Preventing and Treating Impacted Teeth

When it comes to impacted teeth, the earlier the intervention, the better. Dr. Cynthia Wong is a long-trusted Orland Park orthodontist who regularly assesses children for risk of dental impaction. What this means is that we’re able to determine whether anything will prevent their teeth from erupting in the right place, and if so, what can be done.

People may be familiar with the concept of dental impaction from unerupted wisdom teeth. These are often treated late in adolescence by extracting them. But the wisdom teeth are not the only ones which may be stuck, and extraction is not always necessary. The upper canine teeth often push through the side of the maxillary ridge or are unable to erupt at all. If the patient is a teenager, we may be able to use orthodontic brackets and specially-shaped wires called ballista springs to guide the canines downward.

The bones in children’s skulls have not yet fused together, which allows them to undergo orthodontic procedures unavailable to adults. A procedure like guided canine eruption is unlikely to be successful in a person who has finished adolescence, but a child may not need it if they undergo palate expansion. With a specialized orthodontic appliance, the upper jaw can be widened, making more room for the adult canines and other teeth. It may also be possible to make room for unerupted teeth using ordinary braces if the potential for overcrowding is recognized early enough.

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.

 

Bad Breath and Oral Appliances

Has bad breath become a frequent problem for you since you started wearing a retainer? Do your orthodontic aligners taste foul? We at Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park orthodontic office have seen a lot of patients with these problems. Halitosis isn’t just inconvenient; it also indicates that an oral appliance has become unsanitary. Therefore, we wanted to remind our patients of hygiene protocol.

Retainers and aligners need to be cleaned every day, and they should be cleaned with non-abrasive materials. Ordinary toothpaste contains fluoride, a mineral that strengthens natural enamel but can scratch soft plastic. Instead of using normal toothpaste, patients are better off soaking their retainers in white vinegar or baking soda to combat odor and using toothpaste specially made for dentures to combat plaque growth. They may also want to keep a separate toothbrush just for their retainer.

The retainer’s carrying case should also be cleaned frequently. Antibacterial soap is good for this, but the case will have to be thoroughly rinsed out before the retainer is placed inside. People who wear oral appliances also need to take care that their mouths don’t dry out, which they can do by drinking more water and using over-the-counter throat moisturizers.

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.

 

Combating White Spot Lesions

Good oral hygiene is always important, but when a patient has fixed braces, it is critical. We’ve helped a lot of people at Dr. Cynthia Wong’s orthodontic office to develop healthier smiles, but there are particular problems that many people struggle with during their treatment. Those are white spot lesions, the first sign of tooth decay, and they tend to occur around orthodontic brackets.

Enamel that has lost minerals looks unnatural. It has a chalky white appearance and commonly results from tooth decay. Although any natural teeth can develop white spots, teeth with orthodontic brackets glued to them are at much greater risk. White spots commonly develop within a month of the braces being placed. If the decay is allowed to continue, they may permanently scar the teeth and the brackets may have to be removed prematurely.

To prevent enamel erosion, patients are commonly treated with fluoride varnishes before orthodontic therapy begins. They have to be vigorous in their oral hygiene afterward, and we’ll be on the lookout for signs of decay during the first month of treatment when patients are getting used to using Christmas tree toothbrushes and floss threaders. Fluorinated toothpaste and mouthwash can provide additional protection. Once orthodontic therapy is complete, it may be possible to cover up scars associated with past infections.

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.

 

Dental Sensitivity and Hygiene

People with straight teeth have a much easier time keeping them clean. But until the braces come off, they have to be especially careful to keep their mouths free of food debris. One of the most reliable signs of tooth decay is sensitivity. If you’ve noticed a shooting pain in your teeth when you eat or drink something cold, we at Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park orthodontic practice want you to understand why that’s a problem.

It is normal for people to feel pressure after their braces have been tightened. This sensation is noticeably different from the sharp pain that comes from biting into an ice cream sandwich. The inner pulp of our teeth contains a sensitive nerve and the outer layer of the crown, the enamel, is made up of hard minerals. In between them is dentin, a yellow-grey porous substance that heat is easily transmitted through. Although enamel is thick, cementum, the outer layer of a tooth root, is much thinner, leaving the dentin less insulated. When tissue has receded, the tooth roots will become very sensitive to temperature changes.

When enamel has been thinned by acid erosion, the dentin beneath may become visible. Acid erosion and gum recession are usually caused by oral infections. Acid reflux may also be a factor, although usually not in children. Patients who notice sensitivity should make greater effort to clean using a standard tooth brush, Christmas tree brush, and floss threader or super floss. They may also want to try fluoridated toothpaste to help their enamel remineralize and make sure they brush for two whole minutes during each session.

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.

 

Orthodontics and Cleft Palate

There are many reasons why a child might have overcrowded teeth, but one in particular requires close coordination between an orthodontist and an oral surgeon. Cleft palates have many implications for a child’s oral health. We can provide crucial treatment at Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park office, and we want parents to understand how orthodontics will make a positive impact on their child.

Overcrowded, crooked teeth are difficult to clean. Children who have cleft palates suffer from especially high rates of tooth decay and are often unable to brush and floss thoroughly on their own until they are about nine or ten. Tooth decay is especially devastating during a child’s early years, since pain can disrupt their sleep, eating, and speech development. The misaligned teeth themselves can also make speaking difficult.

Oral surgeons may treat children by grafting bone tissue into the gap in their upper palates. But first, they often require the assistance of an orthodontist to use braces to move the child’s teeth out of the way. Children with cleft palates are usually referred to orthodontists early in life and aveolar bone grafts typically take place between the ages of eight and twelve. If a child is missing a permanent tooth, we may use braces to move their teeth to create room for an artificial crown.

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.