Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Every year, countless kids get started with orthodontic treatment. This is a common procedure that can set young people up for a lifetime of sound oral health. Are you wondering if your precious little one needs braces? This blog post may give you a rough idea of whether your child could benefit from treatment.

Braces are often thought of as a rite of passage for most teenagers – so if your dentist has informed you as an adult that you might benefit from a second round of orthodontic treatment, you may be feeling a little puzzled, or even disheartened. However, rest assured, it’s perfectly normal for adults and older patients to need braces again; and believe it or not, the process is often easier if you know what to expect! Here are four things you should keep in mind if you’re about to get braces again as an adult.

The brackets and wires that make traditional braces are durable but can become damaged if you aren’t careful. If this situation happens to you, you should take all the necessary steps to have the issue addressed as seen as possible. You don’t want to backtrack your orthodontic treatment. Continue reading to learn about the steps you should take to if you find yourself in this situation.

Teeth are fascinating. Even though they may seem firmly planted in your child’s jaw, they can still sometimes drift out of alignment, even if there’s not much available space for them to move to. This can happen due to a variety of reasons but can thankfully be corrected with the help of orthodontics. Here are a few common reasons your child’s teeth may have gradually moved, and what you can do to correct it.

While your clear aligners are supposed to fit securely to your teeth, sometimes things don’t go as planned. If you’re struggling to get yours to go on properly, it can be easy to want to give up on treatment and stop wearing them. But don’t despair. Here are a few tricks you can try to help get them in place, so your treatment doesn’t derail.

If you’ve been considering Invisalign to straighten your smile, now is the perfect time to get started! As the year winds down, taking advantage of your dental insurance benefits before they reset can save you money. But how exactly can starting treatment now maximize your benefits? Read on to see why the end of the year is a great time to take the plunge on Invisalign.

Does your child have misaligned teeth? If so, braces can be an effective solution for achieving a straighter smile. However, you may be surprised to learn that braces can also impact your child’s gums. It’s not uncommon for kids in braces to experience swollen gums, a condition that is typically temporary but may occasionally persist. So, what causes this gum swelling, and how can you help? Continue reading to explore the reasons behind gum inflammation during orthodontic treatment and discover ways to support your child in having a more comfortable experience.

You know that plenty of others will be handing out candies and chocolate for Halloween this year, and you simply don’t want to contribute to the monstrous cavity count already brewing. At the same time, Halloween should be fun, right? You don’t want to be known as “that” house.

Keep calm and scroll on. These less sugary and fun alternatives will save your neighborhood reputation!

One of the things that distinguishes clear aligners from other methods of orthodontics is the fact that the clear trays used for the treatment are completely removable. This allows you considerable freedom when compared to other methods of straightening your teeth.

However, it also means that you’ll have to put a little bit of thought into how long you’ll have to wear your aligners each day. Most dentists recommend that you wear your trays as much as possible; realistically, this means keeping them on 20-22 hours a day. Here’s how you can make sure that you’re meeting that quota.

Clear aligners are a popular choice for straightening teeth, offering a discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional braces. However, removing these aligners can sometimes be tricky, especially if you’re new to wearing them. In this guide, we’ll explore some simple tips and techniques to help you easily take off your clear aligner, ensuring you keep your oral hygiene routine smooth and stress-free.