Friday 28 November 2014

The Basics about Quality Braces treatment



Okay, so you need braces.  Don’t panic!  Life with braces isn’t the end of the world.  In fact, it doesn’t have to be all that different than life was before braces.  As a Hanover orthodontics practice, we here at James River Orthodontics have seen plenty of braces wearers, so we know what we are talking about.  The key to making the most of your life with braces here in Hanover is to educate yourself so that you know how to handle your appliance.

What are braces?

Braces are an appliance that is placed on your teeth to move them into an ideal position.  Braces can be used to correct a variety of dental problems, including crowding, gaps, and improper bite.  Sometimes they are used to correct problems that are purely aesthetic; other times, they correct a problem that can negatively impact your health.

Pain is not Normal

Our Hanover braces patients often note that their teeth and gums feel a little sore right after the appliance is placed and sometimes after adjustments are made.  This is completely normal, so don’t panic when it happens.  Instead, be prepared with some over-the-counter pain reliever on hand and know that the pain will fade soon.  However, genuine pain is not a normal part of braces treatment.  If you experience pain greater than a slight soreness, contact the office.

Brushing and Flossing

Once your braces are on, you will need to learn a new way to brush and floss.  Your Hanover orthodontist will teach you how to do this before you go home.  It is incredibly important to be careful with your dental hygiene while wearing braces.  Any problems with your teeth can compromise treatment and braces are great at causing stains when you do not care for them well.

Changing your Diet

This biggest adjustment you will need to make is to your diet.  There are many foods that will be off-limits throughout your treatment.  Sticky, hard, and crunchy foods are at the top of the list, which might include some of your favorite foods.  Just remember that braces are temporary, but the smile they give you will be forever.

While there is certainly more to know about braces, these four items are an excellent start.  After all, right now you are just looking to be treated with braces, not to be an orthodontist.  And remember: you orthodontics team is always there to answer your questions and make you feel comfortable—don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Invisalign—Discreet Orthodontic Care



When we think about orthodontic treatment and braces, we tend to picture children and teens, as though they are the only ones who ever require the care of an orthodontist.  However, our Glen Allen orthodontics practice has seen a growing number of adult patients in recent years.  These individuals are looking to improve their health and happiness by crafting a straighter and more beautiful smile. 

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to orthodontics care as a child or teen, and that shouldn’t mean that you need to suffer through life with a smile that isn’t satisfactory to you.  However, many adults are resistant to treatment with traditional braces as they feel they look awkward with them.  That is why we are happy to offer Glen Allen Invisalign treatment.

Here at James River Orthodontics, Glen Allen patients often opt for Invisalign treatment.  While the exact motivation for selecting the treatment is individual, many patients are motivated by the same concerns when they select Invisalign: they want discreet treatment that doesn’t interfere with their lifestyle. 

Invisalign is—as you might guess from its name—completely invisible to those around you.  No brackets, no wires, no metal at all.  Instead, it uses a series of clear, plastic aligners that are custom-made to perfectly fit your teeth.  Aside from yourself and your doctor, no one else will know unless you choose to let them in on your little secret.

Our Glen Allen Invisalign patients also love how they do not need to adjust their lifestyle to accommodate their treatment.  You can remove the aligners as needed to brush and floss your teeth as well as when you eat.  Traditional braces require that you adjust your diet—Invisalign requires no such consideration. 

This also makes the excellent option for those with careers in music, sports, acting, and other forms of performance.  Instead of hurting your ability to perform your job while you are in treatment, you can remove the aligners for brief periods of time, such as the amount of time needed to perform a concert, pose for a photo shoot, or play a game. 

If you are curious about the possibility of treatment with Invisalign, contact James River Orthodontics, your trusted Glen Allen orthodontics practice.  We will schedule an appointment to evaluate your suitability for treatment and get you on the road to the smile you dream of. 

Sunday 2 November 2014

Get the best Invisalign & Braces Treatment in Glen Allen

If you are looking into orthodontic treatment with a Mechanicsville area orthodontist, chances are the invisible options available to you have caught your eye.  These treatments allow you to straighten your smile without advertising it to the world.  There are numerous options now out on the market, from the ubiquitous Invisalign to clear brackets.  However, there is one option which is just now starting to gain ground in Mechanicsville, and that is lingual braces.

These unique braces are metal braces and are not invisible on their own.  What makes them invisible is their placement on the teeth: rather than being fixed to the front of the teeth, they are placed against the backs of the teeth, hiding them from view.  This gives you the effectiveness of traditional, metal braces without having to drastically alter your appearance for treatment.  You do not need to compromise when you are being treated with Lingual braces.

When you opt for lingual braces, you are choosing 100% customized treatment.  Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces must be completely designed to fit your unique anatomy—there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.  That means that the Mechanicsville orthodontist you choose for your braces must take great care and pay close attention, giving you incredibly detailed care. 

However, there are benefits to lingual Best braces treatment in Hanover beyond their invisibility and the inherent care your doctor must give them.  While traditional braces can be abrasive to the soft tissues of your lips and cheeks, lingual braces hug the insides of your teeth and make minimal contact with the rest of your mouth.  They are highly comfortable for the wearer.

For those who play contact sports, lingual braces are a safer option than traditional offerings.  As the braces are not on the front of the teeth, the risk that they will become caught on an object or piece of clothing is minimal to non-existent.  As an athlete, you can play without fear when you are wearing lingual braces. 

If you are in the Mechanicsville area and would like to learn more about lingual braces, contact James River Orthodontics.  Few area practices offer these revolutionary braces, but James River Invisalign treatment in Glen Allen is one of them.  Their team will examine you and explain to you your options so that you can make an informed decision regarding your preferred course of treatment.  

Affordable orthodontics clinic for dental braces treatment in Hanover

Are you feeling a little down about the idea of getting braces?  If so, there are a few things you should keep in mind.  First of all, treatment with braces isn’t forever; you will get the off soon enough and you will look so much better with your straight, healthy smile.  It also isn’t as painful as you might imagine.  Yes, attaching metal to your teeth might seem like some form of medieval torture, but it isn’t painful and the slight soreness you might experience can be treated with Tylenol.  Finally, braces give you the opportunity to really express yourself in ways you haven’t had the chance to before.

If you are in the Hanover area, James River Orthodontics in Hanover is an excellent practice for you.  They are experts in orthodontic treatment and they offer Hanover braces options that most other practices do not.  Among those options is the choice to use WildSmiles brackets.  These brackets allow you to select shapes which express your interests and personality instead of the standard brackets that everyone else has.  You can go for a single shape or you can mix-and-match as you desire. 

If you play football, why not opt for football shaped brackets?  Or soccer balls if you are a soccer player?  If you are always doodling flowers and hearts in your notebooks at school, you can now adorn your smile with them.  WildSmiles brackets allow you to express yourself every time you smile—and you will stand out from the other braces wearers at school. 

And you can go even further in expressing yourself through your braces each time you get your elastics changed.  Opt for your favorite color or colors, complement your school uniform, coordinate with the holidays, or express pride in your favorite team.  Imagine, as a football player, being able to have football brackets and elastics in your team colors.  Now that is a true showing of the sportsman’s spirit. 

Getting Best braces treatment in Hanover doesn’t need to be a negative experience.  Treatment is only a small portion of your life and you should make the most of it.  Have fun, be unique, and show the world who you are with your braces. 

To learn more about WildSmiles brackets and other braces options, contact Hannover orthodontics practice James River Orthodontics.  They will make certain you get the exact look you desire.