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What are the Most Common Orthodontic Problems Doctors See?

Dr. Marc S. Wright is a renowned orthodontist and experienced in a variety of dental issues that stem from the teeth and jaw. The most common issues treated at Wright Orthodontics are described below.

Abnormal eruption

Humans have both a temporary and permanent dentition that are more commonly known as baby and permanent teeth. Normal dentition would include having your baby teeth fall out and be replaced by, what we call, erupting permanent teeth within the span of a few months. An abnormal eruption is when the permanent tooth grows in the wrong place. This can be corrected through extraction, or by placing a type of orthodontic wire to move the tooth into the proper position.

Crossbite

A crossbite is a misalignment of the front or back teeth (or both) and if it is left uncorrected it can be detrimental to your health. Braces are a common tool to help fix this problem, but the type of which is dependent on the type of crossbite and how bad it is.

Crowding

Crowding is a common problem that occurs when there are too many teeth to fit in the mouth. This can cause failure of teeth to come through the gums and can cause severe pain to the patient. Depending on the cause of the crowding, treatment can either be extraction or braces.

Excessive spacing

Abnormally large spaces between teeth can be caused either by genetics or because the patient has missing teeth. Spacing should be corrected to prevent gum problems that stem from lack of protection and allow the teeth to function properly. For this particular problem, diastema braces are a common solution.

Overbite

An overbite is defined as when the lower teeth bite into the roof of the mouth. Depending on the severity of the condition, this can cause the teeth to cut into the roof of the mouth, which can lead to further health problems. Invisalign® is an increasingly popular selection for the treatment of this problem, but regular braces will work as well.

Underbite

This problem can be caused by genetics or childhood habits, and the results can include discomfort in the jaw and teeth as well as difficulty chewing. Treatment can be imperative to improving your self-confidence and overall mental health. Invisalign® is another popular treatment option for this problem.

If you’re interested in improving the quality of your dentition for health concerns that include your mental health, you should contact our highly trained staff of Wright Orthodontics to schedule your appointment today.

Watch Out for The Sugar In Halloween Candy!

Braces in Atlanta and Marietta, GADuring Halloween children eat more candy than they do all year. Candy is very hard on teeth and braces and should be avoided or reduced to guarantee the best orthodontic results.

How Candy Can Harm Your Orthodontic Work

The brackets, bands, and attachments that make up your braces are sensitive to force. There are different types of candy and many forms are hard and/or sticky. Hard candies can get stuck in parts of braces or cause damage to the teeth because of the force that is required to chew and break down the candy. At Wright Orthodontics it is quite common to repair braces that have chipped or popped off due to hard or sticky foods (most commonly candies).

What to Do to Maintain the Health of Your Teeth

Your braces are an investment, and you want to give them the best possible chance of improving your smile. Follow these tips to help maintain the health of your teeth:

  • Brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis
  • Avoid foods that could cause damage to your dental devices
  • Schedule regular dental appointments (even after orthodontic care)
  • Discuss with your orthodontist any concerns you have about treatment

It may be tough to avoid the foods you or your children love, but avoiding them will save you trouble in the long run and keep your teeth healthy and braces happy.

Wright Orthodontics encourages our patients in both Atlanta and Marietta, GA to avoid or limit candy consumption with braces to achieve the best results possible and maintain dental health. Feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule a checkup.

 

How Can Candy Damage Your Teeth and Braces?

Orthodontics in Atlanta and Marietta, GAIf you have braces and regular sugar cravings you may find it hard to resist reaching for a candy bar from time to time. There are a number of recommended foods to avoid during braces treatment, and candy tops the list.

How Candy Can Damage Your Teeth

Candy is bad for your teeth, regardless of whether or not you have braces, but why? Candy is packed full of sugar, which is a carbohydrate. The bacteria that form on your teeth and cause tooth decay feed on carbohydrates. Tooth decay, enamel breakdown, and cavities can all result from eating too much candy. Braces make it hard to rid your teeth of the excess sugar in your mouth, which makes you more prone to dental issues.

You may also find your teeth stained after getting your braces removed if you eat candy. Candy yellows the teeth, and since the brackets for your braces protect a portion of each tooth; it is possible this section will be whiter when your braces are removed.

How Candy Can Damage Your Braces

The world is full of different types of candies, and many of them are hard and sticky. Biting through hard candy or sucking on sticky candy puts stress on your teeth and braces, making the braces, brackets, and bands on your teeth more prone to breakage.

It is very common for brackets and attachments to pop off under hard stress, requiring reattachment by your orthodontist. When your orthodontic devices break it also delays treatment, which can prolong the need to wear traditional braces.

Wright Orthodontics encourages our patients in both Atlanta and Marietta, GA to avoid eating candy with braces to achieve the best results possible and maintain dental health. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a checkup.

 

Show Off that Smile, Laughter is Best for Your Health!

Orthodontics in Atlanta and Marietta, GAOne of the first things we tend to notice about people is their smile. There is nothing quite like a perfect set of pearly whites. So why not make your smile the best it can be? When it comes to your overbite or your underbite, too much space between teeth or too little, or even just that one crooked tooth, there is no reason not to fix it. Your smile tells a lot about you, and you deserve to have the smile you want.

Braces can seem scary. You may not desire to have all that metal in your mouth; however, there is nothing to fear. Plus, some orthodontic issues may not even require braces to be fixed. Invisalign, for example, provides an alternative to traditional braces through the use of a clear, comfortable tray that conforms to your teeth. Whether you go the traditional route or not, there is never a reason to avoid orthodontic treatment if you need it.

Orthodontic treatment is great for a variety of reasons. If you have more serious issues, like a misaligned jaw, then it can help you get to a healthier you. If you have a more cosmetic issue, like a crooked tooth, it can help you get to a happier you. When you feel insecure about your teeth, you will hide your real smile behind a closed lip one or a half smirk. Get a smile you know you can feel confident with and let your laughter shine through. A smile you can believe in leads to higher self-esteem and a happier you. No matter the reason you seek orthodontic treatment, it will get you smiling bigger and better than ever.

Why wait when it comes to getting the smile you deserve? To schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Marc S. Wright in Atlanta and Marietta, GA at (404) 507-2078.

 

What is SureSmile and How Does it Work?

Every field of medicine is improving with the development of technology. Orthodontics is no different.

Now you can spend less time in braces while getting more precise results. SureSmile allows this to happen. The technology enables orthodontists to take digital scans of patients’ teeth. By using these scans, doctors can find the best way to design custom wires for that specific patient.

SureSmile® Braces in Atlanta and Marietta, GA

Doctors use the SureSmile program to find the best direction to move their patients’ teeth. Orthodontists utilizing SureSmile technology can ensure the braces direct teeth in a precise direction which can reduce the amount of time patients spend in braces by as much as a third. Less time means fewer appointments and out of braces sooner!

Additionally, the braces’ wiring is sculpted by robots rather than the traditional method of by hand. This limits the margin of error within the wire so it more precisely matches the patient’s teeth and the doctor’s prescription.

The wire’s reshaping is triggered by the patient’s body heat. The unique Shape Memory Alloy is light weight. It remembers the original shape the metal was in and uses heat – in this case, a person’s natural body heat – to move back into that original form.

The developing technology all comes together to benefit the patient. These innovative techniques cause patients less pain and less time. SureSmile is leading in the field of correcting misaligned teeth and giving patients a beautiful and bright smile.

To learn more about SureSmile and other orthodontic options, please contact Dr. Marc S. Wright at 404-507-2078. We will work with you to find a treatment plan that both meets your needs and your budget.

What is the best age to have an orthodontic evaluation?

Orthodontics in Atlanta and Marietta, GAOne of the most commonly asked questions is when its best to start looking into braces. While there’s no straight forward answer, there are some general guidelines to follow when considering braces. In order to truly do what’s best, you need to talk with a licensed professional.

The most important aspect of deciding whether it’s the right time for braces is whether all of your permanent teeth (except wisdom teeth) have replaced the baby ones. Usually this is 11 to 12 for girls and 12 to 13 for boys. However, these ages are just averages and not a set standard. Many orthodontists use two phases of braces. The goal of two-phase treatment is to expand the jaw and start straightening the teeth at a younger age.

The best way to know for certain when to get braces is to have an exam with your orthodontist. At this visit you can discuss whether your dental needs will require braces. To learn more about braces and other orthodontic options, please contact Dr. Marc S. Wright, located in Atlanta and Marietta, GA at 404-507-2078. The initial consultation is free and staff will work with you to find a treatment plan that both meets your needs and your budget.

Why should I wear a retainer after braces?

After spending months taking care of braces, the idea of wearing retainers can be exhausting or even overwhelming. However, not keeping up with after-braces-care can reverse the entire process.

The use of retainers is vital to keeping your teeth in their new position. Without the use of retainers, your teeth can move back to how they were before braces. Studies have shown that the first six months after taking braces off is the most vital to maintaining the new location of your teeth. This is why most often patients are asked to wear their retainers day and night for six months after first having their braces removed. Usually, if the patient’s teeth remain in their new position, they’ll eventually be able to wear the retainers during sleep only.

There are also other types of retainers, fixed or bonded retainers. These consist of wire that stretches across the back of a patient’s upper and lower front teeth with the help of dental cement. These are harder to clean and take more effort to maintain, but also usually lead to the best outcome because they are constantly in place and cannot be moved.

How long a patient needs to wear retainers varies based on the individual. To learn more about braces and other orthodontic options, please contact Dr. Marc S. Wright at 404-507-2078. The initial consultation is free and staff will work with you to find a treatment plan that both meets your needs and your budget.

Orthodontic Retainers in Atlanta and Marietta, GA
Removable Essix Retainer
Orthodontic Retainers in Atlanta and Marietta, GA
Removable Hawley Retainer
Orthodontic Retainers in Atlanta and Marietta, GA
Fixed/Bonded Retainer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaning your Retainer

Retainers are an important tool in keeping your smile looking its best. If you already have one you may know that the care and keeping of your retainer can get a little bit tricky. Finding the right product to help keep your retainer clean and your mouth fresh and healthy matters.

What you use matters.

The material used to make retainers is incredibly porous, which means it can absorb whatever you use to clean it. This means the cleaning solution can then get into your mouth for you to ingest. Selecting the wrong chemicals could be toxic!

There is a myth floating around that toothbrushes will scratch your retainer. The good news is that not only is that untrue, but toothbrushes are recommended for use in cleaning your retainer. They are the safest way to remove natural buildup.

Choosing the right things to clean your retainer with is very important. It is also important to know how to do it!

How to Clean Your Retainer:Orthodontic Retainers in Atlanta and Marietta, GA

  1. Brush – Gently brush using a soft toothbrush, clear liquid soap (such as Soft Soap®), and cold water. Clear liquid soap contains antimicrobials to kill the bacteria that gets trapped in/on the retainer.
  2. Rinse – Rinse your retainers every time you take them out of your mouth so tartar and germs don’t bond to the material.
  3. Retainer Cleaning Tablets – Retainer Brite® is a specialized effervescent cleaner specifically for retainers, you can find Retainer Brite® in retail stores and online.

Repeat! Keeping your retainer clean is easier than it seems. Use the above three steps to keep a healthy smile.

 

What to avoid:

Effervescent Cleaning Tablets

These bubbling little tablets go by brand names such as Polident® and Efferdent®. Designed to clean dentures, they are not recommended for use in cleaning retainers! An ingredient persulfate is known to cause allergic reactions.

Mouthwash

Though mouthwash is an effective germ killer, the oral rinse is also not recommended for use in cleaning your retainer. The alcohol in most rinses, along with ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate can dry out your retainer and mouth, which not only damages the retainer but can cause bad breath! Mouthwash can also change the color of your retainer.

Boiling Water

The heat from boiling water is an effective germ killer, but it is not recommended for use with your retainer. Unfortunately, the high heat will melt and deform the shape of your retainer.

Baking Soda

This handy household item serves numerous purposes from baking ingredient to multi-purpose cleaner. However, baking soda is very abrasive and will scratch your retainer weakening the material and reducing the clearness of the material.

Contact us if you have questions about how to care for your retainers, or if you feel like your retainer needs some additional deep cleaning.

Before & After Smile Gallery

Visit us at one of our two convenient locations

Atlanta

3019-B North Druid Hills Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30329

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Marietta

990-B Whitlock Avenue NW Marietta, GA 30064

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SAO in Atlanta and Marietta, GA

Office Hours

Atlanta
  • Monday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Thursday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
MARIETTA
  • Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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