Archive for category: BRO News

The feeling you have after getting your braces removed is one of a kind. It’s such a relief knowing that treatment is over and your teeth have moved into proper alignment. You finally have the smile you’ve always wanted, plus it’s hard to beat that feeling of smooth teeth after your brackets have been removed.

Unfortunately, some people get their braces off and are distressed by the color of their teeth. If this is something that you are concerned about, there’s no reason to stress! BRO offers a safe and easy way to get your teeth whitened after braces.

Why Teeth May Yellow With Braces On

Stained and yellowed teeth after braces is very much the norm among both adolescent and adult patients. Braces, whether ceramic or traditional, are not the root cause of discoloration, but poor hygiene by the wearer of the braces can lead to yellowing and stains. This has to do with how that person cared for their teeth while they were getting treatment. Difficulty brushing, snacking, and flossing all affect how poorly or how well a person with braces takes care of their teeth, which in turn necessitates whitening after the braces have been removed.

Plaque & Tartar

A common cause of stains on teeth is the accumulation of plaque in the crevices of the teeth. Plaque is a colorless, tacky film that forms on teeth from consuming food and drink. When combined with sugars, plaque creates acids that pull the minerals from the teeth. This changes the way light reflects off the surface of the tooth. Sometimes this produces unusual white spots on the teeth.

Plaque carries an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay, especially if you have braces.

When plaque hardens, it becomes tartar. This is a crusty deposit that can form in as little as 24 hours (if not brushed). Yellow and brown stains are often caused by tartar, and it can make the removal of newly formed plaque more difficult. Only a dental professional can remove tartar buildup.

Braces’ Effect on Oral Hygiene

Plaque and tartar are the main causes of tooth discoloration, and the only way to prevent that is by practicing good oral hygiene. People with braces should be sure to rinse and brush after every meal, as well as floss at least twice a day.

Braces do make cleaning your teeth a little trickier, but fortunately our team has all the tips and tricks you need.  You’ll need to learn how to brush around the brackets and wires at first and flossing will take a little more time, but inadequate flossing and brushing leaves food remnants that lead to plaque buildup.

Consider scheduling a professional cleaning at BRO. This service is available at our clinics in Asheville and Hendersonville. You can count on a professional to use the right tools and techniques to get to and clean hard to reach places between the wires and brackets that make up your braces.

Foods That Increase Yellowing

Watching what you eat and drink is one of the easiest ways to take care of your teeth, including their whiteness. Tea, coffee, soda, wine, and dark juices can all stain your teeth and eventually lead to discoloration. Even soy sauce can stain teeth. Starchy, sugary, or acidic foods promote the growth of bacteria, which can begin to demineralize your teeth, such as pickles, cranberries, tomato sauce, and more.

Whitening Teeth After Braces

Stains on teeth can easily make a person feel insecure. You can whiten your teeth at home with a whitening toothpaste, which may be enough to remove some surface stains. Whitening toothpastes have fluoride, which strengthens enamel, as well as chemicals or polishing agents that specialize in removing stains.

You can also do an at-home whitening treatment. Whitening gel is one product that many dentists agree work well, but you often need custom whitening trays to use this product. Whitestrips, especially those made by Crest, have been very popular, and dentists agree that they are effective.

Whitening teeth is also a common dental service. It’s also very safe. When you come in for a whitening, you’ll be assisted by one of our dental hygienists, who will whiten your teeth with a professional-grade solution. These materials will be placed on your teeth and set with ultraviolet light. After about 20-60 minutes, or once you’ve achieved the white shade that you desire, you’ll be all set!

It’s always recommended that you get your teeth whitened after having braces instead of before, as having them whitened before can result in uneven shades on the surface of your teeth. One of the most common reasons that people get braces is to fix crooked teeth, which often overlap. If you’ve just whitened your teeth before getting braces, the whitening agent might not have been able to reach some of the areas of the teeth, which will result in a patchy look.

Why You Should Wait 6 Months

We suggest that all of our patients wait six months after getting their braces removed to whiten teeth. Wearing braces can cause teeth to feel weaker for a period of time, so giving yourself a while to adjust will make whitening more comfortable. It;s also often the case that a person’s saliva is enough to reduce the intense discoloration they found after getting their braces removed. It’s best to wait for six months and see what happens before going in for a whitening.

It is also recommended that any teeth whitening be performed by a dental professional for the best results. Professional teeth whitening is not only more effective than at-home options, but dental professionals are capable of spotting signs of demineralization or gum disease.

Every person should finish their braces treatment feeling fabulous about their new smile. If some discoloration or staining is making you frown, contact us to set up a whitening appointment.

If you are coming in for oral surgery in Asheville, it can be helpful to have some information about what to expect. One question that many of our patients at BRO have is “what can I eat after oral surgery?” This is a very good question as you will need to make some adjustments to your eating habits after having impacted teeth removed.

For anyone who is coming to Blue Ridge Orthodontics for oral surgery (or anywhere else), we have compiled a comprehensive list of foods that are safe to eat after your procedure. Keep in mind that you will get more specific instructions from after your surgery and some procedures may require patients to stay on a liquid diet for the first few days.

Proper Nutrition is Very Important After Oral Surgery

If you have wisdom teeth that have come in at an odd angle, this is called an impacted tooth. Your dentist has undoubtedly taken note and informed you that impacted wisdom teeth can cause significant problems if left alone. This is the reason why many in Asheville end up coming to BRO for oral surgery.

After impacted wisdom teeth are removed, getting the proper nutrition becomes a concern. Your mouth is going to be in serious recovery mode and chewing on your favorite foods probably won’t seem very appetizing. By reading this post, you will get a clear idea of what is safe to eat and what will provide you with the right nutrition and expedite the healing process.

Recommended foods following oral surgery are going to be soft and easy to chew. That probably doesn’t come as a surprise, but you also shouldn’t take this as an excuse to subsist on milkshakes for a week. This may be a childhood dream, but you need to work in foods that are high in minerals, vitamins and energy boosting protein. These are the keys to a speedy and complete recovery after your procedure in Asheville.

Here are foods we highly recommend you eat after oral surgery.

1) Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a great food to stock up on if you’re getting oral surgery. It’s healthy, high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals (an excellent source of zinc and calcium)! On top of that, the smooth and creamy texture of Greek yogurt can be very soothing to your recovering mouth.

Studies have shown that high protein foods like yogurt can speed up the recovery process. In fact, these studies also linked low-protein diets to slower rates of healing. So please make sure you are getting plenty of healthy protein in your diet after having oral surgery.

2) Blended Soups

Are you a fan of tomato soup and grilled cheese? Well, classic blended soups like pumpkin and tomato soups are highly recommended food options after your procedure. They’re great to eat, because they don’t contain any solid foods and it should be easy to find blended soups that are rich in minerals and vitamins.

These make for an excellent lunch option that will help you meet the recommended daily nutrition levels after your oral surgery. Unfortunately, most whole fruits and vegetables will be too irritating to consume while your mouth is recovering. Blended soups can also help to keep your body hydrated!

Just be careful to avoid consuming soup that is piping hot! This can be extremely irritating and even damaging. We recommend consuming your blended soup at a lukewarm or even cold temperature. Here are 21 blended soups that are delicious when served cold!

3) Mashed Potatoes

Here’s another classic staple that makes for a perfect food to eat after you have gotten impacted wisdom teeth removed. The potato is a spectacular root vegetable that can be prepared in many, many delicious ways!

We recommend serving them up mashed while you are recovering from your surgery. It will make for a comfortable meal that is also rich in needed nutrients and calories. Please note that your body is going to require a little more energy than normal after oral surgery.

With the right mashed potatoes, you are able to get significant energy in just a few bites. This is super important, as you will be eating less than normal during the recovery process. We also recommend eating your mashed potatoes lukewarm or cold.

4) Scrambled Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and this makes them one of the best things to eat after oral surgery (unless you are vegan of course). A plate of scrambled eggs will provide abundant protein, vitamins and minerals.

If you aren’t one who buys eggs often, we recommend looking for pasteurized or omega-3 enriched varieties. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can aid in the healing process.

This may not be your favorite way to prepare eggs, but scrambled eggs are easier to chew and swallow.

5) Banana Ice Cream

Ice cream is a common treat after you have had impacted teeth removed. Unfortunately, ice cream is not nutritious. The coolness is very soothing, but that doesn’t outweigh the unhealthy amount of sugar. Fortunately, there is banana ice cream…

Banana lovers should be rejoicing as this is a form of ice cream that is actually healthy and delicious. You can also make this amazing ice cream alternative at home with ease!

At-Home Recipe for Banana Ice Cream

Ingredients

• Milk (or your favorite milk alternative)
• 3 to 4 fresh bananas

Make Banana Ice Cream in 4 Steps

1. Place peeled bananas in the freezer overnight (or at least for 4 hrs).
2. Take out the frozen bananas and cut them up into neat chunks.
3. Place frozen banana slices into a blender and then add the milk or non-dairy alternative.
4. Blend up this tasty mixture until consistency has thickened and smoothed out.

That’s super easy and it is going to be very tasty!

6) Avocado

The staff at BRO loves avocados! This unique fruit is an excellent source of healthy fat, low in carbs and rich in vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium. The smooth and creamy texture also makes them an excellent food to eat after getting impacted teeth removed.

You may be able to enjoy some fresh avocado with a little seasoning and a spoon, but you can also serve them whipped into a puree or mashed. These preparations can be very soothing to consume for a mouth in full recovery.

7) Smoothies

Here is a food recommendation that also comes with a warning. Smoothies can be a great meal replacement for someone who is unable to chew whole food. That being said, a lot of popular brands serve up smoothies with more than their fair share of sugar.

Smoothies are so popular due to how versatile they can be. There’s a nearly endless variety of combinations and ingredients that can be turned into a healthy smoothie. We recommend smoothies with a scoop of Greek yogurt (or protein powder) to aid in your recovery. You should also pick a few of your favorite fruits or vegetables to round out this healthy meal replacement.

Conclusion

After you have gotten oral surgery in Asheville, it is really important to have a gameplan for your recovery. There are many popular foods that are only going to irritate your mouth and could cause other complications.Take this list as a starting point for your recovery grocery list.

Since smoothies are on this list, you should also know that using a straw is not recommended while recovering from oral surgery. Using a straw generates suction in the mouth that could increase your risk of developing a dry socket. This can be very painful and you’d likely need to come back in for an additional appointment.

If you have other questions about oral surgery, or you’d like to schedule an appointment at BRO, please call (828) 585-6045. We are available to answer any of your questions.

Have you heard about our Impressions invisible aligners? They are a new and discreet way to straighten your teeth at home. Similar to Invisalign, Our new invisible aligners are made from medical grade plastic material that is molded after a 3D digitized scan is taken of your teeth.

After your initial consultation and 3D scan here at our orthodontic clinic in Asheville, you will receive your impressions invisible liners at your door in about 6 weeks. within this Impressions box, you will find a full set of the liners and everything else you’ll need to stay on track with your personalized treatment plan.

Most of our Impressions patients have completed their treatment within 6 months!

With Impressions, our goal was to give adults in Western North Carolina more options if they need orthodontic treatment. You shouldn’t have to put your life on hold because you want to straighten your teeth. Impressions delivers all the results of traditional orthodontic treatment for half the cost and in half the time!

Impressions Vs Traditional Metal Braces

If an adult has traditional metal braces, they might feel a little self-conscious when going on a first date or into an important interview. This is why orthodontic advancements such as Invisalign were so revolutionary. Now, qualifying adults have the option to straighten their teeth in a much more discreet way.

Our orthodontists want you to know that traditional metal braces are still the recommended course of treatment for more complex orthodontic issues. that being said, our Impressions aligners can be used to treat the majority of orthodontic issues we see in adults.

Comparing Impressions invisible aligners to traditional braces, there are several distinct advantages we want you to know about:

• Our liners are much more convenient than traditional braces simply because they are removable.
• This makes it much easier to eat, drink and brush your teeth.
• Friends, family members and co-workers won’t even be able to tell that you’re wearing our liners and you’re talking to them.
• Impressions aligners are much easier to clean than traditional metal braces.
• With Impressions, there are only two required in office visits that patients need to make over the entire course of their treatment.
• Impressions invisible aligners cost half as much as traditional metal braces.

Impressions Vs Other At-Home Invisible Aligners

If you qualify, then making the choice between Impressions and traditional braces is simple. That being said, there are now several different at-home invisible aligners providers out there. So why should you choose Impressions if you live in North Carolina?

Infographic originally posted on the Impressions website.

Visiting ImpressionsHub and Starting with a 3D Scan

These other Invisalign aligner companies provide at-home kits that you can use to take an impression of your teeth. Ironically, we don’t do this with Impressions and there’s a good reason why. We discovered that these at-home impressions kits often fail to make an accurate impression of the teeth. There are just too many ways that things could go awry while trying to get that perfect impression.

Here are four common problems that people have when using these at home Impressions kits:

• You could receive impressions trays that are not the right size for your mouth, which means they will have to send them back and wait even longer to start your treatment.
• With these Impressions kids, there is a specific process one must follow when it comes to mixing the mold putty. Since this kit comes with two types of putty, it must be completely mixed together and then molded into the tray. Once you start mixing the putties, they start to harden. So you have about one minute to properly mix the putty, place it in the tray and then into your mouth in order to get a proper impression. When done at home, there are only so many ways that this can go wrong.
• If you managed to get the putty mix into the aligner tray without issue, it is still more difficult than it should be to get the perfect impression of your teeth. You’ll need to keep the tray very steady during this entire process which can be difficult. Otherwise, you could end up with a double imprint of your teeth and gums or slight distortions in the shape or length of the teeth.
• On top of how difficult it is to just get one perfect impression with these at home kits, you’ll need to complete this entire process at least three more times without error.

We have heard stories about how people received their aligners and none of them actually fit due to the poor impressions taken with those at home kits. This can significantly delay the start of your treatment. Since Impressions was developed by a diamond level Invisalign orthodontist, we felt it was best to start each patient with an accurate 3D scan of their teeth.

Because we always start with a 3D scan of your teeth at our Impressions hub, we can guarantee 100% accuracy for every patient. You aren’t going to have to worry whether your aligners are going to fit your teeth when you get your impressions box delivered to your door. the entire process is quick and painless, plus it won’t leave you with a bad taste in your mouth like the putty in those at home Impressions kits.

Additionally, we felt it would be great is our patients got the opportunity to see what their perfect smile would look like before they even get started. With our 3D iTero technology, you’ll be able to see what your smile is going to look like as soon as we’re done with the scan. It’s really cool!

Our Invisible Aligners Are Produced With Higher Quality Material

Unfortunately, we found that other at home invisible aligner companies have chosen to use cheaper material in the production of their aligners in order to save money and increase their own profits. If you’re making such a significant investment in your health, then you should know that you’re getting the best product possible.

When it’s not, the results can be shocking…

Impressions invisible liners use the same high-quality material that Invisalign uses. This means that our trees are more durable than some of “the other guys.” With these other at home invisible aligners, you do run the risk experiencing complications that could significantly extend the length of your treatment.

Impressions Connects You With a Real Orthodontist

Studies have shown that most American adults could benefit from some kind of orthodontic care. Unfortunately, too many don’t have the means to afford it. Dr. Roberts created impressions in order to bring affordable orthodontic care to more people in North Carolina.

In addition to the convenience offered by impressions, patients are also going to be connected with a real orthodontist. You will meet with Dr. Roberts, Dr. Schuler or Dr. Twomley during your first appointment and they are going to develop a customized treatment plan for your smile. We don’t want you to feel like you’re going to be on your own at any point during your treatment. You get all of the convenience of at-home orthodontic care with the peace of mind that you can reach out to one of our orthodontists with questions or concerns at any time.

With these other at-home invisible aligner providers, you are not going to be connected with a real orthodontist. You will more than likely be directed to a customer service number if you have any questions or concerns during your treatment. It can feel isolating…

Yes convenience is important, but who are you going to feel more confident with when it comes to correcting your smile? An orthodontist you can meet in person or a customer support representative?

Impressions Accounts For Your Bite & Overall Health

You’re probably looking at invisible aligners, because you want to straighten your teeth. This is what most at-home invisible aligner providers are solely focused on. Unfortunately, that can actually lead to some serious problems.

With Impressions, we knew that we could not only be focused on straightening teeth. We needed to know that we could achieve the best results without impacting the patient’s bite or long-term oral health. Again, this is something that we can guarantee, because we have a real orthodontist heavily involved in the treatment process from start to finish.

Many of those other at-home orthodontic providers haven’t appeared to take this into consideration. This critical oversight has led to significant issues for people that have tried them.

Conclusion

It really is amazing that adults who are seeking orthodontic care in North Carolina have so many options. If you are now considering at-home invisible aligners like Impressions, we have a few more things that we want you to know:

• We accept most insurance providers for Impressions treatment.
• Impressions offers an extended payment plan as well.
• The ImpressionsHubs are located in real orthodontic clinics, not in a tent, a bus, a mall or a pop-up shop.
• Walk in consultations are available to you with Impressions, most other companies don’t have an office to walk into, and when they do, it’s by appt.
• You can upgrade to comprehensive Invisalign if desired thanks to the fact that Impressions is run by a diamond level Invisalign orthodontist.

If you’re an adult who needs to get braces, you may feel wary about the idea. Traditional metal braces aren’t exactly the easiest things to hide if you’re going for a first date or an important interview. That being said, straightening your teeth is extremely important. Not something we recommend avoiding because you are self-conscious about having braces.

That is why many adults in North Carolina look into options like ceramic braces, but are they right for you?

Let’s find out!

For adults in need of orthodontic care in 2019, there have never been so many options available. We have covered them extensively on the BRO blog, but today we’re going to look at ceramic braces. These types of braces actually blend in with your teeth making them much less noticeable — a popular option for adults in Western North Carolina.

How Do Ceramic Braces Differ From Metal Braces?

You already know that traditional braces are made with metal. The brackets are attached to the teeth and then a metal wire is strung through them in order to realign straighten the teeth as needed according to your orthodontist’s treatment plan.

For younger patients who are coming to Blue Ridge Orthodontics to get braces, we offer a variety of color bands that they can use to accessorize or personalize their braces. However, this is not the most popular option for adults. You could get white rubber bands, but traditional metal braces still remain visible.

Ceramic braces are different in that the brackets are made of ceramic instead of metal. This means that the only aspect of the braces that’s noticeable is the wire that runs through the brackets. The ceramic brackets closely mirror the color of the teeth, which makes them much less noticeable when you are talking with someone. If you are self-conscious over the prospect of having a mouth full of metal, ceramic braces may be the right option for you.

Some Cons to Ceramic Braces You Should Consider

As with many things in life, it’s not just as simple as metal vs. ceramic. There are other factors that you should consider as an adult. Both types of braces have their pros and cons and we wouldn’t be considered one of the best orthodontist practices in North Carolina if we didn’t take the time to thoroughly cover the differences here.

First, we want our patients to know that ceramic braces tend to be more expensive than traditional metal braces in North Carolina. This is an important factor for our adult patients when it comes to deciding on what course of treatment to take. If a bracket is damaged, ceramic braces are more expensive to repair too.

We also don’t recommend ceramic braces for patients that require a significant amount of correction. That’s because traditional metal braces can tolerate higher levels of pressure and shifting compared to ceramic braces. This is simply due to the material that they are made from. If you need significant orthodontic corrections as an adult, our orthodontists might not recommend ceramic braces for your mouth.

Types of Ceramic Braces

Clear Ceramic Braces

If you see someone with clear braces, they are either made with polycarbonate (plastic) or ceramic. The benefit of going with clear ceramic brackets are that they are more stronger and more stain-resistant than polycarbonate brackets.

Do you have very white teeth already? Then clear ceramic braces are likely the best choice for you. The material is transparent, leaving the surface of the teeth underneath visible. That’s why we recommend it for people who have already had their teeth whitened.

The brackets don’t stain easily, but you should be careful with what you eat and drink (just like with any other type of braces).

White Ceramic Braces

Orthodontists call these ceramic braces white, but technically they are tooth-colored. A pure white bracket would stand out from the teeth and be more noticeable. Even with whitening treatment, your teeth aren’t a pure white in color and these ceramic braces are designed to reflect that.

In fact, these braces work best with patients that have a slightly darker shade of color to their teeth.

The brackets are produced using a different aluminum compound than clear ceramic braces. Additionally, certain brands offer a custom service where they will make sure your brackets match the exact color of your teeth.

Colored Ceramic Braces

Most people pick ceramic braces because they want to straighten their teeth inconspicuously. That being said, ceramic braces also can come with a variety of colored ligatures for those individuals that like to make a statement. We tend to see more teenagers take advantage of this option at our clinics in Western North Carolina, but don’t let us stop you from expressing yourself!

Note that your ligatures are changed during each scheduled checkup at our office. So you can experiment with a variety of colors to highlight your ceramic braces.

Keeping Your Mouth & Braces Pristine With Ceramic Braces

If you don’t take care of your ceramic braces, then they can become discolored over time. You need to know how to take care of your ceramic braces and your teeth similar to patients with traditional braces.

Take precautions when drinking things like coffee or red wine. You also need to be careful when eating curry or foods with tomato sauce. Sticky or particularly hard foods should be avoided just like with traditional metal braces. Your ceramic brackets and wires can be damaged just as easily if you’re careless about what you put in your mouth.

We have an extensive post on the BRO blog that will teach you how to brush and floss your teeth when you have braces. Read this post please! It’s really important not to be lazy about cleaning your teeth when you have braces, and this is especially true if you have ceramic braces. Discoloration will be more noticeable and you can’t use any teeth whitening products during your treatment.

Conclusion

While it varies, adults who need braces will be wearing them from 18 months up to 3 years in total. If you need to straighten your teeth and you’re self-conscious about metal in your mouth, then ceramic braces may be the right option for you. In any case, this post is not meant to replace having a conversation with your orthodontist.

While we want our patients to feel comfortable and confident during their treatment, the primary goal is to correct their orthodontic issues and improve their oral health. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist, so you can review your options and confidently pick the best treatment plan available.