The beginning of an adolescent’s orthodontic treatment is carefully timed, usually once a child has lost all their baby teeth and permanent teeth are well on their way into position. However, it’s often easy to see by the way your little kid’s teeth are erupting that they will probably need some orthodontic intervention along the way. For some kids, this kind of treatment begins early.

Understanding Braces for Kids

Braces for kids who haven’t even reached a double-digit age are known as Phase 1 or interceptive orthodontics. This type of treatment doesn’t include a full course of braces and is brief – sometimes less than a year. The goal of interceptive orthodontics is to address any alignment problems, bite complications, or development issues while your child’s jaw is still growing. At this young age, the jaw is more pliable, and working it into a healthier position may allow for the bone to be friendlier to erupting teeth and make room for them.

Types of braces for kids include space maintainers, expanders, a tongue crib, and upper braces. The hope of many parents is that these measures will contribute to a simplified, shorter, or less costly orthodontic treatment when it comes time for teen braces. For kids, a major perk is that this kind of intervention could tackle their current issues so effectively that they might be eligible for Invisalign Teen when the time comes.

Problems Addressed by Braces for Kids

If you suspect your child has some serious orthodontic treatment in their future, seeing an orthodontist sooner rather than later is a good idea. As it stands, the recommended time to have an orthodontic evaluation is by age 7 or 8. Your orthodontist can evaluate whether early intervention would be helpful.

Some of the problems that phase 1 orthodontics can address include:

• Jaw position
• Growth of the jawbone
• Side effects of thumb sucking or pacifier use
• Protruding front teeth
• Functional issues
• Airway concerns
• Making a kid feel better about how he or she looks

Making Sense of Your Little Kid’s Erupting Teeth

While the act of getting baby teeth, losing baby teeth, and getting permanent teeth seems like one natural developmental stage after another, sometimes a little guidance and coaxing is important along the way.

The goals of Phase 1 orthodontics are to prevent serious oral health problems from developing and potentially simplify and shorten future orthodontic treatments (which means less cost for parents and reduced discomfort for the child).

Once the face and jaws have finished growing, moving things around gets more difficult, time-consuming, and uncomfortable.

If your young child’s mouthful of big and little teeth seems complicated and problematic, don’t despair. Your kid is growing every day and there is always a possibility the problems will work themselves out. In the meantime, make your child’s oral health a priority. Straight teeth are easier to take care of, which means healthier teeth and fewer cavities or other oral health problems.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation with orthodontist Dr. Soleil Roberts in Woodinville, Washington. Have your child’s teeth evaluated and learn more about braces for kids.

 

For many people, Invisalign seems too good to be true. Could these nearly invisible braces really fix my alignment problem? Could it be this easy to straighten my teeth as an adult? Yes, and yes. Invisalign braces can fix nearly every alignment problem – for adults and adolescents – that can be corrected with traditional metal braces.

If you have any of the following alignment problems, you may be a good candidate for Invisalign braces. Your Woodinville orthodontist will let you know for sure.

Gapped teeth

Some people love that quirky gap between their front teeth. Other people hate the spaces in between all their teeth. In most cases, gaps are an aesthetic issue and not harmful to your oral health. (If you have a space caused by a missing tooth, however, you have bigger problems than just misalignment and will want to talk to your family dentist about a dental restoration.)

A gap between teeth is known as diastema – this is especially noticeable between the two front upper teeth. This overgrowth of tissue is eliminated when Invisalign uses pressure to slowly move the teeth together.

Overcrowding

When you simply don’t have enough room in your mouth for all your teeth, overcrowding will push the teeth around, making them overlap and twist. You may consider crooked teeth unsightly, but one of the biggest issues are the oral health problems caused by overcrowded teeth.

When teeth are too close together, cleaning between them is a challenge. A buildup of plaque is inevitable, which means cavities are too. When you straighten your teeth with Invisalign, they look better, feel better, and are easier to clean, which means you have healthier teeth.

Overbite or Underbite

If the upper jaw is overdeveloped or the lower jaw is underdeveloped, you’re left with an overbite or underbite. Both problems are noticeable, and the misalignment can make a person self-conscious about their appearance.

Complications like overbites and underbites are problematic in many ways – enamel erosion is a common side effect and painful jaw problems can develop, though these issues depend on the severity of the overbite or underbite. Invisalign can correct many of these complications to give you a smile that is beautiful, strong, and fully aligned.

Open Bite

When the top and bottom teeth do not touch at all, the condition is known as an open bite. An open bite is an aesthetic issue for most people who have this problem because it is so noticeable. An open bite causes bigger problems than this, however.

Chewing and speech can be impaired, difficult, or uncomfortable. TMJ problems are also a possible side effect of an open bite.

See Your Woodinville Orthodontist for Invisalign Braces

If you have misalignment problems, jaw complications, or spacing issues, see certified Invisalign provider Dr. Soleil Roberts at Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville. Invisalign may be a viable option to correct your oral health but, even if it isn’t, there is always an orthodontic solution to give you a comfortable, fully functional, healthy smile. Contact us today to schedule your consultation (or your teen’s consultation).

Braces are the answer for many adults who have finally decided to address their crooked teeth or the misalignment that’s causing jaw pain and TMJ problems. Invisalign braces, especially, are the weapon of choice for adults, and there are plenty of reasons why adults love Invisalign braces.

1. Invisalign braces are discreet.

Adults have already gone through adolescence. Understandably, they don’t want to experience that awkward phase again. Braces don’t get more unnoticeable than Invisalign. The practically invisible aligners are super-thin, clear, and fit snugly on your teeth for maximum results.

When the aligners are in place, you won’t look any different than usual and no one will ever know you’re wearing Invisalign, while all the while your teeth will slowly and discreetly move themselves into alignment.

2. There are no food restrictions.

You know that chewy, crunchy, and gooey foods are off-limits for an orthodontic patient with brackets on their teeth. Invisalign-wearers, however, are not restricted in any way when it comes to diet. Invisalign must be removed for every meal and snack, so you can indulge just the way you like without damaging your aligners.

Things to keep in mind: You cannot eat with your aligners in place – they could easily be damaged. You can only drink water while wearing Invisalign. Any other beverages can stain the aligners and the discoloration will make them noticeable, which defeats the purpose of clear aligners.

3. Fewer visits to the dentist.

You will be instructed to change your Invisalign aligners about every two weeks, per your treatment plan that is sketched out from start to finish before that first aligner takes its place on your teeth. You’re sent home from your Woodinville Invisalign provider’s office with a few months’ worth of aligners and instructions for changing them out – that means less time in the orthodontist’s office and more time spent doing what you want to do while your teeth straighten themselves out.

4. Faster treatment time.

Conventional braces can take up to two years to complete, depending on the state of your misalignment. Invisalign takes about 12 months, on average. Straighter smile sooner and without any noticeable orthodontic work – that’s a major win.

5. You’re in charge.

The responsibility of wearing Invisalign is one that determined adults embrace. There are rules that must be followed so your Invisalign treatment is effective and the results permanent. It’s up to you to remove your aligners as needed for eating and cleaning, change them out when told, and wear them for the requisite 20 to 22 hours per day.

6. No lifestyle interruptions.

Braces for adults have been designed with your lifestyle in mind. Whether your job has you in front of clients, customers, or students all day, you can perform your work without anyone knowing about your braces. You wear Invisalign when socializing, dating, lounging around, playing sports, and everything else without anyone being the wiser. The only difference between pre-Invisalign and wearing Invisalign is that you’ll be the same you, just with progressively better teeth.

Find Out If You’re a Candidate for Invisalign Braces in Woodinville

Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Soleil Roberts, certified Invisalign provider in Woodinville, Washington. Find out whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign braces. The current state of your teeth, your smile goals, your lifestyle, and budget will all influence your orthodontic recommendations.

Soleil is so excited that the Villanova Wildcats (from her hometown of Philadelphia) have once again clenched the title of NCAA Champions by steamrolling their opponents during March Madness!!

 

…ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY! Dr. Soleil is ecstatic that her Philadelphia Eagles just won the SuperBowl!!! It’s been a long time coming and Philly fans truly deserved this one!

(Apologies to our Treatment Coordinator, Katie, who is unfortunately a Patriots fan…)

GO BIRDS!

Dr. Soleil grew up in the Philadelphia area and went to college and dental school at UPenn. If you know anything about Philadelphia, you’ll know that means that she is an Eagles fan through and through!!! Can’t believe the birds made it to the big game! Happy Superbowl everyone!!!

We hope everyone had a great holiday and is kicking off the new year in style! Here at Soleil Orthodontics we are very grateful for our amazing patients and our rockstar team, and we’re so excited for everything 2018 has to bring! Best wishes for a healthy and happy new year!

If one of your new years resolutions is to improve the health and appearance of your teeth, we look forward to seeing you for a free consultation! Keep those bright smiles shining!

We had some fun with our patients on Friday afternoon! Thanks to the team at Trillium Dental Specialists for visiting the office! We got to use our new TRIOS 3Shape intraoral scanner – 7 new patient exams and not a single drop of goopy impression material!

Schedule your appointment for a complimentary consultation by calling 425-598-0600!

Redecorating and getting ready to open our doors! We’re looking forward to meeting all of our new patients! Services we provide include traditional braces, Invisalign for teens and adults, early treatment for pediatric patients, orthodontic treatment for sleep apnea, and craniofacial orthodontic care including cleft lip and palate.