Braces Archives - New CG Orthodontics

The Specialized Treatment You Deserve

You trust your heart to a cardiologist, your eyes to an ophthalmologist, and your skin to a dermatologist. Like these specialists who study their specialty areas after their general medical education, orthodontists devote 2-3 additional years of study to orthodontics. And that is after 4 years of undergraduate studies and 4 years of dental school! But just like their medical counterparts, orthodontists focus their practices to their specialty area: straightening teeth, aligning jaws, and creating beautiful smiles.

You may only see six crooked front teeth. The orthodontist, however, sees the cause of crooked teeth. Orthodontists use their education, experience and expertise to delve deep to discover the root of your orthodontic problem, whether that be the teeth, jaws, or soft tissues of the surrounding face. Armed with a diagnosis that takes all factors into account, orthodontists can plan your customized solution.

There are a lot of treatment options available, from clear aligners to modern braces. They each have their uses, but only an orthodontist has the specialized knowledge to identify and plan for all the variables in your mouth. Just as each smile is unique, so is the treatment option. Your orthodontist has the knowledge and full range of tools to create a customized treatment plan to address your orthodontic needs.

Sure, you want a beautiful smile. Your orthodontist wants that for you, too – and treatment results that last.

Your smile deserves the best. Call/text or visit us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today!

The Covid-19 pandemic demanded we change the patterns of our lives overnight, forcing millions to stay in their homes for months on end and reordering the usual ways of work, education, and even healthcare. Suddenly, we needed technology-driven innovations not soon, but now.

Dental and orthodontic offices were not immune. It became necessary we make changes and from necessity came the mother of invention.

At CG Orthodontics we have made several investments that may have been birthed out of crisis, but are now here to stay. The evolution of virtual consultations has allowed for countless patients engage with us like never before! Patients can explore treatment options and the amazing transformation that can be achieved before ever stepping into the office.

Likewise, we have made our office fully textable, both through our website and our office phones. When it comes to orthodontic treatment, there could be a wire poking or something that just doesn’t feel right. It can be more than just the literal pain to come into the office. Now it’s so simple to text an image to the office and have a solution within minutes. That maybe an at-home solution that will hold you over until your next appointment or scheduling something earlier to have it addressed.

And orthodontic treatment has never been easier. A common misconception is the frequency of appointments while in treatment. Technological advancements have allowed significant improvements in treatment efficiency. Instead of seeing the orthodontist every two to four weeks, we are seeing braces patients every two months and clear aligners patients every two to three months on average. While we want you to look forward to your appointments with us, we understand you have competing activities for your time.

Similar to the way in which orthodontics can improve a smile, CG Orthodontics’ commitment to self-improvement is designed to make each day better. Call, text, or connect with us virtually today to see how we can make your orthodontic treatment convenient, efficient, and most of all fun!

Palate Expanders: The When, Why, Where, and How?

Ever wonder what a palate expander was? Or why they are used? Or simply wonder why your friend’s daughter needs one and yours doesn’t?

Well, did you know that orthodontics is more than just straight teeth? As orthodontists, we are specialists in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Monitoring and guiding facial and jaw growth is an important part of our practice and an effective way to treat certain malocclusions.

As you probably know, orthodontics (“ortho” – straight, “dontics” – teeth) simply means straight teeth. However, dentofacial (“dento” – teeth, “facial” – face) orthopedics (“ortho” – straight, “ped” – child) is most likely something new. Broken down, we see it is this extra specialization that allows us, the orthodontist, to recognize and re-align discrepancies in growth and development of the jaws and the resulting malocclusion (“mal” – bad, “occlusion” – bite).

This is where the palatal expander comes in: taking advantage of a unique time during which the dynamic process of growth and development can be positively influenced.

The Where and How:

The upper jaw and palate (the roof of your mouth) are actually the combination of two bones that come together and fuse in the middle called a suture. A suture is similar, but not synonymous to a growth plate. Fortunately, this fusion is not complete until a little after puberty (before age 12) and provides the perfect window of opportunity to exert influence.

The palate expander does just what the appliance indicates – increases the width of the palate. The gentle force of the expander separates the two bones of the palate where they join. The tension on the suture causes the body to grow new bone, and it is this increased palatal width that ultimately creates more room for the teeth.

The When and Why:

Orthopedic expansion of the maxilla is often indicated when the upper jaw is too narrow. The typical presentation includes a crossbite malocclusion, narrow smile, and crowding causing insufficient room for the adult teeth to erupt into proper alignment. When a tooth hasn’t come in and is potentially blocked from coming in (impacted), widening the upper jaw can allow it to erupt into its proper position on its own, preventing the need for a surgical procedure in the future.

Expanding the upper jaw has other benefits: It can broaden the smile, it can eliminate the need for adult teeth to be removed to create space for alignment, and it can also improve breathing if your child suffers from signs of obstructive sleep apnea.

Just like you wouldn’t skip a wellness check at the pediatrician, you shouldn’t skip an early trip to the orthodontist. A visit to your orthodontist will help keep your child’s oral health and development in check. And just like most things in life, dental health is more manageable if you get ahead of it today.

If you have an emergency with a protruding wire, there are a variety of ways to take care of this right from the convenience of your own home!

Poking wires always occur at the worst times. Usually right before the weekend or just as your about to leave for vacation. With these tips, you can temporarily fix the protruding wire and provide yourself with some much needed relief until you can visit us for a permanent solution.

Orthodontic Wax: This is always our first recommended solution. It is the easiest tool to create a smooth surface over the wire. Look for our previous blog post on how to properly apply wax!

Tweezers: If the wire has slipped out of the molar bracket, you may be able to use tweezers to slide the wire back into the bracket slot. Once you have bent the wire back, use orthodontic wax to keep the wire in place until you are able to visit us again.

Nail Clippers/ Wire Cutters: This option is a last resort, but a great way to provide comfort in times of need. To clip the wire, pull back your cheek, dry the area, and with the help of an adult, carefully clip the poking wire. After clipping the wire, be sure to apply wax to hold it in place.

Don’t forget, we are always here to help. You can call or text us pictures directly to our office number (267.397.3354). We can answer any questions and guide you through these steps!

As you may have heard, the Department of Health in PA has issued revised guidance, allowing dental offices to resume required procedures with new protocols in place. We are therefore, happy to announce that as of May 18, 2020, we are scheduling certain necessary appointments once again. With our long-awaited re-opening comes new office policies and appointment procedures. Rest assure, while many things have changed, one thing has remained the same:

Our commitment for your safety.

What will your appointment look like? Our office has instituted the vast amount of infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure your safety, our safety, and the safety of the community. Below we have listed the many new procedures and policies in place.

Increasing how often we clean and sanitize all common areas, including but not limited to door handles, countertops, and sinks, to every hour
All team members adhere to a daily wellness screening and temperature check upon arrival to the office.
All team members are wearing facemasks and washing their hands every hour at minimum
PPE for our clinical team includes: disposable gowns, surgical facemasks, N-95 during all aerosol procedures, face shields and gloves
BioNet Air purification units and new central air filtration were installed
As always, patient chairs are cleaned and sanitized between every patient.
Patients will be placed at every other chair, or in one of our semi private rooms in order to follow social distancing guidelines.
Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment during the ongoing pandemic.

You will also see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

Patients are asked to BRUSH TEETH PRIOR to their appointment – our brushing station will be closed
We have now implemented CURBSIDE CHECK IN. Upon arrival, STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE and dial our office phone number.
Entry is limited to the PATIENT ONLY for routine appointments– our waiting room is closed-– please let us know ahead of time if you feel it is absolutely necessary to accompany your child into the office.
A team member will perform a verbal WELLNESS SCREENING directed to our patient and anyone accompanying them into the building.

A team member, will then come out to your car to escort you/your child into the building where your temperature will be taken.
A FACE MASK must be worn by every individual entering the building and gloves if possible.
You will be asked to SANITIZE YOUR HANDS and then led to the sink to RINSE WITH PEROXYL prior to being seated in the operatory.
The clinical staff, clothed in the proper PPE will perform the scheduled and recommended procedures

Upon completion, if requested, your child can use their own phone to facetime or call you chair side to allow our clinical team to update you on your child’s treatment. Otherwise a team member will discuss today’s appointment curbside.

We hope that all the necessary precautions and new safety measures in place will provide reassurance and address any concerns you may have about continuing or seeking your orthodontic treatment.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, our team, and our community safe in our practice.

Thank you for partnering with us. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and friends.

Yardley

Richboro

Why Choose an Orthodontist vs a Dentist?

Orthodontic Technology Innovation during the Pandemic

Palate Expanders: The Richboro, Yardley, and Newtown Guide

Fixing a Pokey Orthodontic Wire

Orthodontic Appointments during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yardley

Richboro

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