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910 Lee Dildy Blvd #260 Elgin, Texas 78621
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Dental care

Do you have to wear retainers forever?

A retainer is a fixed or removable piece of equipment made of wires or plastic. Orthodontic retainers are used to keep your smile aligned after active orthodontic treatment.

Removing braces is a long-awaited relief for many – it offers a sense of regained freedom. However, many people are disappointed to recall that they must now wear a retainer.

Why Retainers?

To begin with, let’s clarify a myth that retainers are only worn after braces.

The truth is that retainers are required after any position-correcting treatment or procedure has been completed – whether it is Invisalign or surgery.

Until the gums and bones that hold your teeth in place are strong enough to handle the task themselves – at least not right away – retainers act as additional support.

As you eat and speak, the supporting tissues around your teeth will gradually get more robust, so they won’t shift back.

You will gradually shift your teeth back if you do not wear your retainers, making the whole process a waste of time and money. A retainer is similar to that of home insurance, which is to protect your investment.

Do You Wear Them Often?

You will still need to wear them every night, even if you have a bonded wire in the first year. Retention review is conducted on patients two years before they are fully discharged. It’s to ensure you’re still satisfied with the result of your braces, that you’re still wearing them, and that they’re still fitting well. If your wear is reduced to every other night, that can be reduced to three times a week. Thus, attendance at your retainer reviews is essential. Make sure your retainers are with you!

Feel free to call or book an appointment online if you need new retainers or a retainer review.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

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Dental care

What are the side effects of braces?

Everyone feels embarrassed about their teeth and hides from smiling around people because of crooked teeth. To help with it, braces are beneficial for tooth alignment and other orthodontic issues. Dental braces leave you with many oral health benefits and a flawless smile.

Braces might leave you with some side effects during and after treatment. Read further to see how braces may affect your teeth.

Side effects of Braces on Teeth

  1. Difficulty Eating food: This is a typical problem for everyone who wears braces. Food becomes lodged in them, and they may be unable to move their teeth as freely. It is advised to eat only soft foods in the first few days.
  2. Mild Discomfort or Soreness: Braces may cause soreness in the mouth in the early weeks. And also people might feel some discomfort not being used to wearing them. Braces are tightening or readjusting your teeth, so it’s common to have a little discomfort. For such pain, you may take a pain-reliever. If pain or soreness gets worse, consult your doctor.
  3. Jaw Pain: Braces are wrapped around your teeth so might cause jaw pain also. This could happen after every session due to tightening. Depending on the discomfort and severity, over-the-counter pain relievers may assist
  4. Plague or infection: Plague is always a common problem for teeth with braces. Food gets stuck in braces and may build a plague or an infection when it is not properly cleaned and maintained, leading to tooth decay.

You might face difficulty eating during the early week, and these side effects will likely resolve quickly. Good dental hygiene practices are always necessary, but they are incredibly essential for people with braces. It would be best to clean teeth every day, which means brushing twice and flossing at least once daily.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

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Dental care

How many times a day should you brush with braces?

There’s no denying that getting braces will alter your daily routine, including your dental hygiene routines. Brushing your teeth after each meal is essential if you wear braces.

Brushing before bed can also help prevent plaque from accumulating on your teeth.

While it is general knowledge that a person should brush their teeth twice a day, this “law” does not apply when wearing braces because the brackets and wires you wear with braces can promote food buildup, which can lead to plaque formation and other complications. Cleaning your teeth at least 4 times a day is recommended, including after breakfast, lunch, supper, and before bed.

What Needs To Be Taken Care of While Brushing?

If stains build up on your teeth, they might be difficult to remove effectively while wearing braces, increasing your risk of developing cavities. Brushing your teeth regularly can prevent all of this, though you should brush lightly while wearing braces to avoid harming the brackets or wires. Food debris can get lodged between the wires and around the brackets, which can be harder to see as you get closer to your mouth’s back, which is why brushing your teeth after every meal is so crucial.

Make sure your mouthwash and toothpaste contain fluoride, which helps to keep your teeth white and healthy. Your teeth will be healthy once your braces have been removed if you maintain a proper cleaning technique while wearing your braces.

Here is the correct brushing tip:

When brushing your teeth with braces, start by rinsing your mouth with water to loosen and wash away any trapped food. Brush your teeth in small circular motions along the gum line while holding the brush at a 45-degree angle. Both the top and bottom angles of the brackets must be brushed.

If you have any doubts or need guidance, you can connect with your dentist asap.

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Dental care

How to Choose Dental Insurance

We all know that getting any dental work (as simple as basic cleaning) can put a dent in your pocket with its cost. So, getting a dental insurance plan is a must for you and your family to stay away from cavities and also keep your dental budget in check.

Dental insurance can cover a range of dental work from routine teeth-cleaning to x-rays, crowns, root canals, etc. Dental insurance premiums are much lower than regular health insurance and if you use in-network dentists then 100% of your preventive dental work is paid for by the insurance company.

But selecting the right dental insurance plan is a bit tricky as certain policies limit you in what kind of work you can get done within that. We will give you a few tips and things to consider while opting for a dental plan.

Categories of Dental Insurance

Dental insurance comes in many forms and ranges from group to individual and family plans. They fall into three categories.

  • Indemnity dental plans: These are the most expensive ones and not so popular. In this plan, you mostly need to pay the entire amount and then file a claim. The insurer pays a cap amount as set by ADA. One advantage of this is that there is no concept of in-network and you can choose any dentist.
  • PPO or Preferred Provider Organization: PPO is the most common type of plan where dentists join a PPO network and negotiate with insurers on their fee structure. There are administrative costs associated with PPO and if you select an out-of-network dentist then you have to pay more from your pocket.
  • HMO or Health Maintenance Organization: In HMP you need to pay either a monthly or yearly premium and you are restricted to dentists within the network. You might also need to live within the area where you are offered the HMO. HMO is usually the cheapest among all plans.

Selecting the Right Dental Insurance

Before you zero down on the dental insurance company, there are certain factors you must consider as outlined below:

  • Check if you can get a group policy: Most people either get their dental insurance through their company or group coverage programs such as Medicaid, AARP, TriCare, and a few more. It is less costly to purchase group plans than individual insurance and they also offer more benefits. 
  • Look out for plans that cover your current dentist: If you have a family dentist then check out specific programs that his/her office accepts or ask them for recommendations. It is perfect if you find a plan that suits your family and is also supported by your dentist that you are comfortable with. With an indemnity plan, you can afford any density while with PPO and HMO you are restricted. So if you do not mind going to a new dentist and PPO or HMO is coming out to be cheaper, then you could go for them.
  • Consider restrictions placed on treatment options: Some dental plans restrict the types of dental work that they cover. They may only offer the most inexpensive forms of treatment even when another approach may be a better fit for your problem. If you need specialty work done then thoroughly analyze the list of treatments covered for each plan you consider.
  • Keep in mind all sorts of costs involved: Most people only look at the premium charges but there are many other charges to look into like co-pays, deductibles, etc. So even if a premium is the most affordable, the deductibles may be too high to suit your budget. So, discuss all the costs involved before deciding on your insurance plan.

To keep the dental health of your family in check, dental insurance is necessary. But when you purchase insurance be aware that major procedures are not covered under most plans, and even if they do, you will have to pay at least half of the charges. So it is a good idea to set aside money every month to help you with any major dental work.

If you are looking for Dental Billing Service in US, you can contact Capline Dental Services.

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Dental care

How can I close my braces gap faster?

Braces can not only make your teeth straight, but they can also affect the shape of your face by expanding the arch of your teeth for a wider, more attractive grin.

Gaps between teeth can be functionally problematic, and braces are frequently the most effective approach to narrow gaps between teeth. Other options are also available.

If you have a diastema, you will need braces. Diastema is known as a gap between two teeth, usually the top front teeth, but it can be any two teeth. Teeth gaps can occur for a variety of causes. Gaps between teeth are frequent in youngsters with baby teeth, but as the larger adult teeth emerge, the space between them often disappears.

Treatment Options for Gaps in Orthodontics

Traditional braces, Invisalign, and other dental solutions are among the orthodontic treatments available for narrowing gaps between teeth:

  • Elastic Chain Braces: Braces work by pulling teeth into place using brackets, wire, and elastic chains. Teeth can be shifted closer together, and gaps can be repaired with a chain of small elastic bands. The colorful elastic chain is worn over the brackets that secure the teeth.

Using elastic chains, gaps can be closed in as short as six weeks to six months. 

  • Invisalign: For some individuals with gaps, Invisalign is an option, but not for others. Much of it is determined by the gap size. Small gaps can be corrected with clear plastic aligners, but if the gap is too great, aligners may not be enough to pull the teeth together, and the patient will need braces. To bridge a big gap, some people may use a combination of Invisalign aligners, bonding, or veneers.

Compared to other malocclusion types, closing gaps between teeth is a relatively uncomplicated orthodontic case.

Make an appointment with your doctor right away if you require additional help and guidance.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!