Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Blog

If you’ve been looking for orthodontic treatment, chances are you’ve stumbled upon multiple options. However, clear aligners are becoming an increasingly popular choice for achieving a picture-perfect smile without the hassle of traditional braces. And it’s easy to see why! They’re discreet, effective, and comparable in price to traditional treatments. But before you buy, you should know what to expect. Read on to find a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for clear aligners.

Clear aligners continue to gain popularity as a discrete alternative to traditional braces to straighten smiles. Instead of bulky metal brackets, this method utilizes clear plastic aligners to gently shift your teeth. Patients love that they’re less visually intrusive and therefore don’t cause the same anxiety over their appearance.

That said, if you’ve noticed that your child’s aligners are tinted yellow, it’s natural to feel concerned. It defeats the purpose of an ‘invisible’ treatment if it becomes discolored. Keep reading to learn 3 reasons this happens and what you can do!

While braces are a time-tested orthodontic method that can straighten out smiles even in complex cases, they require a significant amount of effort on the part of the patient. These orthodontic appliances require their wearers to carefully and rigorously clean them every day while abstaining from certain foods and beverages. While braces aren’t always completely comfortable to wear, patients can take special measures to keep any discomfort at a minimum. Here are a few common problems with braces and a few tips for resolving them.

Many patients report that oral care with Invisalign is much easier than with traditional metal braces, but patients will still need to follow a few basic rules to keep their teeth healthy and their treatments on track. Without proper care, a patient’s teeth might become discolored or shift out of alignment. Here are a few things you should know about wearing Invisalign, including a few dos and don’ts to help you protect your teeth and ensure your treatment is effective.

‘Tis the season for delectable delights! From Halloween candies to Thanksgiving pies, the last few months of the year offer a plethora of tempting treats. While indulging in these seasonal delights is a joy, it can be a bit different for those with braces. So, if your little one is currently undergoing this orthodontic treatment, continue reading to learn about invaluable tips on navigating holiday meals with braces.

Invisalign has become a popular alternative to traditional braces because it can straighten your teeth without bulky metal brackets. These clear plastic aligner trays are customized to fit snuggly over your pearly whites to gently move them to their ideal positions over time. Your dentist will provide you with new aligners every 1 to 2 weeks to account for movement in your teeth throughout treatment.
Some patients are surprised to realize, however, that they’re simply not seeing the results they anticipated. If this sounds like you, keep reading to learn 3 reasons why this might be happening so you can get back on track!

Halloween is the one time of year when parents ease off the sugar throttle and let it go wide open. But if you wear braces, you may not be able to enjoy all of your favorites. It can also be difficult to sort it all out at the end of the night to see what you can and can’t enjoy. After all, you don’t want to end up back at your orthodontist the next morning!

If you want a great list of Halloween treats to enjoy while wearing braces, continue reading.

So, you’ve just found the time to take a rest from supervising your new bundle of joy and poke around the internet to answer your burning questions. If you’ve made your way here, then you’re probably wondering about dental care for your young one as they age.

The good news is that it’s never too early to start. If you’re curious as to how to begin your child’s oral health routine and continue it going forward, continue reading.

Clear aligners have become a popular alternative to traditional metal braces for those looking to straighten their teeth. They work by covering your teeth to gently move them into their ideal placement. As teeth shift, new trays will be necessary to account for the changes. That means that every week or two, patients need to replace trays in order to progress. Sometimes, though, refinement trays are necessary if your teeth aren’t moving as anticipated. Keep reading to learn more about how and why!

Whether your child is scared of going to the dentist or not, broaching the subject can feel complicated or intimidating. You don’t want to scare them, but you also want them to know exactly what to expect. If you’re not sure how to prepare your child for a trip to the dentist’s, you’re not alone. Here are 6 children’s books that help with dental anxiety and make this conversation easier for both of you.