Tag: orthodontist

3 Challenges Your Child May Face Without Braces

September 1, 2020

It’s easy to think about braces as a mere tool for achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.

And while the self-esteem boost that comes as a result of braces is certainly one of the primary perks for teenagers and children who are learning to come into their own, what if we told you that braces were also a matter of long-term dental and financial health?

So if you find yourself asking whether or not your child really needs orthodontic care, we want to encourage you to consider the challenges your child may face if they forego braces until later in life.

Challenge #1: Dental Hygiene

If your child has overcrowding or unusual spacing of their teeth, they’ll need to be more diligent regarding their dental hygiene. Not only can overlapping teeth wear away at the surface and enamel of the teeth, but any kind of misalignment can result in a buildup of plaque and food particles that require more effort to scrub or floss away.

Thus, children who grow up without braces are more susceptible to developing gum diseases and cavities, as they may not realize they need to increase their oral efforts in comparison to that of their peers with straight teeth.

Challenge #2: Head and Jaw Complications

Misaligned bites, also known as malocclusions, can also cause a misalignment of the jaw, thereby creating a cascade of other problems. Chewing, for one, can be a common challenge for those whose jaws do not align properly, making it difficult to eat food normally, as well as clean it out later.

Additionally, TMJ and headaches often afflict those with poor jaw health, as poor alignment can place enhanced stress on the joints of the jaw, known as the temporomandibular joints.

Challenge #3: Dental Trauma

Children whose teeth stick out from abnormal alignment may also be more susceptible to dental trauma. For example, studies show that children with overjet (also known as “buck teeth”) were two or three times more likely to suffer dental trauma to their permanent adult teeth.

Particularly if your child plays sports or is otherwise in a more active environment, their risk may increase. Additionally, dental misalignment that does not necessarily “stick out” out the mouth may also still result in such damage depending on how much the teeth are liable to scrape against one another.

In all, a lack of orthodontic care in your child’s life may save you money now, but cost you and/or your child both more time and money down the road. 

While adult braces are commonly seen today, we encourage that parents find proper orthodontic care for their children early on, so as to avoid the aforementioned challenges and other emergency occurrences.

If you have further questions about whether or not your child needs braces, or if you’re ready to schedule their next appointment with an orthodontist who offers results you can trust in a welcoming environment, it’s time to contact SouthShore Orthodontics! Be sure to call our team today at 813-815-0080 to schedule.

Signs Your Orthodontic Treatment May Not Have Been Done Right

August 20, 2020

You want the best for your child, and oftentimes that means getting the best the first time.

Sadly, not all professionals are capable of living up to their promises. Other times, you may have been on the mark with your orthodontist, but helping your child with the upkeep after the fact proved challenging.

In any case, sometimes a second treatment of orthodontic care is in order. And if you’re wondering whether you and your family may be in need of another round, here’s what to keep in mind:

Signs Your Orthodontic Treatment May Not Have Been Done Right

If you suspect your child’s initial braces or other orthodontic treatment may not have been completed adequately or safely the first time, you’ll want to take care to discuss their physical condition with them — to ask them if they are experiencing pain or discomfort — as well as bring them to a dentist to inspect the current state of their teeth.

That being said, some indications that their orthodontist may not have completed proper care
may include:

â—Ź Their gum line is receding.
â—Ź There appears to be tooth wear despite good hygiene.
● Their teeth don’t feel comfortable or don’t seem to “sit right” or “fit” in their mouth.
● Their jaw isn’t aligned correctly or there are problems with your child’s bite that were not there prior to receiving orthodontic work.

Maintaining & Preventing The Necessity For Future Work

In some cases, it is not that the first round of orthodontic care was performed incorrectly, so much as it is that following maintenance routines were not kept up with after the process was complete.

For example, if your child stopped wearing their retainer, their teeth may begin to shift back into a new crooked position, or otherwise gravitate back toward their pre-orthodontic positions.

Otherwise, poor oral hygiene or even the child’s general aging may cause new misalignments, such as when their wisdom teeth begin to grow in and cause new shifts that were not previously present.

Finally, bruxism — or the nightly grinding of one’s teeth in their sleep — can also cause damage, requiring your child to wear a nightguard to keep from hurting their teeth or their jaw.

Finding An Orthodontist You Can Trust

In any of the aforementioned cases, it’s imperative that you bring them to a clinically-certified orthodontic professional to assess how to correct the problems at hand.

Moreover, it’s important to find an orthodontist that you can trust with your child’s health and safety. That’s what SouthShore Orthodontics is here for — to provide excellent results and exceptional service in a welcoming environment!

Dr. Matt Ahrens isn’t only passionate about the impact a beautiful smile can have on someone’s life, but he has a rich and skilled history as a board-certified orthodontist, including even having designed his own Simply SouthShore aligners for patients who have already received orthodontic work in the past!

We’re here to help. Contact us by calling (813) 815-0080 to schedule an appointment today!

3 Easy Tips for Affordable Orthodontic Care

July 15, 2020

Braces mean a change in budgeting — that’s a fact that’s hardly in dispute. But as orthodontic care often equates to healthier teeth, easier cleaning routines down the road, and a more confident smile, it’s also well-known that orthodontic treatment is well worth the money.

That being said, finding an affordable treatment plan that works for you and your family might take a little more time and effort — but it doesn’t have to be a stressful process.

So, before you break open the piggy bank and start crunching numbers, we want to help get you started! That’s why we’re here with three basic tips for making your orthodontic care fit into your financial future …

#1: Know The Cost of Your Choices

Of the various orthodontic treatments one might seek, traditional braces are not only the most well-known, but the most affordable. Specifically, Colgate has reported that “traditional metal braces, which include orthodontic adjustments usually occurring every six weeks, will range in price from $3,000-$5,000.”

While less visible options are also available — such as with Invisalign or ceramic braces — if your finances are currently in a tight spot, traditional braces still present you with equally effective results at a lower monthly and overall cost.

Of course, if you are still seeking something else, we suggest requesting a cost comparison of your choices from your orthodontist. You might be surprised by what you can actually afford!

#2: Know Where To Look For Help

If you have dental insurance, orthodontic care may already be included in your benefits. Humana, for example, specifies that their insurance coverage may render your bills more affordable for both adult and child orthodontic care.

“Depending on the plan you choose, you may have a range of discounts on the cost of braces and other devices,” according to Humana.

Additionally, if you don’t have insurance coverage, you can always discuss payment plans with your orthodontist’s office to ensure your monthly bills fit your budget. Often, these plans involve flexible payment options as well as little to no interest and online account management.

#3: Choose A Highly-Skilled Orthodontist

While conducting research on the premise of affordability, it can be easy to simply glance over the total overall cost of treatment and opt for the lowest number. The catch? That doesn’t always equate to long-term savings.

That is, with cheaper bills comes the possibility of lower quality care and, thus, more corrective and costly orthodontic procedures down the road. Therefore, so long as it is within your budget, a slightly higher price is worth the money if it means safe, proper, and effective care the first time around.

If you’re ready to find high-quality orthodontic care with a compassionate team who can help you navigate the financial aspects of your treatment, then it’s time to reach out to SouthShore Orthodontics!

We offer exceptional service in a relaxing environment, and we look forward to giving you the results you’ve dreamed of. Call us today at (813) 815-0080 to learn more or schedule a free consultation!