Orthodontic Fact #3: Greeks fashioned a catgut to correct teeth deformities

If you and your kids lived in Ancient Greece's dark ages around 1000 BC, this is what life would be like: war, chariot races, helmets decorated with boar tusks, slavery, mud houses with holes for windows, arranged marriages at age fifteen, and a diet of bread, cheese, and fish (or figs, rabbits and peacock eggs if you were wealthy!) If you got ill, or if anything about your child needed to be fixed, there were no doctors around to help you. Instead, you would have to sacrifice your best livestock or freshest fruits or vegetables to the gods and spend the night in his or her temple. This was long before sophisticated doctors, surgeons, and orthodontists!

Ancient Orthodontic Tools

Although there were not any trained orthodontists 1000 BC, that did not stop brave people from trying to correct their teeth deformities. Instead of the smooth, petite, perfectly shaped metal braces that orthodontists have today, the Greeks stuffed their mouths with metal catgut strips. To try to picture what this looked like, imagine a surgeon’s sutures that are made of bronze or iron, and that they are as thick as bass guitar strings. To protect the person’s tongue and gums from the harsh iron, the catgut strips were lined with animal parts, specifically goat or sheep intestines! If your child ever complains about having to wear braces, be sure to let him know that it could be worse! He could be walking around school with sheep in his mouth! Adults and kids alike back then would have been astounded by modern inventions like Invisalign aligners!

Modern Medicine

Luckily for you the staff at Beecroft Orthodontics of Invisalign King George, Invisalign Teen Stafford, and the office in Fredericksburg, Virginia, have no intention of putting any part of an animal's digestive tract in your son or daughter's mouth! With Invisalign aligners, moms get the straightened teeth they want and kids do not have to hide their smile while it is getting fixed.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr. Fredericksburg, Virginia

Phone: 540-898-2200

Orthodontic Fact #3: "In 1000 BC, the ancient Greeks fashioned a catgut or metal strips with goat or sheep intestines to correct teeth deformities. Be thankful that you are living in the 20th century."

Orthodontic Fact #10: 1 Million Americans Consult Orthodontic Clinics

Improve Your Facial Appearance by Getting Braces

If you are considering to visit an orthodontist for an evaluation then you will be delighted to know that over one million adults consult orthodontic clinics each year. This means you are not alone in wishing for a perfect smile that improves your facial appearance while making it easier to consume nutritious food. Finding a dentist near me is the common mistake of many individuals when in fact it should be an orthodontist, which is an expert, they need to see. Orthodontists are specially trained to diagnose particular problems concerning the jaws and mouths of children, teenagers and adults.

Learn About Different Braces

A careful examination from a knowledgeable orthodontist can determine the best type of dental appliance required to reduce unsightly gaps between your teeth. It is an orthodontic fact that not everyone can wear the same type of braces or dental appliances to repair malocclusions of the teeth. After a visual examination to determine the health of your mouth, an orthodontist uses digital technology to create three-dimensional images. These images are necessary to determine if you need:

• Lingual braces worn on the back of your teeth • Retainers to shift a few teeth into correct positions • Headgear that is used to repair difficult malocclusions • Aligners made of clear plastic for mild forms of malocclusions • Traditional metal wire and bracket braces for long-term treatment

Schedule an Appointment Today

Invisalign Fredericksburg has to offer is available at Beecroft Orthodontics. Dr. Matt Beecroft is available to treat patients of any age at his orthodontic practice. Conveniently located next to King George and Stafford, our patients will enjoy having a nearby clinic to receive orthodontic care. With a variety of well-known brands of braces and aligners, patients will find a dental appliance that reflects their personality while improving their oral health. Contact us today at Beecroft Orthodontics to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr. Fredericksburg, Virginia

Phone: 540-898-2200

Orthodontic Fact #10: Statistically speaking, over 1 million Americans over the age of 18 consult orthodontic clinics to help align their teeth.

How Can Invisalign Straighten an Adult’s Teeth?

Many people think of braces as an adolescent rite of passage. However, there is no need for adults to live with a smile that doesn't make them proud! Invisalign offers the perfect solution: effective orthodontia with no metal or visible brackets.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a completely different way to get the straight teeth you desire. Instead of metal, wires, and brackets, Invisalign gently straightens your teeth with clear aligners. Your orthodontist will take a mold of your teeth and scan it into a special computer program. They will then make a treatment plan with a desired end result. This computer program will create a series of molds that will gradually guide your teeth into a straight and attractive position.

How does Invisalign straighten an adult’s teeth? The Invisalign treatment process is meant to gently and painlessly guide your teeth to a more desirable position. It is not bad for your teeth at all. Teeth are constantly moving and shifting. In most cases, they shift even further out of the alignment as we get older. Fredericksburg Invisalign trays move your teeth to the desired position.

Aren't I Too Old for Braces?

Many people associate braces with children and teens, assuming that an adult with crooked teeth merely has to live with them. However, orthodontia for adults is becoming increasingly common. You may have missed the boat when other teens were getting braces in junior high, but this does not mean you have to live with a smile that is unattractive or unhealthy.

Many adults do not want braces because they don't want visible brackets or wires in their smile. However, Invisalign has none of these. As the name suggests, Invisalign is virtually invisible.

Will Invisalign Hurt?

Another major concern of adults looking into the Invisalign treatment process is the pain. Traditional braces are associated with a great deal of discomfort. However, Invisalign is actually completely painless. Because the treatment is very gradual, there is no discomfort involved. You can go to your Fredericksburg Invisalign appointments with confidence that your visit will be pleasant and painless.

Can I Wear Invisalign While I Eat?

While people who have traditional braces must avoid certain foods, this is not true for Invisalign. This is due to the design: rather than having brackets and wires attached to teeth, which provides many places for food to get caught, Invisalign is both smooth and removable. It only needs to be worn 22 hours a day, so people can remove it to eat, or even for occasional special events.

Because Invisalign can be removed to eat, you can continue to eat your favorite foods. You will only need to brush and floss your teeth before putting your Invisalign tray back into place.

Why Straighten My Teeth?

Many adults consider contacting an Invisalign Fredericksburg orthodontist and wonder if getting orthodontic treatment is necessary. After all, braces and Invisalign both require time and money. Gaining a beautiful and confident smile is definitely a good reason to use Invisalign; there are also other reasons to consider orthodontic work.

Misaligned teeth will likely become worse with time. In addition, they are more likely to get cavities or even fall out because it is harder to thoroughly brush and floss them. In addition, misaligned teeth can cause pain in the jaw and even make it difficult to chew your food thoroughly. While your misaligned teeth may seem like a purely cosmetic issue, they may shift further and cause problems in the future.

Beecroft Orthodontics - Invisalign - 1st Impressions

What to Expect From Invisalign

How does Invisalign straighten an adult’s teeth? In many ways, the process of getting Invisalign is similar to getting other types of orthodontic work such as braces. You will be examined by the orthodontist, who will decide if Invisalign is the right choice for you. If so, the orthodontist will make molds of your teeth and develop a treatment plan. The computer will generate models of the molds you need for your teeth.

After this, you will receive your trays. You should wear them as much as possible, up to 24 hours a day. Every two weeks, you will switch to a new tray. Gradually and painlessly, your teeth will become straighter. You will periodically visit your orthodontist to make sure your teeth are healthy and that they are progressing as expected.

What to Expect After Invisalign

As with all orthodontic work, there will be some aftercare and maintenance after you have straightened your teeth with Invisalign. Whether you choose braces or Invisalign, you will need to wear a retainer as often as possible. A retainer is a small plastic piece that fits against the inner side of your teeth, gently exerting enough pressure to keep them in their straightened position. This will prevent your teeth from shifting back into the misaligned position.

Is Invisalign Right for Me?

There are a few things to consider when deciding whether Invisalign is the right decision for you. First, Invisalign will only work for some types of orthodontic problems. Your orthodontist will be able to let you know if you are a good candidate.

Second, you should evaluate whether you are ready for the commitment involved in Invisalign. You will need to wear your tray whenever you are not eating, performing dental care, or cleaning the trays. Last, you will need to decide if you are willing to pay for Invisalign. Invisalign costs slightly more than traditional braces because of the new technology involved. However, many orthodontists offer payment plans and other options for defraying the cost.

Choosing an Orthodontist

It's important to choose the right orthodontist. You will be visiting them on a regular basis, so you will need to feel comfortable and able to talk with them. It is also important to select an orthodontist who has experience both with Invisalign technology and with adult orthodontics. If you are interested in an Invisalign Fredericksburg orthodontist, you are in luck. Beecroft Orthodontics is experienced both with Invisalign and with treating adults. Not only are we experienced, adult Invisalign is our specialty. We know how to work with you to get you the perfect, healthy smile that you deserve.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr. Fredericksburg, Virginia

Phone: 540-898-2200

How Can Invisalign Straighten an Adult’s Teeth?