Cruz Orthodontics

Did you know your tongue could be affecting your orthodontic treatment? A tongue thrust or forward posture can push on teeth, causing your bite to open up. Orthodontists often need to train patients to reposition their tongue to ensure proper bite closure and treatment success. Good hygiene is also crucial; inflamed gums make tooth movement harder.

Ensuring your teeth and jaws align correctly prevents future problems. A new patient exam is the perfect time to understand your bite.

Thank you Kelani! Our patients experiences mean a lot to us!

Your teeth can adjust to damage, masking pain and leading to a common misconception. Not feeling pain doesn't mean your bite is fine or you're cavity-free. Unfortunately, these assumptions can be untrue.

The biggest difference? Removability. While braces offer complete control, aligners rely on patient motivation. Many start strong but lose steam, leading to ill-fitting aligners and tracking issues. It's a constant challenge to keep patients engaged with aligners, unlike the predictable control of braces.

Did you have braces as a teen? The most common reason for needing orthodontic treatment again is not wearing your retainer as prescribed. Many adults return feeling embarrassed, admitting they lost, broke, or simply didn't wear their retainer. Luckily, touch-up treatment with clear aligners can often recapture alignment non-invasively.

Thank you Samantha, for your kind words!