Traditional Braces

Traditional braces are the old-fashioned method of straightening teeth. With advances in modern dental technology, today’s braces are more visually appealing than in past years, with a range of color options for both the brackets and the elastics. Traditional braces have many benefits. Because they are bonded to the teeth, you’ll never have to worry about misplacing your aligner trays. If you are interested in traditional braces, Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS is here to discuss them further.

Traditional braces are most effective at treating extreme overcrowding and misaligned bites. They consist of brackets and archwires placed across the teeth, with elastic ties used to secure them. The brackets may be metal, ceramic, composite, or a hybrid combination of materials. Once the braces are applied, the patient will be able to select a variety of color options for their brackets. Once treatment is complete, you’ll be able to show off your brand new smile!

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic options, please give us a call. To learn about the 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.

 

White Spot Lesions

When undergoing orthodontic treatment with traditional braces, patients must be vigilant against tooth decay. At Ross Orthodontics, we want patients to be fully informed about how to prevent this problem, which is why we’re spotlighting white spot lesions in this week’s blog post.

White spot lesions are what we call the dental infections when they are in their earliest stage. They have a chalkier appearance than the healthy enamel when an infection is active and take on a shiny appearance once the decay is stopped. They may also become stained, in which case they will look yellow or brown.

Because of the difficulty many patients have brushing around fixed brackets, white spot lesions commonly develop there. If left untreated, the result will be that when the brackets are removed, the patient will have hollow square-shaped discoloration patterns on their teeth. Good brushing is necessary to prevent this, but it also helps for patients to get fluoride treatments. The enamel regains minerals overtime, but there are therapies available to speed this process. White spots can form very quickly, so patients would do well to starve the bacteria by avoiding sugary foods and drinks.

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

 

Causes of Gap Teeth

Gap teeth are one of the most common reasons for people to seek orthodontic treatment. At Ross Orthodontics in Forest Lake and Hudson, we have a number of ways to provide treatment for this condition, but patients will need to understand what causes a gap to develop in the first place in order to get treatment that lasts.

If a gap (also called a diastema) between the front top incisors is the only problem, a general dentist may simply cover it up with veneers. However, it is often the case that the teeth are crooked or misaligned in some other way that would require repositioning. This can happen with the teeth are not large or numerous enough to take up space in the ridge of the mouth. Traditional braces and Invisalign can reposition the teeth, but it is necessary for the patient to wear a retainer afterward.

Gap teeth frequently occur along with overbites. When somebody is in the habit of sucking their thumb or pushing against their teeth with their tongue, the same forces that move the teeth outward also draw them apart. Tongue thrusting may be due to anxiety or difficulty swallowing, the latter of which requires attention from an ear, nose, and throat specialist. If the labial frenum, the strip of tissue connecting the inside of the upper lip to the jaw, is overly thick, it could also be pushing the top teeth apart.

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

 

Brushing Teeth with Braces

After deciding that you wanted a straighter smile, you might have chosen the traditional braces route. Traditional braces include brackets and wires that can make an oral hygiene difficult routine but don’t get discouraged. Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS is here with you every step of the way on your orthodontic journey and he has a few tricks up his sleeve for brushing teeth that are accompanied by braces.  

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.


• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

If you have questions regarding orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.comfor 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.

Handling an Orthodontic Emergency

With traditional braces, there is always a risk of experiencing some sort of oral emergency. Accidents happen and sometimes brackets can become loose and wires can break. When this happens, it can cause discomfort to the patient.  It’s usually not an emergency but it can be problematic and cause a delay in your orthodontic treatment. If you experience dental trauma, Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS encourages you to call the office immediately, in the meantime, take these precautions when handling an orthodontic crisis.

• If a bracket ligature band comes off – the ligature is the tiny rubber band that wraps around the bracket. If the rubber ligature comes off, you can attempt to put it back in place with sterile tweezers. If it continues to break, wait until your appointment to have it fixed.

• If a bracket becomes loose – brackets hold the wires in place. Though they are bonded to the teeth with adhesive, eating crunchy or sticky foods may cause the bracket to break. If you can’t get to our office right away, leave it be, but be as careful as possible when eating and brushing as to not cause further damage.

• If a wire becomes loose – The best way to alleviate discomfort is to push the wire back down. If this doesn’t work, cover it with relief wax to block the area of your mouth that is irritated.

If you experience a dental emergency please give us a call immediately. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.comfor 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.

Application of Traditional Braces

If you and Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS have decided that traditional braces are right for you, then we would like to discuss how they are applied. These days, modern brackets are smaller and less noticeable than “metal mouth” braces that your parents might’ve had. Though they require the same materials, new heat-activated arch wires help teeth move more quickly and less painfully than in the past. Before you visit us for application, here’s what to expect.

First, the teeth are thoroughly clean and dried and a primer is painted onto the teeth. Bonding cement is placed onto the back sides of the braces, which are then placed onto the teeth.  After this, the brackets are then placed in a very precise position onto the teeth, and excess bonding cement is removed. The process is completed by removing the cheek retractor and placing the wires. Once the placement of the wires is complete, it’s time to pick your band colors! We have plenty of color options for patients to choose from so they can express themselves in full force.

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.

Braces Removal

It’s time for your final orthodontic appointment as treatment comes to an end. Congratulations! That wasn’t so bad, was it? Perhaps your teeth have become so used to the wires that you can’t imagine living a life without braces. To give our patients insight as to how braces are removed, Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS would like to explain what to expect.

Removal of traditional braces happens in the same order as they were applied. The brackets will be squeezed using a special tool and removed in unison with the wires. After this process is complete, Dr. Ross will remove the adhesive from each tooth. The process is relatively painless, but you may experience minor inflammation once the braces come off. It’s important to know that because your braces are being removed, this doesn’t mean you’re done with the orthodontist forever. You will need to discuss retainer options with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS to ensure that your orthodontic treatment doesn’t go to waste.

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.

Benefits of Traditional (Metal) Braces

Metal braces have been around since the 18^th century and they are the method of orthodontic treatment that most of us are familiar with. Traditional braces are more effective at treating a variety of malocclusion issues than other orthodontic options.  Because you will be wearing braces for a long period of time, Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS wants to assure that you are comfortable with your final decision. Allow us to explain the benefits of traditional braces to help make your choice an easier one.

The basic idea behind braces is to produce a force on a tooth in a specific, controlled amount and direction to move a tooth.  Traditional metal braces use a combination of brackets, wires, and bands to straighten your smile. Traditional braces are cost-effective options and though it may not sound beneficial to you, traditional braces are secure, so they will not move during treatment.  This is an exceptional choice for those who may not have the self-discipline that is associated with removable aligners. Additionally, metal braces are the sturdiest option which means there is a less chance of damaging the appliance and less time spent in the dental chair. If you think that traditional braces may be right for you, schedule your consultation today.

If you have questions or concerns about traditional braces, 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.