Dangers of Amateur Orthodontics

In recent years, orthodontists have seen an alarming trend of people attempting orthodontic work on themselves. While amateur dentistry has always been a problem, the internet is now helping to fuel a new wave of dangerous practices which we at Dr. Pandya’s New Hyde Park office want to make sure our patients do not engage in.

Moving teeth safely takes time. They and the bony ridge surrounding them are living tissue, and shifting teeth requires that the jaw bone dissolve and then rebuild itself around them. Much of the current DIY orthodontic craze can be traced to a story that appeared online in March of 2016 about a person who used a 3D printer to make his own aligners. He claimed that by shifting his teeth at whatever speed he pleased, he was sparing himself expense at the dentist’s office. But dentists aren’t draining our patients of money by scheduling aligner appointments every six weeks; we’re giving our patients’ jaw bones enough time to rebuild so their teeth won’t come loose or fall out.

Other amateur orthodontic correctives are older, but are regaining fame online. These include using floss or hairbands as corrective wire. There are several problems with this: elastic could strangle the teeth’s blood supply, bonds without brackets could slide underneath the gum line, and they could exert too much pressure and push teeth the wrong way. If you are suffering from misaligned teeth, we urge you to come to our office and discuss professional orthodontics. Doing it yourself is unlikely to provide satisfactory results and very likely to do you harm.

The office of Amit Pandya, DDS, is at 1575 Hillside Ave, Suite 207, New Hyde Park, New York, 11040. To schedule an appointment, call 516-233-2135, or visit his website at GoingGrin.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Adult Orthodontics and Periodontitis

Adult Orthodontics and Periodontitis

Your smile alignment plays an important role in your oral health, systemic health, and self-esteem.  Crooked teeth can be more difficult to care for and patients tend to be at a greater risk of developing periodontal diseases like periodontitis.   These serious oral health problems can damage your tooth structure and gums, sometimes resulting in tooth loss.  Adult orthodontics is a great way to prevent periodontal disease, while also improving your smile confidence.

We offer traditional braces, clear braces, and Invisalign options for adult patients at our practice.  Traditional and clear braces are excellent ways to correct bite and alignment issues.  Patients that only need to correct mild to moderate alignment issues can opt for Invisalign.  This discreet alignment option is hardly noticeable against your natural smile.  To determine the best adult orthodontic option for your smile needs, I invite you to visit our practice for a consultation.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics

If you look at all of the possible orthodontic options available today, there’s a smile straightening solution for every alignment issue.  Whether you need minor cosmetic adjustments or a treatment that corrects moderate to substantial bite misalignments, gaps, crowding and other concerns, there is an orthodontic solution that will bring you closer to your ideal smile.

We offer a comprehensive array of orthodontic here at our New Hyde Park practice. They include:

• Invisalign – This brand of clear, plastic tooth aligner provides patients with an incremental tooth adjustment, all amounting to a software-driven, projected smile design. Invisalign is very discreet, removable and convienient for adults and some teens. Invisalign provides the best results when used for mild to moderate cosmetic smile alignments.


• Clear and Ceramic Braces – These braces function very much like traditional metal braces, gradually adjusting the alignment of the teeth through the use of brackets. One of their primary advantages over traditional braces is their clear components, which are not easily visible in photographs or from a distance. They’re a great option for teens and adults who are looking for a discreet treatment that provides effective results.


• Traditional Metal Braces – Tried and trusted for good reason, traditional metal braces can be used to effectively correct a wide range of alignment issues. Although still metallic in appearance, traditional metal braces have come a long way to be more comfortable and sleek than ever.  They can also be customized with colored bands. This form or orthodontic treatment is great for kids, teens and adults.

You likely have many questions with regard to which orthodontic option is best for you. If you’re ready to straighten your teeth and get the beautiful, sleek smile you envision, please contact us and arrange an orthodontic appointment here at our New Hyde Park office.