Do you have crooked teeth? Are you looking for a straighter and more balanced smile? Dr. Karim Naguib offers orthodontic treatments for children, teens, and adults in Palmdale and Lancaster, CA. Orthodontic treatment effectively corrects misaligned teeth, improving both your smile and oral health.
Your orthodontist at Premier Dental Care aims to provide comfortable orthodontic care in a warm and friendly environment. Learn more about why you need treatment for your crooked teeth. We provide orthodontic treatment options to our patients in our Palmdale and Lancaster dental offices.
Why Straighten Crooked Teeth?
Common dental concerns that having crooked teeth can cause may include:
- Gum disease
- Chipped teeth
- Damaged teeth
- Bite problems
- Tooth decay
- Cavities
Crooked teeth are often harder to brush and clean. This leads to more plaque and tartar buildup, increasing the likelihood of gum disease or tooth decay. Crooked teeth also don’t line up correctly when you bite down. Your bite won’t distribute the pressure evenly across all of your teeth.
This in turn may cause cracks and chips on the teeth that are taking on more pressure than they should. TMJ disorders can also develop, causing pain and functional issues with your jaw joint.
If you have noticed any of these conditions arise and you have crooked teeth, you may need orthodontic treatment. Call our dentists in Lancaster at (661) 948-6700 or our dentists in Palmdale at (661) 273-6565. We will help you find an orthodontic solution that works for you.
Orthodontic Treatment Options
Dr. Naguib offers orthodontic treatment options to our patients of all ages in Palmdale and Lancaster. Our orthodontic practice offers various types of braces to suit every age and orthodontic need. We provide metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners, retainers, night guards, and custom mouthguards.
Traditional Metal Braces
This traditional orthodontic treatment gradually straightens teeth with metal wires and brackets. The orthodontist glues the brackets to tooth enamel and then threads metal wires through the brackets to mold and straighten your teeth over time.
Metal braces are still the best choice for severe cases of crooked teeth and other orthodontic concerns. They’re the most powerful method of moving and shifting your teeth and are able to take on even the toughest cases. They’re able to produce the absolute best result for your teeth.
The three stages of braces include:
- The initial alignment and straightening phase is the first stage of orthodontic treatment. It involves placing brackets and an arch-wire on your teeth to move them into the desired position.
- The mid-treatment and stabilization phase is next. This phase is about refining the positioning of the teeth and making them as even as possible. Your orthodontist may make adjustments to the arch wire or replace it with a different one.
- Lastly, the final refinement stage. The goal of this stage is to create a perfect fit between the patient’s teeth and the braces. This stage may involve adjustments such as tightening the arch-wire or adding elastics to hold the teeth in place. The orthodontist may also trim the wire or brackets to create a comfortable, smooth fit.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
An alternative to traditional metal braces, Invisalign treatment utilizes clear aligners that shift teeth every few weeks. You can remove the aligners for eating and brushing teeth. They tend to be more comfortable than metal braces because they don’t irritate your gums.
Best of all, Invisalign has a shorter treatment time than traditional options. The Invisalign system can provide straighter teeth to patients in six-to-eighteen months!
Invisalign is ideal for mild to moderate orthodontic concerns because the aligners can’t handle complex cases. However, many people enjoy Invisalign because it’s comfortable and subtle.
Patients do have to make sure they’re wearing the aligners for the correct amount of time to get the results they desire. You’re able to take them out to eat, so you have no food restrictions. However, you do need to wear them for about 20 to 22 hours each day for the best results.
Retainers
Once treatment with metal braces or Invisalign is complete, Dr. Naguib will provide you with a retainer. Retainers are a crucial part of orthodontic treatment. A retainer will keep your teeth in place and maintain their straight appearance. You can wear them at night to prevent teeth from shifting out of place.
Wear your retainers regularly to make sure the results of your braces or aligners stay that way. It takes some time for your soft tissue and bone to adjust to the new position your teeth are in. Your retainer helps this adjustment and makes it more likely that you won’t suffer from orthodontic relapse.
You will need to use your retainer for the same amount of time that you had braces. You should wear your orthodontic retainer all day every day, and as long as your orthodontist recommends. Patients wear retainers full-time for the first 6 to 12 months, and then only at night for several years after that. In some cases, a patient will wear their retainer for life to keep their teeth in the desired position.
Nightguards
Nightguards are oral appliances that you wear at night while you sleep. A custom nightguard can drastically help alleviate symptoms of bruxism, or teeth clenching and grinding. Patients often subconsciously grind their teeth at night or in stressful situations. Nightguards prevent further wear and tear to your teeth.
While grinding your teeth may not seem like a major issue, it can wreak havoc on your oral health. Teeth can wear down faster or even break because of the pressure they’re under. TMJ disorders can develop, impacting the function of your jaw joint and causing pain throughout the jaw, face, and neck.
Using a nightguard can help to prevent these side effects from happening. The nightguard will eliminate the impact the grinding and clenching has on your mouth.
Mouthguards
The mouthguards we offer will help protect your teeth during contact sports. All our mouthguards are custom-made so that they fit perfectly on your teeth. Sports accidents are one of the leading causes of dental trauma, and this can help you avoid broken or knocked-out teeth.
Over-the-counter sports mouthguards don’t offer the same benefits as those that are custom-made. Most are “one size fits all”, but that means you have to clench your teeth to keep the guard in your mouth. You won’t be able to communicate easily with your teammates or take a quick water break without taking it out.
Clenching your teeth also causes stress throughout your jaw, face, and neck, causing more problems and pain. However, custom mouth guards from a dentist have the opposite effect.
Custom mouthguards will fit perfectly on your teeth! You don’t have to think about them while playing sports. To learn more about our mouthguard services, see Mouthguards.
Orthodontics FAQs
Our office provides various orthodontic treatments to meet every patient’s needs. Read the answers to these commonly asked questions to learn more.
How long can you go between braces adjustments?
Most patients have scheduled appointments to adjust their braces every couple of months. We will schedule your next wire and bracket adjustment between appointments. However, adjustments may vary and can happen more often as you progress through different stages of treatment. You will have to schedule visits to have them adjusted about 6 to 8 weeks.
Why does the dentist need to tighten braces?
Your orthodontist needs to tighten braces repeatedly as patients progress through treatment. The tightening creates tension within the brackets and wires, gradually shifting the teeth into their desired positions. As your teeth shift further into alignment, we will adjust the wires and brackets to further progress your treatment.
Why do my teeth hurt after the dentist tightens my braces?
You may feel slight pain as your teeth shift during your orthodontic treatment. As mentioned, your orthodontist tightens your braces to continue moving your teeth into the proper position. The adjustment also creates tension and slight pressure, which you may feel as pain. You can use an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve the pain. You can also use a cold compress on your mouth if you dislike taking medications.
Can orthodontic treatment fix an overbite or underbite?
Yes, orthodontic treatment can fix an overbite or underbite. Orthodontists use braces, aligners, and other forms of oral appliances to help realign the teeth and jaw. Additionally, orthodontic treatments can help improve overall dental health by reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Can I get orthodontic treatment if I have missing teeth?
Yes, an orthodontist can provide orthodontic treatment if you have missing teeth. It can help to prepare the mouth for future dental procedures like bridges, tooth implants, or dentures. Orthodontics services shift other teeth into the correct alignment. This will make it easier to replace missing teeth in the future. A team effort between your orthodontist and dentist will create the best plan for you.
Can orthodontic treatment improve more than just my smile?
Yes, orthodontic treatment offers numerous benefits beyond cosmetic improvements. It can correct bite problems, reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease by making teeth easier to clean. Treatment can also address issues like jaw pain or speech difficulties caused by misalignment. A properly aligned smile supports overall oral and systemic health.
Can I play sports if I have braces or Invisalign?
Yes, you can play sports with either braces or Invisalign. However, if you have braces, you should wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth, braces, and gums from injury. A custom mouthguard is the best option because it will fit well around your braces.
If you’re using Invisalign, you can simply remove the clear aligners while playing sports. Then, you can wear a mouthguard. Just remember to store them safely and put them back in after you’re done.
What happens if I don’t wear my retainer as instructed?
If you don’t wear your retainer as instructed, your teeth might begin to shift back to their original position. This can undo the work done by braces or Invisalign, meaning you could lose the straight smile you’ve worked hard to achieve. Follow our dentist’s advice to ensure your teeth stay in place and your treatment lasts long-term. If you lose your retainer or it doesn’t fit anymore, let us know so we can help you get a new one.
Request an Appointment Today
Visit Premier Dental Care in Lancaster and Palmdale for modern orthodontics in the Antelope Valley.
Call our Lancaster office at (661) 948-6700 or schedule a dental visit to our Lancaster dentist office online. You can call our Palmdale office at (661) 273-6565 or schedule a visit to our Palmdale dentist office online.