AJ Orthodontics Blog

Jaw pain can put a real damper on your daily life. It’s no fun to feel throbbing anytime you chew- or even open your mouth to talk. This is unfortunately the reality for patients who frequently grind their teeth or have TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. Thankfully, your orthodontist can help! You may not have been aware, but straighter teeth aren’t the only benefit of braces. Continue reading to learn more about 4 ways braces contribute to your oral health!

Invisalign treatment can straighten a smile in a shorter amount of time than traditional braces using appliances that are only barely visible, but even this ingenious process could use some help sometimes. When things aren’t moving quite on schedule, Invisalign refinements come in handy for keeping treatment on track. Here’s what you need to know about when refinements are necessary and how they work.

If you’re ready to invest in a straight smile with braces, you’ll face an important decision – picking a color for the rubber bands you’ll need to wear. It’s normal to have concerns about the appearance of brackets and wires. Adding rubber bands can cause your anxiety to rise because you may not want to draw even more attention to your mouth. However, you can also use the bands to showcase your bright personality. No matter how you feel about wearing them, the color you choose can affect the way your teeth look. The wrong color can make your teeth look aged and dull, while others can make your smile pop. Here is how to choose the best color for your smile.

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One of the benefits of wearing Invisalign over traditional braces is that you get to eat whatever you want. However, you should still be consuming sugary and acidic treats and beverages in moderation and properly cleaning your teeth. While aligners cover and shield your teeth, you can’t neglect your oral hygiene routine. Here’s why you can still get cavities if you have Invisalign.

These days, more patients than ever before are realizing that a picture-perfect smile can easily be achieved with the help of Invisalign. These remarkably innovative clear aligners have completely taken the world of modern dentistry by storm thanks to their convenience, subtlety, and quicker treatment timeline compared to braces. However, sometimes patients with Invisalign must also receive attachments in order to ensure that the trays perform their expected function. Here’s a brief explanation of what these attachments are and what you can expect if you need them.

Braces are perhaps the most tried-and-true of all orthodontic solutions, capable of assisting patients of all ages with achieving straighter smiles, and boosted confidence. However, the orthodontic journey isn’t always a cakewalk, and adults who receive braces might encounter specific challenges as they return to work. Fortunately, with a little knowledge and preparation, these small obstacles can be minimized or even prevented entirely. Here are three useful tips from your orthodontist that’ll pave the way for a smooth return to work after getting braces.

Bruxism, the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, often occurs during sleep and can be influenced by stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Misaligned teeth can also contribute to this condition, raising the question of whether orthodontic treatment can be beneficial. Bruxism can lead to dental complications and discomfort. If you’re contemplating Invisalign as a potential solution for bruxism, continue reading to discover its advantages in managing this condition.

Braces work wonders in correcting crooked teeth by gently applying pressure to guide them into proper alignment. This process stimulates the bone cells to reshape and generate new tissue, ultimately resulting in a beautiful smile. However, it’s important to be aware that certain common issues may arise during the teeth-straightening journey. Read on as we explore five of the most typical problems with braces and offer practical solutions to ensure a smooth orthodontic experience.

Between the removable aligners, lack of dietary restrictions, and easy oral hygiene regimens, Invisalign has earned a reputation for being relatively hassle-free. Of course, there are still a few responsibilities that come with this discreet orthodontic treatment, including caring for your aligners properly. Although they are custom-made just for you and crafted from see-through, high-quality plastic, they can become warped and stained if you adopt the wrong habits. To prevent that from happening, read on to learn the dos and don’ts of caring for clear aligners!

If you’ve been dealing with a misaligned smile for a long time, getting braces can completely change the way that you look and feel about yourself. However, if you’ve ever had braces in the past, you may have found that you need them again for one reason or another.

As it turns out, this isn’t a unique phenomenon. There are quite a few reasons why someone may need to get braces twice. Here are a few examples.