Don’t Rush Mother Nature When Moving Teeth

November 17, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

closeup patient before and after comparison

We have all heard the saying “patience is a virtue.” However, as human beings… we want, what we want, when we want it. Unfortunately, most things worth having do not come easily without time and effort and when it comes to a successful orthodontic result, you can’t rush “Mother Nature.”

Understanding the physiology of the human body explains why gentle forces are used to move teeth. (read more about tooth movement). When braces put pressure on teeth, it causes cells known as osteoclasts to break down the bone in the path of the tooth movement, similar to a ship moving through sand. At the same time, other cells called osteoblasts are at work on the other side of the tooth. Their job is to make new bone to fill in the space left behind the teeth, like sand filling in behind the ship as it moves, changing direction.

Bone cells work together during orthodontic treatment to make sure the teeth are stabilized in their right place in the bone when treatment is completed. Tooth movement is most effective when slow, deliberate, and guided by Dr. Damon Szymanowski. The ideal amount of movement is about one millimeter a month. This rate of speed moves the teeth as quickly as the bone cells are able to do their work effectively.

Each orthodontic patient at Szymanowski Orthodontics is different and so is treatment time based on individual problems. Some patients require only limited treatment to realign teeth for approximately a year, others with a more severe problem due to a “bad bite” (also known as a malocclusion), generally need braces for 18 to 24 months to correct the problem and attain a healthy occlusion. A properly aligned bite is very important to help maintain good dental health over a life time. It prevents future problems such as premature wearing of teeth, tooth decay, and chronic jaw pain if left untreated.

Treatment time varies with each individual problem and teeth may be moved at any age as long as there is proper bone support to allow tooth movement, allowing the bone cells to regenerate. A healthy new smile achieved at the end of treatment is well worth the time it takes Mother Nature and your orthodontist to correct the problem.

At Szymanowski Orthodontics we are pleased to provide you with this helpful information and to offer you the finest orthodontic care for you and your family. For more information, please contact our office for a complimentary orthodontic consultation.

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There Are Many Benefits of Straight Teeth in Sacramento CA…

November 1, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

There are many reasons why people want straight teeth. Not the least of these is the fact that crooked teeth are not the most attractive feature. While a nicely aligned smile can be the part of your looks that pulls everything else together, a crooked smile can draw attention away from an otherwise striking appearance. A great smile is vital to your self-confidence, which in turn can improve your outlook on life in general.

However, the benefits of straight teeth do not end with just your appearance.

Crooked teeth can interfere with proper chewing, a problem which is with you at every meal if not confronted.

Good oral hygiene (such as regular brushing and flossing) can be much more difficult and ineffective with crooked teeth. When your teeth are not straight and evenly spaced, there is a much higher likelihood that there will be hard-to-reach spaces that do not receive the proper treatment from your daily cleaning routine. As a result, unwanted plaque and tartar can build up unnoticed. Over time, this can lead to such serious consequences as tooth decay, gum disease, or even tooth loss. Since no one enjoys spending time in the dentist’s chair having root canals, fillings, and oral surgery, it is important to stay on top of your oral hygiene.

The good news is that at Szymanowski Orthodontics we specialize in creating beautiful smiles and fixing crooked teeth. Orthodontics (which comes from the Greek words orthos “straight or proper” and odons “tooth”) is a special field of dentistry that concerns itself with the study and treatment of irregular bites.

An abnormal bite can be the result of uneven teeth, a jaw that is out of proportion or misaligned, or both. Crooked teeth can be brought into alignment using traditional metal braces; although they are not used as much today as they have been in the past. More popular currently are the alternatives available which are less noticeable, so that orthodontic patients do not have to sacrifice their looks in the short term to have a beautiful smile forever. These less conspicuous treatment options include clear ceramic braces and Invisalign™. Invisalign is a type of removable and virtually invisible aligner that fits over the teeth instead of wire being held in place by brackets.

There are a variety of orthodontic options out there today, many of which are less intrusive and visually obvious than they used to be in days past. Whether you are a parent of an adolescent with crooked teeth that need to be straightened or if you yourself are seeking improvement in your smile, we encourage contacting our office today. The benefits are many; you will be glad you did!

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Celebrate Orthodontic Health Month in October with a Smile

October 4, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

You only get one chance to make a first impression, no matter what your age. Whether you are meeting new friends or interviewing for a job, a smile is important to building both personal and business relationships. It is a well-known fact that straight teeth and a great smile builds self-esteem, confidence, and influences how you present yourself to the world. Orthodontic treatment, no matter what age, is an investment in the future.

At Szymanowski Orthodontics our goal is to spread the word in Sacramento CA that October is National Orthodontic Health Month and its purpose is to reinforce the need for an orthodontic evaluation. You are never too young or too old if your bite or smile needs correction. Orthodontics is for people of all ages.

What is the Best Time to Evaluate Your Child?

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that parents have their kids be evaluated for treatment by age 7. Children undergo a major growth spurt during the ages of 7 – 10 that goes hand in hand with the eruptive pattern of their teeth and development of jaws. Starting at the right time, based on your child’s individual growth pattern, can prevent more long-term or difficult treatment later on. Potential problems can be addressed if they are found at the appropriate time.

Adult Orthodontics Is On The Rise

We all know the job market is tight, especially for recent college graduates. First impressions are everything and serious job hunters are “Bracing Themselves for the Future” to promote their success. Your smile during the interview process, no matter what your age, makes a difference when landing a new job. It also helps you perform better throughout your life to boost your confidence when communicating with others on all levels, both professionally and personally.

Szymanowski Orthodontics specializes in the latest in orthodontic care for patients 7 – 70. It is never too late to receive a beautiful healthy smile for a lifetime. Contact our office today to schedule a complimentary smile exam to find out how we can help you create a smile for the future.

Share a personal story with us on how your great smile has affected your life. We would love to hear from you!

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TLC Works Best During the First Few Days Wearing Braces

September 18, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

Patients of all ages are self conscious when they first get their braces. It takes a few days to adjust both physically and emotionally to the look and feel of the appliances. Support and understanding from family and friends goes a long way the first few weeks to help patients adapt both physically and emotionally, especially with adolescents and teens already insecure with most aspects of their lives.

Some orthodontic patients need more time than others to adapt. At Szymanowski Orthodontics, we understand each patient is different. If your child goes with the flow under most circumstances, than wearing braces will be a piece of cake. But if you have a drama king or queen when it comes to everyday trials and tribulations in life, “brace” yourself for a few rough days ahead.

Here are few tips to smooth out the wrinkles or unruffled the feathers of patients finding it more difficult to adjust:

Be sympathetic the first few days. Even though the actual placement of the braces is not uncomfortable, once the teeth start moving initially, teeth do become tender. The discomfort will stop in a few days, but fear of the unknown can make it worse. Every patient’s tolerance level is different… keep that in mind.

Take Advil or Tylenol with you to the setup appointment and dispense immediately before leaving the office. These analgesics work better if administered before the discomfort sets in for best results, rather than late.

Plan a brace friendly meal for lunch or dinner ahead of time. Not only does the patient need to adjust to a new diet, you will have to adjust when planning meals. There are many nutritious foods available that don’t require a lot of chewing or won’t damage the braces. Stay away from salads the first few days. Not only do they collect in the braces, lettuce is difficult to chew once the teeth start moving. Macaroni and Cheese, homemade soups, protein shakes with lots of fruit, and yogurt will provide the calories needed for good nutrition. Who says you can’t have scrambled eggs and pancakes for dinner?

Ask the doctor or one of the staff about prescribing Tylenol or Advil in school during the first week, if needed. Better safe than sorry is a good motto to follow. Dispensing any type of medication requires parents and patients to jump through hoops in the nurses office. Having Tylenol available anytime during the day will help take off the edge of discomfort if needed.

And last but not least. Shore up their insecurities with positive feedback. Watch this video to see how it’s done. Feel free to share your own tips on how to best handle the first few days wearing braces. Write a comment below to share with others.

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Striving for Symmetry

September 5, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

Animated asymmetrical mouthThe technical term for a “bad bite” is a malocclusion. There are many different types of malocclusions depending on what the exact nature of the problem. Sometimes, a poor bite only develops on one side of the mouth instead of both sides. This situation, which is commonly known as a crossbite, happens because of an asymmetry of the teeth or jaw. This lack of balance can occur when some of the teeth on one side are lost, or if they never come in at all.

In a bi-lateral crossbite, (meaning one side only), the top teeth on one side close either outside or across the bottom teeth. This happens because the lower jaw shifts from side to side when the mouth is closing in an attempt to correct for the mismatch of the upper jaw and the lower jaw. This shift creates a misalignment of the teeth.

Another problem with a crossbite has to do with the damage it does to the teeth themselves. Since the teeth are coming into contact with one another at an unnatural angle, the enamel on the teeth is gradually worn off. Enamel is the outer layer of the teeth and serves as the protection against tooth decay. As enamel is scraped away by a crossbite, permanent damage to the teeth becomes more and more likely. This situation gets even worse when combined with regular sugar intake, which also destroys tooth enamel. The end result can be a need for massive dental reconstructive surgery, which is both costly and unpleasant.

Luckily, a crossbite can be fixed with orthodontic treatment. Braces and special appliances can gradually bring the teeth back into alignment. However, the enamel on your teeth cannot be replaced. If the mouth is restored to its naturally intended symmetry, all of the problems just described can be avoided if treated in time.

If you think your teeth or your child’s are out of alignment in any way, it pays to talk to an orthodontist about solutions. Contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Damon Szymanowski. Take a lesson from nature—there is beauty in symmetry!

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Dr. Damon Szymanowski puts braces on patients of all ages in Sacramento CA

March 1, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

Orthodontist Dr. Damon Szymanowski knows that adults all over the world are more conscious today about their appearance and your smile is one of the first features people notice. According to an Invisalign survey, 74 % of American women and men believe that an attractive smile is important for getting their dream job, while 84 % fell it is critical for their love lives.

Whether you are a prominent sports figure like San Antonio Spurs player Manu Ginobili, one of the top ten actors in the world like Tom Cruise, or a “diva” like Gwen Stefani…braces are cool at any age. If they can do it… so can you.

Invisalign is a great option if you don’t want others to notice you are going through orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth. Unfortunately, not every orthodontic problem can be treated with invisible braces. Some orthodontic problems can only be corrected with traditional braces, whether clear ceramic brackets or metal brackets. No matter what your orthodontic problem, Szymanowski Orthodontics can help you choose your best orthodontic treatment option to create the beautiful smile you deserve.

Leave us a comment and tell us how you feel about wearing braces at any age….

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A Question of Missing Teeth

February 15, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

Missing lateral teeth before and after replacmentsMissing permanent teeth or premature loss of baby teeth is one reason why the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends an orthodontic consultation for children beginning at age 7. The upper lateral incisors, second premolars and third molars (wisdom teeth) are the teeth most likely to fail to develop or erupt. Heredity is considered a major factor when permanent teeth are congenitally missing.

To determine whether or not teeth are actually missing, x-rays must be taken and carefully evaluated by Dr. Damon Szymanowski. At times, a tooth may not actually be missing, but hidden underneath the gums and in poor position, preventing normal eruption and requiring orthodontic treatment to bring the tooth into alignment.

When permanent teeth are missing, an orthodontic consultation by Szymanowski Orthodontics will determine if the space caused by the missing teeth can be closed or remain open, requiring a replacement to fill the space and maintain the bite. Without orthodontic treatment, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth will move randomly and tip into the open space, causing poor tooth alignment, bite problems and bone loss as we age.

If the problem is diagnosed at an early age, a simple appliance (space maintainer) is placed to hold the space and makes orthodontic treatment easier, when all the permanent teeth erupt. In some instances, if a space maintaining appliance is inserted and all the other teeth erupt normally into the mouth, orthodontic treatment can be avoided after wearing a very simple appliance. A general dentist can then replace the permanent tooth, if it is missing, when the child is old enough, with an implant and crown or another type of permanent replacement.

 

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How Effective Is a WaterPik When Wearing Braces?

February 1, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

9-waterpikOrthodontist Dr. Damon Szymanowski knows that good dental care with routine maintenance can be costly, especially if you don’t have dental insurance. The American Dental Association (ADA) and Szymanowski Orthodontics recommend you see your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings.

If you take good care of your teeth on a regular basis with proper brushing and flossing, the cost of maintaining your teeth is minimal. (watch video below) However, if your oral hygiene is lax, the cost of dental care rises, depending upon what it needed to correct the situation, be it a routine filling, root canal, or implant and bridge to replace a lost tooth.

Dental care expenses can mount up quickly in a family, especially with a member of the family in orthodontic treatment. The best assurance for good dental health has always been and still is regular brushing and flossing. Flossing is something that many of us do not do nearly as often as we should and some probably do not do it at all. If it is difficult to get adults to floss regularly, the battle parents have getting their kids to do it, especially if they have to weave the dental between teeth and wires while wearing braces, is even harder.

Some consider using a WaterPik, whether in orthodontic treatment or not, a substitute for flossing to flush out food between teeth. The WaterPik is sometimes considered simpler and faster to use than dental floss, but the question is does it work as well to keep teeth clean rather than regular flossing?

While using a WaterPik can seem much easier to maneuver in the mouth than dental floss, it actually doesn’t do the job as well. The water can’t penetrate as well between teeth that tightly fit together or are crowded, which prevents proper removal of food and plaque which causes gum disease and decay.

So, the answer to the question… Is a Waterpik as effective in removing food and particles from between teeth and around the gum line as good as dental flossing? The answer is no.

However, it is a great way to remove large pieces of food from between the teeth, especially while wearing braces. At Szymanowski Orthodontics, we want to stress the importance of both brushing and flossing during treatment to maintain good dental health. If you want to use a Waterpik, that’s great, just don’t use it as a substitute for flossing.

Watch this video below on what can happen if you don’t brush and floss your teeth properly and learn how to properly floss between teeth while wearing braces.

After watching this video, how important do you think it is to take care of your teeth properly during orthodontic treatment? Please comment below.

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Thumbs Down on Thumb Sucking

January 26, 2013 Dr. Damon Szymanowski

Children are born with a natural sucking reflex that often evolves into a comfort behavior. It is not at all unusual for an infant or child to find a thumb or finger to calm them when tired or upset as a coping mechanism. Ultrasound scans have revealed that thumb sucking can start before birth, as early as 15 weeks from conception. Even though a sucking reflex disappears at about four months of age, some infants will continue to suck their thumb or fingers as a voluntary habit to soothe them. It helps provide a sense of security and relaxes children as they fall asleep. Thumb sucking can be one of the most comforting aspects of childhood.

According to the American Dental Association, most kids stop sucking their thumbs on their own by the ages of 2 – 4 with little if any damage as a result. The habit no longer serves its purpose, so they stop. However, children who vigorously suck their thumbs and continue to do so beyond age four risk causing damage that will require orthodontic treatment to correct. The thumb or fingers can exert unwanted pressures upon teeth, bone, and soft tissues in the mouth causing problems with positioning of teeth and growth of the jaws.

The most obvious consequences of a persistent thumb or finger habit are:

  • Pushing the upper front teeth (incisors) out and the lower incisors in… resulting in the “Bucky Beaver” smile.
  • Preventing the front teeth from erupting all the way together causing an openbite.
  • Stopping the lower jaw from developing normally, resulting in a recessive or “weak” chin.
  • Narrowing of the soft tissue in the palate of the mouth, resulting in a crossbite.

If a child doesn’t eventually stop sucking their thumbs on their own, an orthodontist can install appliances that take away the pleasing sensation children get when sucking their thumbs. However, before we recommend placement of an orthodontic appliance, we always encourage a child to stop the habit on their own.

Here are five tips Dr. Damon Szymanowski offers parents to proactively encourage their child to stop a damaging finger habit after the age of 5.

Remember, in many cases, it is just as difficult for a child to stop sucking their thumb or finger as it is for an adult to stop smoking cigarettes. Be supportive and understanding.

  1. Explain to your child the damage their habit is causing to their mouth and teeth. Kids today are smarter than you think. They like being treated like an adult. Pictures of buck teeth and openbites go a long way helping drive home the point.
  2. Develop a program with your child’s input to stop the habit. Let them be proactive in determining the best way to correct their own problem. They are more likely to cooperate if they have a choice in the process. Suggest aids like, wearing a sock to bed at night when they fall asleep as a reminder or sitting on their hands while driving in a car or watching TV. With some children, there is a blanket or stuffed animal that goes hand in hand with the habit. It is difficult to stop one, without removing the other. I know it sounds like a double whammy… but it is often what is needed to be successful.
  3. Set up a calendar to track progress with a reward system at the end of every week offering small rewards. There is nothing wrong with bribing your child to stop a habit that is adverse to their dental health. With older children, offer a large reward after the habit has stopped for at least 4-6 weeks. Make the reward well worth the hard work and emotional stress it takes to stop a persistent habit.
  4. If you notice your child relapsing, work on alleviating what is causing the stress and anxiety which causes the reaction, rather than the habit itself.
  5. Children always respond more favorably to positive praise vs negative criticism. Instead of reminding them to stop the habit, praise them when they are proactively decreasing or eliminating the habit.

Even though the habit stopped at an early age, orthodontic treatment still may be indicated due damage prior to stopping the habit. As a parent, it is now your turn to be proactive when it comes to your child’s long term dental health. Contact our office to have your child checked by an orthodontist by age 7 to determine if early orthodontic treatment is indicated to correct a skeletal growth problem caused by a thumb or finger habit by age seven.

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