Austin Orthodontics Helps Kids Head Back to School

August 20, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Some kids are excited about going back to school to see their friends and teachers, while others aren’t ready to give up their summer freedom. Then there are those who feel unprepared because they aren’t able to afford school supplies.

At Austin Orthodontics, we never want a child to feel ashamed because of their smile or their lack of school supplies, which is why we participate every year in Backpack Attack. This program, organized by Leander ISD, provides new backpacks and school supplies to LISD students. Our team helps to assemble almost 2000 well-equipped backpacks that are handed out every year.

To learn more about the program and how you can help, visit: https://www.leanderisd.org.

 

 

Posted in About Austin Orthodontics, OrthodontistTagged , , ,

4 Things You Should Know After Your First Orthodontic Appointment

Austin Orthodontics

You’ve spent your whole life without braces until now, so it only makes sense you would feel a little apprehensive about getting orthodontic treatment. You are likely wondering just how you feel with braces, what will be safe to eat, and how to best go about your daily routine with braces. Luckily, these questions will all be answered when you visit us here at Austin Orthodontics, so you’ll be fully prepared to handle life with braces. Here are some important things you will know after your first appointment. 

Food Restrictions

One of the most important aspects of orthodontic treatment to be prepared for is knowing what is okay to eat and what foods could damage your braces. While you won’t have to just stick to applesauce or jello, you’ll want to avoid especially crunchy foods like granola, hard candy, or apples. It’s also best to avoid sticky or chewy foods like taffy or jerky. 

To prepare yourself for a braces-friendly diet, stock up on softer foods and spend a couple weeks figuring out which foods you like best. If you will be using Invisalign, you’ll have no restrictions on the foods you can eat, but you’ll still need to remember to have your aligners out when you eat and to keep up with regular cleaning. 

Cleaning Your Teeth

Speaking of cleaning, you will have to take extra good care of your teeth while you have braces to avoid tooth decay and staining. Since food can easily get trapped between brackets, you should carefully brush your teeth with toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal. It’s also good to rinse with mouthwash every day to thoroughly clean your teeth. In addition, you will have to be extra careful when flossing, since you will have to maneuver the floss around the brackets and wires. 

Dealing with Initial Discomfort

When you first get your braces, you may experience some discomfort due to them rubbing against the inside of your cheeks or lips. This won’t always be the norm with your braces, but you’ll certainly want ease the discomfort when you start your treatment. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water will help ease the pain in your mouth while also facilitating quick healing. 

It also may be difficult to talk right when you get your braces installed since there is suddenly less space for your lips, teeth, and tongue to interact. This will also go away after a short time as you get used to your braces. 

When You Will Get Your Braces Taken off

One of the biggest questions you will likely have when you start your treatment with braces is just how long you will have to keep your braces in. The answer will vary from person to person, but the most common range to expect is anywhere between 18 months and two years. At Austin Orthodontics, we always give our patients a rough estimate of when they will be done with treatment, while emphasizing the fact that the end date may change based on the way your teeth react to treatment.

While this is some of the most important information to get at your first orthodontic appointment, we love answering all of the questions our patients have. So be sure to ask us whatever you want to know at any time during your treatment.

 

Posted in Braces, Orthodontist, Treatment for adults, Treatment for kids, Treatment for teensTagged , , , , ,

Invisalign and Ceramic Braces: Invisible Options for Orthodontic Treatment

July 16, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

One of the biggest reasons people choose orthodontic treatment is to improve the appearance of their smile, so it makes sense that people wouldn’t want their smile to become cluttered with metal braces. It used to be the only way to get your desired result was with months, or even years, of having teeth covered in highly visible metal. However, patients have more options than ever due to brilliant innovations in orthodontic treatment options.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces move your teeth using the same set of mechanisms as traditional braces. Ceramic braces feature a series of brackets combined with archwires and elastics. But, instead of using metal for the brackets, ceramic braces are made out of clear medical-grade material, resulting in a more discreet look and a less cluttered smile compared to traditional braces. 

Just like traditional braces, ceramic braces can fix a wide range of orthodontic problems, including major gaps, crowding, or severe crookedness. You can also use interarch bands with these braces to fix underbites or overbites. Since the brackets on these braces are made of a clear material, be extra careful to avoid foods that stain and to keep up with brushing and flossing as much as possible. 

Invisalign

As one of the most significant advances in orthodontics, the Invisalign clear aligner system offers a very different experience from traditional braces, but with the same great results. While Invisalign can’t treat quite as wide of a range of cases as traditional braces, it can still give dramatic results to patients in need of orthodontic adjustments. 

The aligners are made of a sophisticated plastic material, which was actually created just for Invisalign. The system is irritant-free and is totally invisible when worn by any patient. This means you have a smile free from brackets and wires throughout your treatment, allowing you to have confidence and see your progress along the way. 

In addition to being clear, Invisalign aligners are also removable. They conveniently snap in place when you put them in and are easy to take out for meals or for playing contact sports. As opposed to wearing braces, you don’t have to alter your diet in any way while you are on your way to your perfect smile with Invisalign. 

You’ll of course want to avoid staining foods while keeping up with regular cleaning to get your brightest smile at the end. In addition, you should regularly clean your aligners to avoid the growth of plaque or calcium buildup. Be sure to avoid drinking coffee, tea, or any hot beverage while wearing your aligners to avoid warping them. The only thing you should consume with your aligners on your teeth is cold water. You should also store them safely away from the Texas heat (such as a hot car) to keep their shape. 

To learn more about the great options for orthodontic treatment available for you, schedule your free consultation at Austin Orthodontics today! 

Posted in Invisalign, Orthodontist, Treatment for adultsTagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

KXAN Features Dr. Briggs from Austin Orthodontics [Video]

June 26, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Our very own Dr. Briggs was recently featured on KXAN!

Read the story here: Beautiful Smiles for Patients of All Ages with Austin Orthodontics

Or watch the video here:

 

We love spreading the word about what makes our practice different, the many ways people can benefit from orthodontic treatment, and why we love what we do!

Posted in About Austin Orthodontics, OrthodontistTagged , , ,

How to Successfully Move with Braces

June 4, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Sometimes, you just need to pick up your roots and plant them elsewhere. When you’re in the middle of a move, there are already plenty of factors to consider. Between finding ways to transport all of your items, meeting new neighbors, and learning about a new city, the stress can pile up quickly! At Austin Orthodontics, we want to do what we can to help make your move as smooth as possible if you have a family member with braces. Here are some tips to help you have an easy transition.

Make a Visit to Your Current Orthodontist

When you are approaching the move, be sure to make a special appointment with your current orthodontist to let them know you are moving soon. Your orthodontist can provide a summary of your treatment progress along with a projection for the remainder of the treatment. This treatment summary can be handed over to you in addition to all of your x-ray and digital scan images. If you don’t want to be responsible for these items, you can always have your orthodontist send them over to your new orthodontist so they can get fully up to speed on your treatment needs.

The American Association of Orthodontists also provides a transfer form that your orthodontist can complete and send over to your new orthodontist. This form provides information not found on your regular records, including a full history of orthodontic problems and an estimate on how much time is left.

Don’t Forget About Finances

When you are in the process of moving and switching orthodontists, make sure your finances are in order. You orthodontist should refund the portion of the treatment they won’t complete if you already paid in full, allowing you to give that money to the orthodontist who will complete your treatment. Be sure to cancel your payments if you are having automatic payments withdrawn from your account each month when it comes time to switch over to your new orthodontist.

Ask for Recommendations

Orthodontists often attend networking events on a regular basis, so before you try to find a new orthodontist on your own, ask your current one if they have anyone they would recommend. You can also have them look up a licensed orthodontist in the area you are moving to in the database provided by the American Association of Orthodontists. Our very own Dr. Seth Briggs is a trusted member of the American Association of Orthodontists, so you’ll likely see his name show up if you’re moving to the Austin, TX area.

When you arrive in your new city, don’t hesitate to contact your new orthodontist so they can pick up where your last orthodontist left off right away. Be sure to provide them with your medical records and transfer form if they haven’t received them already and switch over your financial information.

If you’re planning on moving to the Austin area, contact Austin Orthodontics today for a smooth transition and seamless completion for your orthodontic treatment.

Posted in OrthodontistTagged , , , , , ,

What Is Orthodontics?

April 17, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

At Austin Orthodontics, we are proud of what we do and how we enhance our patients’ lives. But if you’ve never gone through orthodontic treatment, you may be wondering what exactly orthodontics is.

What Is Orthodontics?

Because of the similar technology and setup used, it’s understandable when someone visits an orthodontist office for the first time that they think they’re walking into a dentist’s office. However, orthodontics is a specialized practice that focuses on fixing irregularities in teeth alignment and jaw shape through the use of braces, Invisalign, expanders, retainers, and surgery.

Another common misconception is that orthodontics only improves the look of your smile when it actually is beneficial to your health as well to have straighter teeth and properly aligned jaws. In fact, orthodontists often fix issues that aren’t even noticeable without looking at x-rays or digital images.

Orthodontic Education

All orthodontists graduate from dental school, which is typically a four-year program completed after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in a related field. To become an orthodontist, however, requires even more training. A doctor who wants to become an orthodontist will need to be accepted into a residency training program where they will learn in-depth details about tooth movement, correcting irregularities in face shape, biomechanics, and other necessary knowledge to practice orthodontics. These programs are highly competitive, and once training is completed, all orthodontists must pass a rigorous board exam to become licensed.

Types of Orthodontic Treatment

The most well-known type of orthodontic treatment is having teeth aligned with braces. Traditional metal braces use a combination of brackets, superelastic metal wires, and elastic bands. At Austin Orthodontics we use a slightly different type of braces, known as self-ligating braces, which eliminate the need for the bands around the brackets. As your wires are changed throughout the course of your treatment, your teeth will slowly move into place, resulting in a straight smile. Braces may also include elastic bands that run between your upper and lower jaw to correct an overbite or underbite.

The most discreet option for tooth alignment is the Invisalign clear aligner system. This treatment straightens your teeth using progressive sets of clear, plastic trays that snap over your teeth and can be removed when eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth.

A lesser known type of orthodontic treatment involves early intervention to correct jaw shape, size, and tooth spacing issues. Children should be seen by an orthodontist at age 7 to see if there are any problems that can be more easily corrected before their adult teeth are all in and their jaws are fully developed. For different types of corrections, particularly in teens and adults, surgery may be needed to achieve the best results. Another issue that can often be treated by an orthodontist is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. This condition is related to the joints between your upper and lower jaws, and can cause pain in your face and neck and headaches.

As you can see, orthodontics is different than dentistry and consists of more than just giving people pretty smiles. Contact Dr. Briggs and the team at Austin Orthodontics today to learn more about what they can do for you.

Posted in OrthodontistTagged , , ,

Welcome to the Austin Orthodontics Blog!

Austin Orthodontics

Hello! We are excited to introduce you to our brand new blog here at Austin Orthodontics. We pride ourselves in offering personalized service that puts the needs of our patients at the forefront to help them achieve their ideal smile. From the moment our patients enter our doors to when they leave after each visit, we work hard to create a comfortable and stress-free experience. We achieve this through friendly service, clear communication, and careful implementation of all procedures.

We want to extend this experience to our current patients and anyone exploring orthodontics online by providing tips, insight, and helpful information about the power of orthodontic treatment and caring for your smile. Keep an eye out for regularly updated posts as we discuss what to expect during orthodontic treatment, exciting options you may have never heard of, how to fit braces or Invisalign into your budget, and much more.

For additional information, you can contact our office by calling (512) 331-7900, or you can schedule your free consultation online to learn how to get started on your new smile!

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