BRACES ARE SO common for teenagers (even though they 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.
WE ALL NEED A VACATION AFTER THIS YEAR!
ONE OF THE BIG rites of passage for young adults is wisdom teeth removal. Of course, there are people who can actually fit those third molars in their jaws comfortably and there are a startling number who don’t even grow them in the first place, but for people who do need their wisdom teeth removed, it’s fun to post pictures of their swollen cheeks and videos of anesthesia antics while enjoying lots of ice cream and smoothies. So what’s the deal with these teeth so many people need removed?
OUR TEETH ARE MEANT to fit together in a specific way. It’s how we are able to chew effectively and speak clearly. When the upper and lower teeth don’t fit together the way they should, we call that a malocclusion, or bad bite. In addition to impeding those important functions, a malocclusion can also result in jaw problems, put teeth at risk of breaking, and even make digestion less efficient.
ANYONE OUT OF THEIR teens might think they missed their chance for straight teeth, but that’s not true! Modern orthodontic treatment is for adults too. While it’s true that our teeth can be guided into place more easily when we are younger, they will still respond to orthodontic appliances. And whether or not we had braces as teens, our teeth can still shift over time.
Let’s be honest — the Easter bunny doesn’t always have teeth and braces in mind when filling baskets with special holiday sweets. As your Erie-area orthodontists, the Murray & Iszkula Orthodontics team is here to help you with tips on what candies to give your kids that won’t do serious damage to their braces.
WE KNOW HOW difficult the coronavirus has made the last year, and we know how eager everyone is for things to go back to normal. The temptation to act like they already have is very real, but it’s critical that we stay the course now that we can see the vaccination light at the end of the tunnel. How frustrating would it be to catch the virus now, when we’re so close to being protected from it?
A LOT OF PEOPLE don’t know very much about how orthodontic treatment works, which means that we tend to hear a lot of the same questions from our patients. Let’s head some of those off with a quick Q-and-A session, but make sure you bring any questions we don’t cover here to your next appointment!
IT’S THAT TIME of the year when we take stock of what we’re thankful for. Even in a turbulent year, there’s plenty that goes on that list, from our families and friends to new skills we’ve developed, and we hope that hard-working dental professionals are included for a lot of people!
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Erie, PA 16506
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