Invisalign orthodontics concept - Young attractive woman holding - using invisible braces or trainer.

Braces Vs. Clear Aligners: What to Know

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If you have crooked teeth, your dentist may recommend braces or clear aligners to correct the problem. Both tools do the same thing, even though they operate differently (and look different). If you have crooked teeth, then it’s important to know the differences between these two orthodontic options. To find out which one is right for you, talk to your dentist in Owensboro, KY.

Braces Pros and Cons

Braces are a tried and true technology that has been around for decades. As such, they tend to be effective and affordable.

Unfortunately, braces have many downsides. They have a significant impact on the aesthetics of the mouth. In addition, braces are easily damaged by certain hard and sticky foods, which means that people wearing braces must refrain from eating certain things.

One more downside to braces: they’re difficult to clean. They can trap food between their wires, and removing the food can be difficult.

Clear Aligners Pros and Cons

Clear aligners are made from clear plastic. They do the same job as braces but with some important benefits. Clear aligners are difficult to see and thus don’t impact the appearance of the smile.

In addition, aligners are easy to remove, which means they can be easily cleaned. Aligners can also be removed at mealtime, so they don’t negatively impact what foods the wearer can eat.

Making a Decision

Ultimately, the best way to decide which type of orthodontics in Owensboro, KY is right for you, you should speak with your dentist at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry. We can help you decide which option is right for your budget and other priorities.

Invisalign orthodontics concept - Young attractive woman holding - using invisible braces or trainer.

What Can I Do About Crooked Teeth?

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Crooked teeth can be a problem! In addition to the fact that many people with crooked teeth feel self-conscious about their smile, crooked teeth can also lead to misalignment of the jaw.

If you suffer from crooked teeth, it’s important to see your dentist in Owensboro KY. Your dentist can let you know if you need orthodontic services and if so, can give you a referral for orthodontic care. At Travis Wilson Family Dentistry, you can get your orthodontic care in-house, which makes it easier to get your teeth straightened!

Braces

Braces consist of metal brackets attached to the teeth, connected by wires that are tightened periodically to draw the teeth in different directions. Braces are a traditional way to straighten teeth and correct alignment problems.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, also called Invisalign, are made from clear resin that fits over the teeth. Clear aligners act like braces, because they work by slowly shifting the teeth into the correct position. However, clear aligners are different from braces in a few ways.

First, clear aligners are nearly invisible, which means they’re a lot less disruptive to your smile. Second, aligners can be removed at any time, which makes eating certain foods and cleaning your teeth much easier.

Veneers

Veneers are non-orthodontic solution to crooked teeth. A veneer is a cover that fits over the front of your tooth. Veneers look like your natural teeth, but they can be used to hide imperfections in your smile and tooth alignment.

Veneers don’t correct structural problems – they only cover up cosmetic problems. This may be a good solution if your teeth aren’t all straight but your tooth misalignment is not so severe that it’s worth correcting.

Want to know more about orthodontics in Owensboro KY, or about getting veneers installed? Call Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry today.

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Are Crooked Teeth Really A Problem?

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Crooked teeth can cause some people to feel self-conscious about their smile and appearance, but are they a problem in other ways? The best way to find out if your teeth need to be straightened is to work with a dentist in Owensboro, KY. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth and tell you about procedures that can help straighten them.

Problems Made by Crooked Teeth

There are many problems that are made by having crooked teeth!

  • Difficulty cleaning. People who have crooked teeth often end up have difficulty cleaning their teeth – because their teeth may crowd each other, making parts of the tooth very difficult to reach with a toothbrush.
  • Excess wear and tear on teeth. Crooked teeth can wear on each other, causing excessive wear and tear.
  • Increased risk for gum disease. When it’s hard to clean your teeth, it becomes harder to prevent gum disease.
  • Makes chewing a challenge. Crooked teeth often don’t line up when they’re clenched, which can make chewing harder than it needs to be.
  • Cause bad breath. People who have gum disease often suffer from bad breath. No matter how much the teeth get brushed, this is still a problem.

How to Fix Crooked Teeth

The first step to fixing crooked teeth is to get a dental exam in Owensboro, KY. At Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry, we provide dental exams to evaluate various oral health conditions and make recommendations for correction as needed.

To find out whether your teeth need to be straightened, call today to make an appointment. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, discuss our orthodontic services and provide clarity to the process of correcting crooked teeth.

How to Fix a Gap in My Teeth?

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When you have a gap in your teeth, your smile is negatively impacted. But more importantly, a gap in your teeth can lead to serious issues like teeth shifting, bit alignment problems and trouble chewing food. Depending upon the case of the gap, you may need tooth replacement at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry in Owensboro, KY or orthodontics to gently close the gap.

When Tooth Replacement is Needed

You will need tooth replacement in Owensboro, KY if the gap in your teeth is because of a missing tooth. Your Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY dentist has a variety of options to replace a missing tooth, including:

  • Bridge
  • Implant
  • Denture

When Orthodontics Are Needed

If the gap in your teeth is due to a natural condition, your dentist in Beaver Dam will likely recommend that you get orthodontics to close the gap. As with tooth replacement options, you’ll have several choices when it comes to orthodontics.

One choice to fix a gap in your teeth is clear aligners. These are low-profile devices that fit inside the mouth. They are removable and temporary. As your gap slowly closes, you’ll be fitted with a new aligner. Aligners are to be worn up to 22 hours per day for best results, although they can be removed for eating and oral hygiene.

Braces

If the gap in your teeth is wide, your dentist in Owensboro, KY may suggest traditional braces. These are permanently affixed to the teeth and give the same or better results as aligners. Braces are typically worn between one and two years.

You don’t have to live with a gap in your teeth; in fact, it’s best not to have a gap at all. Contact your Owensboro, KY dentist to discuss possible solutions to closing the gap in your teeth.

Hidden Benefits of Orthodontics

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When you think about orthodontics, the first thing you probably think of is the correction of crooked teeth. And it’s true that the main reason to get orthodontics in Owensboro, KY is to realign crooked teeth and to fix irregular bite profiles, such as an underbite or overbite. But there are hidden benefits of orthodontics that aren’t immediately apparent. Once you or a loved one has successful orthodontic treatment, you will discover these hidden benefits. In the meantime, here they are.

Increased Confidence

If you have crooked teeth, an overbite or underbite, you may avoid smiling. You may even avoid eye contact with people, since the most common friendly response to eye contact is a big smile. If your teeth are a big embarrassment for you, you may even have avoided situations where you have to appear in public. But after orthodontics, a hidden benefit is the increased confidence you’ll have. You will likely want to show off your smile and eagerly look forward to social activities!

Better Eating Habits

When you get orthodontics in Owensboro, your dentist will give you a list of foods to avoid. Certain foods may get stuck in the orthodontics and be hard or impossible to remove with regular brushing. This extra attention to diets may lead to better eating habits overall, and your improved diet may very well last long after your orthodontics have been removed. After all, now you’ll want to protect your “new” beautiful teeth!

Improved Oral Hygiene

Another hidden benefit of getting orthodontics is that you will likely develop improved oral hygiene habits. You’ll be paying more attention to your brushing and rinsing to make sure you remove all the food debris. These improved habits will probably stay with you for the rest of your life.

When you’re ready to discuss orthodontics, contact your dentist in Owensboro, KY. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

3 Myths About Traditional Metal Braces

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When it comes to orthodontic treatment in Owensboro, KY to address alignment issues, a lot of people these days do opt for invisible aligners. However, the same standard, traditional metal braces that people have used for decades are still effective. Take a look at a few of the most common myths surrounding standard metal braces.

Myth: Treatment takes longer with metal braces

On the contrary, treatment with metal braces sometimes takes less time than with invisible aligners. Nevertheless, the two types of smile alignment can actually be pretty comparable when it comes to the duration of treatment. The primary difference is the fact that aligners require the wearer to strictly adhere to the wearing schedule. Patients that do not wear aligners for the bulk of the day can have longer periods of treatment.

Myth: Metal braces cut your mouth and lips on a regular basis

When you initially get your braces, it can take a few days to get accustomed to speaking and chewing in a way that prevents any abrasions from occurring. However, beyond those first few days, most patients rarely have issues with cuts or abrasions happening because of their metal braces.

Myth: If you have metal braces, you can’t eat what you want

The dentist may give recommendations about a few foods to steer clear of, but, for the most part, you can still eat what you want. Some of the foods that are commonly recommended to avoid include things like hard candy and sticky chewing gum, which are not a substantial part of most people’s diet.

Talk to an Owensboro, KY Dentist About Smile Alignment

Whether you are looking for traditional metal braces or something like clear aligners, an Owensboro, KY dentist can help. Contact our friendly staff members at Travis Wilson Family Dentistry to discuss scheduling an appointment for a consultation.

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How to Protect Teeth While Wearing Braces

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Too often, those who have been wearing traditional braces for 18 months or more find that they have some tooth decay after the braces are removed. Tooth decay while wearing braces doesn’t have to happen. With a few preventative tips, teeth can be in as good or better condition when braces are removed as they were when the braces were installed. Here are the top tips to protect your teeth while wearing braces in Owensboro, KY.

Follow a Braces-Friendly Diet

Nothing is worse for teeth than junk food. If you eat junk food like gummy bears and soda for 18 months, your teeth are bound to pay. Instead, opt for healthy, wholesome foods like fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, you’ll want to avoid certain foods—like gummy bears!—that can get trapped in braces, such as bread. If you adore sandwiches, opt for lettuce wraps, at least until the braces come off.

Rinse Often

Every time you eat, you should try to brush your teeth. Of course, sometimes this simply isn’t practical, especially when you’re away from home. In place of brushing, rinse well. You can even use tap water just to rinse away extra food debris in order to keep it from becoming trapped in your traditional braces. Be sure to brush thoroughly once you arrive back home!

Consider a Water Jet

A water jet appliance can be very helpful in removing hard-to-remove food debris while wearing braces. There are several models available, and all work equally well. Just be sure to use a moderate speed on the water jet appliance so you don’t inadvertently damage sensitive gum tissue.

With a few precautions, you won’t have to deal with any tooth decay after having your braces in Owensboro, KY. Contact us today for more information about braces.

Invisalign

Straightening Your Smile: Are Traditional Braces or Invisible Aligners the Right Choice?

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Are you tired of looking in the mirror and staring at your crooked teeth? Perhaps your child is showing signs that they could benefit from braces. Should you plan on using the traditional approach with metal braces or go with the new trend of invisible aligners for your treatment? Both types have their pros. Learn which one is right for you!

Benefits of Traditional Metal Braces

There are a number of reasons why you will still want to opt for a set of metal braces for your child or yourself. Metal braces are better suited for patients with a severely misaligned bite that may require extractions or extended orthodontic treatment. Since they adhere to your teeth, they cannot be removed or lost. In most cases, the treatment time is about the same as the aligners. It is easy to clean your teeth and braces since you use your traditional toothbrush and floss. With the right dental insurance, the cost of traditional braces may be fully covered. In general, they are more affordable compared to the aligners.

Benefits of Invisible Aligners

The biggest benefit associated with invisible aligners is that your smile is not hidden by the metal brackets since the trays are made out of clear polymer. There are no food restrictions as they can be removed while you are eating. They are easily cleaned using the recommended solution, eliminating bacteria and smells. They are well suited for patients with a minor misalignment that does not require any extractions or surgical treatments. You will need fewer visits to the orthodontist as you receive several aligners at one time that you can change out every two weeks.

Work with Dr. Travis Wilson to Make the Best Choice for Your Mouth

The best way to determine which orthodontic treatment will fit in better with your budget, lifestyle, and health is to make an appointment with Dr. Travis Wilson. Together you can decide if you will see better long-term results with metal braces or have the dedication required for the aligners. Whichever path that you select, you will receive support and advice throughout your treatment from your favorite Owensboro dentist.