Orthodontics Blog

Invisalign is an excellent treatment for providing you with the smile of your dreams. The removable aligners can discreetly straighten the teeth of adults and may also be suitable for some older teenagers. On average, treatment generally takes a year to complete during which time you will need to wear your aligners just about all the time. However, once your teeth are beautifully straightened then it’s important that you look after your new smile. Your orthodontic treatment will continue even after your teeth are straight.

Everyone has that moment when they have had enough of their misaligned teeth. For some, the constant jaw pain has just become too much. For others, it may be an aesthetic reason that they decide to talk to an orthodontist. Whatever your motivation, Invisalign clear aligners can assist you in solving your smile problems. If you aren’t sure if it is the right time, there are some things that you may want to consider.

Everyone dreams of having a straight, beautiful smile. Unfortunately, many people suffer from having misaligned or crooked teeth. The embarrassment of having to hide your smile not only impacts your self-esteem and dental health but can also change how others interact with you. It used to be the only way to straighten teeth was through traditional metal braces that while effective, are fairly visible. That visibility often prevents adults from pursuing orthodontic treatment. Thankfully, there is a more subtle way to straighten your teeth: Invisalign. The benefits of choosing the Invisalign system over traditional metal braces or retainers has many people finally taking the first step towards a smile they can be confident with. Here are just a few of the many advantages of Invisalign.

If you have just had braces placed, then congratulations! Here at Ballard Orthodontics in Sandpoint and Bonner's Ferry, Idaho, we understand that many teenagers and adults are a little apprehensive when they first begin orthodontic treatment, but we’d like to remind you about the positives of having braces.

Most people imagine orthodontic treatment is an aesthetic procedure which is designed to improve the appearance of their smile. In fact, orthodontics can do far more than merely provide you with more attractive teeth as it can correct a number of other problems you almost certainly haven’t considered. For example, were you aware that poorly aligned teeth can affect your speech?

Do you avoid smiling because of misaligned teeth? Does your teeth or jaw hurt when you chew or bite hard foods? These may be a few indications that you need braces. While your orthodontist can help you determine the right treatment path, it is always a good idea to empower yourself by arming yourself with the correct information. Here are a few warning signs that you need braces, what to do, and how to get started prepping for the process.

It is amazing where technology has gone over the last several decades. Cell phones keep getting thinner, all the information in the world is available at any time to most people, and we are riding in self-driving cars. Orthodontics is a field that keeps progressing forward as well. Gone are the days of metal braces being the only option for patients. Here are just a few ways that braces have changed.

While intraoral scanners have been around for a while, many patients aren’t aware of the significant benefits they provide. In fact, most patients may not even know what an intraoral scanner is and what it does. We are happy to highlight the positive aspects that an intraoral scanner brings to our practice. If you have any questions about how your treatment may improve with an intraoral scanner, talk to your dental professional.

When you are making a trip to see your orthodontist, you may not know precisely what needs to be addressed with your teeth. You may know that you have pain, pressure, or that something doesn’t feel quite right. To narrow down your particular problem, or to prevent dental issues in the future, it is essential that you ask the right questions. With as much information that is out there, researching on your own can be overwhelming. Instead, here are some questions you should ask your orthodontist before treatment.

During orthodontic treatment, your braces will require thorough maintenance to ensure continued dental health. Ultimately you will need to spend a little longer brushing your teeth and it is important to always consider which foods are best to eat during orthodontic treatment. Initially, this might seem a little daunting, but it’s really quite straightforward, and the time you spend wearing braces will quickly pass (although it may not seem like it during treatment.) Before you know it however, they will be removed to fully reveal your newly straightened, healthy and beautiful smile. Initially, when your braces are placed, the staff at Ballard Orthodontics will carefully explain how to take care of your braces each day and will review your hygiene routine. But just in case you would like to refresh your memory, we have put together this article to help make this process more automatic for you during your orthodontic treatment.