“Dentists, Orthodontists, they’re all the same right?” We know some patients may wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist, Dr. Manfred became a dentist first. Dr. Manfred earned her dental degree from UCLA (Go Bruins!). After completing those vigorous 4 years of dental school, she decided to complete an additional 3-year residency in Orthodontics. Dr. Manfred completed her years of orthodontic residency at Oregon Health and Sciences University. This program only accept 4 dentists per year, and is very competitive to get into! At OHSU, Dr. Manfred earned a Master’s degree in Orthodontics and Dentofacial orthopedics—which is the study of the teeth, jaws, and facial growth. Other dental specialties you may have heard of include Endodontics (focusing on the nerves of the teeth), Periodontics (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth), Prosthodontics (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth), and Pediatrics (focusing on the dental treatment of children up to age 18).

While some general dentists do decide to treat patients with braces and/or Invisalign, we at Manfred Orthodontics believe it’s so important to see an Orthodontist, such as Dr. Manfred, for your orthodontic needs! You can read more about the benefits of seeing an Orthodontist at: http://www.mylifemysmile.org/.

The big day is finally here! Your braces are being put on! Before coming to your appointment, you may find yourself feeling a bit intimated and nervous about the experience. We hope to help make you feel more at ease by explaining exactly what the different components of your braces are, and what they do.
Elements of Braces

• Bracket —This is the small metal or ceramic square that is cemented or glued onto the surface of the tooth. The bracket holds the archwire in place.
• Archwire — Thearchwire is the workforce of your braces. It is a guide that tracks the teeth. The wire will be changed from time to time during treatment to continue straightening a patient’s teeth, usually progressing from smaller, floppy wires to larger, stiffer wires.
• Elastic Tie—The elastic tie is the “color” component to the braces. The elastic tie is a very small rubber band that holds the archwire in place on the bracket.
• Band — This is a metal ring that fits completely around a tooth. These are used on the back molars in some patients, but not all. Bands are used when you need an appliance such as an expander or headgear.
• Wire Tie — This is a very small thin wire that is wrapped around the bracket to keep the archwire in place.
• Coil Spring — If needed, this fits between a bracket and the main archwire. Its purpose is to open up space between the teeth. This is only used when space is needed somewhere in the mouth.
• Hook — This a small hook attached to a band or a bracket that is used when wearing elastics, also known as rubber bands.
• Elastics — Elastics, also known as rubber bands, are used to connect one point of the braces to another. The purpose is to apply pressure, and encourage the teeth to move into the proper position.

By defining each part of the appliance we hope you or your child will be less apprehensive about getting braces put on. At the end of your treatment, you will have a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime!

Why should Invisalign be one of your top considerations for a smile makeover? It’s easy to see Invisalign’s advantages over other established procedures commonly used in smile makeovers. The advantages of Invisalign will, more than likely, give you a reason to smile!

Comfort, esthetics, and treatment time have always been the primary concerns for the adult patient when it comes to orthodontic treatment. Invisalign, when compared to other teeth straightening options, has been shown to address many of these concerns!

How does it work? Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without braces, metal wires, or brackets. Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible on the teeth, and are removable during treatment. The number of aligners required varies from case to case, depending on the severity of the problems.

What kind of problems does Invisalign correct? Invisalign can correct almost any orthodontic problem that braces can correct. This includes crowding or “crooked teeth,” gaps in between the teeth, overbite, underbite, amongst several others.

How often do Invisalign trays have to be worn? Invisalign trays should be worn upwards of 22 hours a day. They are taken out to eat and to brush, but otherwise, they should be in! The best results are found in patients that wear the trays as much as possible.

Here at Manfred Orthodontics, we strive to provide our patients with multiple options to achieve that perfect smile. We would love to hear from you—leave your comments with questions or comments about Invisalign treatment!

Orthodontic treatment is certainly for all ages—at Manfred Orthodontics we treat patients ranging from 6 years old to 86 years old! But, if possible, there are several reasons to have orthodontic treatment sooner rather than later in life. Here are 5 reasons whyDr. Manfred believes starting orthodontic therapy early can be of benefit.
1.) The treatment for a kid/teenager is usually easier than for an adult.
Let’s say that, around 7 years of age, a parent starts to see there is something wrong with his or her child’s teeth. If the orthodontist can get his “hands” on the situation, while the teeth are still erupting and the child’s jaw bone is not finished growing, the entire treatment could be aimed at intercepting the problem. When one is still growing, the orthodontist can control bone and tooth movement and jaw growth. Once growth is complete, the jaw bone cannot be moved without jaw surgery or other more complex treatments.

2.) Less complex treatment means less expense.
For long and complex treatment, especially ones that include jaw surgery, the price tag is pretty hefty. If orthodontic treatment is started early, with less complications and less problems to solve, it will also mean less expense and less headache for the patient!

3.) From a social point of view, kids have it easier.
Lets say it’s normal to see teenagers with braces. Some consider that age as the “age for braces.” When half of your classmates have braces, it doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal! Sporting metal on your teeth in the teen years is even considered a social rite of passage! While some adults are completely comfortable with the thought of braces, most cringe at the thought of going to work each day with a full set of metal mouth.

4.) Early treatment is effective and desirable in certain situations.
Some problems can be quickly and effectively treated the earlier the better. These include a crossbite of the back teeth, a crossbite of the adult front teeth, a narrow upper dental arch, severe crowding that prevents the normal eruption of adult teeth, amongst several others. These problems need to be treated as soon as they are noticed, not to mention correcting them early can prevent the problem from getting worse!

5.) Ignoring the issues won’t make them disappear.

So, the take-home message is: Don’t wait! The American Association of Orthodontists recommends seeing an orthodontist by age 7. Manfred Orthodontics wants each patient, young or old, to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful smile and the confidence that comes with it! Come see us and start making changes today!