How are Gap Teeth Treated?

People commonly seek treatment for gaps between their upper front teeth. Often, the gap is closed with orthodontics during childhood, sparing the patient from having to whistle while they speak. But sometimes gaps, or diastema, can recur or there may be situations in which orthodontic work is not ideal. We at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach want our patients to know we can help them with cosmetic and bite problems, but the treatment strategy will depend on the gap’s cause.

Orthodontic work is done in late childhood after most of the patient’s adult teeth have erupted, but before their skull bones completely solidify. That means it is easier to guide teeth into different positions if the patient incurred a gap by sucking their thumb or pushing their teeth with their togue. It may not be too late for adults to get orthodontics, but they will need to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist if they are involuntarily thrusting their tongue forward when they swallow. Children who suck their thumbs can also sometimes benefit from psychological counseling to find healthier ways to self-soothe.

Occasionally, a gap might be caused by a person having a high labial frenulum. This means that the vertical strip of flesh connecting the inside of their upper lip to their upper jaw is interfering with the teeth coming together. If that’s the case, the frenulum might be surgically reduced when orthodontic work is nearly finished. It’s also possible for the teeth to shift positions somewhat after orthodontic work, particularly if other teeth have been removed. This is why it’s important to wear a retainer, and why our office will work with patients to replace missing teeth as quickly as possible.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Bite Checks

We provide comfortable, comprehensive care to patients of all ages at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach. Regular pediatric check-ups aren’t just a chance to provide a professional cleaning and sealants; they’re also a chance to do a bite check. This part of the examination helps us to determine whether a child will need orthodontic work.

Malocclusions, or dental misalignments, are often related to issues such as temporomandibular joint disorder and bruxism. If someone clenches or grinds their teeth in their sleep, they may not be aware of it. But dental hygienists are trained to look for distinctive signs of erosion in enamel that could indicate bruxism, and they’ll ask children whether they’ve experienced soreness in their jaws or necks. In addition to using x-rays to inspect children’s bites, we’ll ask them to demonstrate how they close their teeth together.

A child’s first orthodontic assessment may take place when they are about seven years old, but orthodontic therapy doesn’t usually start until a few years later. By that time, more permanent teeth will have grown in and the jaw bones will be more solidified. If bruxism is a problem, it may be relievable with custom-fitted night guards that can be professionally adjusted as a child grows and their teeth change positions.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Adult Orthodontics

The staff of All Coast Dental 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. ClearCorrect 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.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

Benefits of Clear Orthodontics

The orthodontic options on the market today are endless. Traditional braces are still straightening teeth but the clear route has become much more popular. Clear aligners and clear braces eliminate metal mouth and the pain of brackets and wires. At All Coast Dental, our doctors can discuss which orthodontic appliance is best for you during a consultation.  

The benefits of clear braces extend far beyond a pretty smile. Depending on which option is best selected for you, clear aligners such as Invisalign are barely noticeable and can be removed when necessary to help patients clean their teeth a lot better than they could with wires wrapped around them. Another added benefit is that using clear braces to align adult teeth can prevent patients from the need to invest significant amounts of money in restorations in the long run. Overall, clear braces increase your self-esteem and allow you to straighten your teeth almost invisibly.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic options, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

Caring For Your Retainer

Many orthodontic patients require a retainer at the end of orthodontic treatment.  Removable retainers are an easy step to take to preserve a straight smile.  All Coast Dental provides retainers for patients, and caring for your retainer properly is important so that it functions and lasts as long as possible.  A silly but common mistake people make with their retainers is trying to cut corners -- don’t try to clean or brush your retainer while it’s still in your mouth!  The retainer cannot be completely cleaned of debris this way, and toothpaste can also be abrasive to the plastic of the retainer.  Always remove your retainer before cleaning thoroughly with water and your toothbrush. Use a mild dish or hand soap to help clean off debris- never abrasive toothpaste.

You should clean your retainer daily, and also treat it weekly by soaking.  Soaking helps maintain the cleanliness of the retainer and keep it from drying out.  To soak the retainer, dissolve denture cleaning tablets in water or add a little baking soda to water to make a solution.  Storing your retainer properly is also important for its longevity.  Get in the habit of always using and carrying a case.  Many retainers have disappeared while folded up in napkins!

To learn more about caring for your retainer, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

Causes of Gap Teeth

Is a gap between your top front teeth giving you anxiety or causing you to whistle? If so, you can count on the expertise of the doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach for help. There are a few different ways to fix gap teeth, but which way is best depends on the gap’s cause.

Most often, the teeth are slightly jumbled or otherwise out of place. By using the Clear Correct system of invisible aligners available in our office, we can gently guide teeth into a more desirable position. The result will last for as long as patients remember to wear their retainers at night. More severe misalignment problems may require referral to an orthodontist, but a small gap can simply be covered with veneers. Our office offers these artificial fronts for teeth which can be used to cover discoloration, as well as to slightly change the teeth’s shape.

However, if the gap is being caused by a behavior such as tongue thrusting or thumb sucking, that behavior must be stopped to ensure long-term dental health. Tongue thrusting as a swallowing reflex may require assistance from an ear, nose, and throat doctor to fix. Patients may also require referral to an oral surgeon if the gap is being caused by an overly large labial frenum, which is what connects the inside of the upper lip to the jaw. Once it’s been reduced, orthodontic work can proceed.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Caring for Clear Aligners

All Coast Dental offers ClearCorrect, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces. Another perk of ClearCorrect clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and won’t prevent you from eating certain foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners!

You should remove the aligners each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  There are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

To learn more about ClearCorrect and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

ClearCorrect Braces

If your crooked smile is leaving you with a lack of self-esteem, have no fear, our doctors at All Coast Dental are here with ClearCorrect. ClearCorrect is an alternative to traditional braces and uses a series of clear aligner trays to shift teeth into their correct position. These virtually invisible aligners are custom-made for your mouth and your mouth only so that you can build a revitalized look without anyone noticing.

While visiting All Coast Dental for a consultation, one of our doctors will take impressions and X-rays of your teeth. These will then be sent to the ClearCorrect laboratory where an exact 3D model of your teeth is created. Once you are given the aligners, you will need to wear them for a recommended 22 hours a day to maximize their potential. Because they are removable, you will be able to eat, drink, brush, and floss, as you normally would. Treatment time can vary from one to two years depending on the severity of the malocclusion.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding our orthodontic services, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904. 

Orthodontics before Implants

At All Coast Dental, we’re proud to be able to offer patients a number of services for their dental needs, including implants and the ClearCorrect invisible aligners. However, when patients have multiple dental problems, they may not know which to address first. In most cases, orthodontic corrections should be made prior to placement of implants.

In the first place, until tooth alignment is corrected, there may not even be room for an implant, let alone another crown. But even when there is, it is important that the teeth be in as good alignment as possible before the implant is placed, because once it’s in, it’s (hopefully) not going to move. An implant is a titanium screw which the jaw bone tissue has fused with. It’s not going to be pushed around like natural teeth, and ClearCorrect is for mild cases of misalignment.

None of this is to say that a person who already has an implant has no hope of receiving orthodontics. It will depend on the position of the teeth and whether the implant-supported crown is in the front or back of the mouth. Sometimes implants can even be useful anchors for corrected dental arches.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit AllCoastDental.net and fill out a contact sheet.