Braces
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type. They are made of high-grade stainless steel. Today’s metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, more attractive and most durable.
Clear Braces
Our clear braces (brackets) are made of translucent ceramic-porcelain material that does not stain. They are most popular with patients due to their cosmetic appeal.
Self Ligating Braces
The self ligating brackets utilizes (sliding-door) technology known as “self-ligation” that allows the wire to slide back and forth within the bracket.
No elastic or steel ties are used with these brackets. This technology creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition they often reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually performed.
Lingual Braces
What are Lingual Braces?
Invisible, intelligent, and individualized, Lingual Braces are a new generation of orthodontic braces for teens and adults. Your Lingual Braces are created using state-of-the-art technology and are 100% customized to the shape of your teeth and to your dental situation. Lingual Braces are placed behind your teeth so no one will know that you are wearing braces unless you tell them. With Lingual Braces you get efficient, effective tooth movement and great aesthetics. Plus, Lingual Braces are comfortable to wear.
Why choose Lingual Braces?
- Invisible: No one knows you have braces!
- 100% customized
- Shorter treatment & fewer visits
- Minimal discomfort and speech interference
- Won’t damage outer surfaces of your teeth
- Brackets are made from gold, eliminating nickel allergies
Who wears Lingual Braces?
Lingual Braces are great for men and women ranging from the age of 13 to 60+. Most people who can be treated with regular braces can be treated with Lingual Braces, but only your orthodontist can tell you if Lingual Braces are the right treatment option for you.
Lingual Braces can be used to treat:
- Adult professionals
- People who want to avoid damage to the front surfaces of their teeth
- People who are concerned about wearing braces that show
- Musicians who play wind instruments
- Adults and teens playing contact sports
How are Lingual Braces made?
Your orthodontist takes a very precise impression of your teeth. These models are scanned into a computer where your 100% customized brackets are designed by a highly-skilled lab technician. Each wire and bracket is made specifically for you with your unique prescription built in. When the brackets are complete, we will schedule your bonding appointment to place the Lingual Braces on your teeth. You get the smile you’ve always wanted, and no one knows you are wearing braces!
Accelendent Aura
Faster Treatment. Better Results. Affordable Monthly Payments.
New AcceleDent Aura complements your orthodontic treatment. This device may accelerate your tooth movement up to 50%!
How does Accelendent work?
By inserting the Mouthpiece — fitted around your existing orthodontics — and turning on the Activator for 20 minutes every day, AcceleDent Aura can speed up tooth movement by using SoftPulse Technology™. Faster tooth movement may decrease the duration of your orthodontic treatment and can even help to make your orthodontics more comfortable.
The Benefits of Acceledent Will Make You Smile!
- You’ll accelerate your orthodontic experience without sacrificing aesthetics
- AcceleDent can be used for adolescents, teens, and adults, and it is completely safe for patients of all ages.
- The AcceleDent appliance is lightweight and comfortable. You may even forget you’re using it!
- The hands-free design allows you to achieve a beautiful, straight smile faster than you ever thought possible – even while reading, watching television, listening to music, or doing school work.
Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Are you drowsy during the day with no explanation? Do you snore loudly or wake up breathless in the middle of the night? If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be one of more than 12 million Americans who are affected by sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep, as many as 20-30 times per hour. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Since the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don’t remember it, and many feel like they are getting a good night’s sleep when, in fact, they are not. The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents those with sleep apnea from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a constant drowsy feeling during the day.
What are the signs of Sleep Apnea?
The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, contact our practice.
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring at night
- Waking up at night short of breath
- Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
- Headaches upon waking in the morning
- Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
- Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
Are there different types of Sleep Apnea?
There are three categories of sleep apnea. The most common is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat. Less common is central sleep apnea (CSA), in which breathing stops because the muscles involved don’t receive the proper signal from the brain. And some people suffer from “mixed” or “complex” sleep apnea, which is a combination of obstructive and central.
What are risk factors for Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in males than females, and more common in older adults (40+) than younger adults and children. However, anyone — regardless of gender or age — can suffer from sleep apnea. Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, drinking, use of sedatives or tranquilizers, and family history. Central sleep apnea strikes most often in people with heart disorders, neuromuscular disorders, strokes, or brain tumors. It is also more common in males.
Is Sleep Apnea dangerous?
Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem and if left untreated it can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. The ongoing state of fatigue caused by sleep apnea can lead to problems at work or school, as well as danger when driving or operating heavy machinery. Sleep apnea can also cause complications with medication or surgery; sedation by anesthesia can be risky, as can lying flat in bed after an operation. If you know or suspect you suffer from sleep apnea, let your family doctor know before taking prescribed medication or having surgery.
How is Sleep Apnea treated?
Treatments for sleep apnea depend on the severity of each individual case, and the type of apnea. Basic treatment can be behavioral — for instance, patients are instructed to lose weight, stop smoking, or sleep on their sides instead of on their backs. Beyond that, oral devices can be used to position the mouth in such a way that prevents throat blockage. In more severe cases, surgery may be the best option.
What should I do if I suspect that someone in my family suffers from Sleep Apnea?
Contact our practice, and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist. The specialist may recommend a sleep study to diagnose the precise extent of the problem, and can prescribe appropriate treatment. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that we can custom-create for you.
