Many adult patients i speak to have a similar set of concerns when considering teeth straightening. Apart from the concerns about how much braces will cost or how long braces take to straighten teeth which i have addressed in other posts, The most common concerns i hear are:

• Will braces affect the way that i talk?
• Will i be able to continue with my normal lifestyle?
• Will Braces affect my self confidence?

Naturally, the additional of any orthodontic equipment in your mouth will take some getting used to, but most people who have had braces will happily tell you that the addition of braces to their mouth was a change they got used to very quickly. The most likely change you’ll have to adapt to while you have your braces in an increase in saliva.

Will braces affect the way that i talk? - It is quite unlikely that you’ll experience any change in your voice, or develop any speech empediment that did not exist in some form prior to orthodontic treatment.

Will i be able to continue with my normal lifestyle? – Of course! You’ll still be able to socialize, eat at your favorite restaurant and drink your favorite drinks. I have spoken about best practices while undergoing treatment, what foods to avoid and how to keep  you braces clean and prevent damage to brackets and wires. As long as you follow this advice and use common sense, you shouldn’t find your social routine changing.

Will Braces affect my self confidence? -  to this i say, ABSOLUTELY! Once your teeth are straight, you’ll feel WAY more confident and be flashing that perfect smile everywhere you go. But before that? chances are no one will notice that you have had braces fitted, but if you are exceptionally concerned about how braces will look, there is always the option of Invisalign Invisible Braces.

We are proud to announce that we have re-designed our website. The new design is now present at our main site Walkow Orthodontics. What do you think?

Walkow Orthdontics is proud to announce the opening of our new office in Aliso Viejo. Our office offers greater convenience and accessibility for patients seeking the best Invisalign treatment in Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills or San Juan Capistrano. Our address is located at:

Aliso Viejo Office
15 Mareblu, Suite 380
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 831-8856

For more information or to schedule and appointment or consultation, contact the office or visit our website at Aliso Viejo Orthodontist

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

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.

Interproximal reduction (IPR) is the removal of small amounts of the outer enamel tooth surface between two adjacent teeth. It is a means to create space to eliminate crowding and establish a healthy position for the teeth in the bone.  This technique is used for patients in full braces as well as Invisalign.

The benefits of IPR include: creating space to improve tooth alignment; assisting in bite correction; improving the appearance of the teeth by reshaping them for a better esthetic outcome; decreasing the “black triangles” which are created by the absence of gum tissue (gingival papilla) between the teeth; eliminate the need for permanent tooth extractions; and reducing the tightness of the contacts between the teeth to increase the long-term stability

Dr Walkow carefully identifies which teeth need IPR through clinical examination and reviewing the radiographs.  Dr Walkow uses a painless technique that does not require anesthetic.  Only 0.25-0.5mm of enamel is removed per surface.  Research studies have shown that reduction of this level does not lead to long term sensitivity or increased risk of decay.   

There are several factors an orthodontist must consider to determine if IPR is appropriate treatment: the size and shape of the teeth, position and alignment of the teeth, and patient’s facial features and profile.