Comprehensive Dental Health Care

When you go to the hospital, you have access to all sorts of specialists.  This helps to ensure that no matter what is wrong, you will have access to the kind of treatment you need to get better.  But when it comes to seeing the dentist or orthodontist, this often is not the case.  Instead, you see just one person who offers a limited range of services.

But here at Dr. Snow Orthodontics, we are set up more similarly to your local hospital in that we have multiple doctors with multiple specialties working at our clinic.  This gives you access to all the services you could possibly need for a healthy and attractive smile.  Need an orthodontist to straighten your teeth and a cosmetic dentist to whiten them?  You can do all of that at our practice.

Why did we opt for this model over a single-doctor practice?  Because we know how overwhelming it can feel to seek treatment when you know you have more than one problem to correct.  And we do not want you to feel like getting the treatment you deserve is too much to take on, which can result in you avoiding treatment completely instead.

Our team believes that everyone deserves a smile that is both healthy and beautiful, including you.  Whether you want whiter teeth, straighter teeth, need complete restoration, or some combination thereof, we are here to help.  Turn to our orthodontists in Valencia for the smile you desire.  Visit our website to learn more.

Is Braces Treatment Painful?

Every time we get a new patient seeking braces treatment, we get asked the same question: is braces treatment painful?  This is a legitimate question to ask, so we want to answer it as best as we can.

In short, no, braces treatment is not painful.  However, the best answer we can give is a little more complicated than that.

Braces treatment alone does not require surgical tools, tooth removal, or drilling.  Depending on the unique needs of the person in treatment, other methods may be needed to fully correct their smile, and depending on what these are, they themselves might cause varying levels of pain.  But braces themselves are not painful.

What braces can do is cause some discomfort or irritation.  Most of this occurs when the braces are first placed on the teeth.  During this time, your teeth must adjust to the presence of the braces and the forces they place on the teeth.  Because of this, your teeth may feel sensitive to biting pressure for 3-5 days.  This sensitivity returns each time your braces are adjusted, but in this case, it is usually just for about 24 hours.

Another aspect of braces that causes discomfort is that the braces can rub against the soft tissues of the mouth.  This irritates the mouth and can make it feel a bit raw.  However, you can reduce the irritation with dental wax and eventually the tissues of the mouth will adjust to the presence of braces.

What is far more painful than having braces are the problems that can arise from not having them.  When teeth are too close together, it is difficult or impossible to truly clean between them, leading to gum disease and even tooth loss.  When bites are not aligned, it stresses the jaw joint, leading to TMD.  There are also other problems that can develop when orthodontic problems go untreated.

Because of this, the discomfort of braces is by far the best choice.  And since it is temporary but delivers lasting results, we believe that the discomfort it causes is nothing in the grand scheme of things.  To know more about braces in Santa Cara and Palmdale, visit our website.

The Ever-Evolving Field of Orthodontics

When you think about orthodontics, what is the first thing you think of?  Braces, right?  In fact, for many people, braces are the only thing they associate with orthodontics.

But the truth is that orthodontics encompasses many aspects of oral health treatment and maintenance, and braces are just one part.  And as each year goes by, we add more and more treatments to the field while also reworking older forms of treatment to make them better for our patients.

Because of this, orthodontics is always evolving.  The easiest way to see this is to look at what we are best known for: braces.

Once upon a time, the only braces available to patients were clunky metal braces that fit oddly and irritated the mouth.  Now, we offer many different types of braces and braces alternatives.  Traditional metal braces have been streamlined and are now made of better materials.  For those wanting a different look, we offer gold braces and WildSmiles brackets.  To help patients who dislike the look of braces, we have ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign.

There are so many options out there, and there will be many more in the years to come.  If you have opted out of treatment in the past, we urge you to reconsider.  We are confident that we have a form of treatment that will work well for you.

To learn more about Orthodontics in Tehachapi, visit our website.

Can Braces Be Fashionable?

Teens have always cared about how they look, and about fitting in with their peers.  However, we have seen an increase in concerns amongst our teen patients in recent years, mostly due to the popularity of social media and YouTube fashion and makeup vloggers.  Because of this, teens are more hesitant than ever to correct their smiles.

However, it is vital that when orthodontic care is recommended, you get the treatment you need.  We firmly believe that braces can be fashionable when you take the right approach.  Below are some of our recommendations.

Show Your Personality 

For many teens, worse than having something ugly is having something boring.  In fact, a lot of current fashion is about embracing the ugly and the awkward.  Because of this, one way to make braces fashionable is to customize them in fun and funky ways.  This can be done by using WildSmiles and other unusual brackets and by using colored elastics.  With the brackets, you will need to stick to the design you choose throughout treatment, but elastics can be changed at every visit if you want.

Use Lingual Braces 

These braces are more expensive and more complicated than traditional braces.  However, they are placed on the tongue side of the teeth, rendering them invisible.  Because of this, many teens are interested in using them.  We do recommend they only be used by responsible teens since they can be harder to brush around and floss around.

Try Invisalign 

Invisalign is a braces alternative that uses clear aligners instead of metal wires and brackets.  Because of this, many teens want Invisalign in Agoura Hills and Valencia.  Because Invisalign is removable, we only choose it with teens who can be responsible for their treatment and ensure they wear their aligners 22 hours a day or more.  For those who can keep up with their treatment, we offer Invisalign Teen.

There are also other forms of treatment that may work well for teens concerned about how they will look while straightening their teeth.  To learn more, visit our website.

Our Lives Are Full of Smiles and Joy!

Why did we get into the field of orthodontics?  Because we wanted to change people’s lives for the better.  But why we stay is because being in this field of work means having a life that is full of smiles and joy.

Our patients come to us with a wide array of problems, from those that are merely cosmetic to those that prevent them from living a good life.  And we are given the privilege of correcting these problems.  The end results are often life-changing for our patients, and being part of this transformation truly is an honor.

Are you considering orthodontic treatment?  If so, we want you to make an appointment as soon as possible.  Once you learn about what we can do for you, you will wonder why you waited.  To help give you the little push you need, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of orthodontic treatment.

• Once you correct your smile, you will look better.
• When you look better, you feel good about yourself.
• Self-confidence can help you in all areas of your life now and in the future.
• Your teeth will be healthier and feel better.
• There is less of a chance that you will develop TMD.
• Your teeth will last longer than they would without treatment.

Of course, orthodontic treatment alone does not promise a lifetime of healthy teeth.  In addition to treatment, you need to be careful to take good care of your teeth and gums.  To do this, follow this oral health regime twice a day and see a dentist at least twice a year:

1. Brush your teeth for two minutes or more, spending the same amount of time on each part of your teeth. Angle the brush towards your gums as you brush, and use short, circular strokes.
2. Brush your tongue. If you want an extra clean tongue for super fresh breath, use a tongue scraper after brushing.
3. Floss your teeth carefully, accessing as much of the teeth as possible, even around the gums.
4. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash to kill bacteria and wash away any debris knocked loose while flossing.

During orthodontic treatment, appliances can complicate this routine, but it will be more important than ever to stick to it.

To learn more about the treatments we offer for healthy smiles, read about our Tecachapi and Valencia orthodontics treatment at drsnow.com.

Invisalign Treatment Offers Comfort and Convenience

Once upon a time, straightening your teeth meant wearing big, obvious metal braces.  In fact, that once upon a time wasn’t all that long ago.  But now there are many options when it comes to achieving a straighter, healthier smile, with one of the most innovative being Invisalign.

When Invisalign first entered the market, it revolutionized the way people think about orthodontic treatment.  Before, people thought of it as ugly, inconvenient, and even painful.  But none of those adjectives describe Invisalign, and soon it seemed like every patient wanted it, and every company wanted to recreate it.

What makes Invisalign so different?

The biggest thing is the material Invisalign is made from.  Instead of the usual metal components seen with braces, Invisalign uses clear, medical-grade plastic.  This makes the product invisible to those around you, allowing you the option of discreet treatment.  It also makes it more comfortable since there are not rough pieces to cause sores in the mouth.

The next big difference between Invisalign and other forms of braces treatment is that it is removable.  This is helpful in many ways.  First, you do not need to change your diet to avoid damaging Invisalign since you can remove it to eat.  Second, you do not need to relearn how to brush and floss.  Third, you can see the doctor less often because you make the adjustments by switching out aligners.  As you can imagine, these are big benefits.

Finally, another major difference is how Invisalign is made.  With most types of braces, you use the same pieces marketed towards every other braces patient.  But Invisalign is custom made for you using 3D imaging technology.  This means that you get a very accurate treatment plan and know that the aligners you wear are perfect for your specific needs.

Are you interested in Invisalign in Valencia or Agoura Hills?  Visit our website to learn more.

A Quick Look at Having Braces

So, you need braces.  Maybe this has already been confirmed by your orthodontist, or maybe you just believe this is going to be the case when you finally visit the orthodontics clinic.  In either case, it is a good idea to start learning more about braces and what they can do for you.

Why Braces Are Needed 

When we think about why someone might need braces, we usually think about teeth that are too far apart or too close together, but there are other maladies that can be treated with braces as well.  Underbite, overbite, and jaw disorders all can be treated with braces.  In some cases, braces are just one part of treatment, while in other cases they are all the treatment.

Always Get Braces if Recommended 

Many people are tempted to skip braces if they feel that the issues being corrected are minor.  However, we have learned from experience that this is a mistake.  As you get older, the problems tend to worsen.  Additionally, even if they do not get worse, most orthodontic concerns can also impact your ability to keep your teeth clean and healthy.  This means that a failure to get treatment can result in gum disease, cavities, and loss of teeth.

Braces Are Not Painful 

This is usually the greatest fear that our patients have, but it is one that we do not want you giving much mind to.  Braces do cause sensitivity and discomfort when they are first placed, but not genuine pain.  This discomfort is easily treated with salt water rinses and an OTC pain reliever.  It usually lasts 3-5 days when braces are first placed and returns for about a day or so each time the braces are adjusted.

Length of Treatment

The length of your treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of braces you use and the severity of the problems being corrected.  In most cases, treatment will last about two years.  However, it is important that you do not fixate on a specific length of time since treatment can take longer or go faster depending on how things play out.

If you want to learn more about braces in Santa Cara and Palmdale, call us or visit our website.