April 2018 -

It is not uncommon for children to be less than thrilled with their braces. After your braces appointment your child may be disappointed and upset about the mild discomfort. The behavior is completely normal and will adjust as their braces become part of their routine. On that ride home, try these helpful phrases to ensure your child that braces are in their best interest.

#1: “The pain is temporary.”

Yes, it may hurt right now, but the pain is temporary and only lasts a few days. The pain comes from the teeth beginning to shift into their proper place. Give them some over-the-counter pain medication to diminish the soreness.

#2: “You sound just the same.”

Another thing that is temporary is any kind of speech impediment. Whether it is a lisp or difficult to pronounce certain letters, it just takes some time to get used to braces. One suggestion is to tell them to read out loud, so they can get used to talking with braces.

#3: “You can have a smoothie for dinner.”

One of the only benefits of the pain or discomfort from getting braces is that your kids can have smoothies for dinner (and possibly ice cream for dessert).

#4: “You can change your colors.”

Metal braces often require elastic ligatures or bands. The elastics come in different colors, so your son or daughter can pick different colors based on their mood or time of year. The fun colors make braces a little more bearable and gives them something to think about when appointments are approaching.

#5: “Your smile will be beautiful for life.”

The good thing about braces is that they are temporary. The objective is to correct orthodontic issues and straighten your child’s teeth so that they can have a confident, beautiful smile. When they get down in the dumps, remind them to keep their eye on the prize – a beautiful smile.

At Wright Orthodontics we make every effort to keep your child excited about the process of correcting their teeth. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Our patients with an overbite frequently inquire whether Invisalign® is a potential solution. The answer is “yes!” Invisalign® is a technologically-advanced orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligner trays to straighten teeth without being very noticeable. They are offered to adults seeking orthodontic treatments because they require more diligence and responsibility on the part of patients to consistently wear and care for them.

In its inception, Invisalign® was used to treat mild issues such as overcrowding and minor teeth realignment. As the treatment progressed, Invisalign® has been recommended for more orthodontic issues, including an overbite.

What is an Overbite?

An overbite is a dental condition in which the upper teeth noticeably protrude out from the lower teeth when the mouth is closed, and teeth are clenched together. It may result from thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, excessive use of bottles or pacifiers, or, simply, genetics.

For those with an extensive overbite, it is common for the upper teeth to protrude over the bottom lip (horizontal overbite). When adults suffer from overbites and want to correct their teeth, they may be even concerned about the awkwardness of wearing metal braces.

How Does Invisalign® Fix an Overbite?

Invisalign® is used most often in patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Unless the overbite is severe, orthodontists can fix an overbite with Invisalign®. The key to successful treatments for overbites is following the protocol and wearing the aligners continuously to ensure the teeth are moved into the correct position.

With Invisalign®, clear aligner trays are worn about 22 hours a day – all the time except when eating and brushing. Over time, the aligners push protruding teeth back and into their proper position. Every two weeks, new trays are placed over the teeth to continue the process of moving the teeth.

Patients with overbites typically require treatment times of up to two years depending on the extent of the protrusion. Once the treatment is complete, they must wear retainers to ensure their teeth stay in place until the gums and bones around the teeth are able to secure the teeth.

What About Severe Overbites?

Severe overbites may require a more extensive protocol such as traditional metal braces. This is due to the control that the wire and brackets have in shifting teeth back into their correct positions then pushing them back to diminish the overbite. Some severe overbites require orthodontic treatments to expand the skeletal area of the mouth to accommodate the repositioning of the teeth.

Can Overbites be Prevented?

Overbites can be minimized or prevented by averting childhood habits like thumb sucking and nail-biting. When genetics is at play, early intervention is important. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist as early as age seven.

Let’s Correct Your Overbite

Adults with overbites have options to correct their misaligned teeth. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Marc S. Wright to see if Invisalign® or another treatment is the best option to correct an overbite.

Visit us at one of our two convenient locations