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Whether you’re heading out for a day with friends or running from classroom to volleyball practice, you don’t always have the luxury of taking care of your braces or aligners in the comfort of your home. But don’t stress! Here are some suggestions for handy items you can take with you to handle most of the dental situations that might come up.

Basic Care Kit

• Travel Toothbrush—the perfect size for quick cleanings after a meal on the go. You might want to bring a travel size tube of toothpaste as well.
• Dental Floss, Threader, and Dental Picks—you don’t want something stuck in your teeth or braces through three hours of play rehearsal.
• Water Bottle—if you don’t have time to brush, a good rinse will help keep teeth and appliances clean.
• Small Mirror—to make sure your smile is picture perfect after eating.
• Our office phone number—just in case. If something happens to your braces or aligners, or if you suffer a dental emergency, call our Ambler or Glenside office immediately.

For Braces

• Orthodontic Wax—if one of your brackets is irritating your mouth, you’ll be ready.
• Braces-Friendly Snacks—soft, healthy foods that will help keep your energy up while keeping your braces intact.

For Aligners or a Retainer

• Your case! If you need to take your aligners or retainer out, use your case to protect them and keep them from getting lost. You have better things to do after lunch than sifting through a garbage can full of used napkins. Much better things.

All of these items can fit easily in a case or bag in your glove compartment, locker, or backpack. Want more tips? Talk to Dr. Benjamin Azizi and our team on your next visit, and let’s work together to make caring for your orthodontic appliances a quick and convenient addition to your busy schedule!

Summer is approaching this means outside all day, camps, swimming, yummy treats and more. BUT do not forget about your orthodontic appointments.

You may be out of school for the summer, but you’re not out of your orthodontic treatment. It is still very important to make sure you are making your appointments for all adjustments whether you have braces, invisalign, appliances or retainers. 

If you are going on vacation or will be away at camp it is important to let us know. If you will not be able to come in for your next appointment on time we can do adjustments to make sure it will last you until you are available.

BRACES

With all the delicious treats during the summertime- make sure to stay away from all sticky and gooey foods! The sticky foods can pull your bands or brackets off.  Continue with your oral hygiene by brushing and flossing after every meal and snack. If something breaks while on vacation or at camp you can use wax to help make you comfortable until you are able to come in. Give our office a call so we can let you know what to do.

INVISALIGN

If you are going on vacation and cannot come back in for your normal 6-week appointment please let us know so we can give you enough trays to last until you can come back.  As you may not have food restrictions, make sure to remember when you do eat to put your trays in a case so you do not lose them or them thrown away.

RETAINERS

As you may get distracted during the summer and want to show off your beautiful smile, do not forget to wear your retainer!! Not wearing your retainer as you should can cause your teeth to shift and the retainer will not fit properly. When you do take your retainers out make sure you put them in your case so you do not lose them. 

Have a fun and safe summer!!!

In orthodontics there are three different malocclusions. Malocclusions can occur when upper and lower teeth are not aligned to the position of the jaw bones. The three classifications of malocclusions are: Class I, Class II and Class III.

Class I Malocclusion:

Class I is when a person has a normal relation between the upper and lower teeth and jaw is positioned to create balanced bite. Even if a person has a Class I malocclusion, they can still have crowding, spacing, overbite/overjet, etc.

Class II Malocclusion:

Class II is when a person has an abnormal relation in which their upper teeth and jaw are more protruded than the lower jaw. Class II can be the result of the lower jaw not growing enough and is usually genetically inherited. During treatment Dr. Azizi will use elastic rubber bands and arch wires to promote the growth of the lower jaw.

Class III Malocclusion:

Class III malocclusion is when a person has an abnormal bite. The lower jaw has over grown, creating an underbite.  A Class III malocclusion will be noticeable in a facial profile, the chin will look long and pointy. Sometimes Class III malocclusion can be genetic, if it is genetic then it may not be completely corrected unless the patient undergoes jaw surgery which is very radical. Sometimes surgery may not correct the issue. If the malocclusion is not genetic  there is a better chance of correcting the bite by using elastic rubber bands and arch wires.

 Ready to schedule a consultation?

Our office is eager to meet you and can't wait to discuss your orthodontic options.  If you are ready to start your smile journey with Azizi Orthodontics, give us a call. We have two convenient locations: Glenside-(215) 576-6414 and Ambler-(215) 646-9514.

What is a retainer?

A retainer is something you receive after your orthodontic treatment is finished to keep your teeth from shifting.  A retainer is typically worn all at times for the first 6-9 months besides when eating and brushing your teeth.  After 6-9 months,  Dr. Azizi will evaluate your teeth and see how the teeth have settled. If they look perfect Dr. Azizi will instruct you to wear the retainer at bedtime.

What are the different types of retainers?

Hawley Retainer :

A Hawley retainer is made of metal and acrylic material. Hawleys can last a lifetime if taken care of properly. The Hawley retainer is adjustable to a point if your teeth have slightly shifted. An Itero scan is taken and sent to the lab to be fabricated. To keep the retainers clean,  brush with  toothpaste and toothbrush or soak  in a warm water with a retainer cleaning tablet.

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Spring Aligner:

A spring aligner also known as a SPA retainer. This retainer is made out of metal and acrylic with a spring that goes over the bow of the retainer. This retainer can be used if there are slight changes. Dr.Azizi will be able to activate the spring in the retainer to hopefully realign your teeth but this is never guaranteed that your teeth will be perfect again. To keep spring aligners clean  brush them with  toothpaste and toothbrush or soak them in warm water with a retainer cleaning tablet.

Clear retainer:

A clear retainer is made out of a clear plastic to which is molded exactly to your teeth when you are finished treatment. The clear retainers cannot be adjusted. If your teeth shift then the retainer will not fit since they were molded to exactly how your teeth looked when you finished treatment. To keep these retainers clean,  brush with  toothpaste and toothbrush or soak  in a warm water with a retainer cleaning tablet.

 Vivera Retainer:

Vivera retainers are the Invisalign company's clear retainers. Your teeth  will be scanned with the Itero scanner and sent to invisalign to fabricate. The great thing about Vivera retainers is that you receive 4 sets of retainers. This means you have back up retainers in case you lose or break your first retainer. Same as with clear retainers, Vivera retainers are molded to the way your teeth look when  treatment is finished and cannot be adjusted if there are changes. Vivera retainers are for any patient, whether you had regular braces or invisalign. To keep these retainers clean you can brush them with  toothpaste and toothbrush or soak them in a warm water with a retainer cleaning tablet.

Permanent retainer:

A permanent retainer is a metal bar that is glued to the back of your teeth. Not all patients are candidates for permanent retainers. If you started treatment with major crowding or large spaces you will most likely need a permanent retainer. When wearing a permanent retainer,  you will not wear any other retainer unless the permanent one breaks.  If your permanent retainer does break, it is very important to call our office and schedule an appointment soon, as changes can happen quickly.

Can I wear my retainer if it is tight?

If your retainer is tight when you put it in it can still be worn. As long as it still goes over your teeth, it is safe to wear. The retainer could be feeling tight due to not wearing  every day or night and could mean your teeth may have shifted. If this happens, that is a sign to start wearing your retainer more.  Even if you are only instructed to wear at night try to wear during the day until the retainer does not feel as tight  to help your teeth shift back.

Retainer is too tight and causing discomfort?

If the retainer is just too tight and causing more pain and discomfort, call our office and make an appointment for adjustment.  Dr. Azizi may be able to adjust the retainer or we can order you a new retainer. If your teeth have had too many changes we may suggest treatment again to make your teeth perfect once again!

 Ready to schedule a consultation?

Our office is eager to meet you and can't wait to discuss your orthodontic options.  If you are ready to start your smile journey with Azizi Orthodontics, give us a call. We have two convenient locations: Glenside-(215) 576-6414 and Ambler-(215) 646-9514.