading for three reasons why they are so important.

Crooked, spaced-out, and otherwise misaligned teeth are not a new concern. In fact, Christophe-Francois Delabarre is credited with using braces back in 1819! Over the years, advancements in technology and the field of dentistry have perfected the treatment, ensuring patients can safely, effectively, and quickly achieve their smile goals. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, then you may be wondering about the benefits of metal braces compared to discreet alternatives, like Invisalign. Here’s the answer!

Your family’s been waiting all year for summer to roll around. You have so many fun activities planned! Whether you are visiting some friends and family, heading to the beach, or just spending some quality time by the pool you’re in for a treat! However, if you aren’t taking care of your smile, you could end up with a dental emergency. Extra time in the dental chair could definitely put a damper on your vacation. Here are some summer oral health tips to help.