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Palatal Expansion Explained

Palatal Expansion Explained

The world of orthodontics can be mysterious and hard to discern. Before sitting down for a procedure that you don’t understand, take a few minutes to make sure you’re up to date on what’s happening!

Palatal Expansion Definition

This is a simple procedure and is often done in conjunction with other orthodontic work. Your oral surgeon or orthodontist will widen the roof of your mouth giving you more room for your teeth to erupt and emerge. There are a wide number of reasons that you might need your palate widened and the procedure can be done at any point in your life!

Reasons for Palatal Expansion

There are a lot of reasons that this might be recommended and it’s usually because braces alone won’t quite correct the issue. While you might still need to retain or obtain braces, palatal expansion may lessen the need to keep them long-term!

Crossbite

This is a condition where the lower jaw is wider than the upper one and the upper teeth will end up biting inside the lower teeth. The palatal expansion will allow the teeth to sit more comfortably inside the mouth and line things up more clearly.

Underbite

Underbites are characterized by the front lower teeth sticking out farther than the front upper teeth. Professionals like Burke & Beckstrom Orthodontics can quickly do a palatal expansion and set things in line again.

Cleft Palate

While underbites and crossbites can happen over time, cleft palates occur before birth and can be quickly corrected with some simple surgery. The tissue on the roof of the mouth doesn’t fuse which causes an opening in the palate itself. Scar tissue can form as it heals and keeps the palate from expanding like usual so corrective surgery is needed.

Crowded Teeth

Permanent teeth have a hard time making their way into your mouth when the whole place is just a little too crowded. Palatal expansion done early on can give a young person’s mouth more room to allow permanent teeth to erupt lessening the amount of time spent in braces.

Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth can rapidly become painful and they’re usually held hostage by other teeth and kept from erupting by a lack of space. By performing a palatal expansion, orthodontists and dentists can give the impacted teeth room to come in, thus alleviating pain and giving you plenty of room to grow!

Breathing Conditions

A narrow palate can cause serious breathing conditions like mouth breathing and sleep apnea. Poor sleep can cause other issues in other areas of life including social situations, school problems, and overall irritability. A simple palatal expansion can help ease issues in no time!

Takeaway

A simple procedure can open up a whole new world when it comes to fit, style, and a better life! Palatal expansions make your time in braces shorter and help keep other health issues at bay. If you need help with crossbites, impacted teeth, or even breathing conditions give Burke & Beckstrom Orthodontics jingle at smileforward.com.

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Invisalign vs. DIY Trays

From braces right down to Invisalign, today, the market offers users many teeth straightening alternatives. The wide variety of options may, ultimately, confuse you and make choosing an unnecessarily complicated task.

Among the best teeth straightening treatments are Invisalign and DIY trays. Here we discuss the benefits and risks of choosing either one of the two options:

Benefits of Invisalign

Here’s why people are increasingly seeking Invisalign as a way to treat misalignment:

  • Invisalign cases are comparatively faster than traditional braces as they can move multiple teeth at once.
  • These are nearly invisible; therefore, Invisalign is comparatively more aesthetical.
  • They are more comfortable as they lack wires and sharp corners.
  • Invisalign offers impressive results and can move your teeth better than braces.
  • Invisalign reduces the number of dental visits, thus saving you time.
  • Traditional braces make brushing a complex task and often leave you with braces breath. However, Invisalign offers you the liberty of removing the aligners to brush and floss.
  • Invisalign helps relieve myofascial and TMD symptoms
  • These can double as a mouthguard and whitening trays,

Risks of Invisalign

Some people using Invisalign because of the following results:

  • These are comparatively pricier.
  • Invisalign puts a layer of plastic over your teeth, making it difficult for you to speak properly.
  • There’s a slight chance Invisalign can irritate your lips, tongue, and gums.
  • You may have to remove your aligners before every meal.

Benefits of DIY Trays

DIY trays are an attractive option for people because:

  • DIY trays are a comfortable and convenient way to treat misaligned or discolored teeth.
  • It’s also a cost-effective way to treat discoloration. Plus, you don’t have to worry about frequent visits to the doctor.
  • DIY trays offer a pain-free solution to people seeking ways to whiten their teeth.
  • These promise long-lasting results to help ensure you keep smiling bright and healthy.

Risks of DIY Trays

Following are reasons buyers may avoid purchasing DIY trays:

  • Impressions are challenging to take, and a poor impression may lead to bad-quality DIY trays.
  • There’s a high percentage of chance that you’ll receive a tray that doesn’t match your needs.
  • In case your DIY tray encourages your teeth to move too fast, you may end up with shortened roots.

The Final Words

If you want to gain straight, pearly white teeth, you must choose the ideal oral health treatments. Invisalign is an effective and beneficial way of straightening your teeth. However, there are certain risks that you’ll have to consider before purchasing them.

On the flip side, DIY trays offer users convenience and ease-of-use. Determine which method best meets your needs by booking an appointment with your dentist. Venture onto our website Burke & Beckstrom Orthodontics, to connect with expert orthodontists.

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Why Technology is Important at the Orthodontist

Orthodontist and dental training is intense and relies so much on the ability of the professional to see the problem and make rational changes. Adding in some enhanced technology gives them a whole new field of vision that makes their job more in-depth and your visit better!

Digital X-Rays and 3D Dental Imaging

To make changes that will impact your life and your teeth in the best way possible, orthodontists need to be able to see the detailed structure of your mouth. With the advance of digital x-rays and 3D dental imaging, they can more accurately see and diagnose the problems you may be experiencing! Relying on digital rather than film for x-rays means your orthodontist can access the images immediately and provide a solution quickly and efficiently.

Digital Impressions with an Itero Scanner

If you’re the one in the orthodontist’s chair, getting braces may have felt like way too many sessions of impressions and molds before the final fit is found. With the Itero scanner, your orthodontist can create impressions of your teeth digitally instead of manually creating your perfect fit in just a few minutes. These digital impressions are also more accurate so you’ll spend less time getting fittings and more time doing things you love!

Nickel and Copper-Titanium Wires

Rather than fight the fit against stainless steel wires as orthodontists have done in the past, new types of wires made of nickel and copper-titanium are being used. These respond to the heat in the mouth and tighten naturally as teeth shift.

Robotic Wire Bending Technology and CAD/CAM

Making sure your brackets and wires are in the right place is a challenge and it used to be that only a few orthodontists could make it happen. With new robotic wire-bending assistance, it’s become a lot easier to manage and get right! Rather than bounce from orthodontist to orthodontist looking for the right fit, you’ll be able to get everything done in one place.

Invisalign Aligners

Braces used to be the only option and a rite of passage for many in middle school and high school. But with newer technologies available, clear braces like Invisalign have reduced the need for metal braces and are created for your comfort. They are much less visible than the old style of braces and they can be removed for short periods. Instead of worrying about how clean you’ll be able to get your mouth as you would around metal braces, you’ll be sure to get a good clean each time you brush and floss!

Six Month Smiles

Your smile is your best feature and accessory and making sure you’re confident with that smile is a big reason why orthodontists operate. Six Month Smiles corrects only the teeth that show when you smile! While it won’t correct your bite or more serious issues, it will straighten out your smile and give you more confidence as you go through the world. This procedure only takes six months as opposed to the 2-3 years that traditional braces take.

Takeaway

Through the years, orthodontists have been perfecting and pursuing better practices for their patients. With the resultant technology, getting braces is far less scary, time-consuming, and uncomfortable than it has been in the past!

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Making a New Year’s Resolution to Smile Forward

The New Year is among us which means now is the perfect time to get the smile you’ve been after for so long. A visit to your local orthodontist is the best way to find out what options you have and how to go about making your smile sparkle for years to come.

 

Contrary to what many people believe, a trip to the orthodontist isn’t solely for the purpose of getting braces. In fact, an orthodontist can offer you dozens of other services that can benefit you in the long run.

 

Services You Can Get from an Orthodontist

 

Despite being good about brushing your teeth on a regular basis you might find yourself puzzled as to why your teeth still are not as white as you want them to be. It can be frustrating especially if you have tried other alternatives and nothing seems to be working. Luckily for you, one of the many services that an orthodontist offers is teeth whitening. Using gentle warming heat and a safe LED light in a closed system mouthpiece, the technology known as GLO is there to make your teeth as bright and healthy as possible.

 

If you wish you had straighter teeth but don’t want to go through the trouble of braces, say no more. The Invisalign may be right for you. Invisalign is a device similar to braces but doesn’t come with wires or brackets and is virtually invisible in your mouth. Not to mention it still does a fantastic job of straightening your teeth, and costs just as much as regular braces!

 

The best part about Invisalign is that it fixes crooked teeth in less time than traditional braces would and are even easier to keep clean. In order to get Invisalign, you must first consult your orthodontist to see what your best options are.

 

Get the Smile of Your Dreams While Staying Within Your Budget

 

Oftentimes people are hesitant to get work done on their teeth simply because of the fact that they believe they can’t afford it. But the truth is, many orthodontists will work with you to come up with payment plans that best suit your needs.

 

Financing options are always available for all services whether they be braces or teeth whitening services. Monthly payments will always be affordable so that you don’t have to worry about falling behind on your expenses.

 

If you’ve got insurance, many times the services you undergo are covered by them so that you have little to no out-of-pocket cost. When it comes to the health of your teeth, you should not settle for cheaper options that may not always be as effective as visiting a professional.

 

In Conclusion

 

If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it! Start your new year off right by booking an appointment with your local orthodontist to get started on getting your perfect smile. After everything you may have been through this last year, you certainly deserve it!

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How Do You Fix an Overbite?

Unfortunately, we aren’t born with perfect teeth. If we were, there’d be no need for dentists and orthodontists! The good news is that most of the time, our dental problems can be solved with the help of a good dentist.

 

What Causes an Overbite?

 

An overbite is one of the most common problems people have with their teeth. Although you can be born with an overbite, it can also be caused by a slew of things including grinding your teeth, joint dysfunction, or not getting your teeth fixed in time.

 

In children, oftentimes an overbite is caused by excessive thumb-sucking, prolonged use of the bottle, or using the pacifier too much. The sooner you get an overbite fixed, the easier it will be to do it. However, the longer you wait the worse the problem will be.

 

Different Kinds of Overbite

 

Believe it or not, there are two different types of overbites. The first one is known as the skeletal overbite. This is caused when your lower jaw is much smaller than your upper jaw and therefore your teeth get pushed towards the upper row.

 

The second type of overbite is called a dental overbite. This happens when your teeth are misaligned despite the fact that your lower and upper jaw are aligned together. As a result, the teeth that push the lower jaw back end up in an overbite.

 

Fixing an Overbite

 

If you have an overbite, don’t fret. Most overbites can be easily fixed with the help of braces. Many people think that braces are used only to fix crooked teeth, but they can also be helpful in fixing overbites.

 

The first thing your dentist will do is fit you for your braces. If your overbite is a bit more severe, you may have to get overbite braces. The braces will also allow your teeth to realign properly thus helping you get rid of your overbite.

 

The next step in fixing an overbite is to be fitted with elastic bands. These bands are placed onto the brackets of the braces in order to encourage your jaw to shift in the position that it needs to be in. This may be painful in the beginning due to the fact that a lot of pressure has to be added to your jaw for it to start adjusting.

 

When you are done with the braces, your dentist will likely fit you with a retainer that you must wear for at least two years after getting your braces taken off. This is to ensure that your teeth remain in the correct position.

 

Surgery is another way for people to get their overbites fixed if braces simply cannot get the job done. If you have a skeletal overbite, chances are you will need to have your jaw corrected via surgery. This method is not recommended for children as their bones are still developing.

 

Lastly, tooth extraction is another way to get rid of an overbite. If your overbite is caused by overcrowding of teeth, removing some is the best way to fix the problem.

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Top 5 Tips to Handle Pain in The First Week with Braces

Getting braces is a momentous day of your life. You’re starting a journey towards an even more beautiful smile. But getting braces comes with its fair share of pain.

You’ve put a foreign metal piece in your mouth, so discomfort and soreness are expected. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways you can combat this pain. Following is a list of the top tips that will help you feel better through your first week:

1.   Avoid Hot and Cold Food

Your braces pain may be due to increased blood flow to the gum. In turn, it increases your temperature sensitivity. To avoid hurting your sore gums, steer away from hot and cold food such as ice cream and soups.

Let your food reach room temperature before consuming it. It will be easier on your gums, and you won’t have to deal with the sensitivity issue for much longer.

2.   Eat Softer Food

Like we mentioned above, to ensure minimum discomfort, you have to be gentle on your braces. Your mouth is still adjusting to your braces, and intense temperatures and too much chewing come soreness and pain.

To avoid this, you should stay away from hard foods for some time. The last thing your mouth wants is to struggle to mash and to chew hard foods. It includes simple foods like bread, steak, and so on, so you’ll have to always be on the lookout.

Eating soft foods helps reduce pain. If you replace your everyday food with cooled soup, rice, mashed potatoes, and somewhat softened cereal, you’ll notice less pain.

3.   Rinse Your Mouth with Saltwater

If you notice a substantial amount of irritation, you can try rinsing your mouth. To do this, get a solution of warm saltwater and rinse your mouth with it.

You may rinse five to six times a day for 30 seconds to treat sore gums. Make a concoction of half a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water. The saltwater helps both relieve pain and battle the soreness faster.

4.   Use a Soft Bristled Toothbrush

Yet again, our focus is being gentle on your gums. A hard-bristle brush against your already sensitive gums will add pressure, which leads to pain.

The bonus point of brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush is it’s painless but effective cleaning. Small particles of food often get stuck in the bracket and wires of your braces. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles ensures your teeth are clean and free from infections.

5.   Take Pain Medication to Ease the Pain

Home remedies and preventive measures may reduce pain, but it’s hard to deal with the stress that braces cause. It shifts and aligns your teeth, which can be unbearably painful, whereas the steel ligatures can cause discomfort.

The pressure of the wire can cause an increase in blood flow. It means your first week is going to be full of pain and inflammation. Although the pain will subside over time, it doesn’t mean it will be naturally comfortable. To make it less challenging, you can use over-the-counter pain medication.

A couple of Advil or Motrin a day will do wonders in ensuring your mouth grows comfortable with the braces in record time.

If you’re looking to get braces, you can book an appointment by reaching out to our professional consultants here at Burke & Beckstrom Orthodontics.

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What are the Different Types of Retainers after Braces or Invisalign?

Invisalign and retainers

Just the thought of finally getting rid of your braces is exciting. Now, the whole world can see your bright smile – minus the chunky wires. However, what if we tell you that the process doesn’t end here? One step still remains. This involves wearing a retainer(s). We understand it might be coming off as too much of a hassle, but wearing these is worth it.

If you cannot relate to the idea of wearing retainers, you are in the right place. In this article, we will discuss what one should expect when it comes to retainers and the types of retainers.

Why Must You Wear a Retainer?

There are different parts when it comes to orthodontic treatment. One is the active phase, during which the braces or Invisalign puts steady pressure on your teeth. This leads to the breakage of the supporting bone. This allows the teeth to start settling into their new positions.

Then comes the second part: the retention phase. Once you take off your braces or Invisalign, the teeth tend to move back to their existing position. This is when retainers come in handy as they hold the teeth in place while the tissue rebuilds itself.

How long you must wear a retainer depends on your condition. Initially, you may have to wear it all the time. But gradually, you can limit its use to a few nights each week. Other reasons make wearing retainers important, such as the age factor that can make the teeth drift apart.

Types of Retainers

 

Permanent or lingual retainer

A permanent, linguistic, or a fixed retainer is a thin film made of metal. It bonds on the tongue’s side to the back of the teeth. You don’t have to worry about them being visible when you smile.

In fact, once you become comfortable with it, you won’t even feel it inside your mouth. It is important to note that plaque could pile up, so make sure you practice strict oral hygiene.

Hawley Retainer

It is an acrylic retainer, accompanied by a thin wire that folds around your teeth. This type of retainer tends to blend in with the roof of your mouth. Hence, it can be useful for both arches (upper and lower).

 

You can easily brush, eat, or even floss, considering that this type of retainer is, by all means, easy to remove. In addition to this, they are super comfortable to wear. However, they are visible when you smile, unlike the lingual retainers.

Essix-Type or Clear Retainer

An Essix retainer and Invisalign retainer are somewhat similar. This type of retainer is plastic, which is BPA-free. Moreover, it is removable and quite comfortable.

While this particular type is durable, they, however, can crack or lose their shape. Since it is removable, you must be careful when it comes to its storage.  Keep and use its case wisely!

Conclusion

If you are not sure which type to go for, call us now for a consultation.

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How to Fix an Underbite

Are you looking to correct your underbite, but do not want to go through the process of wearing braces? Invisalign is a great alternative that works just as well as traditional braces and can not be seen by others.

 

Burk & Beckstrom are the #1 Invisalign doctors in Southern Utah, so we can help you get the best possible orthodontic care in the area. We put together this short guide, that way you can be informed on how to correct your underbite.

 

What’s an Underbite?

An underbite is when your lower front teeth sit in front of your upper teeth when your mouth is closed naturally. This often means that your jaw is pushed too far forward, which may cause problems with chewing and speaking or other problems to your oral health.

 

How Does Invisalign Help an Underbite?

Invisalign works in much the same way that braces do. The clear aligners put constant pressure on your teeth to move them slowly over time. They work to push your lower teeth back while moving your upper teeth forward at the same time.

 

Depending on the severity of your underbite, you might require surgery before you get the aligners to wear. This is because underbites are often caused by jaw misalignment. Our team of orthodontists are skilled in using Invisalign to correct bites, so you can have the utmost confidence in us.

 

Invisalign treatments are often shorter than traditional braces treatment. You can expect it to take three to four months to fix small overbites. More serious underbites can be adjusted in a year with Invisalign. Plus, when it comes to Invisalign, you have the benefit of still being able to eat whatever you want. You can not do that with braces.

 

How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?

Invisalign requires state of the art technology to create customized aligners for you. You will wear each set of aligners for a week and replace them with a new set. This adjusts your teeth into the proper position over time.

 

You will need to leave them on as much as possible. That includes any time when you are not eating or brushing your teeth. If you wear the aligners as you should, then you can expect your treatment time to go by quickly. Not wearing them enough can cause the process to take longer.

 

The aligners are designed to fit in your mouth perfectly, with enough room to take them out easily. No one can tell that you are wearing them, making Invisalign a popular choice with adults.

 

Conclusion

If you want to fix your underbite, then our orthodontic team at Burk & Beckstrom can help you. We have many years of experience in working with these aligners, so we are certain that we can correct your bite easily.

 

If you want to learn more about how Invisalign can be helpful to you, then be sure to contact us today. The treatment is more effective the earlier that you start, meaning that you will get better results the sooner you get in touch with our practice.

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Candy That Is Safe for Braces

Our team at Burke & Beckstrom Orthodontics wants to help you be prepared this Halloween- do you know what candy is and isn’t safe to eat with braces? Certain kinds of candy can make your orthodontic treatment take much longer than it would normally. This is, of course, something that you would want to avoid. We want your treatment to be as painless as possible.

 

You can still eat candy this Halloween while keeping your teeth healthy- this is the candy that is safe for braces.

 

What to Look Out For

Certain candies can cause a lot of harm to your braces and your teeth, which can slow down your treatment time. Hard candy, chewy candy, caramel, nuts, taffy, jelly beans, gum, Tootsie Rolls, and sour candy are some of the types that can cause problems. Small, round candy, like Skittles or M&M’s, can cause your wires to slip or even remove some of your brackets.

 

It is better to avoid candy like Starbursts since they contain a lot of acids. The acid can wear down your teeth’s enamel, meaning that they are less protected from cavities and tooth decay.

 

Candy You Can Eat With Braces

There are types of candy that you can eat with braces. Dark chocolate, sugar-free gum, or anything with a sugar substitute is alright. They are not as damaging to your teeth as chewy and sticky candy. Specialists from the American Association of Orthodontics have recommended that you eat soft candy or snacks that can melt in your mouth.

 

The AAO has stated that the following candy is alright for your braces and your teeth:

  • Snow Caps
  • Peppermint Patties
  • Three Musketeers
  • Sweet Tarts
  • Kit Kats
  • Apple cider
  • Soft cookies or crackers
  • Smoothies
  • Root beer floats
  • Ice cream
  • Peanut butter cups
  • Soft chocolates

 

What Else to Remember

You will want to stay away from hard and sticky candy this year- if you want to avoid broken braces. We recommend that you brush and floss your teeth after eating any sweets. Be sure to take care of your teeth and oral health and you should be fine! If you do happen to have something bad happen to your braces, you can contact us.

 

It helps if you rinse your mouth with water after eating candy. The sugars in candy react with the natural bacteria in your mouth to produce more acid and wear down your teeth’s enamel. If you rinse, you are washing away some of the harmful acids so that you do not have to worry about your teeth being damaged.

 

Conclusion

Not all candy is off-limits, you can eat some softer candies- so do not feel like you need to give up all treats this year.

 

Be sure to call our team at Burke & Beckstrom Orthodontics if you need any help with your braces or have any questions about what candies you can eat this Halloween. We would love to hear from you and assist you with anything that you need.

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Your Smile: A Message to The World

A first impression is the main way people evaluate you after meeting you for the first time.  You can meet people professionally or personally for the first time and that first impression is critical to affecting their thoughts about you.  First impressions occur based on how others react to your appearance, body language, mannerisms, and demeanor.  Having a healthy and friendly smile produces a positive impact on how your first impression affects other people.

Whether you are meeting someone professionally or personally for the first time, your image and appearance have an influence on how that person responds to you.  You do not get a second chance with a first impression; therefore, you should prioritize your appearance.  Initial judgments that occur after a first meeting stay with people for a long time.  Because of this reality, you should plan on improving your odds of making a good first impression with a healthy smile.

When you see a friendly person projecting a genuine smile you are more likely to assume, they are trustworthy and authentic.  These positive characteristics help improve your professional and personal life tremendously.

 

Why a Healthy Smile Matters?

By flashing a big smile, you are showing your confidence, happiness, friendliness, warmth, and positive feelings.  A genuine smile starts at your lips and ends at your eyes.  This type of true and authentic smile pulls your cheeks up so that the skin around the eyes crinkle.  When you smile more often you often feel happier and more positive, this spreads to others and greatly improves any atmosphere you are in.

To maintain your healthy radiant smile, you need to have good oral health.  Oral health includes maintaining your teeth health.  Strong and bright teeth communicate your values of vitality and personal hygiene.

To improve your oral health, you need to invest in a high-quality electric toothbrush that improves your cleaning power and removes plaque and tartar.  There is a significant number of whitening products and treatments that are available to restore the health of your teeth.

By having a relaxed and genuine smile you are projecting your internal confidence that radiates throughout any space you occupy.  This helps build a relationship based on initial trustworthiness and authenticity.  Both of these are essential characteristics you should invest in by improving the health of your teeth.

 

Significance of Oral Health Explained

Although an initial impression is critical in the success of most relationships you can reinforce or improve upon any first impression by building a natural rapport.  You can do this by smiling more, which makes people feel more comfortable, increases your own happiness and confidence.

When you are confident you are able to feel the most like yourself.  Oral health that strengthens your teeth offers a great way to boost your overall confidence and bring your personality to life.  Having a healthy smile allows you to be seen and heard.  When you lack a quality smile people doubt your credibility and certainty, by having a great smile you project desirability to be seen and heard.

Prioritize your oral health today.

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