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Traveling is already stressful, so we don’t want caring for your Invisalign to make it even worse. The good news is that there are a few small changes to your packing routine that can alleviate Invisalign- related stress taking away from your vacation. When you’re in a new place, far from your orthodontist’s office, it’s easy to remove your aligners and leave them behind. Here are some of our tips from Dr. Amir Davoody at Davoody & Hablinski Orthodontics for traveling with your Invisalign.

 

What if I Lose my Invisalign while Traveling?

When traveling for longer periods of time, always take your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set of aligners with you. Whether you will go back to the previous set or move forward to the next set if your aligners get lost will be determined by how long you have been wearing your current set. The general rule of thumb is if the current aligners are tight, go back.  If you can remove them easily and are in your second week, move forward to the next set. 

When you’re traveling by plane, be careful to keep aligners with you in your carry-on. Leaving them in checked bags is a good way for them to be lost or delayed. If you’re concerned about losing your aligners, bringing an extra case is always a good idea. If you leave one behind in a hotel or restaurant, you’ll have a spare.

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The week after your new braces go on is often tough. There’s a lot you have to adjust to from metal in your mouth to changes in diet, nightly routine, and oral hygiene. Transitions and changes are never easy, and to help make your journey to a beautiful smile smooth and painless, Dr. Amir Davoody at Davoody & Hablinski Orthodontics explains what to expect from your first week in braces.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• How Long Do Braces Hurt?
• Eating with Braces
• What to Expect When Getting Braces

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Invisalign is as common today as traditional braces. Usually, when you go to the orthodontist, you’ll be shown multiple treatment options, from Invisalign clear aligners to traditional bracket and wire braces. How does Invisalign work exactly? A completely invisible treatment that allows you to eat whatever you want is too good to be true, isn’t it? Not at all! Gain valuable knowledge on Invisalign from orthodontic specialist Dr. Amir Davoody at Davoody & Hablinski Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• What is an Invisalign Aligner?
• Invisalign Treatment Breakdown
• What Can Invisalign Fix?
• Can Kids get Invisalign?

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Many of our patients are student athletes or have a sport they love. After getting braces, many of these sports-enthusiasts wonder if they’ll have to take a break from their games and practices. We’ve all heard horror stories of sports injuries, even worse witnessed one ourselves. Playing sports during orthodontic treatment is 100% possible! The best way to protect your mouth from a painful fate is to invest in a mouthguard. Mouthguards protect not only your teeth, but the soft tissue of your mouth from injury as you play. Luckily, braces will not keep you from any sport or physical activity. However, the price you pay for a beautiful smile is taking a little extra care of your mouth while in treatment. Keep reading to uncover the significant role that mouthguards play in protecting your oral health and overall well-being from Orthodontist Dr. Amir Davoody at Davoody and Hablinski Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

• Why mouthguards are essential
• Do Braces put you at higher risk for a sports injury?
• What type of mouthguard should I buy?

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After months or even years of braces, patients are only too happy to finally be done with treatment. To make sure the smile you leave our office with stays with you forever, you’ll need to be fitted with and wear a retainer. Retainers prevent relapse and are a way to make sure the movements your orthodontist made are permanent. Get the answers to frequently asked questions about retainers and maintaining a healthy smile after receiving orthodontic treatment from Orthodontist Dr. Amir Davoody at Davoody and Hablinski Orthodontics. 

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

• What is a Retainer?
• Different Types of Retainers
• Wearing Your Retainer
• What if My Retainer Doesn’t Fit Anymore?

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Choosing your orthodontist, and by extension, what your options are for years of orthodontic treatment and appointments, is no small feat. One of the deciding factors in this decision is which types of tooth movement your orthodontist has available. Traditional braces, self-ligating braces, or even Invisalign are all options. With so much innovation in the orthodontic field, we have lots of options to best fit any patient’s needs. Whether traditional braces or Invisalign is best for you, our team of orthodontic specialists is here to help you!

 

Making a Decision: Invisalign 

• Choosing Invisalign
• Invisalign Candidacy
• What issues can Invisalign help with
• Invisalign Pain

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Often when parents bring young children into our office for initial evaluation, they are missing several primary teeth. Parents are worried that starting treatment won’t be an option until all the permanent teeth have grown in, or until all baby teeth have fallen out. It’s common to wonder if your child is losing teeth at the right time, or too slowly, or even too quickly. These concerns are normal, and a reason why it’s good to get your child into the orthodontist starting at age seven. Orthodontist Dr. Amir Davoody at Davoody and Hablinski Orthodontics can answer all these questions and more and can start any treatment needed early enough to prevent major issues. 

 

When Should Your Child Start to Lose Teeth?

Most children lose their first baby tooth, or primary tooth, around age 6. This is typically the bottom front tooth. The rest of the primary teeth usually follow suit, with the last one falling out around age 12. By age 21, all 32 of the primary teeth should have been replaced by permanent teeth.

The first permanent molars, or adult teeth, arrive around age 6 as well. The rest of the permanent teeth come in gradually over the next several years. The last of the permanent teeth, the third molars, or wisdom teeth, usually arrive around age 18.

While the process of losing primary teeth and getting permanent teeth is relatively straightforward, there can be some variation in when exactly each tooth is lost or erupted. Every child is different, so if you have any concerns about your child’s teeth, be sure to talk to your dentist.

 

Early Treatment Orthodontics

Early treatment orthodontics refers to the practice of correcting dental and skeletal irregularities at an early age. It is well-documented that bones and teeth are more malleable during childhood, making this an ideal time to correct any problems. Early treatment can also help to improve the aesthetics of the smile and ensure that the teeth are properly aligned. In some cases, early treatment can also help to prevent future dental problems, such as gum disease and tooth decay. While early treatment is not right for every patient, it can offer significant benefits for those who are candidates.As we’ve mentioned above, it’s best to get your child in to see the orthodontist around age seven.

 

The Science of Tooth Movement

When you begin orthodontic treatment, your teeth will start to slowly move into the desired position. This process can sometimes take months or even years, depending on the severity of your dental problem. Teeth move very slowly. While this isn’t exactly what you want to hear when you’re self-conscious about your smile, slow movement is the best and healthiest way to perfect your bite. Tooth movement is a combination between bone cells called osteoclasts breaking down bone matter in the direction the tooth is set to move in and osteoblasts filling in bone matter behind the tooth as it moves. It is important to be patient during this treatment process, as rushing it can result in uneven or even damaged teeth. Trust your orthodontist to know when your teeth are ready to be moved, and be patient as your smile slowly becomes perfect.The teeth ideally should move about a millimeter a month during treatment. This seems like a small distance, but it is the best place to maintain health. 

So, combining the information about the benefits of early orthodontic treatment and the anatomy and physiology of tooth movement is how your orthodontist is best able to adjust your bite. If you are missing teeth when treatment begins, or loose teeth during treatment, your orthodontist is an expert on timing the movement of your mouth to adjust for the new spaces tooth loss creates.

“How long do braces take?” is the most common question we’re asked by patients. People want to know how long they’ll have to make room in their life for their braces – it’s understandable. Braces are hard to brush and floss around, they come with food restrictions, and they can be a source of embarrassment for teens at school or professionals in the workplace. 

Even our patients who are most excited to begin treatment inevitably cannot wait for it to end. We give each patient and their family an estimated treatment plan and timetable when they receive an evaluation. Of course, they always hope that we can somehow speed up time and make their smiles perfect as quickly as possible.

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