Dr. Cynthia Wong

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

When Should I Replace My Retainer?

After you get your braces removed, Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics will give you a removable retainer. But like anything that is used daily, like shoes or your toothbrush, your retainer will eventually need to be replaced. If your retainer isn’t in the best of shape, schedule an appointment.


 


When you need to replace your retainer is entirely dependent upon you. Patients may need an annual replacement, every 2-3 years, or even longer. If it is damaged, it won’t really fit your mouth or teeth. That means that wearing it is doing more harm than good.


 


There are a few signs that your retainer needs a tuneup. If it starts to fall apart at the joints, changes color, fits oddly, or experiences a calcium buildup, schedule an appointment. It’s best to address the problem before it worsens.


 


To protect your retainer from harm, make sure to keep it in its case. This helps it from being misplaced or damaged. Retainers are necessary for preventing your teeth from shifting. Your teeth need time to set into their new positions. Without your retainer, your teeth will quickly revert to their old positions. Make sure to wear your retainer every day for the first six months after getting your braces off. Then transition to wearing it at night a few times a week.


 


Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, visit our website or call 708-444-8341.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Grinding Causes Teeth Sensitivity

There are a lot of reasons why your teeth might be sensitive. The most common symptom is pain or discomfort when eating or drinking things that are cold, hot, acidic, or sweet. The sensitivity is caused by a thinning of your tooth enamel. A common cause is teeth grinding. Dr. Cynthia Wong can help you by providing a night guard or other services. Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located in Orland Park, IL.


 


The dentin is the layer of your tooth that surrounds the nerve. When your enamel thins, your dentin is exposed. The dentin material is what is reacting negatively to the temperature changes in your food and drinks. When you grind your teeth, the repeated pressure wears down the enamel. Many patients grind their teeth at night and don’t even know it. A night guard will be given to help prevent this. A night guard is almost identical to a mouth guard. It is a clear removable device that you place on your upper teeth at night. This provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth. It stops the enamel from wearing away, keeping your dentin protected.


 


If you have sensitive teeth or suspect that you may be grinding, schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong. Teeth sensitivity should not be taken lightly. Having sensitive teeth can keep you from enjoying the little things in life.


 


Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 708-444-8341.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Elastics For Braces

You thought your braces were overwhelming before, now you have to use rubber bands too? Why do you need them and what do they even do? Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, located in Orland Park, can help. Rubberbands (elastics) are used to realign the jaws and teeth. It’s often one of the last steps in your treatment plan.


 


There are several parts that create and make up your braces. There are the brackets, the little square pieces of metal bonded to the front of your teeth. Then there’s the archwire. It connects the brackets and applies pressure. Ligatures are the colorful bands around each bracket that keep the wire in place.


 


Rubber bands, or interarch rubber bands, connect to the brackets with hooks. They attach the top tooth bracket to the lower tooth bracket. Depending on the patient, the rubber bands will either hook diagonally or in a zigzag pattern. Elastics pull the jaw forward or backward. This adjusts the teeth and jaw properly. The results are teeth that line up right. Rubber bands need to be worn 24/7. They will not work correctly if left off, even for small amounts of time.


 


Make sure to remove your rubber bands during meals. You should also remove them when cleaning your teeth and braces. Typically, rubber bands are replaced periodically throughout the day. This keeps the rubber bands from being stretched too thin or breaking.


 


If you have any questions or concerns, contact Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics. We are located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, visit our website or call 708-444-8341.