Most orthodontic patients remember hearing something like this before starting their treatment; “Be careful not to break any of your braces. If so, you might have your braces on longer than planned!" We’ve seen a big uptick recently in broken braces, wires and appliances. I wanted to write this week, from an orthodontist’s perspective, about some causes of breakage as... read more »
“Dr. Coleman – when is the best time for kids to get braces?” Is this question one that you’ve ever wondered about? Orthodontic treatment timing can sometimes be confusing. There are so many people voicing opinions about why their child needs braces now and why others say they’ve been told to wait until their kids are older. Some are waiting... read more »
Last week, I wrote a blog about the challenges of lifetime retainer wear to protect your orthodontic investment. I mentioned that 20-25% of patients don’t wear their retainers as prescribed. Here’s the list of reasons why some people struggle with this: The retainer is uncomfortable. I talk funny when I wear them. I don’t like the way the wire goes... read more »
The other day, a young man (we’ll call him "Tim") came into our office with his mom, and sat down in the treatment chair, while mom sat across from him on the bench. This was a “retainer check” appointment. When I walked over to his chair, I could tell neither of them was very happy. Apparently, Tim had not been... read more »
Retainers are a very important part of orthodontic treatment. The fact is that teeth move with time, whether you’ve had orthodontic treatment or not. Retainers are the only proven way to keep your teeth from shifting. We call them the “insurance policy” of your orthodontic investment. We get the question all the time – “What retainers are best?” It can be confusing because... read more »
Before I sit down to write a blog, an obvious idea comes to mind. That idea always comes from the question; “What would our readers find most valuable in their search for more confidence and a healthier smile either for themselves or a family member?” I take that idea and gather what I consider the most helpful information to share.... read more »
I was talking with the mother of one of our teen orthodontic patients the other day and she asked me this question. It surprised me and made me realize that we have not done a good enough job informing people about the many options that we offer here at Coleman Orthodontics to create life-changing smiles. In recent years, the field of... read more »
When we think of braces, the image of teenagers with metal smiles frequently comes to mind. However, the world of orthodontics has evolved, and an increasing number of adults are now choosing to straighten their teeth for both aesthetic and health reasons. When many adults visit our office for consultations, their overall perception is that they are too old for... read more »
Some younger kids develop a bite problem called a “crossbite”. There are different kinds of crossbite problems but most of them occur when the upper jaw grows too narrow compared to the width of the lower jaw. There are multiple reasons for this abnormal jaw growth but more on that later. Several additional problems can develop because of this narrow... read more »
One of the most common problems I see in young kids between 7-10 years old is crowding. During the ages of 6-8 years old, the four front permanent teeth in the upper jaw and lower jaw are all trying to grow in at the same time. If a child’s jaws are too small to accommodate those front eight teeth, they... read more »
