At Saba Orthodontics every patient who receives both fixed and removable appliances is given detailed oral hygiene instructions. We recommend using an electric toothbrush for a more thorough cleaning. We also recommend rinsing with phosflur mouth rinse (Colgate) at least once per day. Our brackets and bands are cemented to the teeth with a fluoride releasing cement, which has the ability to release fluoride under acidic conditions and is capable of re-charging itself in the presence of fluoride, found in dentifrice and mouth rinse. We ask our patients to notify us immediately if a bracket/ band becomes loose, as this condition can trap plaque/food and result in enamel demineralization, if not addressed in a timely manner. For more helpful hints on oral hygiene, become a fan of Saba Orthodontics on Facebook, where you can watch the videos related to this topic. I am proud to say that with all the precautions that we take on a daily basis, we rarely see any patients suffering from enamel staining, or “white spot” lesions, also known as enamel demineralization upon removal of their braces. If these “white spot” lesions however do occur, there is an in office procedure available through application of a paste on the affected enamel which can mask the “white spot” lesions by causing remineralization of the teeth.

For patients, or parents of patients who are considering braces for themselves or their children and are concerned about the possibility of developing enamel decalcification secondary to poor oral hygiene, ask if Invisalign or Incognito lingual braces could be an option. Patients wearing Invisalign aligners in place of traditional braces at a lower risk for developing enamel demineralization. Patients wearing Incognito hidden braces could still develop enamel demineralization due to poor hygiene, but it would be on the back side of the teeth, completely invisible. To learn more about Incognito lingual braces and Invisalign visit our website at www.sabaortho.com.

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces (traditional-speed-lingual) appliances (expanders, tongue cribs, twin blocks and headgear) and aligners (custom made trays) are used to make these corrections by moving teeth and bones.

Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist for your care instead of your family dentist?

Orthodontists are dental specialists who dedicate their practices exclusively to correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. In dentistry you have specialist just as there are specialist in the medical field (dermatologist, ophthalmologists, cardiologists, etc). Only about 6% of US dentists have the additional education required to be licensed and recognized as an orthodontic specialist.

Choices for orthodontic treatment

Traditional braces: come in metal or ceramic, the arch wire is held into place by elastics that need to be changed every 5 to 6 weeks. Appointments generally take ten minutes.

Pros-

• Very affordable, children like the ability to change elastic colors
• Can treat most any malocclusion (bad bite)

Cons-

• Treatment time is the longest, visits may be slightly uncomfortable and more frequent
• Certain food are to be avoided as they will pull the brackets out
• Cleaning and flossing is more time consuming
• Occasionally a wire may loosen which will require an emergency visit
• Metal brackets are visible

Speed braces/self ligating braces: are designed to reduce treatment time and require fewer adjustment appointments. Self-ligating brackets also come in metal or ceramic, have doors that replace elastics. Different orthodontic manufacturing companies have given different names to their self-ligating brackets such as: Innovation R and C, Damon brackets, Smart clips, etc…

Pros-

• Treatment time is reduced (by 30%) because of advanced technology
• Visits to the orthodontist are less frequent
• Can treat any malocclusion
• A more gentle force is applied to the teeth, decreasing the amount of initial discomfort experienced by the patient

Cons-

• Slightly more expensive than traditional braces
• Same food restrictions as with the traditional braces apply
• Cleaning and flossing are more time consuming
• Loose wires may require emergency visit
• Metal brackets visible
• Must protect your lips with a mouth guard if playing contact sports

Invisalign: Consists of custom made plastic trays that gradually move the teeth. They are invisible and changed every two weeks until the last aligner. In order for Align tech lab to create these custom made trays for you, your orthodontist has to take impressions of your mouth and submit all records along with his/her prescription to the lab, where the appliances are manufactured.

Pros-

• The aligners are removed for eating and cleaning your teeth, allowing easy brushing and flossing and no food restrictions
• There are no emergency visits
• Does not interfere with playing sports or musical instruments
• Aligners are invisible
• For patients who play contact sport, they are not required to wear a mouth guard, as they do with braces
• Can whiten your teeth at the same time as you are straightening them

Cons-

• Slightly more expensive than traditional metal braces (but cheaper than the ceramic braces)
• Not everyone is a candidate for the aligners, certain malocclusion
• Cannot be treated
• Results and length of treatment depend on patient’s compliance by wearing the aligners at least 22 hours per day
• Care must be taken not to lose aligners

Lingual: orthodontic braces that are placed on the back side of your teeth, so they’re completely hidden from view. (Also known as Incognito, or iBraces.) These brackets are made from gold at a special lab thus they are very thin.

Pros:

• Completely aesthetic, no one will know you are wearing them
• 100% customized for the best results
• Treatment time is much shorter than any other type of braces
• Fewer appointments to the orthodontist are required
• Can treat any type of malocclusion
• For patients who play contact sports, they are not required to wear a mouth guard as with braces that are placed on the front of the teeth

Cons:

• Higher cost than any other option
• Adjustment period may be slightly longer
• Each visit to the orthodontist will take longer

Saba Orthodontics has been treating patients of all ages with a variety of treatment options mentioned above. Dr. Saba is a certified provider of Invisalign as well as Incognito/iBraces.

For more information on which orthodontic treatment option is best for you, contact us or call our office for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Saba at 703-404-SABA (7222).

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Symptoms may include the following:

• redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth or using dental floss.
• halitosis, or bad breath..
• gum recession, resulting in apparent lengthening of teeth.
• “pockets” between the teeth and gums indicating that the bone which holds the teeth in the mouth is dissolving.
• loose teeth.

Gum inflammation and bone destruction are largely painless. Hence, people may wrongly assume that painless bleeding after teeth cleaning is insignificant, although this may be a symptom of progressing periodontitis. If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned. Yet, many people think it’s normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss.

Periodontal Disease Affects Your Health

Periodontal disease is a putrid, festering infection of the mouth. Bacteria and inflammatory particles can enter the bloodstream through ulcerated and bleeding gums and travel to the heart and other organs.

In recent years, gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems. Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and:

• Heart disease — gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease. Gum disease also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
• Stroke — gum disease may increase the risk of the type of stroke caused by blocked arteries.
• Diabetes — people with diabetes and periodontal disease may be more likely to have trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetics with healthy gums.
• Premature births — a woman who has gum diseases during pregnancy may be more likely deliver her baby too early and the infant may be more likely to be of low birth weight. One study showed that up to 18 percent of premature, low-birth-weight babies might be linked to maternal gum disease.

Combating Periodontal Disease

1. Straighten your teeth.
Crowded teeth are nearly impossible to keep clean. Orthodontic treatment can greatly reduce inflammation and periodontal disease. Invisalign can eliminate crowding without metal brackets and wires.

2. Brush and floss daily. Take your time and do it right!

3. Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
Daily use of an anti-bacterial mouthwash helps to disinfect the teeth and gums, and reduces the number of bacteria.

4. See your dentist!
See your dentist every six months for a checkup! Regular professional cleanings and checkups make you feel good, look good, and could be a lifesaver!

If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you’re not alone! An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease. If you have crowded teeth, please contact us to find out what your treatment options are, in an attempt to prevent periodontal disease which in turn will keep your heart healthy. Dr. Saba offers complimentary orthodontic consultations for adults and children.

Before TADs, Orthodontists used headgear, facemask, or a transpalatal arch as a fixed point to move other teeth against these fixed point (anchorage units).  Orthodontic anchorage with mini-implants has been frequently used because it prevents unwanted tooth movements and reduces the dependence on patient cooperation, increasing the predictability in attaining the treatments goals.

Mini-implants have been used to correct various problems: open bites, deep bites, overbites, underbites and uprighting of severely tipped teeth.  Most mini-implants are placed at an angle in between roots of adjacent teeth.

The procedure is more comfortable for the patient than getting a tooth removed.  The patient normally requires a topical anesthetic on the gum area of where the implant will be placed.  Some patients may require injection of a local anesthetic in addition to the topical one.  The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes from start to finish.  On an average the implant is given two weeks to heal before it can be used for orthodontic anchorage.  Depending on their use, the mini-screws are left in the mouth for 6 months or longer.  Removal of the mini-screws can be accomplished quite quickly and does not require anything more than topical anesthetic.

Find out if by using TADs you can eliminate the need for jaw surgery, extraction of teeth, or extraoral appliances, such as headgear or facemask. Contact us to learn about mini-implants!

Today, more than 25-percent of all orthodontic patients are adults.  Not because of vanity but more often about keeping their teeth strong and healthy.  Luckily there are more choices now than ever.  Whether concerned about aesthetics, treatment time, visits to the orthodontist or treatment costs, there are options that are favorable to everyone.

One of the newer technologies is a self-ligating system.  You may also hear them referred to as speed braces, Damon brackets or In-Ovations.  Rather than using ligatures or metal ties, the brackets themselves have a gated door that hold the arch wire in place.  This patient-friendly design means less chair time, reduced discomfort and fewer appointments than with the traditional braces.

Treatment time is reduced on average more than 30-percent.   Patients have the added cosmetic benefits of self-ligation, braces that do not need ligatures or ties that can collect food and stain.  Presenting a cleaner look and a healthier smile.  The self-ligating brackets are offered in both metal and virtually clear ceramic options.

Another clear choice is Invisalign.  These “braces” consist of a series of clear plastic trays, or aligners, that are specifically designed and fabricated for you. These aligners are clear and removable and adjust your teeth on a stage-by-stage basis, about two weeks per aligner.  Invisalign has many benefits, the greatest being that they are nearly invisible. Since they are removable you can brush, floss, and eat as usual.  This treatment is not appropriate for young children, but many teens and adults with less severe orthodontic needs can take advantage of this advanced technology.

Traditional braces are the most common type of fixed appliances.  This system consists of a small bracket that is bonded to the front of the tooth.  The brackets are strong and come in a variety of materials including metal, gold or ceramic (clear).  Ceramic braces are quite popular with those patients who are concerned about the appearance of traditional braces. The brackets are clear and thus much less noticeable than metal.  Another advantage is the cost; traditional braces have been around more than 20 years and affordably lower than the newer options.

With more choices than ever, more adults are seeking treatment.   Don’t wait for that healthy smile you always wished you had.  Contact us and find out what options you have to create a beautiful healthy smile!

Invisalign Teen, offers clear, removable aligners that meet the desire for teen’s aesthetic treatment and the need for appliances that fit their busy schedules.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, patients age 12 to 17 represent more than half of the 2 million plus orthodontic cases in the U.S. each year. Until now, only a small number of orthodontists have routinely treated teens with Invisalign due to concerns regarding patient compliance and the ongoing development of permanent teeth; Invisalign treatments have been used primarily for adults and older teens. With Invisalign Teen it fits the demand for a product tailored to younger patients whose second molars have begun growing in. Invisalign Teen uses the innovative technology and proven efficiency of the Invisalign system, along with new features and specially engineered aligners that address patient compliance and changing detention challenges common in teen patients.

One of the benefits of Invisalign Teen treatment is the ability to remove the aligners for sports, music lessons and for meals at school or on the go.  An added feature offered by Invisalign Teen is the replacement system for lost aligners.  Invisalign recognizes how easy it might be for an aligner to get lost during a teen’s hectic day, so replacement aligners will help ensure that compliance doesn’t become a stumbling block during treatment.  Another benefit parents will appreciate; Invisalign Teen starts working with the first set of aligners. So as time goes by, you can watch their teeth gradually get straighter and healthier!

Initial consultations are complimentary and evening appointments are available by appointment only. For more information on Invisalign Teen and how it can benefit your teen, contact Saba Orthodontics  today!