At our office, we dedicate ourselves to providing you with exceptional dental care. We make every effort to ensure that you experience quality care and friendly environment. We will diagnose, then discuss and explain your course of treatment with you.
We specialize in Orthodontics using many different treatment modalities:
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Metal Braces
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Invisliagn
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Ceramic Braces
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Functional Appliances
Straighter teeth can lead to:
- Healthier Gums: Properly positioned teeth are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crowded, crooked or spaced too far apart.
- Easier Cleanings: With maintenance of good oral hygiene, the chances of having plaque retention, tooth decay, and periodontal (gum) disease can be reduced.
- Improved Chewing and Speech: In some instances, speech problems may result from poorly positioned teeth and jaws. Correction of the bite can help improve chewing and speech.
- Decreased Risk of Dental Trauma and Abnormal Wear: Properly aligned teeth are less stressful on the supporting bone and jaw joints.
- More Beautiful Smiles: Straightening your teeth with Invisalign will make you feel less self-conscious and more confident.
Your Braces
Braces guide your teeth into their proper place. They can be used in both Phase-one and Phase-two treatment. How braces move your teeth depends on the way pressure is put on the teeth. It also depends on how long you wear the braces. Your orthodontist will choose the best kind of braces for your specific needs.
Invisalign
Invisalign has helped people all over the world achieve the smiles they have always wanted, without metal braces. Invisalign treats a wide variety of cases, including crowding, space closure, and relapse of previous orthodontic treatment.
What is Invisalign?
- Invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
- Series of clear, removable, custom-made Aligners.
- Uses no metal wires or brackets.
- Custom-made for comfort.
How does Invisalign Work?
- Wear each set of custom-made Aligners for about 2 weeks.
- Remove only to eat, drink, brush and floss.
- Your teeth will move gradually each week.
- Visit your orthodontist about every 6 weeks.
- Total treatment time averages 6-15 months.
The hygienic benefits of Invisalign:
- It’s removable for good hygiene. You can brush and floss normally, which can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
- Your gum health may improve. Research has shown that periodontal tissue health may improve with use of Invisalign Aligners during your orthodontic treatment.
- You can still eat what you want. Because the Aligners are removable you don’t have to worry about what you eat.
- There’s no metal to irritate your mouth. Some orthodontic appliances, like braces, can cause temporary gum inflammation (usually reversible once the braces are removed.) With Invisalign there is decreased risk of lost braces, broken wires, or allergies to the metal.
- Cleanings are quicker and easier than with traditional orthodonticsSeparators or Spacers
Herbst Appliance
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The Herbst appliance is designed to correct bites and improve facial profiles.The most common bite problem the Herbst will correct is when the upper teeth protrude too far beyond the lower. We tend to think that the upper jaw and teeth are too far forward but, more often than not, this condition is due to a small lower jaw that is further back than it should be. |
The Herbst will encourage the lower jaw to catch up in growth. The appliance is cemented and will work for even the most sensitive patient because a constant force is much less painful and disruptive than intermittent forces, like a headgear, and is much more predictable as far as results.
It is often necessary to expand the upper jaw while the lower jaw advances, this is done with the addition of a Palatal Expander. The Palatal Expander is turned with a special key until the upper jaw is wide enough. The doctor will advise you about using the key and what to expect from this combination.
The Herbst appliance can eliminate the need for extracting permanent teeth and/or the need for surgical corrections.
The Herbst appliance is completely contained in your mouth, and is placed on your upper and lower teeth, staying there until the bite is corrected. At first your mouth will feel full and speaking will be temporarily awkward. You may also notice more saliva than normal, but this will decrease, as you become accustomed to the appliance. Even though the Herbst prevents the lower jaw from moving backward, opening and closing movement still occur easily and patients do not have any problems learning to chew their food with their lower jaw in this new position.
As with all kinds of braces, patients with the Herbst need to be careful about what they eat. Hard, sticky, chewy and crunchy foods can loosen the cement and pull the braces off the teeth. Don't play with the appliance with your tongue or fingers. More braces are damaged by these careless habits than anything else.
Retainers
You will get a retainer when your braces come off. You may also wear a retainer between Phase-one and Phase-two. Your retainer holds your teeth in their new place. Since teeth have a great memory it is important that you wear your retainers exactly as instructed. This will be every day at first, and then it will be every night after a period of time. If you don’t wear your retainers, your teeth may start to go back to where they were. Then you could need braces again. This retention stage is a very important stage of treatment, and you must follow the rules very carefully.
- Whenever you take out your retainers, rinse them and put them in the case. If you wrap them in a napkin, tissue, or paper towel, it may end up in the garbage by mistake!
- Brush your retainers with toothpaste each time you brush your teeth. Then rinse them with cold water. In addition to brushing you can use a retainer cleaner tablet.
- Don't wear your retainer when you play sports, or when swimming in a lake or ocean. Always keep them in the case when you are not wearing them, as they are very delicate.
- Never put them in boiling water, bleach, or the dishwasher to clean them. They are made from plastic and light wires and this will destroy them.
- Keep retainers away from pets. Dogs will eat them. Keep the case away from them as well, because they will eat through the case and chew on them.
- Call your orthodontist right away if you break or lose your retainer.
- Always bring your retainers to every appointment.
Lower Lingual Bonded Retainers
A lower lingual bonded retainer is a wire that is bonded to the back of your lower six front teeth (from canine to canine), to prevent tooth movement. In addition to the bonded retainer you will also have a lower essix (plastic) retainer to wear over the lingual bonded retainer, this will keep the rest of your teeth in line.
The appliance is only for individuals who are committed to meticulous oral hygiene. Tooth brushing is extremely important, as well as brushing the wire thoroughly. To keep your gums healthy and tartar from building up you will need to floss under the wire once a day with a floss threader or threader floss. Do this gently so you don't put any extra force on the wire. To prevent breakage avoid biting into anything hard with your front teeth. This is a permanent reatiner and is designed to stay in place for many years.
Bite Plate
The Bite Plate is designed to fit the upper teeth and open a deep bite (when the upper teeth come down too far over the lower teeth). It works by covering the biting surface of only the upper front teeth, which creates a space between the molars. The space created gives the upper molars room to come down as the lower molars come up until they meet.
For optimal results the Bite Plate should be worn 24 hours a day and only removed for eating and brushing. Every time you brush your teeth you should also brush your appliance. There may be an adjustment period and speech may be affected for a short period of time. It may take a few weeks to completely adjust to your new Bite Plate. Make sure to bring it to every appointment.
Schwartz Appliance
The Schwartz is a removable appliance that is worn to expand your arches. Your treatment may include an upper appliance, lower appliance or both. For optimal results your Schwartz should be worn 24 hours a day and removed only for brushing. The appliance has a screw in the middle that gets activated with a special key. You may feel pressure shortly after activation. To keep your appliance clean, brush it every time you brush your teeth. Expansion is normally active for a few months and then wear is continued to maintain space and promote bone development in the dental arches for a period of about 3 months. In some cases a gap will appear in between the front teeth. Don’t be alarmed, we are creating space for your other permanent teeth.
You will receive a case to store your Schwartz. When the appliance is not in your mouth it should be in the case. Please bring your appliance to each appointment. If your appliance is not fitting properly, please call our office so we can make an appointment to have it adjusted.
Twin Block Appliance
The Twin Block is primarily used in Phase-one treatment to correct the bite (open or deep), reposition the lower jaw, increase arch development and/or expand, depending upon your diagnosis. The Twin Block uses the forces of occlusion (how the upper and lower jaw come together) to either open or close the bite depending on the design. With the Twin Block, 24 hour wear is recommended for optimal results and should not interfere with normal movements of the tongue, lips and lower jaw even though your teeth will not be touching. The Twin Block should only be removed to eat and brush. Care of the Twin Block should consist of brushing the upper and lower appliance every time you brush your teeth.
If expansion is required you will receive a key to turn the screw to widen the jaws. There will be and adjustment period and speech may be affected for a short period of time. You will receive a case to store your appliances. When the appliances are not in your mouth they should be in the case. Make sure you follow the instructions given to you on how to remove and replace your Twin Block to ensure that it is properly placed and seated every time. Make sure you bring your appliances to every appointment.
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Palatal Expansion Appliance
A palatal expander (PSA) is a non-removable orthodontic appliance that is used to widen the upper arch and to obtain room for permanent teeth to erupt.
There is generally very little tooth discomfort for the patient, however there is a short adjustment period. During this adjustment period, the patient may have extra saliva in the mouth and may lisp slightly until the tongue becomes used to the appliance. Chewing may be difficult the first few days because the appliance covers the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Cut food up into bite size pieces and stay away from sticky and hard foods such as candies and pretzels.
A few patients may experience a small sore on the tongue from the bar of the expander. If this happens, rinse the mouth with warm salt water or hydrogen peroxide mixed half-and-half with water, a few times a day until the sore heals. If the tongue becomes swollen or does not heal within a week, please call the office for an appointment. Depending on the patients’ tolerance and adaptability level, the adjustment period lasts from 2-5 days.
To obtain the expansion needed, the palatal expander will need to be activated or turned a number of times before your next visit. The Doctor will prescribe the exact number of times the expander will need to be turned.
IMPORTANT! Please only turn the expander as directed. If you miss a day, do not try and make up an extra turn the next day.
Bionator Appliance
The orthodontic appliance is so designed that each time the patient moves his jaws, each time he swallows or talks, he activates the appliance, which exerts gentle pressures on the teeth and dental arches. The Bionator works naturally to properly redirect a patients jaw growth during normal development.
The orthodontic appliance should fit loosely in the mouth. This looseness helps to encourage the patient to close his jaws together in the new relationship.
The patient should practice talking with their teeth together. More rapid treatment results if talking is done with teeth together in the appliance. In the first few days, the patient may have a slight difficulty with his speech. In most cases, the patient gets used to the appliance quickly and can speak well after three or four days. Patients tend to salivate a little more for a short while. Patients can help themselves get used to the appliance by speaking as much as possible with their new appliance and keeping it in their mouths as possible.
The Bionator orthodontic appliance should be worn at all times except:
- When eating.
- When brushing your teeth.
- When engaging in active sports.
- When swimming in a lake or an ocean.
The orthodontic appliance should always be placed in a holding case when not wearing. Never wrap it up in a napkin, Kleenex or paper towel. Someone may throw it away unknowingly.
Elastics
Today you were given your rubber bands. They are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. Rubber bands supply the pressure needed to move the teeth and jaws into the correct position. To achieve the optimal result from your treatment, the rubber bands must be worn as prescribed.
Any time missed wearing your rubber bands will only make your treatment take longer.
You are responsible for placing the elastic on your braces. Be sure to wear them all the time as instructed. Remove them only when you are brushing your teeth. We would like you to wear them when you are eating if at all possible. If you do remove them to eat, replace the immediately after your meal.
Always carry some elastics with you, then if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office. We can mail you some, or just stop by. If you forget to put elastics on one day, don’t double up the next day, just follow your regular instructions.
Rubber bands get tired. Change them frequently, at least three to four times a day. When they loose their stretch, rubber bands don’t provide the proper pressure on your teeth. So it is very important to change them, even if they are not broken.
The rubber bands will make your teeth and jaws a little sore at first. That is because the teeth are starting to move, which is what we want! Usually the soreness only lasts a few days. Do not stop wearing the rubber bands! This will only make the soreness last longer and delay your treatment.
If you have any problems like frequent breakage, a wire/band or bracket loosening, or a hook breaking off, call the office as soon as possible. Don’t stop elastic wear until your next appointment. These problems should be corrected as soon as possible.
Dr. Song's Token Board
Dr. Song offers a token reward system that enables patients to "earn" tokens towards gift certificates to stores and the movies. All you have to do is brush well, and wear you appliances and elastics as instructed. This reward system is fun and motivating at the same time. Our reward system is exciting and is enjoyed by the children and adults alike. The gift certificates we are currently featuring are...
For 35 Tokens: For 50 Tokens:
$5.00 Disney Store $10.00 The Gap
$5.00 Waldenbooks $10.00 Old Navy
$5.00 Toys 'R Us $10.00 Clearview Cinemas
$5.00 F.Y.E. $10.00 Wonder Nails
$5.00 Blockbuster $10.00 Learning Express
$5.00 Game Stop $10.00 Champs
$10.00 Bath and Body Works
Monthly opportunities to earn double tokens!
March- Wacky hair and wigs- Wear all day and to the office!!!!
April- Wear your pj's all day and to the office
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