As uncomfortable or as unsightly as they may seem, dental braces are the safest solution to fixing crooked teeth and improving dental health. They’re mainly worn by children whose permanent teeth has grown though people who didn’t have the opportunity to wear braces as children may also wear them well as adults.

There exist different types of braces whose function is almost all the same but whose appearance is completely different. Some cause fewer allergic reactions in users. Here’s a look at what choices an orthodontist will present you with on your next appointment.

Removable and attached

There are two types of braces which have subtypes or styles. Removable ones are worn on the upper teeth and stay in place using metal clips. They’re worn throughout the day and removed during cleaning and when playing contact sports.

Attached braces are permanent and can be removed only by a dentist.

Metal braces

Metal braces are those which we’re most familiar with. They’re visible and wired and have metal brackets ad wires which are held in place by a rubber band. Self ligating braces are a type of metal brace which don’t use a rubber band but rather have the wire hold the bracket in place. They’re more comfortable than traditional braces and have a faster treatment time.

Titanium braces are another type of metal device. Where most metal braces are made of nickel, they use titanium and are recommended for patients allergic to nickel. Another type advised for patients with nickel allergies is gold-plated stainless steel.

Ceramic braces

Ceramic braces are built like metal braces but use ceramic instead of metal. The main reason for the choice is appearance as ceramic has the color of teeth. The brackets don’t stain though the wires do but they’re changed every month so that’s not a problem.

Ceramic braces don’t last as long as metal but are more expensive.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are not visible as they’re attached behind the teeth. This invisibility comes at a higher price than traditional braces but since aesthetics is held in high regard, they’re very popular.

One of the drawbacks of lingual braces aside from the cost is getting them fitted. Unlike traditional braces which can be attached by any dentist, lingual braces need orthodontists and dentists to have specialized training. The cost of getting them installed is also higher. Initial discomfort is common as the tongue tries to adjust with the new device.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a brand of transparent, removable aligners. It’s currently one of the largest makers of clear, removable dental braces.

What sets Invisalign apart is that it eliminates many of the drawbacks that come with traditional braces. For example, it’s barely visible and can be easily removed by the wearer during mealtimes. Unlike other braces, gums, supporting tissue and the tongue are less irritated and root absorption is not rapid or widespread. Traditional braces also prevent x-rays from being taken as they have to be removed by a dentist. Not so with Invisalign.

A lot of the effectiveness of Invisalign depends on the wearer’s care. For example, habitual grinding of the teeth can wear down the aligners and not removing them prior to eating can cause debris to lodge. However, the same can be said for other removable aligners as well so it’s not a problem so much as it’s the need for proper care.

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Whether you have gaps between your teeth or you have lost a tooth due to decay, infection or accident, you can replace missing or gapped teeth with natural looking prosthetic device, called dental bridges.

Dental bridges are the latest and best solution for replacing teeth that are missing or that need to be removed. Fused between two porcelain crowns, a dental bridge not only helps you obtain a perfect and complete smile but also restores your ability to eat and look normal.

Gone are the days when people with the poor dental structure and unattractive smile did not have any solutions and they have to live with stained, chipped, misaligned or spaced teeth. Today, a wide variety of aesthetic dental treatments are available that can correct everything from minor flaws in the smile to tooth discoloration, missing or cracked teeth, and unevenly spaced teeth.

From implants, porcelain veneers and bridges to tooth-colored fillings, patients can choose from a plethora of dental solutions to restore the vitality of their smile and overall oral health.

What are Dental Bridges?

Dental Bridges are referred to as a false tooth or teeth (pontic) to create a beautiful, healthy and a more aesthetically pleasing smile. These prosthetics are used in cosmetic dentistry to “bridge” the gaps where a tooth or teeth are missing or removed.

Made of two caps, known as crowns, and an artificial tooth, a dental bridge is permanently fixed to abutment teeth that are on each side of the false tooth.

Over the last few years, this cosmetic dental appliance has undergone a transformation, thanks to cutting-edge dental technology, including the computerized x-rays and the revolutionary 3D imagery & CAD-CAM system.

Cosmetic dental experts now are able to quickly create accurate dental restorations, including abutments, full crowns, dental bars, implant bridges and inlays / onlays, that are stronger and has a more natural and pleasant appearance.

Types

There are three main types of dental bridges:

Traditional bridges: Made of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal, these prosthetics are fixed and unlike removable partial dentures you cannot take them out of your mouth.

Cantilever bridges: This form of bridges is used when only one abutment tooth surrounds the open space.

Maryland bonded bridges: Also called a resin-bonded bridge, this bridge is primarily used for your front teeth. It is a good choice when the abutment teeth are healthy, strong and don’t have large fillings.

Advantages

With latest advancements in dental technology and cosmetic dentistry, installing a bridge is a simple procedure now.

It is a time-saving procedure, requiring only two visits to the dentist.

Bridges are natural in appearance.

They help maintain your facial tone and prevent facial musculature changes.

If you maintain good oral hygiene, bridges can reduce your risk of gum disease and prevent the tooth from shifting, tilting, or drifting into the empty space.

They give you a healthy, beautiful, well-aligned smile as well as help correct bite issues and even improve your ability to speak properly.

Your chewing efficiency is increased as the forces in your bite are equally distributed after installation of bridges.

Bridges are less invasive and less expensive when compared to dental implants or any other restorative dental procedure.

Your fixed bridge should last as many as ten years or more, albeit it requires commitment to serious oral hygiene.

Disadvantages

It is likely that your teeth become sensitive to extreme temperatures, hot and cold, for a few weeks after the treatment.

Acidic food may lead to build up of bacteria on your teeth and gums can become infected in the absence of proper oral hygiene.

Smoking may cause complications, as it harbors bacterial growth.

Poor oral hygiene can aggravate failure of dental bridges.

Cemented bridge may become loose or collapse.

A dental bridge requires removal of natural tooth structure from the two anchor teeth.

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You know that in order to have the best and most efficient orthodontic treatment, you need an experienced orthodontist and a great treatment plan.

There are ways that you can prepare for checkups and make your orthodontic treatment more effective.

Making the Appointment

• Expertise – Look at customer reviews and, keeping your desired treatment plan in mind, make sure your orthodontist has experience and certification in those types of treatments.

For instance, an Invisalign preferred provider treats 10 cases per year while a premier elite provider treats 50 cases every six months!

• Distance – Find an orthodontist that you can easily travel to. Since you will be going in for appointments for every three weeks or so, you will need an office that is convenient for your schedule.

• Price – Check to see how much the first consultation costs (if a free consultation is offered).

The Week of the Appointment

• Call Your Dentist – Send your dental x-rays to the orthodontist so that they can better diagnose any issues and create a treatment plan just for you.

• Insurance – If you have dental insurance, check with your company to see if your orthodontic treatment is covered. Many insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment.

• Treatment Plans – Does it matter whether or not your braces are visible? How long are you willing to wait for your perfect smile? Research your options so that you can discuss them at your appointment.

• Questions – Take advantage of your orthodontist’s expertise! Plan questions before your appointment.

The Day of Your Appointment

• Be Early – Arrive 15 minutes early so that all paperwork can be completed. Meet the staff, and make yourself comfortable.

• Brush Your Teeth – Brush, floss, and rinse to remove all debris from your teeth. This will help your orthodontist easily check out your mouth and quickly create a treatment plan.

• Talk to Your Orthodontist – Discuss any sensitivities you may have, discuss treatment plans, and ask questions.

• Make Your Next Appointment – Appointments are typically scheduled every 3-10 weeks (that’s how long it takes to see a discernable difference in your teeth).

Future Checkups

• See Your Dentist – Go to your regular 6-month cleanings with your dentist. Even with braces, your dentist will be able to clean any plaque or buildup that causes cavities.

• Keep Your Mouth Clean:

1. Brushing – Angle your brush up and down so that the bristles are angled towards wherever the braces adhere to your teeth. This is a tricky spot that can collect food debris.
2. Flossing – Flossing with string or a Waterpik can dislodge any debris between your teeth or braces.
3. Rinsing – Rinsing with mouthwash can clean your entire mouth, flushing out any remaining food particles.

• Communicate with Your Orthodontist – Continue to report any sensitivities or pain. Take your orthodontist’s advice to have an effective treatment plan

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Consultative Selling:

Last year I went to the dentist for my regular exam. The first thing they did was x-ray all my teeth. Then the dental assistant came in and checked something in my mouth. Then the dentist came in.

He was a pleasant guy and explained to me what he was going to do. He first looked at my x-rays and made some notes on the chart. Then he asked me to open my mouth and he examined all my teeth. Then he made some more notes on the chart.

After that examination he went over his findings and recommendations with me. He showed me the tooth on my x-ray he said needed a crown. He also explained the problems that could develop if I didn’t get a crown. He went over the advantages of a crown and the types of crowns I could choose from.

Based on his findings and recommendations I agreed to get a crown.

As I was leaving his office that day I thought, “Wow, what an effective consultative selling approach that dentist has. I didn’t even feel I was being sold a product.”

Consultative selling example II:

About two years ago my wife and I made an appointment with a certified financial planner. He asked us to fax him certain information before the appointment. And he asked us to bring other information with us to the appointment.

When we arrive at his office he first asked us a series of questions about our financial situation based on the material we faxed him. He also asked us specific questions about our financial goals.

After gathering all the facts from the material we gave him and the questions he asked us he went over his recommendations for us. He also explained why he was recommending those actions and the risks of not taking action and the benefits of taking action. We agreed with most of his recommendations and implemented several of them.

Those are two examples of the power of consultative selling. They both were selling products or ideas and I was their prospect that had a choice to buy or not.

I bought in both situations because I didn’t feel I was being sold I felt I was being helped. The common selling skills both sales professionals used was effective fact finding first to identify my needs and wants. Then they gave me a custom designed sales presentation tailored to my specific situation.

Your consultative selling action item:

Sharpen your fact finding skills related to your product and really help your prospects instead of just selling them. Then watch your repeat and referral business skyrocket.

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Keeping healthy means more than going to the doctor when you are sick, eating right, and exercising; it also means taking care of your mouth. Remembering to take care of your oral hygiene is very important. Of course, everyone knows they should brush and floss daily, maybe even twice a day, but you should never miss your annual appointments with your dentist. Some people don't like going to the dentist because it can sometimes get expensive, especially if you don't have dental insurance. There are several different types of dental insurance plans that are available so that you can be covered.

A dental preferred provider organization plan, PPO Plan, offers you the choice to go to either an in-network or out-of-network dentist. You may have to pay higher premiums and a higher out-of-pocket fee, but you will at least have the option of picking a dentist you are comfortable with no matter if they are in- or out-of-network. Some of the professionals who participate in this type of insurance plan may offer reduced prices on services. This particular plan is normally offered through an employer and can have low to no deductibles for the patient.

Another plan is a dental indemnity insurance plan. This is a very common type of plan that can be a very acceptable option for many people. There normally isn't a list of dentists who are approved or not, so, like a PPO you have the option of what professional you want to see. You will of course have a deductible, but once you have met that, the insurance company will pay a certain percentage depending on what service is needed. Things like cleanings and routine x-rays may be covered 100 percent, other thinks that are considered as restoration, like getting a cavity filled or having a root canal, the company may cover about 80 percent, and other procedures like braces may only be covered to about 50 percent.

A dental health maintenance organization, DHMO, may be an option as well. This particular plan is normally the most affordable option for people. With an HMO, even in the case of health insurance, you are only able to see in-network doctors or dentists, whereas with a PPO you would be able to pay a little more to see an out-of-network dentist. HMOs normally will cover things like cleanings and x-rays, but other procedures will be paid for by the patient for some of their deductible. You will also probably have a co-pay for each time you visit the dentist.

There are several plans out there, but it will depend on your insurance company as to what plans are available to you. When you are deciding what insurance plan you want, be sure to do you research so you know you are getting the plan that is right for you. Also, shop around because different insurance companies may offer different rates and plans. You may want to check with your employer as well because they may offer dental insurance or even a dental discount plan for you to take advantage of.

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