Struble Orthodontics

If your child has been prescribed a Herbst appliance, you may be curious about what this orthodontic device is. After all, many people have never heard of them before. But rest assured that although they may not exactly be a household name, these handy little oral appliances can make a huge impact on your child’s gorgeous grin. Here’s a closer look at what they are, what they do, and how they can help enhance your child’s orthodontic treatment!

After completing orthodontic treatment, wearing a retainer is essential to maintain your new smile. Teeth naturally shift over time, and retainers help keep them in their corrected positions. But like any dental appliance, retainers don’t last forever. So how often should you replace yours?

Most orthodontists won’t recommend traditional braces on only one arch unless there’s a very specific reason to do so. That’s because your upper and lower teeth work together in a delicate balance, and orthodontic treatment is most effective when that balance is accounted for.

Let’s break down why treating both arches is usually the best choice and when exceptions might apply.

Braces are an effective way to straighten teeth and improve your smile, but they can sometimes come with uncomfortable side effects—especially in the early stages of treatment. Oral sores, ulcers, and irritation are common as your mouth adjusts to brackets and wires rubbing against the soft tissues.

The good news is that these sores are usually temporary and manageable. With the right care and a few simple strategies, you can reduce discomfort and help your mouth heal more quickly.

Before someone starts their orthodontic treatment, their first question might be, “How long will I have braces for?” It’s understandable to want to know when you will get the results you’re excited for, but many factors come into play. The combination of these makes the timeline hard to pinpoint without a consultation. Keep reading to learn what your orthodontist will consider and how to keep your treatment on track.

Some people think of their dental misalignments as merely aesthetic, but they can significantly impact oral health as well as appearance. For example, if your teeth become overcrowded, it’s harder to reach all their surfaces to brush and floss them, increasing the likelihood of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

Your orthodontist can straighten even the most severely crooked smiles with traditional braces, but many patients avoid this service because they’re afraid. There are many rumors about this treatment circulating among the public that might deter you from it. Continue reading to learn 3 falsehoods you might have heard but shouldn’t believe!

Braces are built to be strong and effective, but they’re not completely indestructible. Whether it’s from eating something too crunchy, taking a fall, or a sports-related injury, braces can break. While it may feel stressful in the moment, the good news is that a broken bracket or wire is usually not an emergency—but it does require quick attention.

Here’s what you should do if your braces break, and how to protect your smile until you can see your orthodontist.

It’s a weird thing to say, but if you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth, now is the best time to be alive. Why? Because you have so many choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. But despite the immense popularity of clear aligners, for some patients, traditional braces offer the most straightforward path to a straight smile, offering several benefits people may have forgotten about over the years.  

Orthodontic treatment can transform your smile, but it also comes with responsibilities. Whether you’re wearing traditional braces or clear aligners, following care instructions is crucial to avoid unexpected issues. While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, broken brackets, poking wires, or lost aligners can delay progress and cause discomfort. Most of these problems are preventable with a little extra care. Here are some essential tips to help you avoid orthodontic emergencies and keep your treatment on track.

While traditional orthodontics is very effective, it can still have some issues from time to time. The fact that the field is time-tested doesn’t mean it has no flaws. With that said, you should account for the common problems with braces before your treatment; you’ll have a smoother orthodontic journey that way. Your Oregon orthodontist is here to help you start this work properly. So, keep reading to learn four typical issues with braces and how to correct them.