Silver Spring Dentists Explain the Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment, PART 1

This article explains the many benefits of seeking orthodontic treatment at an appropriate age. These benefits aren't only corrective in nature; they're also preventative.

Orthodontists are dental specialists who are skilled in the full suite of procedures and treatments designed to correct badly aligned jaws and bites, as well as the resultant problems. So, wherever there is a problem, ailment or defect concerning the oral cavity and maxillofacial skeleton, an orthodontist is the Silver Spring dentist to see!

Here are some of the benefits of undergoing orthodontic treatment:

Orthodontic Treatment for Silver Spring Residents Can Improve Bite Function

By aligning the top and bottom jaws and by straightening crooked, overlapping and/or overcrowded teeth, orthodontic treatment improves the ease and comfort with which patients can eat. This not only has functional benefits, but it improves the distribution of pressure on the teeth, and therefore the amount of wear they have to sustain. Bad bites often result in the accelerated wear of teeth in a certain portion of the mouth, which can actually lead to their early decay and loss.

Orthodontic Treatment for Silver Spring Residents Can Improve Oral Comfort

A better and more comfortable bite also relieves pressure on the muscles, tendons and joints controlling the movement of the lower jaw. "It's not uncommon for patients with malocclusions to experience temporomandibular joint disorders, chronic neck and headaches and general fatigue as a result of the selective strain on certain muscles in the face, jaw and neck," explain dentists in Silver Spring MD. "Treatment eases, if not eliminates these problems entirely."

Orthodontic Treatment Can Give Silver Spring Residents a Healthier Mouth

By straightening crooked and overlapping teeth and by aligning the upper and lower jaws correctly, orthodontic treatment can eliminate potentially serious resulting problems, such as the uneven distribution of wear on the biting surfaces of the teeth. This is, according to Silver Spring dentists, something that can, without intervention, lead to fracturing, decay and the early loss of teeth that are forced to endure greater strain and wear than others. A well-occluding bite is a healthy bite and a healthy bite makes for a healthier mouth!

Orthodontic Treatment Can Make it Easier for Silver Spring Residents to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Teeth that are crooked and overlap each other provide excellent refuge for bacteria and are more likely to trap food. They're also far more difficult to brush and floss, since the natural creases and gaps between them are so complex. According to dentists in Silver Spring MD, this is why orthodontic braces, which straighten the teeth, can actually help to lower one's risk of tooth decay resulting from poor oral hygiene. Crooked teeth are simply more difficult to keep clean, which highlights just one of the many benefits of orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic Treatment for Silver Spring Patients Can Greatly Improve Smile Aesthetics

Nothing can ruin a smile quite like a bad bite - overbite, underbite, cross-bite and open-bite - or crooked, overlapping teeth. A beautiful smile is one that has good symmetry and evenness. Orthodontic treatment can address all of the problems above, not only restoring a healthy bite, but also greatly improving the appearance of your smile.

Orthodontic Treatment for Silver Spring Patients Can Improve Self-esteem and Confidence

As a result of the previous benefit discussed, patients can experience a tremendous increase in self-esteem and social confidence. This is especially true and important for younger patients who, should they receive earlier treatment, can enter into their teens with beautiful, symmetric teeth and well-aligned jaws. Having a comfortable well-occluded bite also helps confidence as it removes the distraction of sore, fatigued and strained facial, neck and jaw muscles.

Elimination of Speech Problems and Difficulty Swallowing

Malocclusions can also be linked with speech impediments - such as lisps - and, in certain extreme cases, difficulty in swallowing. Orthodontic treatment can eliminate these problems, thus greatly improving a patient's overall quality of life.

Orthodontic Treatment Can "Cure" Snoring and Sleep Disorders

Malocclusions or defects in the sinuses, nasal passages and maxillofacial skeleton can cause patients to sore or have sleep disorders like sleep apnea. It may sound surprising that the solutions to these problems lie in the hands of an orthodontist, but they frequently do!

A Final Note on Orthodontic Treatment

The prospect of orthodontic treatment can seem quite daunting for many patients. This is because the nature of treatment is either a waiting game, as is the case with braces, which require an average treatment time of one to two years and sometimes even longer. OR because treatment comes in the form of surgery, which is scary no matter how big or small the procedure is. What's important in either case is that you focus on the immense benefits of treatment as have been discussed here.

An Orthodontist in Silver Spring MD Answers Your FAQ About Orthodontics, PART 3

This three-part article series provides a comprehensive FAQ guide to orthodontics: the field of dentistry concerned with the correction of teeth orientation and jaw alignment.

Welcome back to this three-part article series on your frequently asked questions about orthodontics. Let’s jump straight back into answering those pressing questions, shall we?

FAQ: Can adults benefit from orthodontic treatment? Or is it reserved for younger people whose jawbones are still developing?

An Orthodontist in Silver Spring MD Answers: Orthodontic treatment can be done to benefit patients of just about any age. Approximately a quarter of all the patients treated for various orthodontic problems are adults, so a beautiful and healthy smile is within easy reach!

FAQ: How does orthodontic treatment work?

Answer: It really depends on what condition you’re having treated and just how severe that condition is. Many Silver Spring residents’ dental problems can be successfully treated with braces, in which case, it really is a waiting game. Braces consist of brackets, which are cemented to the outer surface of each tooth. An archwire is then threaded through the brackets, connecting each tooth to the next one. These wires are tightened, which applies a pressure, via the bracket, to each tooth and this gently and slowly guides the teeth into better and more favorable positions.

Orthognathic surgery can be done to address the more extreme cases of malocclusion - such as overbites, underbite, crossbites and open bites - or to correct damage done to the oral and maxillofacial area as a result of a bad accident.

FAQ: If I need braces, how long will I have to wear them for?

A Silver Spring Orthodontist Answers: Treatment time varies from patient to patient and depends on the severity of malocclusion and tooth orientation. On average, orthodontic patients wear braces for between one and two years, sometimes longer. The amount of time it takes for treatment to be considered successful also depends on how well a patient complies. It’s crucial that you keep regular scheduled appointments with your orthodontist and maintain a high standard of oral hygiene to avoid decay and infection.

FAQ: Does it hurt to have braces?

Answer: The actual procedure involved in placing braces does not hurt the patient, according to Silver Spring dental professionals. You will probably feel a pressure applied to the teeth at the time, which, over the next few days, can leave the teeth and gums feeling quite sore and tender. This typically disappears within one to four days. You will also need to grow accustomed to the feeling of the braces against your lips and cheeks. Orthodontists will send Silver Spring residents home with soft wax, which can be pressed into the brackets to improve comfort and help prevent ulceration from occurring.

Every few weeks or so, you will need to return to your orthodontist to have your braces tightened so that a continual pressure can be applied to your teeth. Every time this is done, you will experience the same degree of transient tenderness. This can quite easily be managed with over-the-counter pain medications; however, most patients don’t even need that.

FAQ: Can having orthodontic braces interfere with me playing sports?

A Dentist in Silver Spring Answers: Your braces should not get in the way of you playing sports - and winning. It is, however, recommend that patients wear a mouth guard to prevent damage to the teeth should they get whacked in the mouth with a ball, flailing fist, etc. You can have a mouth guard custom made for you at your local Silver Spring dental healthcare professional. Alternatively, you can just buy a standard one over-the-counter at your local sports store. They aren’t expensive and come in a wide range of colors, so you can choose one to match your favorite sports team!

An Orthodontist in Silver Spring MD Answers Your FAQ About Orthodontics, PART 2

This three-part article series provides a comprehensive FAQ guide to orthodontics: the field of dentistry concerned with the correction of teeth orientation and jaw alignment.

Welcome back to this three-part article series on your frequently asked questions about orthodontics. In Part 1, a Silver Spring dentist helped us better understand what this field of dentistry focused on - the correction of badly orientated/aligned teeth and jaws - and what the benefits of this kind of treatment might offer patients: better bite function, comfort, smile aesthetics, long term oral health, etc. So, without further ado, let’s continue looking at those FAQ!

FAQ: What signs might indicate that I, or my child may need orthodontic braces?

The Orthodontist in Silver Spring MD Answers: Braces are used to guide poorly aligned and/or overcrowded teeth into better and more favorable positions. Therefore, some of the signs that indicate braces may be necessary include:

• You have a deep bite: Your upper front teeth cover your lower teeth when biting down.
• You have an overbite or “bucked teeth”: Your upper front teeth protrude notably over your lower teeth.
• You have an underbite: Your lower front teeth sit in front or on the outside of your upper front teeth when biting down.
• The central point of your lower set of teeth does not align with the central point of your upper set of teeth.
• You experience difficult chewing and frequently suffer jaw and headaches and stiffness.
• You have an open bite: Your lower front teeth and upper front teeth don’t come together when you bite down.
• Your teeth are overlapped and/or over-crowded.
• Your child continues to thumb-suck past six or seven years of age.
• You or your dentist has noticed an uneven and excessive pattern of wear across the biting surfaces of your teeth – this may indicate a maloccluded bite.
• You have large spaces between your teeth.
• Your lower jaw shifts to the left or right when you bite down.

Any of these problems could necessitate treatment from a Silver Spring orthodontist.

FAQ: At what age should I go for or bring my child for orthodontic treatment?

A Silver Spring Dentist Answers: Jaws and teeth that are still in the developmental state respond quicker and more easily to orthodontic treatment, which is why it is generally recommended that people take their child to an orthodontist for a check-up around the age of 7 years. This is especially the case if he or she is still sucking his or her thumb, which can cause serious orthodontic problems. Early treatment is also preferable because it avoids the many potentially more serious problems associated with a maloccluded bite, for example uneven and accelerated wear.

If, however, you have reached adulthood and suspect that you have orthodontic problems, you can still be treated! Many people in their 30’s and 40’s and even older have come to see the orthodontist for braces or other procedures to correct bad bites and poor jawbone alignment.

FAQ: What does it mean when an orthodontist talks about Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment?

A Silver Spring Orthodontist Answers: Phase 1 treatment is essentially early treatment and is typically done on patients who are between the ages of six and 10 and so haven’t received all of their adult teeth yet. Phase 1 orthodontic treatment would therefore typically involve partial braces or expanders, which can be used to create more space in the dental arch for emerging teeth as well as to address underbite, crossbites and overbites.

Phase 2 treatment is typically recommended by Silver Spring dentists to patients who have developed all of their adult teeth. This applies to the age bracket between 11 and 13 and generally involves the placement of full orthodontic braces.

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read the answers to more of your frequently asked questions, stay tuned for the final installment of this three-part article series on orthodontic dentistry in Silver Spring MD.

A Dentist in Silver Spring Answers Your FAQ about Orthodontics, PART 1

This three-part article series provides a comprehensive FAQ guide to orthodontics: the field of dentistry concerned with the correction of teeth orientation and jaw alignment.

Orthodontics is an extremely important branch of dentistry, not only because the treatment it provides can improve bite function and long term oral health, but also because it’s able to provide patients with much better, more comfortable and beautiful smiles! In this three-part article series, we spoke to a dentist in Silver Spring about orthodontics so that we can all benefit from a valuable insight into this field of corrective oral healthcare.

FAQ: What is Orthodontics?

The Silver Spring Orthodontist Answers: “Orthodontics is a field of dentistry dedicated to the treatment (and diagnosis and prevention) of facial and dental irregularities, such as skew teeth and a poorly aligned jaw or bite. These can either be a result of congenital or birth defects or accidental trauma. In the case of teeth replacement, many orthodontists also offer experience in the treatment of the diseases that cause tooth loss and in the placement of dental implants.”

FAQ: What is an orthodontist?

The Dentist in Silver Spring Answers: “An orthodontist is a dentist who has the additional training and qualification necessary to guide facial development, manage tooth movement and correct defects/trauma and disease affecting the oral and maxillofacial skeleton. Orthodontics is a recognized dental specialty, according to the American Dental Association.”

FAQ: What are some of the benefits of orthodontic treatment?

The Orthodontist in Silver Spring MD Answers: “In most cases, if not all, the goal of orthodontic treatment is to improve overall oral health by correcting a maloccluded bite, which can either be the result of poorly aligned teeth and/or jawbones. While the goal is correctional in nature, the results are almost always aesthetically beneficial for Silver Spring MD patients and those from elsewhere, as well.”

Here are some of the many benefits of orthodontic treatment:

• Teeth that fit better and therefore function better.
• A more comfortable bite, which eliminates problems such as muscle strain and inflammation around and of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This in turn can solve the many problems caused by TMJ disorders, including chronic headaches, muscle fatigue, neck pain, jaw stiffness and even nausea caused by migraines.
• A more aesthetically pleasing and attractive smile.
• Increased self-confidence, which is especially important for young patients in their developmental years (teenagers).
• Improved ability to maintain oral hygiene, since teeth that are straight and even are easier to brush and floss.
• Orthodontic treatment guides the teeth into newer and more favorable positions in the mouth.
• Better and healthier long-term wear pattern across the biting surfaces of the teeth, which translates into better long-term oral health for Silver Spring residents.
• Orthodontic treatment reduces the risk of trauma to any teeth that may protrude from the mouth as a result of malocclusion.
• Orthodontic treatment generally improves and optimizes the success of other dental treatment.
• It can also treat problems that include snoring, sleep apnea and difficulty swallowing and articulating in speech.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read the answers to more of your frequently asked questions, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series on orthodontic dentistry in Silver Spring MD.

Silver Spring Dentists Discuss the A to Z of Wisdom Teeth, PART 4

This four-part article series provides an in-depth review of wisdom teeth, what they are and what the procedure and recovery process involves in their removal.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series on wisdom teeth. Throughout the course of this series, Silver Spring dentists have addressed the following frequently asked questions:

1. What are wisdom teeth?

2. Why are they necessary?

3. How do I know if I have them?

4. What are some of the problems commonly associated with the emergence of wisdom teeth?

5. What is the procedure followed to extract wisdom teeth?

6. What is the post-operative healing experience like?

Now we shall look at some final issues surrounding the recovery process (after the 24 hour mark) and some additional bits of advice, courtesy of an experienced dentist in Silver Spring MD.

The Recovery Experience: After 24 Hours

1.You should stick to a diet of very soft foods for the first few days after you’ve had oral surgery. This will give your wisdom teeth sockets a chance to heal.

2. Avoid alcohol as it thins the blood and can encourage bleeding. It also interacts badly with narcotic pain medication.

3.“You should absolutely continue to brush your teeth. After 24 hours you can gently brush the area immediately around the site of your wisdom teeth, although it will probably still be quite tender,” says the Silver Spring dentist.

4. Avoid commercial mouthwash, as they can be too harsh on your healing gums. Instead, mix some salt and warm water and rinse your mouth with it after meals and before you go to bed at night. Salt water is excellent for cleaning wounds and preventing infection.

5. “After the first 24 hours, you should apply a heat pack to the cheek outside the site of your former wisdom teeth,” says the dentist in Silver Spring MD. “As with the cold packs, you should apply the heat in a cycle of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.”

6. Many Silver Spring dentists make use of self-dissolving stitches, so you may not need to return for their removal a week later. Your dentist will advise you accordingly.

7. If you notice any problems that persist for longer than a week, such as moderate to sever pain and swelling and/or terrible bad breath, do not hesitate to contact your dental healthcare provider. 

Are There Any Potential Complications I Need to Be Aware Of?

With the right post-operative care, you should be able to avoid infection and heal successfully from wisdom teeth extraction. Having said this, there are two complications that can arise after having this procedure done, so you should be aware and seek prompt treatment should you notice their symptoms...

Dry Socket

“Dry socket occurs when the blood fails to clot or else the clot has been dislodged,” explains the Silver Spring dentist. “When this happens, the empty tooth socket is left wide open for bacteria and food debris to become trapped. Healing is delayed and patients can notice persistent pain (that can be mild to severe) and terrible halitosis, or bad breath. Dry socket can be treated by placing anti-bacterial and blood clotting medications in the tooth socket.”

Part - 3

Dentists in Silver Spring MD Discuss the A to Z of Wisdom Teeth, PART 3

This four-part article series provides an in-depth review of wisdom teeth, what they are and what the procedure and recovery process involves in their removal.

Welcome to the third installment of this four-part article series on wisdom teeth. In Part 2, we spoke to some experienced dentists in Silver Spring MD, who explained the various problems and complications that can be caused by the emergence of misaligned and impacted wisdom teeth. Because these problems are not uncommon, many people end up having their wisdom teeth extracted, either as a solution or a preventative measure. In this article, we shall take an in-depth look at the procedure involved in the extraction of wisdom teeth, as well as what Silver Spring patients can expect from their post-operative recovery experience.

The Procedure Involved in Wisdom Teeth Removal

It’s totally normal for people to be terrified at the prospect of oral surgery, but according to dentists in Silver Spring MD, the removal of wisdom teeth is typically quick and completely painless. How is this possible? In cases involving a straightforward tooth extraction, the gums immediately surrounding the tooth will be completely numbed and, if required, you will be gently sedated so that your experience isn’t traumatic at all.

Silver Spring dentists commonly make use of oral sedatives (such as Valium or Xanax), “laughing gas” or nitrous oxide, or IV sedation. In more complex cases of wisdom teeth removal, a general anesthesia may be administered, in which case you’ll wake up with the procedure already complete. 

The Recovery Experience: The First 24 Hours

“Every patient has a different recovery experience,” say dentists in Silver Spring MD. “Additionally, the speed of recovery depends on a host of factors, including the nature of the extraction procedure required. Obviously, a straightforward treatment typically comes with a quicker and easier recovery period, while wisdom teeth requiring surgery may see a patient spending a few days out of action.”

In either case, here’s the typical prognosis for recovery in the first 24 hours:

1. Bleeding

Once your wisdom teeth have been extracted and you have recovered from the effects of anesthetic, you will be allowed to return home to rest. Although the sites of your wisdom teeth will be sutured, they may continue to bleed lightly for a few hours. “Placing some clean gauze over the tooth socket and applying gentle pressure to it by biting down should control and stop the bleeding,” advises a Silver Spring dentist. “You can also use a moist tea bag because the tannic acid effectively encourages the formation of blood clots, which hastens the cessation of bleeding.”

What should I do if I continue to bleed heavily?

Call your dentist immediately. Also, to allow the sites of your wisdom teeth to heal, try not to spit or rinse in the first 24 post-operative hours. “Patients should avoid drinking out of a straw or any other activity that requires sucking action, such as smoking, as this may disrupt clotting and cause bleeding again, or worse, a condition known as dry socket.”

2. Swelling

It’s not uncommon for the face to become quite swollen around the site of tooth extraction. Pressing an ice pack against the cheek helps to reduce swelling. “Do this for 10 minutes and then take a 20 minute break,” advise dentists in Silver Spring MD.“Repeat this process for the first 24 hours as much as possible.”

3. Medications

You will be sent home with analgesics, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), which should help to control any post-operative pain and discomfort you may experience. If you have undergone more invasive surgery to have wisdom teeth removed, your Silver Spring dentist may prescribe you a stronger course of pain medications. If you were previously given antibiotics to address infection of the gums surrounding an emerging wisdom tooth, you should complete the course.

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read more about the recovery experience Silver Spring patients can expect, stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series.

Silver Spring Dentists Discuss the A to Z of Wisdom Teeth, PART 2

This four-part article series provides an in-depth review of wisdom teeth, what they are and what the procedure and recovery process involves in their removal.

Welcome to the second installment of this four-part article series on wisdom teeth. In Part 1, Silver Spring dentists explained that they are the third set of molars, which typically emerge from the jawbone between age 18 and 25. It was also explained that, owing to the fact that our jawbones have become smaller and slimmer over the millennia, wisdom teeth seldom emerge without complication for the overlying gums and neighboring dentition. As a result, dentists typically recommend their extraction before they have a chance to cause a patient pain or do permanent damage.

In this article, we shall be looking at the various problems wisdom teeth can cause for Silver Spring residents before moving on to the procedures behind their extraction.

Common Problems Associated with Wisdom Teeth

As it was explained in Part 1 of this article series, our modern day jaws are typically too small to accommodate a third set of molars, which is why so many people experience dental problems when they emerge. These problems range in severity and some include:

Wisdom teeth misalignment: "It's not uncommon for the third molars to emerge at an angle away from or towards the second molars”. “We’ve also had patients whose wisdom teeth have emerged from the gums horizontally! This can apply pressure to the entire dental arch, causing overcrowding. Badly aligned wisdom teeth can also damage the jawbone, the adjacent teeth and the nerves, causing much pain for the patient.”

Impacted wisdom teeth: “Wisdom teeth can become trapped underneath the second molars, effectively preventing them from fully emerging from the jawbone and/or gums,” explain dentists from Silver Spring. “By preventing the timely emergence of the tooth, bacteria have more of an opportunity to settle into the folds of the gum tissue that has split open. This increases a patient’s risk of infection and painful abscesses, the symptoms of which include jaw stiffness, severe pain and sensitivity and even general sickness. Impacted wisdom teeth are also more vulnerable to tooth decay and the surrounding gums to infection and disease.”

For these reasons, dentists in Silver Spring will keep a careful eye on emerging wisdom teeth (both from visible examination and X-rays) to ensure that a patient is not susceptible to these problems. In many cases, a dentist will opt to extract wisdom teeth to prevent risks in the first place.

Wisdom Teeth Removal: What Does the Procedure Entail?

The method followed to remove wisdom teeth really depends upon their positioning and the stage of their emergence from the gums and jawbone. If a wisdom tooth is emerging with relative ease and has fully erupted from the gums, a straightforward tooth extraction procedure can be performed in a Silver Spring dentist’s office and with only a local anesthetic. On the other hand, if a wisdom tooth is misaligned and/or impacted – i.e. still contained within the jawbone – a more complex procedure will be needed to remove it. In these cases, a quick and painless surgery is often recommended.

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read more about the procedures required to extract wisdom teeth and the recovery experience Silver Spring patients can expect, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.