How Are Braces Applied?

It’s time to start your orthodontic treatment and this begins with the application of your clear or traditional braces. After Dr. Cynthia Wong thoroughly cleans and dries your teeth, the application process can range anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the individual case and the cooperation of all bonding materials. In case you were wondering how braces are applied step-by-step, allow us to explain.

First the teeth are polished with a non-flavored paste and a cheek retractor is placed to provide a dry field that makes it easier to visualize the teeth. The teeth are lightly air-dried, and a conditioner is placed onto the front surfaces of the teeth for about 30 seconds. The conditioner is then rinsed and the teeth are again dried using suction and air. After this step, a primer is painted on to the teeth. The bonding cement is placed onto the back sides of the braces, which are then placed onto the teeth. The brackets are then placed in a very precise position onto the teeth, and excess bonding cement is removed. The process is completed by removing the cheek retractor and placing the wires.

If you desire a straighter smile and would like to discuss your orthodontic options, give us a call. To learn more about the type of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Why Do Adults Get Braces?

Let’s just say that you had braces as a kid and you may not have followed the proper aftercare, such as wearing a retainer. This has likely caused your teeth to shift and now as an adult you are regretting your lack of commitment. Fortunately, at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics we have plenty of orthodontic options for adults such as clear braces, traditional braces and Invisalign.

It’s never too late to get an education and it’s never too late to straighten your smile. Teeth shift as you get older and some people’s teeth shift more than others. If you’ve received orthodontic treatment in the past and didn’t wear your retainer for the recommended amount of time, your teeth will shift and return to their natural position. Other adults get braces because they’ve always had crooked or crowded teeth, overbites and underbites or incorrect jaw position.

If you desire a straighter smile and would like to discuss your orthodontic options, give us a call. To learn more about the type of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

How to Care for Your Retainer

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for, your braces are off and it’s time to begin the aftercare process. Once your braces are removed, Dr. Cynthia Wong can provide you with the option of a permanent or a removable retainer. With removable retainers, you can take them out while eating, brushing and flossing. No matter which type of retainer you have, you should take care of it as you would your teeth.

Every time you brush your teeth, brush your retainers as well, but not with toothpaste. In addition, once a day or at least once a week, try to disinfect the retainer by soaking it in a denture cleanser. Add the cleanser to a cup full of warm water and thoroughly rinse the retainer before placing it back in your mouth. This will eliminate bacteria. You should also keep your retainer in its case at all times when you are not wearing it. For added protection, never leave the case out of your sight, because you don’t want to risk stepping or sitting on this delicate piece of equipment.

If you have further questions about how to care for your retainer, give us a call. To learn more about the type of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

How Does Invisalign Move Your Teeth?

At Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics we offer Invisalign as a modern approach to straightening teeth. If you decide to straighten your teeth without brackets or wires, these clear aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. We’re sure you’re probably wondering how plastic aligners can straighten your smile, so allow us to explain.

Depending on your individualized treatment plan that Dr. Cynthia Wong maps out for you, you will be given a specific number of aligners. You will swap out each aligner approximately every two weeks and each aligner is responsible for just one step of your treatment. Since each aligner shape represents a future arrangement of your teeth (not their current one), when it’s first worn it might not fit right in some regions.

When an aligner is worn, its “ill-fitting” region will apply a constant, gentle pressure to the teeth it encases. This pressure will gradually guide your teeth into an aligner that perfectly matches the aligners shape. As evidence of the movement it generates, you should notice a more relaxed fit and less pressure on your teeth. Each aligner straightens your teeth little-by-little until treatment is complete.

If you have questions about the Invisalign technique, give us a call. To learn more about the type of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

How Do Braces Move Your Teeth?

If you are searching to straighten your smile, then Dr. Cynthia Wong has plenty of options for you. We all know that braces are impressive little gadgets that move teeth into alignment, but how do they work? In their entirety, braces work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction. As the teeth move, the bone changes shape as pressure is applied.

Braces are made up of three separate parts. Brackets are attached to each individual tooth. The bonding or band attaches the brackets, and an arch wire runs between each bracket. Braces have a very prominent appearance, but clear options now exist.

Braces are usually used on children between eight and 14 years old. They can move teeth most successfully when used while a child is still growing. They can also be used on adults, but it takes longer to shift teeth into the proper position. Braces are typically worn from one to three years depending on the individual’s case. Once the braces have been removed, the patient will receive a retainer. A retainer is a removable appliance that keeps the realigned teeth in place. Retainers can also be used to treat minor misalignments that do not require braces.

If you have questions about braces, give us a call. To learn more about the types of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Brushing with Traditional Braces

With braces, oral hygiene is more important than ever. That’s because they have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and insufficient cleaning while wearing braces can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. If you’ve recently had braces applied to your teeth, Dr. Cynthia Wong wants you know how to properly brush them with the following technique.

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics (rubber bands) and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – Use your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom.


• Brush your teeth – Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.


• Floss once a day – Carefully thread the floss under or over the main wire of your braces, taking care not to get it stuck. Then thread the floss through the wire to reach in between the spaces of your teeth.

If you have questions about how to brush with braces, give us a call. To learn more about the types of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Flossing with Traditional Braces

As Dr. Cynthia Wong will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have these devices. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Therefore, here are some tips for flossing effectively and keeping those brackets and wires clean.

Although flossing with braces is tricky, it’s important to use the right tool. An orthodontic floss threader is a very thin piece of flexible plastic with a large loop at the end. After putting your floss through the loop, you pull the threader up and under the wire. This inexpensive and disposable tool is available in nearly any drugstore. It is indispensable when flossing teeth with braces because it allows you to pull the floss through the teeth above the wire and reach the gum line. Using this tool is an easy way of getting dental floss under your wires. Floss picks are another tool that can make the habit easier. These picks come with a short section of floss held in place by two thin prongs that are often thin enough to fit under the wire.

If you have questions about how to floss with braces, give us a call. To learn more about the types of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

What Am I Allowed to Eat with Braces?

 

When you get braces, you most likely will have to modify some parts of your diet to protect them. As much as we love to see you at the office of Dr. Cynthia Wong, we don’t want you to delay your orthodontic treatment by eating the wrong foods that may loosen, break, or bend wires and bands. Although sturdy, stable and advanced, braces are orthodontic appliances that you need to treat with care. Below, we will explain what you should and should not eat while wearing braces.

You should never eat sticky foods, such as taffy, caramel, and chewing gum when you have braces. You should also avoid popcorn, because the hulls can get stuck between your brackets and cause gum inflammation and infection. Avoid hard foods such as nuts and hard cookies. Foods such as apples and carrots should be chopped into small pieces before eating to reduce stress on your braces. 

Recommended foods while wearing braces generally include anything soft such as: bananas, yogurt, light crackers, cheese, mashed potatoes, melons, grapes, and peanut butter and jelly, as well as noodle dishes like ravioli, spaghetti and macaroni and cheese. 

If you have additional questions about what you can and cannot eat while wearing braces, give us a call. To learn more about the types of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

When you get braces, you most likely will have to modify some parts of your diet to protect them. As much as we love to see you at the office of Dr. Cynthia Wong, we don’t want you to delay your orthodontic treatment by eating the wrong foods that may loosen, break, or bend wires and bands. Although sturdy, stable and advanced, braces are orthodontic appliances that you need to treat with care. Below, we will explain what you should and should not eat while wearing braces.

You should never eat sticky foods, such as taffy, caramel, and chewing gum when you have braces. You should also avoid popcorn, because the hulls can get stuck between your brackets and cause gum inflammation and infection. Avoid hard foods such as nuts and hard cookies. Foods such as apples and carrots should be chopped into small pieces before eating to reduce stress on your braces.

Recommended foods while wearing braces generally include anything soft such as: bananas, yogurt, light crackers, cheese, mashed potatoes, melons, grapes, and peanut butter and jelly, as well as noodle dishes like ravioli, spaghetti and macaroni and cheese.

If you have additional questions about what you can and cannot eat while wearing braces, give us a call. To learn more about the types of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

 

Oral Care For Braces

Dr. Cynthia Wong wants you to have the best results possible when it comes to your orthodontic care. Because thorough oral hygiene is more difficult with braces, braces wearers are more prone to gingivitis, tartar, and demineralization than non-braces wearers. While you are wearing braces, it is essential that you take care of your teeth and gums properly.

Braces have countless tiny spaces to trap food, and this trapped food causes plaque, which can lead to many other dental problems. Because of this, it's very important to brush your teeth after every meal (snacks count, too), to rinse with mouthwash, and to floss at least once a day. This may seem tedious or excessive, but neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to serious oral health problems, force you to spend additional time in braces, or cause unsightly staining on your teeth.

If you have questions about how to maintain proper oral hygiene while wearing braces, give us a call. To learn more about the different types of braces available, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

What Do Rubber Bands Do For Braces?

In some cases, when a patient is wearing dental braces, Dr. Cynthia Wong may need to supply the patient with rubber bands. While brackets, archwires, and ligatures are responsible for moving teeth along the gum line and the angle at which they point away from the gums, rubber bands pull the jaw forward or backward in order to line up your top and bottom rows of teeth to improve your smile and make your teeth fit together comfortably when you bite down.

Rubber bands attach to the braces in specific ways to apply proper pressure on your teeth. The constant, steady pressure moves teeth. Elastics must be worn consistently, usually 24 hours a day. Leaving your elastics off for as little as a day can allow teeth to move back and erase the progress you had made. The way in which the elastics attach to the braces dictates the direction of the tension, so the specific configuration of the rubber bands is customized for each patient. The rubber bands typically hook over loops on the brackets of upper and lower teeth and may be placed vertically, diagonally or in a zigzag pattern.

If you have questions about using rubber bands while wearing braces, give us a call. To learn more about the different types of braces available, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

How are Braces Removed from Teeth?

It’s official. You have undergone months, or perhaps years, of orthodontic treatment in the form of dental braces and now the glorious moment has come to finally have them removed. Understanding the process that Dr. Cynthia Wong will follow to remove your braces will help you better know what to expect when the time comes.

The removal of braces is a relatively quick and painless procedure and they must be removed in the reverse order from how they were applied. Therefore, the small elastic bands that are placed around each bracket to hold the wiring system in place must be taken off first. To do this, Dr. Cynthia Wong will use a small dental instrument with a hook to carefully remove each band.

After the elastic bands are removed, Dr. Cynthia Wong will use small pliers to gently detach the wire from the groove on top of each bracket and from the anchor bands that may be located on the back molars. Dr. Wong will then use special pliers to squeeze and remove each bracket individually. Because the separation of the bracket and tooth occurs at the point where the bracket met the adhesive keeping it in place, residue will remain on the tooth until it is polished and cleaned.

After the removal of your braces, Dr. Cynthia Wong will discuss the need for you to continue orthodontic treatment in the form of permanent or temporary retainers. To learn more about the different types of braces available, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

What are Clear (Ceramic) Braces?

Orthodontic braces serve to reposition your teeth and may be necessary if you suffer from an overbite, misaligned teeth or a misaligned jaw. All types of dental braces rely on a metal arch wire that applies steady pressure to move teeth. The wires attach to the teeth with brackets, and the material of the bracket varies according to the type of braces selected. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, Dr. Wong suggests ceramic braces so that the brackets blend into the tooth and are virtually invisible except for the arch wire.

Clear (ceramic) braces are composed of ceramic brackets (rather than metal) that are attached to each tooth. Because the brackets match the color of your teeth, ceramic braces are less noticeable and beneficial for those who want to correct their bite or misalignment but worry about their appearance during the process. The greatest benefit of clear braces is that your teeth won’t have that metallic look. In addition, clear braces are specifically designed so that they won't stain or wear over time.

If you are searching to straighten your smile give us a call today to see if you're a candidate for ceramic braces! To learn more about clear braces, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Traditional Braces in Orland Park, IL

Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, traditional braces are the standard among patients looking to straighten their smile. They’ve been around for years, but have since gone through some cosmetic upgrades. Especially after all of the improvements, they still remain the most trusted form of adjustment for orthodontists today.

Dental braces are used to straighten crooked teeth, align upper and lower jaws, improve the aesthetics of smiles and faces, and relieve pressure on temporomandibular joints. With traditional braces, metal brackets are the sturdiest option, which means less chance of damage to the appliance and less time spent in the orthodontist’s office.  To apply traditional braces, Dr. Cynthia Wong will thoroughly clean and dry your teeth. Next, she will apply the bonding glue to your teeth and attach the brackets. Finally, Dr. Wong will place the archwire in the brackets and secure them with elastic bands. Getting them on doesn't hurt, but your teeth and mouth will be sore afterwards. Most people want a great smile and many say that the payoff is worth the temporary inconvenience and expense of braces.

If you are searching to straighten your smile, give us a call today so we can discuss in more detail about getting you that perfect smile. To learn more about traditional braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341. 

Do You Need a Night Guard?

During the day, a person who is concentrating on a task will often place his teeth together and apply force through a contraction of the jaw muscles. This is commonly associated with the daytime tasks of lifting heavy objects, driving, reading and writing. During sleep, it presents as clenching and rhythmic contractions. If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw, a dull headache or tooth pain, you may want to ask Dr. Cynthia Wong if you are suffering from a condition called sleep bruxism.

Bruxism can erode enamel, making your teeth vulnerable to tooth sensitivity. The best way to protect your teeth and prevent tooth wear and fracture is to wear an occlusal appliance, such as a night guard. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics we can provide you with a custom night guard. Wearing a custom night guard provides a tough protective layer between your teeth which prevents destruction of your irreplaceable tooth enamel which also cushioning your jaws to ease daily muscle pain.

If you are waking up every morning with pain around the cheeks, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about Invisalign braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341. 

What is TMJ/TMD Syndrome?

 

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. This joint allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) refers to a variety of conditions that affect TM joints, jaw muscles and facial nerves. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, Dr. Cynthia Wong can help diagnose you and provide relief for your symptoms.

The main symptom of a TMJ disorder is pain in the jaw joint. Although the causes of TMJ syndrome are not completely understood, the causes may include: misalignment or trauma to the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding (bruxism), poor posture, stress or anxiety, excessive gum chewing, or arthritis and other inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders. Part of the dental examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving.

If you are waking up with jaw pain, or experience clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing your mouth, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about Invisalign braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341. 

Invisalign Braces in Orland Park, IL

If you want clear, comfortable, removable aligners instead of braces and wires-Invisalign is a great choice. Using a custom-made series of aligners for you and only you, Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, let us help you straighten your teeth the invisible way.

With Invisalign, the aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they are also removable. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing, to eating whatever you like. With Invisalign, there are no metal brackets and no wires to tighten, because Invisalign is made up of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic aligner trays that you wear over your teeth. Here at the office, Dr. Cynthia Wong will take x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, which Invisalign will use to create a 3-D image of them.  From these images, Dr. Wong will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth, and tell you the approximate length of treatment.

If you are searching to straighten your teeth, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about Invisalign braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.