How to Start Invisalign If you are interested in starting Invisalign orthodontic treatment, the first step is to visit one or more orthodontists (specialists in the movement of teeth/orthodontics) in your area. The orthodontist will conduct a complimentary examination and inform you if Invisalign aligners will be effective for your specific case and discuss the… Read more »
Category: Children’s Treatment
Orthodontic Treatment for Children and Teens: Are Invisalign Aligners the Best Choice for my Child?
Discover your child’s options for orthodontic treatment, when Invisalign aligners are the right or wrong choice, and at what age to seek an examination with an orthodontist. Read more »
How Long do Braces Take?
The desire for a confident smile leads individuals of all ages to explore orthodontic treatment. A common question is, “How long do braces take?” In this paragraph, I’m using the word “braces” to stand in for all appliance types, including precision braces on teeth such as LightForce 3-D brackets, as well as Invisalign aligners, and… Read more »
How to Guarantee the Best Invisalign Treatment Result: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction Embarking on the journey to a straighter, more beautiful smile with Invisalign aligners is an exciting step toward improved oral health and self-confidence; however, achieving the best possible outcome requires more than simply slipping on those aligners. This comprehensive guide will explore the key factors that can make or break the success of treatment… Read more »
Straightening Crooked Teeth: Effective Orthodontic Treatments
Invisalign aligners, precision braces such as LightForce, and lingual appliances such as Brava can all be used to straighten teeth or create a proper occlusion or bite. Read more »
The Updated Seattle Insider’s Guide to Invisalign
Why See an Orthodontist for Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign The use of Invisalign aligners is a popular and discreet alternative to traditional braces for correcting misaligned teeth, and since the expiration of the Invisalign company’s patents in 2017, many new companies have entered the clear aligner market. The competitive environment has led aligner companies, including… Read more »
Orthodontic Tooth Movement and Treatment Methods: Exploring Invisalign, Precision Braces, and Brava
In this post, we will explore the principles behind tooth movement and the mechanisms orthodontists use to achieve desired outcomes. A basic understanding of this process will inform your treatment decisions and aid you in understanding your orthodontist’s recommendations, which may include the following tools: For instance, while aligner/Invisalign treatment can be very appealing to… Read more »
Now Offering Virtual Retainer Checks!
For your convenience, routine retainer check appointments can now be done virtually! If you feel that your removable retainer(s) are fitting well, we welcome you to submit photos and answer a few questions to complete a virtual retainer check. Once your answers and photos are submitted via email (contact@drkeithbwongseattle.com) or text (206-812-4494), Dr. Wong… Read more »
Do athletic mouthguards help protect my child from tooth and/or brain injury?
First, let me point out that many types of mouthguards are available—from thin, loosely-fitting generic models to precision-fit, pressure-laminated custom units. Regarding tooth protection, most mouthguards offer some benefit; however, the better-fitting, thicker mouthguards are able to absorb and diffuse the impact energy of a given collision leading to greater protection from tooth injury. Regarding… Read more »
My child has an “overbite.” How is that corrected?
The term overbite is typically used to describe what is referred to by orthodontists as overjet. This is excessive distance between the upper and lower incisors in a horizontal direction with the upper teeth forward of the lower. This finding can describe a number of situations. For example, the same overjet may result from protrusion… Read more »
When should I take my child to an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened orthodontically at age seven. Sometimes the reaction to this is one of surprise (“Isn’t that young?”) or suspicion (“Orthodontists can’t wait to get your money.”). There are, however, very sound reasons for this recommendation. The intent of the age seven screening is to confirm… Read more »
I bite my tongue: can that be changed?
If you repeatedly bite your tongue or cheek, you may have malocclusion of the dentition that is contributing to this painful situation. Typically, the shapes of the tooth surfaces facing the tongue (lingual) and cheeks (buccal) are such that, when the teeth are positioned correctly, the tongue and cheeks are guided safely away from the… Read more »