WHY IS PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE IMPORTANT?
The foundation for a beautiful and happy smile is preventive care from your dentist! Along with diligent at-home brushing and flossing, routine professional cleanings and checkups can help you avoid costly procedures. With regular checkups by your dentist in San Marcos, we’ll be able to track your oral health and help you keep your smile healthy.
DID YOU KNOW…
Orthodontic care can reduce the chance of developing gum disease and tooth loss later in life.
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE APPOINTMENT IN SAN MARCOS
CONSULTATION
To see if orthodontic care is necessary for your smile, your orthodontist will examine your gum health and teeth to check for gaps, misalignment, and crowding. After discussing the different smile alignment solutions, your orthodontist can carefully select a custom treatment outline that best fits your unique needs.
IMPRESSIONS AND DIGITAL IMAGING
Next, your orthodontist will gather a comprehensive set of records. Detailed photos, x-rays, mouth measurements, and a bite impression will be taken at this time. Your orthodontist will then use the photographs and impressions to create your appliance.
PLACEMENT AND FITTING
Once your dental appliance is created, your orthodontist will place it in your mouth and make necessary adjustments to ensure proper fitting and comfort. To ensure your appliance stays in tip-top shape, your orthodontist will provide you with care and maintenance instructions.
NEXT STEPS
Schedule an appointment in San Marcos every 4-8 weeks so your orthodontist can track progress, adjust your appliance, and address any questions or concerns. No orthodontic journey is the same, but most treatments last anywhere from eighteen months to three years.
TYPES OF ORTHODONTIC CARE
Metal Braces
Ceramic Braces
Six Month Smiles
Invisalign
Space Maintenance
metal braces
Made of medical-grade stainless steel, metal braces use brackets and archwires to straighten your teeth over time. This is a great solution for patients experiencing severe tooth and jaw misalignment. Metal braces are oftentimes more affordable than other braces, making them a popular orthodontic option.
ceramic braces
Similar to traditional braces, ceramic braces are wire-based appliances that gradually apply pressure over time to straighten teeth. The main difference is that ceramic braces use clear or colored brackets and wires that match the shade of your own teeth. Due to their subtle appearance, ceramic braces are an attractive alignment option for patients looking for a less noticeable alternative to metal braces.
six month smiles
Six Month Smiles uses clear brackets and tooth-colored wires to straighten teeth in an average of just six months. Unlike traditional braces, this short-term alignment solution is not meant to treat severe jaw or bite issues. Instead, it quickly corrects the crookedness and gaps that keep you from smiling with confidence.
invisalign
Invisalign is a removable clear aligner system that can treat mild to severe misalignment cases. Made from a patented plastic material called SmartTrack, Invisalign is a durable aligner that can accommodate the high-impact lifestyles of athletes. Plus, its nearly invisible appearance makes Invisalign one of the most discreet ways to align a beautiful smile over time.
space maintenance
Space maintenance is a special type of treatment for kids that have lost a baby tooth prematurely due to a tooth infection, dental trauma, or any other dental health issue. Your child’s orthodontist will place a custom prosthetic called a space maintainer in the empty socket to prevent other teeth from shifting. This ensures that your child’s permanent teeth can erupt properly and that no other dental health issues keep your child from proper oral development.
DID YOU KNOW…
Over 4 million people in the U.S. wear braces to align their smiles.
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HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ORTHODONTIC CARE? FIND ANSWERS HERE
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT I MAY NEED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
You may be a strong candidate for orthodontic treatment if you struggle with overlapping, crowded, or gapping teeth. Jaw issues such as crossbites, overbites, and underbites are also signs that orthodontic treatment may be right for you. If you are looking to align your smile for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons, feel free to schedule a complimentary consultation in San Marcos so we can get started on creating the smile you’ve always wanted.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ORTHODONTIC CARE?
Orthodontic care reduces the risk of future dental problems and allows patients to smile with confidence again. With the latest cutting-edge orthodontic technology, treatment is faster, less noticeable, and more comfortable than ever. Dental appliance options are now designed to minimize their appearance so you can continue to lead your lifestyle uninterrupted. By correcting teeth misalignment and jaw issues, orthodontic treatment can improve the current state of health in your mouth and prevent significant gum disease, tooth loss, and tooth decay later in life.
WHAT CAUSES MY ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS?
Most orthodontic problems are inherited and gradually worsen through the teenage years into adulthood. Other problems such as gum disease, childhood thumb-sucking habits, early loss of baby or adult teeth, or even dental accidents may have significantly impacted your jaw or teeth alignment. Regardless of the cause, your orthodontist is dedicated to finding a custom treatment plan so you can have the strong, straight smile you’ve always wanted.
WHEN SHOULD I RECEIVE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
While every patient is different, it is best to seek orthodontic treatment in childhood or adolescence to detect and correct problems as early as possible. That being said, it is never too late for you to receive the orthodontic care you deserve. By leaving misaligned teeth untreated, other dental problems can crop up later in life such as tooth decay, gum disease, or difficulty chewing. While many patients look to orthodontic solutions for aesthetic reasons, getting treatment now is in your best interest for a lifetime of strong oral health.
HOW MUCH DOES ORTHODONTIC CARE COST?
A multitude of factors come into play when determining the cost of your orthodontic care. The cost varies depending on the severity of your misalignment, as well as appointment visits, insurance type, and more. Our team recommends scheduling a consultation with Dr. Shridhar in San Marcos to find out how much you’ll pay for your orthodontic treatment.
DID YOU KNOW…
There are no limitations to the foods you can eat while wearing clear aligners.
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