Orthodontic Blog - Fresh Orthodontics

There are two negative aspects of orthodontic treatment: enamel demineralization and heightened bacterial activity in the mouth. The latter of these problems was the focus of many studies and experiments, particularly on the part of Mary Anne Sampaio of the University of Maryland. The way she decided was best to deal with this pressing concern is to change the adhesive she used into one that has antibacterial properties. Here is the story behind it.

A patient may walk into an orthodontic consultation and after hearing what needs to be done and why and how, they might innocently ask the question: “what causes malocclusions, anyway?”

When you look at a contract that you sign for orthodontic treatment, the term “unforeseeable consequences” is always in there, and usually is preceded by telling you that the dentistry and the dentist in particular is not responsible for them.

Many companies that offer benefits offer a dental plan as well. These dental plans are often very minimal and only cover very specific procedures. Most commonly cover routine checkups, cleanings, and fillings. But what about orthodontics?

Most people think that braces are purely an aesthetic aspect of dentistry and only fix problems with the appearance of teeth. This could not be farther from the truth. Properly aligned teeth, aside form being more attractive, are also healthier. There are fewer nooks and crannies for food to get stuck, and bacteria has a harder time sticking to tooth surfaces and causing trouble.