Although Invisalign for teeth is a great option for straightening, they may not be the right choice for correcting every kind of dental misalignment. Certain teeth alignment problems—like protrusion, teeth that are too spaced out, or narrow jaws—may require traditional braces to correct. Here’s a look at a few dental health issues that Invisalign clear aligners cannot typically fix. Protrusion Protrusion occurs when your front teeth stick out too much. You may have heard this condition referred to as “buck teeth.” This happens when your upper jaw sits in a position that is too far forward, your lower jaw sits in a position that is too far back, your teeth grew in angled, or a combination of these conditions. Protrusion is sometimes …
Here patients can learn more about Orthodontics, a specialty branch of dentistry that addresses improperly positioned teeth (crooked teeth).
A Guide to Clear Orthodontic Aligners
Everybody wants a great smile, but a lot of us need help getting there. More and more people are having success with clear orthodontic devices called aligners. Braces use brackets connected by wires to encourage teeth to move. Aligners are a series of tight-fitting custom-made mouthpieces that slip over the teeth. Clear aligners are made by a variety of companies. Most patients have heard of Invisalign but ClearCorrect, Six Month Smiles, Candid Co., and Byte are also popular brands. At Lowcountry Family Dentistry generally use the largest producer and industry standard, Invisalign clear aligners. Clear (or "invisible") aligners aren't for everyone. Our dentists have years of experience and will help you decide what’s best for …
What Happens if You Don’t Brush Your Teeth?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you abandoned your toothbrush, and just said, “I’m not brushing today!” While we hope that you brush twice a day to keep your teeth and gums at their best, many individuals don’t. Whether because they forgot, didn’t have time, or simply haven’t been in the practice of brushing twice a day, not brushing can happen. But what happens if you don’t brush your teeth? What happens if you don’t brush your teeth for three days, a year, or even ten years? Most people in the dental community will urge anyone not to find out what happens if you don’t brush your teeth. The reason being is the damage will vary from person to person, and in some cases, it can have severe consequences. Does the idea of …
How to Use an Interdental Brush
Step-by-step instructions Make it a daily routine to brush between your teeth with an interdental brush. It will keep your mouth healthy and prevent gum inflammation and cavities. Interdental brushes can also be used for cleaning of implants and orthodontic appliances. Make interdental brushes part of your daily routine Did you know that a toothbrush can only reach 60% of the tooth surfaces? Dental plaque builds up between your teeth where a toothbrush does not reach. It is a good idea to use an interdental brush as part of your daily cleaning routine to prevent gum inflammation, cavities and bad breath. An interdental brush is a small brush specially designed to clean between your teeth, where a regular toothbrush does not …
What is Orthodontics?
Braces and orthodontic treatment are used to correct “bad bites,” or malocclusion (teeth that are crowded or crooked). In some cases your teeth may be straight, but your upper and lower jaws may not meet properly. These jaw or tooth alignment problems may be inherited or could result from injury, early or late tooth loss, or thumbsucking. If you have an abnormal bite your dentist may recommend braces or another orthodontic treatment to straighten out your smile. Correcting the problem can create a nice-looking smile, but more importantly, orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth. Not correcting an abnormal bite could result in further oral health problems, including: tooth decay gum disease tooth loss affected …