Leave Orthodontics to the Professionals

Nearly one year ago the American Association of Orthodontists issued a public service announcement warning people not to attempt orthodontics on themselves. The warning was issued in response to the popularity of a Buzzfeed article written by someone who 3D-printed his own aligners so he could change them out at his own pace. Earlier this year, the AAO released a study which found that 13% of its members had treated at least one patient who had experimented with orthodontics on themselves, which is why we at Garrison Family Dentistry want to educate our patients about why not to do this.

Teeth are living tissue and contain blood vessels. Tying them together may choke them. Additionally, people who attempt to make their own corrective wires often do not give themselves brackets (nor should they), allowing their improvised ties to slide into their gum pockets and get trapped. They also often use materials such as hair bands which will rot or release toxins into their mouths.

As for self-made aligners, there is a process to moving teeth which cannot be rushed. Teeth are bones, and moving them requires the jaw bone around them to dissolve and rebuild. If they are moved too quickly, the jaw bone will not be able to repair itself, and the teeth will become loose. We urge people not to harm themselves by taking matters into their own hands and to come to us for orthodontic help.

Drs. Matthew Garrison and Anna Jones operate at Garrison Family Dentistry, 14790 N. 169 Highway, Smithville, Missouri, 64089. To schedule an appointment, call 816-532-8778 or visit GarrisonDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Why Orthodontic Work Should be done before Implants

Garrison Family Dental provides Smithville residents with prosthetics and orthodontics, but patients may be unsure of which order in which to receive treatment. The six-month adult braces used at our office are for the less severe cases of malocclusion, but patients should still usually complete orthodontic work before they have implants placed.

Six-month braces are commonly used to treat overcrowding. If the tooth being replaced is one in the front, there may not even be room for an implant. Unlike natural teeth, an implant should also never move regardless of what kind of orthodontic device is used on it. This is because its titanium base is supposed to fuse with the jawbone. Therefore, it is preferable for the arch of the teeth to already be in the shape an implant is supposed to fit into, because if the other teeth need to be moved away from an implant, the implant cannot be shifted along with them.

Implants can still provide a useful anchor during the orthodontic process. If a patient already has an implant, they may still be able to undergo orthodontic treatment, depending on which teeth need to be moved. Six-month braces are mainly meant for cosmetic corrections, so they may not change the arch of a patient’s teeth enough for an implant’s immobility to be an issue.

Drs. Matthew Garrison and Anna Jones operate at Garrison Family Dentistry, 14790 N. 169 Highway, Smithville, Missouri, 64089. To schedule an appointment, call 816-532-8778 or visit GarrisonDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Bad Habits to Kick with Braces

Wearing braces is a big responsibility, but the end result is worth it. Patients come out with a straight and healthy smile they can be proud of. Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO wants to remind our patients of the guidelines to wearing braces. Read on to refresh your memory!

The hardware that creates braces is strong; however, it can be broken. It’s important to keep this in mind to avoiding breakage and delayed treatment. When eating, be sure you are staying away from hard, crunchy, and sticky foods. Also, avoid biting objects like pen caps, fingernails, etc. Even if the hardware does not break, the pressure can delay treatment or even harm your teeth.

While brushing your teeth, do so carefully. You should never brush too abrasively anyway as scrubbing harshly at teeth can wear down enamel. Brushing too harshly can also cause brackets to pop off and it can damage wires.

One more thing to keep in mind is that daily afternoon pop. If you are a pop drinker or if you frequently suck on hard candy, you may want to consider cutting down. The excess sugar can become trapped easier and cause cavities in addition to staining.

Take care of your braces so when they come off, you have a healthy and good-looking smile. To schedule an appointment in our Smithville, MO office, call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit our Garrison Family Dentistry website, www.garrisondentistry.com.