FAQs

An orthodontist is an oral healthcare practitioner specializing in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of jaw, face, and bite irregularities (malocclusions). An orthodontist has completed two to three years of additional training beyond dental school to provide you with solutions for the treatments.

If you worry about the alignment of your teeth, or the quality of your bite, it’s time to see an orthodontist.

Some of the signs that you should look for are:

• Difficulty in biting, chewing, or speaking
• Protruding, crowded, or misplaced teeth
• Mouth breathing
• Clenching or grinding your teeth
• Inability to comfortably close your lips
• Frequent shift in jaw position
• Sounds while jaw movement

If you ever find yourself unintentionally biting your cheek or the roof of your mouth, you may have an orthodontic issue. Contact an orthodontist soon.

The general misalignment of teeth is termed malocclusion. It is an incorrect relationship between the maxilla (upper arch) and the mandible (lower arch). It is a prevalent condition. It could result from genetic factors combined with poor oral habits or other elements in the early years.

If you have a condition, do not worry. Our experienced orthodontists can treat you for moderate malocclusion.

The dentistry branch that deals with diagnosing, treating, and preventing malocclusions (bad bites) and other irregularities in the jaw region and face is known as orthodontics. Orthodontics was initially aimed at treating children and teenagers. But now, almost one-third of orthodontic patients are adults, as malocclusion (improper bite) can affect anyone at any age. Our orthodontists are highly-trained and can successfully treat a person of any age.

Orthodontics can help you if:

• Your clarity of speech is impacted
• You have a problem in chewing ability
• Your facial symmetry is affected
• You suffer from TMJ problems
• You have periodontal diseases
• You have severe tooth decay

All the problems mentioned above develop as a result of malocclusion. You must seek orthodontic treatment early to avoid expensive restorative procedures in the future.

People are often anxious about the discomfort and pain while getting braces. It is a common misconception that the process hurts; braces do not hurt when applied to the teeth. So, if you are delaying your treatment because of the fear of pain, get an appointment today. The only discomfort that one might face is mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the brackets. This discomfort might last for a few days, but that's it; there is no other pain.

Misaligned teeth are known as malocclusion in dentistry terms.

It can be of different types, such as:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Overcrowding

This condition can impact your life by affecting your chewing, biting, and speaking functions. Furthermore, it is essential to get your teeth aligned as a straight smile boosts confidence, is aesthetically pleasing to look at, and can help stave off a wide variety of dental ailments.

Harborn Dental offers you Invisalign®, which is an invisible way to straighten teeth without braces. In this treatment, a series of nearly undetectable aligners are used instead of brackets and wires. This makes it difficult for people to tell if you are wearing Invisalign®. If you have always avoided braces, Invisalign® is the perfect treatment for you to get a beautiful smile.

The diagnosis, treatment planning, and rehabilitation of patients whose dental conditions are associated with missing or deficient teeth is known as Prosthodontics

Missing or defective teeth can affect your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Lost teeth can cause issues such as:

• Increased spacing between the remaining teeth
• Change in angulation of the adjacent teeth
• Reduction of space available for the replacement of missing teeth in future
• Wear down natural teeth due to tooth grinding, clenching, or abrasive wear
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay

We can help by offering you the right treatment.

A prosthodontist runs several diagnostic tests and formulates a comprehensive treatment plan for the patients. Your prosthodontist will sit with you and discuss all the possible options that are available for the restoration of your teeth.

You might want to consult a prosthodontist for one or more of the following reasons:

• To get partial or full sets of dentures to replace missing teeth 
• You are considering dental implants for replacement of missing teeth
• Want to improve the aesthetics of your smile with crowns or veneers
• Treatment of worn teeth
• Temporomandibular joint problems
• Alleviate severe snoring
• Manage sleep apnea
• Reconstruction of the mouth following oral cancer treatments

It is a branch of dentistry that deals with the etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and injuries affecting the human dental pulp and the surrounding apical tissues. 

Any chemical, mechanical, and/or microbial injury to the tooth can initiate inflammatory changes leading to necrosis or death of the pulp. If there is an infection in the pulp, it is essential to remove it to preserve the health and function of the tooth and the adjacent tissues. Root canal treatment is a non-surgical method that involves the removal of the injured inner soft tissue, cleaning, shaping, and disinfecting the canal system, and subsequently filling and sealing the prepared space. A pulp infection can be treated by non-surgical retreatment, surgical intervention, or a combination of both modalities.

If you are suffering from extreme pain in your teeth or have a root canal that needs retreatment, it is a good time to see an endodontist before the problem becomes severe.

The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and the placement of dental implants is known as Periodontics. Periodontists treat oral inflammation and receive extensive training in these areas. Their training also includes three additional years of education beyond dental school. Periodontists are trained to treat periodontal diseases with the help of the latest techniques. They are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

If on your regular visit to the dentist your dentist finds symptoms of gingivitis or rapidly progressing periodontal disease, you may be recommended to a periodontist. You can also visit a periodontist even without the referral of your dentist if you suspect any inflammation or discomfort in your gums.

The signs that you should look for are:

• Bleeding while eating or brushing
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth and gum recession
• Gangrene in the tissues

Baby bottle disease is transmitted to babies from their parents through saliva. If you share a spoon with your baby or attempt to clean the pacifier with your mouth, you are increasing your baby's chances of developing baby bottle disease. The acid-producing bacteria in the parents' oral cavity are transmitted to the babies and cause tooth decay.

Exposure to sweetened liquids is also a prominent cause of baby bottle tooth decay.

These liquids include:

• Breast milk
• Baby formula
• Juice
• Sweetened water
• Or any other fluid

As sweetened fluids are usually fed to the kids during nap time or bedtime, they remain in the mouth for a long time and increase tooth decay risk. The bacteria in the oral cavity feed on the sugar around teeth and emit harmful acids. These acids can wear away tooth enamel, resulting in painful cavities and pediatric tooth decay.

Infants who do not get an appropriate amount of fluoride are also at high risk of tooth decay. Fluoride is essential for oral health as it protects tooth enamel by reducing mineral loss and promoting mineral reuptake. You should visit your pediatrician to check if your child needs fluoride supplements or is at high-risk of baby bottle tooth decay.

Fluoride has two main functions:

• Staunching mineral loss from tooth enamel 
• Promoting the remineralization of tooth enamel

Oral bacteria feed on carbohydrates and produce harmful acids that attack tooth enamel. This affects children more, especially the ones who take medications or produce less saliva. These repeated acid attacks can result in cavities, tooth decay, and childhood periodontal disease. Fluoride is vital as it protects tooth enamel from acid attacks and reduces childhood tooth decay risk.

Fluoride should be used as a part of good oral hygiene. In addition to including fluoride in your oral regime, you should all follow some essential steps to prevent tooth decay.

These are:

• Reducing the consumption of sugary foods
• Brushing and flossing regularly
• Visiting your dentist biannually

A balanced diet is the most crucial factor to take care of good oral health. A balanced diet has all the necessary nutrients necessary for proper gum tissue development, strong bones, and protection against certain illnesses. The food pyramid suggests that children need vegetables, fruits, meat, grains, beans, and dairy products to grow properly. It would be best to include all these different food groups in your child’s meal plan to ensure good health and healthy teeth.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, parents should make biannual dental appointments for children. These appointments should begin approximately six months after the first tooth emerges.

These two yearly dental visits are essential for your child as they allow the dentist to monitor new developments in the child’s mouth. The dentist can evaluate changes in teeth and gums and continue advising parents on the right oral care strategies.

If your child is susceptible to tooth decay or shows early signs of orthodontic problems, the dentist may schedule additional visits.

Biannual visits to the dentist play a crucial part in preventing cavities.

You can follow the guidelines given below for cavity prevention:

• Monitor the Diet: Avoid sugary or starchy snacks in your meals, as these can expedite cavity formation. Try to replace sugary snacks with natural foods whenever possible. Also, replace soda with water.
• Avoid Frequent Snacking: The habit of frequent snacking will unnecessarily expose your teeth to sugars. Include sugar and starch in the meals. It is this time when the child is producing more saliva and drinking water. Feed your child enough water to cleanse their teeth.
• Get Rid of the Sippy Cup: When sippy cups are used beyond the intended age, they might cause "baby bottle tooth decay."
• Avoid Sticky Foods: It is best to avoid sticky foods (like toffee) as they form plaque quickly and are difficult to pry off the teeth.
• Rinse the Pacifier: There is a high chance that the mother may transfer oral bacteria to the child through the pacifier. Avoid sucking on the pacifier to clean it. Rinse it under running water to avoid contaminating the baby's mouth.
• Avoid Drinks at Bedtime: Feeding your child milk, formula, juice, or sweetened water during sleep is a bad idea. The sugar stays on the teeth all night and produces acids that attack the enamel, maximizing cavities' risk. Ensure that the child brushes the teeth before bedtime.
• Brush and Floss: Develop a habit of brushing and flossing your child's teeth twice each day until they reach seven years. After the age of seven years, children can brush their teeth themselves effectively.
• Check on Fluoride: Fluoride can strengthen tooth enamel and help stave off cavities if used in the right quantity. Ask the pediatrician for a fluoride assessment for your child.
• Visit the Dentist: Schedule your child's first dental visit around his or her first birthday. Schedule regular appointments to keep your child's teeth and gum healthy.

There are so many brands that offer toothbrushes for children. It can be overwhelming to see a shelf full of different kinds of toothbrushes for your children. We suggest you select an appropriately sized toothbrush. Also, choose a nourishing, cleansing brand of children’s toothpaste to maintain excellent oral health.

It is important to maintain the health of primary teeth as they are essential for speech production, chewing, and jaw development. They also facilitate proper alignment and spacing of permanent adult teeth. Therefore, brushing primary teeth is as important as brushing permanent teeth. Moreover, brushing helps in preventing bad breath and tooth decay. It also removes plaque which is often associated with childhood periodontal disease.