Adult Orthodontics

Dr. Gregory Ross provides orthodontic care for adolescents and adults.  It is often recommended to start treatment on an adolescent patient once all the permanent teeth have come in, but adults can still get great results from orthodontic care.  There are several options for adults beginning orthodontic treatment, and the best one for you will depend on what needs to be corrected

To correct bite issues and straighten teeth, the traditional braces method includes brackets on the teeth and connecting wires that are tightened over the course of treatment. Clear braces use the same method but the materials are tooth-colored to avoid a metallic look.  Accelerated orthodontics are applied to correct cosmetic issues in about six months. Severe misalignments and bite issues can’t be corrected in such a short time, but if your concerns are purely cosmetic, it’s a great option for a short treatment time that can completely transform your smile.  Invisalign treatment is popular because of its almost invisible appearance.  A treatment plan consists of a series of clear aligners that straighten teeth over time.  Come see us and find out what will be best to correct your smile!

To learn more about the services we offer, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Removing Braces

Removing braces is an exciting step for anybody undergoing orthodontic treatment. At Ross Orthodontics, we can say that this is usually a smooth process without much potential for complications. However, since patients are more comfortable when they feel well-informed, we wanted to provide a more detailed explanation of how braces are removed.

Orthodontic brackets are held in place by dental cement. Since dentists are so worried about brackets coming loose if the patient eats something sticky or doesn’t wear a mouthguard, you can probably tell the cement is only as strong as it needs to be. After removing the wire and bands for the last time, we use another pair of reverse-action pliers to compress the brackets, causing the dental cement to snap away from them. This allows us to lift the brackets out without needing to exert force against the patient’s enamel, although the patient may feel mild pressure.

We’ll leave the cement on to ensure the teeth remain protected until all the brackets are removed. The metal bands surrounding the molars are leveraged out using pliers with flat tips. Once the cement is scraped away, we can examine the patient for signs of decay such as white spots and make an impression to use as the basis for a retainer. Patients may want to avoid eating anything sticky immediately after the brackets are removed, since their teeth may still be sensitive. But they should soon be able to resume normal eating habits when they aren’t wearing their retainer.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Sleep Apnea and Orthodontics

Do you suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD)? If so, you may be at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. This condition is believed to be severely underdiagnosed, leaving many people untreated and at serious risk of sleep deprivation. However, Dr. Gregory Ross is an expert in orthodontics and dental sleep medicine, and since some people are unaware of the connection between those specialties, we want patients to know what we can do to help.

Bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding, is often the result of the body’s air passages being blocked by the position of the tongue. As the body attempts to open a passage by moving the mandible, the teeth grind together, putting them at risk for tilting or cracking and causing pain to the temporomandibular joint. Sleep apnea also causes the patient to be taken out of deep sleep throughout the night, causing them to be fatigued the next day and increasing their long-term risk for heart disease and depression.

At Ross Orthodontics, we can provide patients with custom-fitted night guards. These oral appliances protect the teeth from being eroded or broken by night time jaw movement. Dr. Ross is also a long-time researcher of sleep apnea and can provide more complex oral appliances to better position the mandible to avoid airway obstruction. We also use orthodontic treatment to correct tilted teeth.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Dry Mouth and Braces

We want patients at Ross Orthodontics to be as comfortable as possible when undergoing orthodontic treatment, which is why we’re interested in preventing dry mouth. Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth not only puts braces patients at greater risk for irritation, it also increases the risk of gingivitis. However, it may be treatable with some simple lifestyle changes.

Saliva isn’t just a lubricant; it’s also a part of the immune system. It washes away food debris, denying food to decay-causing bacteria, and it regulates the mouth’s pH level to make it inhospitable to fungi. But when saliva production is inhibited or can’t keep up with dry conditions, the mouth is likelier to develop infections, which could be particularly troublesome to people with mouth lesions.

In the short term, patients with braces can use dental wax to prevent mouth injuries, but dry mouth deserves attention. Alcohol, sugar, and caffeine are all contributors to it, so patients should avoid drinks such as soda. They may also want to try throat moisturizers or stimulating saliva production by sucking sugar-free hard candy. Some medications cause dry mouth as a side effect, particularly those for ADHD, so patients may need to consult with other doctors about changing them.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

Orthodontics and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Orthodontic treatment doesn't just make people’s smiles beautiful; they also help provide relief from serious health conditions. At Ross Orthodontics, we are experienced providers of orthodontic treatment to people whose teeth have shifted as a result of diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

When joint tissue comes under attack by the body’s own immune system, it swells and hardens, putting pressure on the joint. Sometimes, this is enough to cause joint deformities. The temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the head, is particularly complex and prone to damage. In children with arthritis, deformation of the temporomandibular joint can result in teeth grinding jaw deformities, leading to malocclusions such as an open bite.

An idiopathic disease is one without a known cause, and every case of juvenile arthritis is different. However, we can work with rheumatologists to devise treatment plans that will fix a child’s teeth with minimal discomfort. Children with arthritis are at greater risk for dental decay due to difficulty cleaning their teeth, but straightened teeth are much easier to care for. Caregivers should also keep in mind that oral liquid medications are commonly high in sugar and it’s a good idea to brush after consuming them, especially while wearing orthodontic brackets.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Signs of Gingitivits

People wearing traditional braces have some additional hygiene challenges. At Dr. Gregory Ross’s orthodontic office, we educate patients about how to brush and floss around their wires, but patients need to have the tools to recognize when something is wrong. That’s why this week, we want our patients to learn the signs of gum disease.

Gingivitis is the earlier and milder form of gum disease. It is caused by infections in the gum pockets. When food gets caught, it is consumed by bacteria. The bacteria produce acid, which sticks to the plaque that naturally covers teeth. The trapped acid damages the surrounding body tissues, and inflammation is the immune system’s response to damage.

One of the major warning signs of gingivitis is bleeding during teeth brushing. Other signs are gums that are puffy, red, or feel tender when touched or during consumption of hot or cold liquid. Although gingivitis is more common among people who are pregnant or diabetic, people with braces should always treat it as a reason to improve their brushing and flossing. Brushing near the gum line and flossing with a swinging motion will help keep food out of the gum pockets.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Orthodontic Instruments

We understand at Ross Orthodontics that dental instruments are a source of curiosity or apprehension for a lot of people. Because orthodontic offices have specialized equipment, we wanted to explain to our braces patients how some of our tools work.

At a typical appointment, the instruments we use most frequently will be the handheld mirror and the explorer. Explorers have metal hooks at the ends which general dentists used to break tartar and probe gum pockets to check for infections. We also use them to apply elastic bands to orthodontic brackets.

Several kinds of pliers are used in orthodontics, almost all of which are reverse-action to prevent anything from accidentally falling into the patient’s mouth. A Howe plier is used to place wires into orthodontic brackets, and pliers with distal end cutters are used to trim and taper their ends once in place. Pliers with needle-nose tips are used to stretch elastics that are fitted in between the patient’s molars to make room for metal bands. The bands are pushed onto the teeth and shaped with burnishers, which are flat metal instruments also used by general dentists to sculpt fillings.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Braces Pain

Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS has transformed many smiles using braces.  Braces are a great way to straighten teeth but they are long process and there is some pain and discomfort along the way.  Patients with braces often feel a little discomfort after their wires have been tightened, and patients with new braces usually experience some uncomfortable chafing as their mouth gets used to braces.  These are both normal occurrences and you can ease the pain while getting to your perfect smile!  

With a new set of braces, the insides of cheeks and lips will rub against the brackets and wires.  The soft tissue will toughen as your mouth gets accustomed to the braces, but at first it can create sore spots.  Dental wax is a great defense against this.  Just a small piece can cover the edge of a bracket and relieve any chafing.  After a set of braces is tightened a patient will also feel some pain and soreness.  The patient should eat soft foods right after a tightening if they are experiencing discomfort.  If the pain continues, over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin are helpful.  Please still contact the office if you experience any extreme or long-lasting discomfort.

To learn more about braces and all the services we provide, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Winter Lip Care

Patients at Ross Orthodontics in Forest Lake and Hudson are accustomed to brutal winters. But still, undergoing orthodontic treatment makes it especially important to maintain lip care, which is why we want to provide some tips.

Cold air causes chapped lips because of its low moisture content. There’s not much we can do outside except keep our mouths tightly covered, but inside, we should try to keep the air as moist as possible by placing humidifiers in rooms where we have to spend a lot of time. Applying lip balm multiple times a day, including before bed, is a good idea if the wearer does not find menthol or other common ingredients irritating, so it is important to check the label and switch balms if the lips become red and swollen.

As is always the case, braces patients who find the insides of their mouths irritated by brackets should apply large amounts of dental wax. If a person suffers from dry mouth, it will probably be worse in the winter, so whatever is causing it is more urgent to address. Dry mouth makes chapping more likely, but it is a bad idea to use saliva to wet the lips because it evaporates very quickly. Also, avoid tucking the lips under the teeth, or they may cause the teeth to move further out of alignment.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Holiday Foods with Braces

The final round of holiday feasts is fast approaching, which is why at Ross Orthodontics, we want to ensure that our patients enjoy food and drink safely as the year draws to a close. Some foods that are tough or sticky are clearly not a good match with orthodontic wires, but we have lots of ideas for what people with braces can eat.

A lot of traditional Christmas main courses are soft enough to not endanger orthodontic wires. These include ham, ravioli, turkey, and, if very tender, brisket. Carrot sticks and radishes won’t do for appetizers, but boiled vegetables make a fine side, and braces provide an excuse for picking the cheese cubes and olives off a platter. Potatoes are safe when mashed or prepared as pancakes, and squash is a seasonal treat which is usually prepared in a way patients with braces may enjoy.

However, making food soft enough is not the only issue. Popcorn is soft, but the fragments get lodged in orthodontic brackets. Lots of holiday foods are high in sugar, which is why it is important to remove them from braces as soon as possible (and to remember to bring along a Christmas tree toothbrush and floss threader while traveling). Eggnog and wine are also high in sugar, so it’s a good idea follow up holiday toasts with a thorough brushing.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

When Should a Child Start Orthodontics?

Ross Orthodontics provides treatment to patients of all ages, but parents may well wonder what age treatment should start at. To answer that question, it’s necessary to understand at what age different orthodontic treatments are most effective.

Orthodontists recommend that children first be assessed after some of their permanent teeth have come in when they’re about seven years old. This will give us a chance to catch severe problems that are already affecting the child’s oral health and quality of life, such as an underbite or narrow arch, but it’s unusual otherwise for treatment to begin at that age. If the child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to trauma, it may be necessary for them to wear a space maintainer until the permanent tooth can erupt. Major orthodontic work, including extractions and braces, is usually done between the ages of ten and fourteen, after most permanent teeth have erupted. Adults can certainly benefit from orthodontic work, especially for cosmetic problems such as gaps and slight crookedness. But young teenagers still have some flexibility in their skull bones which allows them to undergo treatment for serious structural problems such as impacted canines, while still being mature enough to maintain their hygiene.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Orthodontics and Diabetes

At Ross Orthodontics, our team of specialists is prepared to care for each of our patients’ unique medical needs. One of the health conditions with the biggest impact on oral health is diabetes, and we want our patients to understand how this affects orthodontic therapy.

Braces require the wearer to increase their oral hygiene vigilance. If a person has severe periodontal disease, their braces will have to be removed for their own safety. This can be a problem for people with diabetes because they are especially prone to chronic inflammation and experience periodontal disease at higher rates. At the same time, teeth that have undergone orthodontic treatment are much easier to keep clean, so diabetic patients particularly benefit from it. One solution to this conundrum is Invisalign, the system of removable aligners. Invisalign does not create any additional hygienic challenges, so diabetic patients are at a lower risk of developing gingivitis. It also puts less pressure on the teeth, which is thought to benefit diabetic patients. If a person’s blood sugar is controlled, it may still be possible for them to undergo traditional braces. In those cases, we will carefully inspect the health of their teeth and gums during each monthly appointment.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Dry Mouth with Orthodontics

One of the most common pieces of advice for people suffering from dry mouth is to chew sugar-free gum, but that’s not an option for people with braces. At Ross Orthodontics, we’re sensitive to our patients’ difficulty with dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) and want to help them find solutions.

Dry mouth is a common side-effect of medication but can also result from braces interfering with saliva flow or saliva being used up combatting irritation. Many people also get orthodontics as a way of correcting malocclusions that contribute to dry mouth by causing breathing difficulty. All of these people can benefit from the use of throat moisturizers, some of which are available cheaply over-the-counter and the stronger of which can be prescribed. They also benefit from the use of humidifiers in the bedroom and office, or any room they have to spend a lot of time in. While it is obvious that people with dry mouth need to stay hydrated, not everybody is aware that alcoholic, sugary, and caffeinated drinks actually contribute to dryness and should be reduced if the patient is in frequent discomfort. One thing that is never advisable is chewing ice; this habit can cause chipped teeth and wreck orthodontic devices.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Bruxism and Orthodontics

Grinding your teeth may seem like it isn’t an issue, but it just might be. Also known as bruxism, teeth clenching and grinding can lead to broken teeth, damaged tooth enamel, and frequent headaches. It’s common that those who are suffering from bruxism may not even be aware of it. If you have bruxism and haven’t received orthodontic treatment, braces may help treat the problem. Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS has plenty of options for patients to choose from.

If you’ve caught yourself in the act of grinding your teeth, consider discussing orthodontic options with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS. Invisalign not only straightens teeth, but the clear aligners can help protect teeth from becoming worn down during use. If you already have braces and still find yourself experiencing jaw discomfort due to clenching, talk to us so we can help you find relief.

If you experience facial pain or other symptoms of bruxism, please give us a call to discuss treatment options. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Orthodontics before Implants?

A common problem for adults considering orthodontic work is whether to get it ahead of their other treatments. While every case is different, it is generally better to get orthodontic work done before receiving implants.

Consider what an implant is: a titanium screw which fuses with the jaw bone over a period of several months. Orthodontics involves moving teeth through the jaw bone, but implants do not have living ligaments and will not respond to pressure as living teeth do. The probably will not move at all. If an implant does migrate, it has to be removed and discarded as a failure or treated with guided bone regeneration.

It is also likely that, before receiving orthodontic treatment, the patient will not even have room for an implant. But does all this mean that a person who already has implants has no hope for correcting a misaligned bite? Not necessarily; other teeth can still be moved, and an implant-supported tooth can be a useful anchor for wires. If the patient only needs cosmetic orthodontic work, the amount the living teeth need to be moved may be too negligible to be affected by the location of an implant-supported crown.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Braces and Rubber Bands

Rubber bands, or elastics, are an important part of orthodontic treatment. There are several parts to braces, most of which we’re sure Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS has already explained, but rubber bands usually aren’t suggested until the final stages of orthodontic treatment. Not every patient who gets braces will need them, but if you do, here’s what to expect.

Interarch rubber bands are used to adjust bite and jaw position. The patient is in charge of placement; therefore a little self-discipline is necessary. There are many different types and sizes of elastics. The one you will need depends on the status of your malocclusion. Not every patient who receives braces will need rubber bands as it depends on your existing jaw alignment.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.