Blog - Hardie Orthodontics | Rancho Bernardo Ramona Escondido CA

Types of Braces

Traditional Metal Braces Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile. Self-Ligating Braces Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces. However, self-ligating braces do not require the use of elastics, meaning fewer appointments and less friction being placed on the tooth. Self-ligating braces come with traditional metal, ceramic, or clear brackets. They

TADs

Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD) Temporary anchorage devices, or TADs, are small titanium anchors used in certain orthodontic cases to help achieve quicker tooth movement with more efficiency and comfort. TADs may be used in addition to braces or as an alternative to headgear. How are TADs placed? A strong anesthetic is used to numb the gum tissue and the jaw surrounding the area where the TAD will be placed. Once the area is numb, your doctor will gently place the TAD through the gum tissue and firmly into the jawbone. The placing of a TAD is quick, and may be over

Types of Appliances

Elastics (Rubber Bands) Wearing elastics (or rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed, and remember that the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they’re worn as prescribed. Palatal Expander The palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression. Positioners Positioners complete the

Brushing and Flossing

When you have braces, it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance. Brushing with Braces Brush your teeth for two minutes after every meal with a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. As an alternative, you can use a powered toothbrush to increase your brushing effectiveness. Brush the outside and inside surfaces of your teeth using

Life with Braces

Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It’s important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment. Eating with Braces Don’t worry, you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances. Foods to avoid with braces: Chewy foods — bagels, licorice Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing

Accelerated Orthodontics

A fast, gentle way to accelerate your orthodontic treatment. We are excited to offer accelerated orthodontic treatment with PROPEL Orthodontics! If you’re interested in improving the aesthetics of your smile, but are put off by the thought of having to spend months or even years in braces, PROPEL could be right for you. This state-of-the-art technology speeds up tooth movement, and though every patient’s situation is different, many can now have their orthodontic treatment completed in less than a year. So, how does PROPEL work? Over the past 20 years, new treatment options have made our patients’ orthodontic experience more efficient, but not necessarily faster. That

Emergency Care

True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call our office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to solve many problems yourself temporarily until you can get to our office. If there is a loose piece that you can remove, put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next

Two-Phase Treatment

What is the advantage of two-phase orthodontic treatment? Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, and aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your child’s life. What if treatment is put off? Putting off treatment can result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your child’s smile. Early treatment is most effective for achieving lasting results. Phase One A Foundation for a Lifetime of Beautiful Smiles The goal of

For All Ages

Orthodontics for Children While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting the orthodontist around age seven. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery. Early treatment allows your orthodontist to: Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches Create more space for crowded teeth Avoid the need for