Walkow Orthodontics, one of the top invisalign providers in the country with practices in Irvine and Newport Beach, continues to innovate as we embrace cutting edge orthodontic technology by being the first practice in Orange County to use a iOC scanner, eliminating the need to take physical impressions of a patient’ mouth.

Now, instead of the traditional process of taking oral impressions which can be a cause of discomfort for patients, Dr Walkow is able to use the iOC scanner which employs laser technology to capture images of the teeth and soft tissue structures of the mouth, resulting in much more accurate, digitally perfect orthodontic impressions. The process significantly improvs the patient experience, provides more accurate impressions upon which to proceed with treatment, and results in much more effective and complete treatment efficiency.

The iOC Scanner is the product of Cadent, now a part of Align Technology. It scans the mouth with a radiation-free laser and in six to eight minutes renders a digitally perfect, 3-D impression of the teeth and soft tissue structures. The iOC Scanner can be used for any orthodontic treatment including traditional metal braces and clear aligner-based orthodontic systems and it is the only product that can be used with Invisalign. Impressions taken with the iOC Scanner are perfect every time and last a lifetime so that patients who lose their retainers can seamlessly replace them no matter where they are or how long they were without the retainer.

Maintaining good oral hygeine while you are receiving your Orthodontic treatment is one of your most important responsibilities. Poor hygeine can lead to spotting and marking on the teeth,  our gums becoming inflamed (known medically as “gingivitis”) or periodontal disease. Here are some tips for maintaining good hygiene and ensuring you have healthy teeth and gums once your treatment is complete:

Try to avoid foods that stain your teeth such as coffee or tea. It is sometimes thought, incorrectly, that the brackets of braces themselves cause marking of the teeth yet this is not the case.

Floss regularly and use mouthwash. Though it is more difficult to floss your teeth when you have braces, it is most certainly worth the effort. Try to floss once a day if you can. Also, use of a fluoride rinse will help prevent you from developing cavities and is certainly easier than flossing.

Brush teeth more regularly than you did before starting your treatment.  With the braces attached to your teeth, there are many more places for food and bits to get stuck in your mouth than before and food will collect and remain in your mouth more easily. You would not go far wrong if you were to brush your teeth after every meal.

Make sure you have your teeth cleaned professionally by a dentist.

By undertaking a proper and dedicated hygeine routine during your treatment will greatly reduce your chances of developing plaque which can cause the development of gum disease, dental decay and bad breath.

Don’t miss the opportunity to have your smile perfected by Dr Walkow, an Invisalign Elite provider, at his offices in Newport Beach, Ca and Irvine with the 2011 web special. The discount coupon qualifies you for a $500 discount on Invisalign or Braces, and  you will receive a Free Whitening System at the completion of your treatment.

Download the coupon or visit the Walkow Orthodontics website to learn more about receiving treatment

Even though your braces are now off, there is probably still a bit more to do – wear your retainer! In most cases, the role of the retainer is to keep your newly straightened teeth set in their new position now that your braces are off.  When you first have your braces removed the bone around the teeth is still quite soft from the movements of your teeth and it needs some time to ‘harden’.

I am often asked, “will my teeth go back to how they were if i don’t wear my retainer”? Though it is quite unlikely that all the work the braces have done making your smile perfect will be undone by not wearing your retainer, it is almost certain that you will experience more shifting of the teeth than if you don’t

It is very tempting to now wear your retainers, but after all the hard work and expense of braces, i’m sure you want to keep your teeth as they are. Your almost at the finish line, don’t give up now.

The most common reason i hear from people who would like to undertake orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth and correct their dental problems but hesitate or decide not too is that they feel they are TOO old to get braces. Are you too old to get braces? To put it simply, NO, you are not too old for braces.

Though it is more common to receive treatment as a youth, especially as we have become more adept at preventative orthodontic treatment, more and more adults are choosing to take the leap and transform their smile. I would estimate that roughly 25% of my patients are what i would call adult.

Another hesitation some people have is that they feel that getting braces is merely a cosmetic procedure. This is not always the case. Not only are you NEVER too old for braces, getting braces could be GOOD for your health. Getting braces as an adult can correct a variety of dental problems, such as:

• stopping the gradually worsening damage that can be caused by overcrowded teeth
• re-alignment to correct bite abnormalities (such as an overbite or underbite)
• correcting jaw position
• correcting jaw joint problems from mis-aligned teeth
• helping with teeth grinding

A common amongst adults is ‘how will i look as an adult with braces?’. Many adult patients at Walkow Orthodontics decide that Invisalign Clear braces are the best solution for them, with the clear, invisible braces being best way to transform their smile without interfering with their day-to-day life or appearance.

Once you have chosen what kind of Orthodontic treatment is best for you, have visited Dr. Walkow, started your treatment and have your braces fitted, your main concern will shift away from your concerns about beginning Orthodontic treatment and choosing which kind of braces to get,  to “What will happen when i take my braces off and what can i expect?”. Eventhough you may have just started you treatment, it doesn’t hurt to have an idea of what happens at the end.

Firstly, having your braces removed WILL NOT HURT. Yet i’m sure that at this point, having had braces fitted, and gone through your entire Orthodontic treatment, you will be confident that any of your concerns about pain are unfounded, right?

Upon having your braces removed, removing the braces will take between 45mins and 2 hours, the first thing to do is give your teeth a proper clean.

Dr Walkow will then take a set of X-rays and bite impressions to check how well the braces straightened your teeth and to take a final record of the alignment of your teeth.

It may be the case that your wisdom teeth have started to emerge DURING your treatment, if this is the case DON’T PANIC. Dr Walkow will recommend that your wisdom teeth now be removed. This will ensure your new, awesome smile does not get disrupted by the emergent wisdom teeth causing overcrowding and shifting your now perfectly aligned teeth.

So now your braces are off you are done, right? Nope. At this point a new word becomes part of your daily vocabulary. RETAINER.

What is a Retainer?

A retainer is a removable orthodontic appliance typically made of rubber or clear plastic and metal wire that cover the outside surface of the teeth and is custom made for your oral profile. You wear a retainer once your braces are removed to make sure that your teeth remain in their new position.

The use of a retainer is an exceptionally important part of post treatment and should be taken seriously. Your retainer will need to be worn most of the time during the first 6 months after having your braces removed. Then subsequently usually only during sleep, yet the needs and requirement for wearing a retainer will vary from patient to patient and be quite dependent on the type of treatment they have received.

Why is a retainer so important?

The reason why a retainer is important is that even though braces may appear to have successfully straightened your teeth, your teeth will still need to settle into their new position. The bones will still be relatively  soft and your gums, adapt to the change. Also, after long periods of time, teeth tend to shift.

Having your braces removed will definitely feel strange, take is easy with hard founds for a while and take some time to get used to being without them.

Braces are a great investment that will last a lifetime.  So let’s start with the good news.  The cost of braces since 1980 has only increased by approximately 75-80% whereas the cost of an average new car has gone up four fold.  Improved materials have led to more affordable and gentler treatment.

The average cost of full braces ranges depending on the level of complexity.  You can expect to find a range of $4000-8000.  Orthodontic treatment is NOT a commodity so carefully research the credentials of your orthodontist and that they are using the most current materials and technology to properly diagnose and treat you or your child’s case.

Most offices now offer flexible payment plans with no interest.   If you have dental insurance it may cover a portion of the treatment.  In our office, we check for those benefits during the new patient consultation and include that in the estimate of treatment costs.

Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums.  There have been many studies that demonstrate how properly aligned teeth and jaws can decrease the likelihood of TMJ, sleep apnea, and even heart disease.  Having a beautiful smile elevates self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-image.  We have seen many of our patient’s lives transformed from having their teeth straightened.  Their heightened self-confidence improved their social lives, careers, and general attitude towards life.

Teeth that are well aligned are less prone to decay, gum disease, and injury.  Straight teeth collect less plaque.  Decay starts when the bacteria in plaque feed on simple carbohydrates (sugar and starch) and produce acid resulting in cavities.  Plaque accumulation also leads to increased risk for periodontal disease.  Proper alignment of the teeth decreases the risk by creating improved access when cleaning.  Finally, protruded teeth can be unattractive and at risk for trauma.  When repositioned the upper front teeth are protected from accidental damage.

First, welcome to the Walkow Orthodontics blog!

This is a question I get on the soccer fields, school events, cocktail parties, and a variety of other community gatherings.

The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that all children receive an orthodontic screening by age 7.  The permanent teeth generally begin to come in at age 6 or 7.  It is at this point that orthodontic problems become apparent.  Because the bones are still growing, it is an ideal time to evaluate a child and determine a long-term treatment plan to achieve the optimal result.

Orthodontic treatment in young children is known as interceptive or Phase 1 Orthodontics.  At this age, the teeth are still developing and the jaw is growing making certain conditions easier to address.  Before the permanent teeth come in, it may be possible to guide their eruption into better positions.    For instance, a few decades ago, the solution to crowding was to extract permanent teeth.  Today, we take advantage of the jaw growth potential and use a palatal expander to create the necessary room which reduces the need for extractions.  Increasing the amount of bone and gum tissue also leads to a decreased incidence of gingival recession as an adult.  In general, children who are candidates for early treatment have the opportunity to receive an improved long-term result and less invasive treatment during the full braces stage (Phase 2).