Dr. Cynthia Wong

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Braces Removal

We’ve helped hundreds of patients realign their teeth at Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park orthodontic practice. Although proper alignment requires lifelong maintenance, the removal of permanent braces is a significant step. Because we believe procedures go better when the patient is informed, we want them to know how braces removal works.


Specialized reverse-action pliers are indispensable to braces treatment, and that’s just as true when they’re coming off. Brackets are held on by dental cement that pulls away if the brackets change shape. We use narrow-tipped pliers to compress the brackets, allowing us to lift them off. This process shouldn’t be painful to the patient, although they may feel some pressure. We also use pliers with broader tips to leverage off the bands surrounding molars. The cement will be allowed to remain on until all the brackets have been removed to ensure the teeth are protected. It will then be scraped away.


The teeth will likely be sensitive immediately after the removal of the cement, but this should clear up quickly as long as they were well cared for. It is advisable for patients to give the enamel a little time to remineralize instead of immediately returning to acidic or sticky foods. We’ll also make a new impression of the patient’s mouth to use as the basis for a retainer. Remember, there may come a time when a patient will no longer have to wear a retainer during the day, but night use of the retainer for life is the only way to ensure the teeth will not shift again.


Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Damon Braces

As an adult, choosing the type of orthodontic treatment that's right for you is a life-changing decision and this is why it’s essential to know what type of teeth-straightening options are out there. At Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, Damon Braces are a type of orthodontic appliance that uses advanced shape memory wire and tie-less brackets to move your teeth into position without tightening.


With Damon Braces, you don’t need elastic or metal “ties” that create friction and pressure that slow treatment time and cause discomfort. Damon “tie-less” braces and advanced shape memory wires gently move teeth quickly and comfortably while giving you a broad, full smile with better facial balance and aesthetics. Patients will also be lucky enough to avoid “tightening appointments,” because Damon system braces have a unique slide mechanism that allows our doctor to use lighter forces to move teeth to their correct positions.


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

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

National Dental Health Month

National Dental Health Month is a great reason to celebrate fall! If you’re undergoing orthodontic work, you doubtlessly know the importance of regular oral hygiene. You also have an advantage in that you frequently make trips to Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park office. But because Halloween and the holiday season are coming up, we thought it might still be a good idea to remind patients of how to brush and floss properly.


Anybody with teeth needs to brush them twice a day. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that patients can remove their appliances and brush normally or with an electric toothbrush. For people with traditional braces, it gets a bit trickier. Only soft-bristled toothbrushes should be used on teeth. Usually, people should replace toothbrushes every three months, but ones used on braces may wear out sooner. Brush bracketed teeth in a circular motion, making sure you get near the gum line, since that’s where tartar builds up.


There are many kinds of flossers approved by the American Dental Association, but nobody should use improvised devices to pick their teeth. This could hurt the gums and spread disease. People with braces can use threaders to draw floss behind orthodontic wires or use specially-made floss with stiffened ends. When flossing, rub the strand along the side of each tooth down to the gum line and use a sweeping motion to gather up plaque.


You can also protect yourself from bad breath by brushing your tongue and using a scraper on it once per day. Mouthwash can help, too, but it isn’t a substitute for brushing and flossing.


Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.


 

Monday, October 8, 2018

Alleviate TMJ/TMD Pain with These Foods

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJ) affect the jaw muscles and the joints that connect your lower jaw to the skull. These muscles are the ones you use to speak, chew, and yawn and when TMJ occurs, it can cause discomfort and pain when you try to open and close your mouth. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, not only can we treat TMJ, we can recommend a list of foods you should consume to alleviate your symptoms.


Your food choices vary depending on the amount of pain you’re experiencing and your ability to open your mouth, chew and swallow. For those who are able to adequately open their mouths and have minimal pain, a soft or easy chew diet will work well. If your jaw’s range of motion is limited, a soft diet that requires minimal chewing may be best. To lessen pain and other symptoms during an occurrence of TMJ, avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide to chew.


If you experience facial pain or feel your jaw clicking when you chew certain foods, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.