Orthodontics Archives - Richmond Dentist Dr. Robert Oliveros DMD

Orthodontics in Richmond

When you think of orthodontics, an image of a teenager sporting metal braces may come to mind. In reality, patients of all ages can benefit from orthodontics. In fact, it’s recommended that a child come in for their first orthodontic consultation by the age of seven. It’s often less complicated to treated misalignment issues at a younger age, but many adults are successfully treated with orthodontics.

Orthodontics is devoted to creating beautiful smiles and improving overall health by bringing teeth, lips and jaw into proper alignment. By straightening teeth that are crooked or overlapping, correcting gaps, and realigning the jaw, orthodontic treatment enhances patients’ smiles and reduces the risk of a range of health problems.

Orthodontics are not only used to correct aesthetic issues. If the teeth are misaligned it can cause or contribute to a host of other issues, such as TMJ disorder and sleep apnea. Orthodontics can restore the function of a mouth that is not properly aligned and make activities such as eating and speaking easier.

Many modern advancements in orthodontics have made treatment easy and comfortable. Invisalign is a system of clear, removable retainers that gradually work to shift the jaw and teeth into alignment. Since the clear retainers are removable, they are easier to clean, and you won’t be restricted in what you can eat or drink during your treatment. Many patients prefer Invisalign to traditional metal bracket braces for these reasons. In fact, Invisalign actually costs around the same amount as metal braces do, so whether you opt for Invisalign or traditional braces should be entirely up to you. Things to take into consideration when choosing an orthodontic treatment include your lifestyle, oral hygiene habits and diet (certain foods may need to be given up with traditional metal braces).

If you have issues with the alignment of your teeth, we can help. Simply call or come in to book an appointment for a consultation so that we can help figure out what the best course of treatment is for you. With orthodontics, it is possible for you to achieve a more confident and beautiful smile.

November 21, 2023/by Dr. Robert Oliveros

Treating TMJ pain

Orthodontics

If you’ve ever suffered from TMJ pain, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, you have probably experienced anything ranging from a dull ache to sharp pain in your jaw joints. Other symptoms of TMJ disorder include headaches and ear pain. The pain may cause a patient to have difficulty sleeping or concentrating during the day.

For temporary relief, over the counter pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol may be helpful. There are other things a patient can do to lessen the pain of TMD, including limiting caffeine and alcohol and managing stress- all of which can contribute to or worsen the condition. Eating soft foods such as pasta or applesauce while you’re experiencing pain can also help alleviate some of the pain and tension. However, getting to the root of the problem is key for successfully treating TMJ pain.

TMD can be caused by a variety of factors, including previous jaw injuries, bruxism, and often co-occurs with chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia. At our clinic, we like to take into account a patient’s history before diagnosing the cause of or prescribing a treatment for TMD.

Oftentimes, misalignment of the jaw or teeth can cause pain in the jaw joint area. If this is the case, orthodontics may be a viable solution. We have a variety of orthodontic treatments available, including traditional metal brackets and Invisalign.

In cases where bruxism is to blame for TMJ pain, a mouthguard can help alleviate the pressure of teeth grinding on the teeth and jaw. Adults and children who grind their teeth at night should have a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint made to prevent tooth damage.

If your wisdom teeth are erupting or are impacted, often time one of the symptoms is pain in the jaw area. If you still have all of your wisdom teeth, your dentist may recommend getting them removed to see if that eliminates the pain. In more extreme cases of TMD, oral surgery may be needed to correct the patient’s bite.

In most cases, the cause of TMJ pain is multifactorial. At our clinic, we can work with you to determine the probable causes and work on a treatment plan.

October 17, 2023/by Dr. Robert Oliveros

All about orthodontics

Orthodontics

Dr. Oliveros specializes in orthodontics for the whole family. For many people, the word “orthodontics” brings to mind an image of a kid with metal bracket braces. However, advancements in orthodontic treatments have made it possible to treat people of all ages, often times in inconspicuous ways. While it is recommended that children come in for their first orthodontic appointment by age seven, we have successfully treated teenagers and adults alike. We proudly offer the Invisalign System, which is more cost effective, faster and more discreet than regular metal braces. With Invisalign, you can achieve a beautiful, confident smile with minimal interruptions to your everyday life and activities.

However, there are many non-cosmetic benefits of orthodontic treatments. Malaligned teeth can cause difficulty chewing, pain in the TMJ jaw joints, and even contribute to snoring. If you are suffering from any of these discomforts, feel free to come in for an appointment to discuss whether orthodontics is an appropriate treatment plan for you. Dr Oliveros is committed to lifelong learning and regularly attends current courses in the fields of dentistry and orthodontics to ensure that his patients receive the best and most highly rated treatment options available. Rest assured that we will work you and/or your family to formulate the best possible treatment plan for your unique needs.

August 6, 2021/by Dr. Robert Oliveros

Orthodontics in Richmond

Treating TMJ pain

All about orthodontics

Dr Robert Oliveros DMD – Richmond Dentist BC

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