Misconceptions exist about the general experience of having braces and are typically based on recommendations, procedures and technologies from decades ago. New research has enabled advanced technologies that have made the orthodontic experience much better than it would have been even 5 or 10 years ago. This is great news for everybody.
“Can I chew gum with braces?”
This is one of the most common questions we have in our practice. The short answer is yes, if the gum is sugar-free and contains xylitol. Several recent scientific studies have shown that gum with xylitol (examples- Trident, Icebreakers, and many others) have a multitude of benefits:
Reduction of Tooth Decay
Aids Enamel Remineralization and Repair
Increases Salivary Flow
Increases Comfort During Tooth Movement
Always follow your specific orthodontist’s recommendations when it comes to the care of your braces. Each patient’s case or type of braces being used may vary. There are specific cases (TMJ pain/discomfort) when gum chewing is not recommended. However, at DCO, we generally recommend that our patients chew a sugar-free gum that contains xylitol 2-3 times per day. Invisalign patients may chew gum as well when aligners are removed. The best timing for chewing gum during orthodontic treatment is immediately after a meal.
That service is the noblest which is rendered for its own sake. -Mahatma Gandhi
Last month, Dr. Jeffrey Watson, colleague and close friend of Dr. Cassarella, took part in his 4th annual trip to Guatemala with the F.I.N.N. Foundation team. During his time in Guatemala, Dr. Watson was able to provide care to those who need it most but are in circumstances that allow no access to the highly specialized care that is required. Over the course of several years, this team has performed close to 200 surgeries, profoundly impacting the lives of each patient. This year, his team screened and provided treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate as well as victims of domestic violence (see images below). In a week full of long days, they changed the course of countless futures by using their skills in a powerful way. We are so proud to share the stories of those like Dr. Watson who utilize rare skills, education and talents to touch those who need it most. Dr. Jeffrey Watson is in private practice as a facial plastic surgeon in Carlsbad, California.
Before and after photos of a cleft lip repair surgery performed by Dr. Watson and his team.
Dr. Watson pictured with a patient who was an unfortunate victim of domestic violence, which is prevalent in Guatemala.
Busy Operating Room schedule created by Dr. Watson's team after conducting screenings on their first day in Guatemala. Each post-it note is a life to be changed.
Dr. Watson is a shining example of a highly trained, educated and skilled medical specialist placing a high priority on giving back. Over the past 16 years, Dr. Watson has performed philanthropic medical work in Papua New Guinea, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and East Africa.
We are all deeply familiar with the capability of digital technology to revolutionize the way we do things. Twenty years ago, we all would have had trouble believing that most of society would be connected via mini, hand-held computers that magically merged with our phones. At that point, we were still grappling with the concept of the internet and hoping that the world did not end on “Y2K.” As we know, in many arenas and in many ways, digitization has spelled dehumanization of experiences for customers.
At DCO, we are constantly seeking to combine the awesome capabilities of digital technologies to enhance the personal experience patients have while in treatment. Each patient is assigned to a DCO Experience Concierge whose sole mission is to guide individuals through the treatment process. The DCO Experience Concierge ensures seamless coordination, high-quality service, and a personal connection throughout treatment.
Our practice has carefully and deliberately selected technologies that add value to the personal experience of each patient. Below are three examples:
3D Printing- A true win-win for patients is technology that improves treatment quality, enhances treatment efficiency, and provides a more comfortable experience. Three-dimensional scanning and printing has allowed us to be extremely precise in creating a digital 3D model of our patients’ teeth to aid us in accurate diagnosis and treatment. We are able to work with laboratories to 3D print and create accurate appliances like expanders for children and Invisalign aligners for teens and adults. The upsides to this technology are a huge increase in patient comfort through the elimination of the need for impressions and the improved accuracy of our diagnosis and treatment. The downsides are none.
Digital Workflow- Your healthcare experience will no longer be defined by having to fill out 15 paper forms while the reception staff sits behind a glass partition. At our practice, from beginning to end, the DCO Experience Concierge is always with the patient along the way, answering questions and lending support. Our digital treatment experience is built around elimination of unnecessary steps, clear communication, and paperless management of each patient’s personalized treatment. We use sophisticated digital diagnostic, practice management and treatment planning software that allows us to make things simple for our patients while leaving a green footprint. Among these technologies are digital radiographs and three dimensional model generation which provides enhanced comfort to patients, appliances that fit more precisely, and creates efficiencies to allow for fewer visits during treatment for each patient.
Invisalign- Clear aligner treatment (Invisalign) has enabled us to make treatment virtually invisible. Additionally, it allows for flexible for adults and has improved the quality of life, function, and confidence for many who would not pursue orthodontic treatment otherwise. Invisalign’s innovations are centered around using 3D models to virtually move teeth and manufacture clear aligners to be worn sequentially at each stage of tooth movement. Invisalign's digital technology dovetails perfectly into 3D printing and scanning technological advancements that we have harnessed in other areas of our practice. Adults are now free to pursue orthodontic treatment with extremely little impact on their lifestyle or work schedule.
The future is here and it is exciting! At DCO Orthodontic Specialists, we have harnessed the power of digital technology to enhance human interactions, not replace them.
**Pictured above: DCO patient Sofia (8yrs old) completing early treatment (also called Phase 1) which consisted of upper and lower expanders to make more room for her permanent teeth. Dr. Cassarella also helped to positively motivate her to stop sucking her thumb. Her treatment represents a typical 9-12 month intervention that corrects the course of a child’s facial and dental development to reduce complexity in the early teenage years.
For most parents, orthodontic treatment is one of the most significant and impactful healthcare decisions you will make for your child. You may wonder when is the most ideal time for your child to be examined by an orthodontist. The short answer, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), is age 7. The WHY behind this simple answer is one of the most fascinating aspects of orthodontics. In my experience in practice as an orthodontist, I find that many parents and even dentists are not aware of some of the profound benefits of early evaluation of a child for orthodontic treatment. Bringing your child to see an orthodontist at age 7 for a baseline examination can reduce future length, cost and complexity of treatment and also lead to the most ideal end result. Many children do not have the need for orthodontic intervention at a young age, but for those who do, the positive impact that can be made is very significant. It can also help to set your child on a pathway to healthy facial, dental, and psychosocial growth and development.
Below are the top six benefits to early orthodontic treatment:
1. Improvement of Airway
Few parents consider the impacts that jaw development may be having on their child’s airway. There has been recent research that has used 3D imaging techniques to demonstrate the extent to which expansion of the upper jaw can significantly improve the size of airway and volume of airflow during breathing. This occurs by orthopedically increasing the width of the nasal airway. In children who snore at night, have early signs of sleep apnea, or are mouth breathers, early orthodontic treatment can present an opportunity to improve quality of life in ways that you may have never considered. This includes better quality sleep and associated performance in school, improvement in overall health and better performance in athletics.
2. Improvement of Confidence and Self-Perception
In certain cases, space between teeth, crowding of teeth or severe bite problems may begin to impact a child’s confidence. One study actually showed that some teachers unknowingly had lower expectations for children with severe bite and tooth alignment problems. If a small orthodontic intervention can change the confidence and self-perception of a young child, one may ask the question- what greater benefit can there possibly be?
3. Identification of Severe Crowding or Bite Problems
Many parents of patients recount their own orthodontic treatment experiences which consisted of extraction of permanent teeth. In most children, the future need for extraction of teeth can be avoided by making adequate space for permanent teeth as they grow and develop by using expansion appliances. Early identification of crowding and expansion treatment also can prevent permanent teeth from becoming impacted in the future, and thus decrease future treatment time and complexity.
4. Facial Growth Assessment
One of the most important considerations that is made by the orthodontist is the initial examination of a child’s facial structure. Children who are growing rapidly can undergo very simple and easy orthopedic growth modification treatments that can help the child’s own growth be the corrective force in treating problems relating to facial growth, jaw size and jaw position. In some cases, particularly in underbites, these easy procedures can possibly prevent future need for jaw surgery for your child.In other cases, it can help to prevent developing facial growth asymmetry from becoming a long-term, complicated problem.
5. Reduction of Risk of Trauma to Teeth
In children who have protruding teeth, particularly the upper front teeth, early orthodontic treatment can reduce the risk of damage to these teeth during activities, sports or if your child sustains any facial trauma.
6. Assistance in Stopping Thumb and Finger Habits
Thumb or finger sucking habits, particularly those persisting after age 6, can have lasting effects on the development of the jaws and teeth. Often times, one or two conversations between your child and the orthodontist can provide the motivation and encouragement needed for your child to overcome this challenge.
Timing is everything and knowledge is power. Having your child examined by an orthodontist at age 7 will ensure that treatment needs are recognized early and that treatment is recommended at the most ideal time. This can give your child a better experience, fewer complications and the most ideal outcome.
