PEOPLE MIGHT NEED to find a new orthodontist for all sorts of reasons, so they wonder “how do I get good braces near me?” Maybe they just moved to Woodside. Maybe their old orthodontist retired. Maybe their kids are growing up and almost old enough for braces. Whatever the reason is, we recommend not waiting until to find an orthodontist that fits your needs. Here are five important factors to keep in mind when searching for the best orthodontist for you.

1. Location, Location, Location!

How close is the practice to your home? To your teen’s school or where they play sports? To your workplace? Make sure the distance isn’t so great that making it to adjustment appointments will become a major inconvenience. It’s a good idea to decide on a radius that seems doable for you and your family, then determine who the best orthodontist is within that radius. On the other hand, there might be an ortho slightly farther away who is still worth it for other reasons!

2. Which Orthodontist Providing Braces Near Me Has a Great Reputation?

What kind of reviews does the ortho have? What are their other patients saying about them? Check out the Yelp and Google reviews and maybe ask around your neighborhood, coworkers, and friend group to see if anyone you know is familiar with that particular orthodontist. While there can sometimes be hidden gems, a lot of good feedback is generally a positive sign.

3. What Specialties Can They Claim?

An orthodontic practice that operates close to you and has fantastic reviews might still not be right for you if they don’t offer some of the services you think you’re likely to need. Do they offer emergency care? Do they offer Invisalign for patients who want low-profile treatment? Do some research into an orthodontist’s services to see if they’re a good fit.

https://www.invisalign.com/how-invisalign-works

4. How Well Do They Fit Your Budget?

Sometimes an ortho’s only flaw is the cost of their services in comparison to your budget. A properly aligned smile is an investment, so it’s still important to find an orthodontist to correct bite and alignment problems before they create other issues. Finding a budget-friendly orthodontist is the smart move, both financially and in terms of dental health.

5. Patient Comfort

If you aren’t comfortable around an orthodontist or within their practice, then the other factors might not matter much to you. It’s a good idea to pay a practice you’re considering an early visit just to get a sense of the place and the staff. A good orthodontist will always prioritize patient comfort, especially considering how many patients struggle with dental anxiety!

Meanwhile, keep up those oral hygiene habits!

We Look Forward to Meeting You!

If you’ve been asking yourself “Where can I get braces near me?” but weren’t sure how to start, we hope we’ve given you a few ideas of where to begin! If you want to learn more about our practice, just give us a call or stop by. You can also check our business page, and make sure to get directions before you head our way. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!

Thank you for trusting us with your dental health needs!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Invisalign Technology in Woodside, NY

Congratulations, you've decided to make the jump and invest in an orthodontic treatment. The next decision is what treatment option is best for you. These days you do not have to settle for traditional metal braces. There's a new solution -- Invisalign.

Invisalign works like traditional braces to help straighten your teeth. It uses a set of aligners made from clear plastic instead of metal brackets. Because they are invisible, you benefit from straightening your teeth without the self-conscious feeling of wearing braces.

You should know a few things before starting your treatment with Invisalign Align technology. 

#1 – Wear Your Aligners As Much As Possible

Keep your Invisalign aligners in for at least 22 hours every day. Robert Bruno DDS suggests you refrain from taking them out unless you have to brush your teeth, eat, or drink. The longer the wear time, the quicker your treatment will be.

#2 – In the Beginning, You'll Have a Lisp

Invisalign can affect your speech at the beginning of treatment. There's nothing you can do to prevent this, as it's just a natural reaction to the plastic aligners.

Don't be tempted to remove them to talk; keep them in; practice makes perfect. It won't last but a few days until your speech adjusts.

#3 – Treatment Time Varies 

Invisalign treatment plans vary according to how much work you need. If your teeth are slightly misaligned, it might last less than a few months. Likewise, if you have an open bite or a mild to moderate malocclusion, it can last longer.

Dr. Bruno will examine your teeth and let you know how long treatment should last for you.

#4 – Results Are Faster Than Metal Braces

It doesn't take long to see results with Invisalign. Most people may only take 9 to 18 months to complete treatment compared to braces which usually take 22 months. 

#5 – Dental Hygiene is Ultra Important

Brushing and flossing after eating are more important now than ever. Invisalign covers and seals in whatever you just ate, trapping in bacteria. You don't want to have sugar stuck to your teeth for hours. Brush, floss, and rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating and drinking to reduce dangerous bacteria.

#6 – Brush Your Aligners Too

Look after your aligners just as you look after your teeth. Clean them daily to remove any buildup and discoloration by gently brushing the trays with a soft toothbrush.

#7 – Remove Aligners Before Eating and Drinking

The aligners can't withstand the pressure of biting down. Please remove them before eating to avoid breaking them and interrupting your treatment.

The same goes for all liquids except water. Drinking something sugary or acidic with Invisalign aligners in your mouth without rinsing can lead to cavities or erosion of your tooth enamel. So stick with water!

#8 – There's No Age Limit For Invisalign

People of all ages can enjoy the Invisalign system. More and more adults are straightening their teeth because of Invisalign. 

#9 – Retainers

The work doesn't stop when Invisalign treatment is over. You'll get a nighttime retainer fitted to your straightened teeth to keep them from shifting back.

Invisalign In Woodside, NY 

If you live in or around Woodside, New York, visit Robert Bruno DDS for your Invisalign consultation. We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your best smile. 

BRACES ARE SO common for Woodside teenagers (even though teens aren’t the only ones who can have them) that a lot of people might take it for granted that these bits of metal can move teeth into their proper position, but how exactly do they do that? The process is pretty cool, so let’s take a closer look at it.

The Anatomy of Braces

Why do braces consist of brackets, O-rings (also called bands or ligatures), and archwires? Because each of those parts plays an important role in orthodontic treatment. Sometimes there are additional parts and appliances depending on the patient’s specific treatment plan, but everyone who has traditional wire braces has these three parts.

Brackets: Anchor Points

If you look closely, you can tell if someone is closer to the beginning of their orthodontic treatment than the end because their brackets aren’t in a straight line. For some patients, the brackets might even emphasize the crookedness of their teeth. The placement of the brackets is very deliberate. It’s what allows braces to move teeth to where they need to be. The colorful o-rings then go on top of the brackets to hold the archwires in place.

The Archwire: The Guiderails

Running through the brackets is the archwire, which varies in material and thickness depending on the treatment plan. Archwires provide steady, gradual pressure in the right direction as they try to straighten back to their original shape. Once the archwire is in place, the colorful O-rings go on top, holding brackets and archwire together.

The Elastics: Connective Tissue

Elastics are the most common addition to the main three braces ingredients. They’re used to correct a malocclusion (bad bite) or misaligned jaw by applying pressure towards the proper alignment. However, the only way they can do their job is if the patient wears them EXACTLY as instructed. You cannot speed up your treatment by wearing extra rubber bands. In fact, you will probably only make it take longer.

Orthodontic Treatment at the Cellular Level

When braces apply pressure to our teeth, they don’t simply move. There’s an intense cellular process happening in our jawbones in response to that pressure. In front of the tooth, specialized cells called osteoclasts break down bone cells that are in the way, while osteoblasts build new bone cells behind the tooth to keep it fitting snugly in its socket. The bone is actually reshaping itself!

Why Retainers Matter

The bone-reshaping process takes time, and our teeth still remember their old position after the braces come off. This is why it’s so important to wear retainers. They help the teeth and jaws get used to the new position, and they also prevent separate shifting that happens to most people’s teeth as they get older.

Learn More About How Your Orthodontic Treatment Works

Maybe we’ve answered some of your questions about braces, but you probably have others. Make sure you bring them with you to your next adjustment appointment at our Woodside office. You can also learn more on our business page. The more patients know about how their braces work, the better they understand why we give the instructions we do, and the more confident they are in their future results!

Our patients’ smiles are the very best!

Top image by Flickr user Hana Yamada used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

FEELING SELF-CONSCIOUS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL for patients with a brand new set of braces. You certainly look forward to straightening out your crooked teeth but still may be hesitant about sharing your metalworks with the world. Let's discuss how to get over those under-confident feelings during your orthodontic treatment.

Keep Your Braces Squeaky Clean!

Keeping your braces sparkly clean is the best thing you can do as part of your orthodontic treatment. After every meal, brushing and flossing reduce food particles and plaque that can stick to your enamel, brackets, and wires. Good oral hygiene prevents cavities, making it easier for others to be around you. There is absolutely no one who wants to talk with someone with food stuck to their wires! 

Dr. Robert Bruno recommends carrying a small bag of essentials such as a toothbrush, floss, and a small tube of toothpaste. Be sure to include a small mirror to make sure you're good to go at all times. When you know your teeth and metal brackets are squeaky clean, you can't help but feel more confident.

Express Your Unique Self

Traditional metal braces don't have to be boring. You can choose from a rainbow of elastic band colors to make a fashion statement that's uniquely you. Show your school spirit with school colors, or celebrate the holidays with festive tones. Wear green for St. Patrick's Day, or choose shades that bring out the color of your eyes. 

Go big and bold; try a monochromatic vibe or a "just because" color combo. Showcase your style with every adjustment! If you are an adult patient and a pop of color doesn't seem professional, clear braces made of ceramic material are tooth-colored and blend in while they move the teeth. 

Smile with Confidence

Unabashed confidence and a big smile is probably the most attractive thing around. If you feel a little unsure about your braces, try practicing. Practicing in a mirror will help you get used to seeing and feeling your new smile. 

You are still the unique you. Wearing braces does not change the person you are regardless of your age. Don't let braces hold you back from your life and the activities you love. Be yourself, and you'll soon feel that way!

Remember the Final Goal

Focus on the future, knowing that you are getting a little bit closer to having straight teeth and the smile of your dreams each day. This short period spent wearing braces will be worth it in the long run. Your smile is critical in expressing yourself. Don't wait for your orthodontic treatment to be over – smile confidently every day. Your friends and family will look past the braces and see your smile shining through.

Robert W. Bruno, DDS, offers many types of braces in Woodside, NY. You have your choice of traditional metal braces, self-ligating braces, ceramic braces, virtually invisible plastic aligners, or lingual braces.

If you are ready to straighten your teeth, don't hesitate to contact us to learn more about all the types of appliances available. We can't wait to meet you.