Ways to Find the Best Orthodontist Aventura, Florida
When you are in need of braces, you want to be able to find the best orthodontist near me. And then, once you have your braces you will want to keep them well cared for so they last. It all starts with finding an orthodontist Aventura who you can trust and be able to visit every few weeks comfortably. Let’s take a little time to see some of the reasons you may need braces, and what to look for in the office so you can find the right orthodontist for you.
Do you need braces?
One of the big questions you or your child might have is do you need braces near me? Here are some reasons you might need braces:
If you have a misaligned jaw, you may have TMJ. Temporomandibular joint issues can leave you with a sore face or neck, and it can lead to headaches. This joint is the hinge where your lower jaw and skull meet. Your orthodontist Aventura can help you resolve any TMJ issues.
Another reason you might need braces is because of malocclusion or a misaligned bite. There are a few bite issues that orthodontists commonly see and are experts at fixing. Let’s look at them in more detail.
An overbite occurs when the top front teeth overlap or hang out over the bottom front teeth without meeting. Sometimes an overbite is so bad that the lower teeth will actually strike the roof of the mouth.
An underbite, on the other hand, is when the lower jaw sticks out beyond the upper jaw. This condition can be corrected by orthodontic appliances in many cases but sometimes it does also need some surgery to adjust the jaw position. A maxillofacial surgeon will do the surgery and then braces will be used in conjunction to finish correcting the jaw alignment.
Similar to an overbite is something called an overjet. The front teeth extend more straight out than you would find in an overbite, meaning that they not only don’t meet the bottom teeth right, they are at a bad angle.
Two other bite issues are crossbites and open bites. A crossbite occurs when the top teeth actually sit inside the bottom teeth instead of lining up correctly where the molars meet and the front teeth are slightly outside the lower ones. An open bite occurs when none of the teeth meet. As you might imagine, chewing is very difficult when you have these kinds of bite issues.
Then there are spacing issues with the teeth that can occur and which can easily be fixed by braces. Crowded teeth are ones that just don’t have enough room. Sometimes other appliances have to be used as well, like a palate expander, or sometimes teeth have to be pulled to make room. Other times people are missing teeth which can also be fixed by braces. The braces will pull the teeth together and close the gaps. If there are a lot of teeth missing, some partial dentures or bridges might be used as well so that there are teeth all the way along the jaw.
Any bite issues can lead to difficulties in keeping teeth properly clean so getting your teeth aligned is a great way to ensure long-term oral health.
To find out for sure if you do need braces, you should ask for a consultation. Any orthodontist office that is worthwhile will be more than willing to do a free consultation.
What happens during treatment
There are several different ways that orthodontists can correct any bite issues or fix malocclusions. There are standard metal braces that most folks are familiar with. Then there are ceramic or clear braces, lingual braces that go behind the teeth, and clear aligner trays. Some orthodontists in Aventura FL will even have clear aligners designed for the smaller mouths of teens.
Clear aligners are a series of plastic trays that you can take out when you eat or brush your teeth. They make it easier to keep your teeth clean during your orthodontic treatment because they are removable. You will then be able to brush and floss your teeth like normal before putting the trays back in. They also are not metal so they are much less obvious while you are wearing them – that makes them a favorite for teens and adults. And, you may be able to go slightly longer between orthodontic visits – six weeks as compared to every month like you would have with braces.
If you want to go with lingual braces, keep in mind that they will need to be custom-made to the back of your teeth, and they will be more expensive throughout the process. But, since they are not visible to others, it is like they are invisible.
Standard braces are a set of small metal brackets that affix to the front of each tooth, or to a small metal band that then goes around the molars if a stronger anchor is needed. Then a metal wire called an archwire is run through the brackets. The orthodontist will adjust the position of the archwire during the braces tightening appointment and then snip off the excess. This applies gentle pressure to the teeth and they then move into the next position. The archwire is kept in place by tiny rubber bands that wrap around the bracket. In past years these only came in a kind of off-white color, but now they are available in a wide variety of colors. You can have a different color for every month of the year, or you can stick with one color for your whole treatment time.
What to consider in the orthodontist Aventura office
If you are looking for an orthodontist Aventura for kids, you should consider looking for one that specializes in pediatric orthodontics. Several orthodontists will specialize in working only with children or teens, and that means that they will have offices set up to help kids reduce their anxiety over going to the orthodontist. It also means that they understand how children’s teeth are, and how the bones will form later. Otherwise, you can choose an orthodontist that works with all ages – this can be an advantage for anyone who has multiple ages of people in their family to get taken care of.
When you go to the office, look around – is this one that has friendly staff and a team of professionals who care about their patients? Do they have modern, high-tech equipment that will make your experience better? And, is the office clean? If you find a nice clean and well-kept office, that likely means that all of their practices are also done properly and that they pay attention to details.
Did you find an office that specializes in pediatric orthodontics? Look for an office that is designed for kids – a cheery place that has activity areas for kids to keep them active and also help them not be afraid of going to the orthodontist Aventura. Pediatric orthodontists also are better equipped to take care of kids who have special needs and address their unique anxieties about going to the dentist or orthodontist Aventura. They will also be able to explain what will be needed during treatment to kids in a way that makes sense to them.
You might even find a place that offers free Wi-Fi – perfect for busy parents to use while they wait for their kids.
You should also ask if the team works on learning all about new techniques and better ways of fixing dental issues. Orthodontists who are always looking for new ways to do things are often ones who can come up with more creative solutions to bite or dental issues.
What to expect at the office
At your consultation, you should expect to have X-rays taken that the orthodontist will use to evaluate your bite alignment. These might even be digital X-rays so you both can see what your alignment is. Oftentimes the office staff will take a cast of your teeth to see what they actually look like and how your braces or clear aligners will fit. He or she might also take photos that will be helpful to create your treatment plan. The orthodontist Aventura will also do a visual assessment of your teeth and their alignment before coming up with a final treatment plan.
Then it’s time to answer questions – your questions! Anything you want to know you should feel comfortable asking. If you like the office and you like the answers you receive, you might even be able to get started with your braces the same day as your consultation. You shouldn’t feel, though, that you have to stay with the same orthodontist. If you don’t feel comfortable at that office, you can pick another orthodontist to get another consultation. Remember, you will be coming to this office every month for two to three years, so you want to be able to trust them and feel “at home”.
What are some of the questions you should ask? You should find out how long you will need to wear braces, and will there be any other appliances you will need to wear. You should also ask the office how much the treatment will cost and what kinds of insurance they take or what kinds of payment plans are available.
Caring for braces
It can be a little tricky to find the right things to eat – and not eat – while you have braces. Some orthodontists in Aventura will tell you to avoid eating popcorn because it is hard to clean out the kernel shells if they get stuck under the gum line or in the braces brackets themselves.
You should definitely not eat any sticky foods like taffy or licorice ropes. Foods you have to bite through like apples, corn on the cob, bagels, or carrot sticks will not be good until you get the braces off.
Hard foods like ice cube or hard candy are also off the list as they can lead to breaking off the brackets on the teeth. Soft foods are just fine, but you will want to be sure to brush your teeth regularly so that food particles don’t sit on the teeth and lead to staining or decay. The good news is, a lot of vegetables and fruits are soft and therefore it’s easy to keep up with nutrition. Sometimes you end up with a healthier diet overall when you have braces because bad habits have time to get broken!
If you find that your teeth are really sore after just getting the braces put on, or after they have been tightened, you may want to do a warm water rinse. Use just a little bit of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse, then take a pain reliever to help with the ache. If you find that you have some sore cheeks while they get used to the brackets, be sure to use some of the wax that your orthodontist in Aventura, FL gave you to help.
If the wire comes loose, don’t hesitate to call your orthodontist’s office so they can get it fixed. You can put on a little bit of wax on the area to keep the wire from poking your cheek until you can get in.
If you play sports, be sure to wear a mouthguard so your braces and teeth will be protected. You may need to have a custom one made for you by your orthodontist in Aventura FL. If you do get hit in the mouth, you should get in to your orthodontist as soon as you can to make sure they can check everything and ensure your teeth and your braces are ok.
Summing it up
When you look for your orthodontist in Aventura, you should feel like you have found a place that will be your dental health partner. With a little care, you should be done with your orthodontic treatment in no time and have a great smile for life!
Contact Us
IVANOV Orthodontic Experts, 12866 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL 33181 https://www.google.com/maps?cid=154326063970645489
Call us at (786) 540-1919 to schedule a free orthodontic exam.
Learn more about Braces and Invisalign at https://ivanovortho.com/
