The Blog of Larry A. Rose DDS, MS

SimpliClear Arch Wires and Ceramic Brackets Produce a Truly Clear Look!

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:51:28 +0000

Houston Area Orthodontics prides itself on offering patients the most up to date orthodontic treatment available. Many adult orthodontic patients, and some of the younger patients who are participating in the dramatic arts or do not want to show braces on their upper front teeth, wear ceramic brackets. The missing link to having a really clear set of braces has been solved by the development of a truly clear arch wire perfected by BioMers Products, LLC, and called “SimpliClear”. The wire is not a wire; rather it is a complex blend of composite materials that is shaped to make custom arch wires to achieve the orthodontic correction. The process begins with photographs of the dental arches, either with brackets in place, or with no brackets, being sent to BioMers Products, LLC. (If there are no brackets on the teeth, they are placed using a custom formed mouthpiece through a technique called “indirect bonding” after the SimpliClear wires have been sent to the office). A series of custom formed arch wires are made using the photographs as a guide. The wires are clear, and when used with ceramic brackets, the result is clear! Patients who have been disappointed they are not candidates for Invisalign now have an alternative, and can contact Dr. Rose or Dr. Malik at (281) 493-2370 to learn more about the SimpliClear option. Over the next few weeks, photographs of some of our patients wearing ceramic braces and the SimpliClear wires will be posted to the Facebook page. Be sure and print the complimentary examination coupon and bring it to your appointment.

Patient question: “Why do I need a braces adjustment so often?”

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:05:38 +0000

When you have braces, your wires will need to be replaced with new ones regularly. It is the slow, steady pressure placed on your teeth that move them into their desired positions, so these adjustments are a vital aspect of your treatment. Dr. Rose and Dr. Malik have set out a specific treatment plan to achieve your optimal results, and keeping up with your appointments will allow your treatment to be completed in the predicted amount of time.

Scheduling your adjustments sooner than planned may result in more pain and discomfort, because your teeth haven’t been allowed to settle into their new positions properly. Skipping appointments or scheduling them farther apart will result in a much longer treatment time. Visiting our Houston office regularly will also allow Dr. Rose and Dr. Malik to answer any questions you may have, check for damaged appliances, and monitor your progress.

You and rubber bands, from Dr. Rose & Dr. Malik

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:00:18 +0000

Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Dr. Rose or Dr. Malik has prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. Dr. Rose or Dr. Malik will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful!

Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile.

Like us on Facebook!

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:50:23 +0000

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon and would love for you to check it out! You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout.

When you connect with us on facebook you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!

Why start orthodontic treatment on a child before all the permanent teeth have erupted?

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:14:04 +0000

Many parents are faced with this decision, particularly when their nine year old child declares their teeth or smile does not “look good”. Dr. Malik and myself, Dr. Rose, address these concerns by explaining to the parent that an orthodontic patient presents with two issues. One is the skeletal issue, and the other is the dental issue. The skeletal issue is treated while the patient is growing, and that is while the baby teeth are falling out and the permanent teeth are coming in. The dental component is completed when the permanent teeth have erupted. An example of a facial characteristic that may benefit from early orthodontic treatment would be a lower jaw that appears too far back. This may be evidenced by a large space between the backs of the upper front teeth and the front of the lower teeth. In this situation, the orthodontic treatment is designed to help develop the lower jaw in a more forward position. In order to accomplish this, it is ideal to be treating when the jaws are growing, and that is before all the permanent teeth have erupted. In other cases, a child may be bothered by their dental appearance, and because of psycho-social issues, it is wise to consider limited orthodontic treatment to address that concern. Our office treats many patients in the mixed dentition stage, the period when permanent teeth are erupting while some baby teeth are present. If you are concerned about the dental development of your child, call 281 493-2370 to make an appointment for your child to be examined by Dr. Larry Rose or Dr. Mohni Malik.

Dr. Rose & Dr. Malik want to know: Do you know where your mouth guard is?

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:43:01 +0000

Spring is almost here, but not before Dr. Rose & Dr. Malik remind all our young athletes in orthodontic treatment to play it safe when out on the field. After all, nearly 60,000 people injure their faces annually while participating in sports activities, and teenagers account for 80 percent of all sports-related trips to the emergency room.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope these tips help. Dr. Rose & Dr. Malik will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our Houston office. And remember to stay safe and have fun!

What causes crooked teeth, anyway?

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:00:08 +0000

There are several reasons why some people’s teeth grow in crooked, overlapping, or twisted. Some people’s mouths are too small for their teeth, which crowds the teeth and causes them to shift. In other cases, a person’s upper and lower jaws aren’t the same size or are malformed. Most often, crooked teeth are inherited traits just as the color of your eyes or hair. Other causes of crooked teeth are early loss of baby or adult teeth, undue pressure on the teeth and gums, misalignment of jaw after facial injury, or common oral health problems in children such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged use of a bottle or pacifier.

Having crooked teeth isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it can lead to serious health problems as well. Crooked teeth can:

• interfere with proper chewing
• make keeping teeth clean more of a challenge, increasing the risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis
• strain the teeth, jaws, and muscles, increasing the risk of breaking a tooth

There are several orthodontic procedures that can help correct crooked teeth, and at the office of Dr. Rose and Dr. Malik we have many services that we can customize to meet your needs, including traditional metal braces, and Invisalign®, among others. We want you to be proud to show off your smile!

Ask Dr. Rose & Dr. Malik: Are Braces Right For Me?

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:00:56 +0000

Braces aren’t just for kids anymore! Regardless of your age, if you’ve always wanted to smile with confidence, but knowing that your teeth were less than perfect held you back, getting braces might be the solution you’ve been looking for. A straight smile can do so much for your self-esteem, and at the office of Dr. Rose and Dr. Malik, we want to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits of orthodontic treatment, there are many health benefits as well. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean and function more optimally when it comes to eating and speaking.

If you recognize any of these signs in your child or yourself, it might be time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rose and Dr. Malik.

· Early or late loss of baby teeth
· Difficulty chewing or biting
· Mouth breathing
· Sucking the thumb or fingers, or other oral habits
· Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
· Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude, or are recessed
· Speech difficulty
· Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
· Protruding teeth, teeth that meet in an abnormal way, or teeth that don’t meet at all
· Grinding or clenching of teeth
· Inability to comfortably close lips

Dr. Rose and Dr. Malik will be able to assess your orthodontic needs during your appointment and explain all the wonderful benefits you can expect to receive during your time in braces. We look forward to seeing you or your child for a consultation!

National Dental Health Month Contest. Win $100.00 Target Gift Card!

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:24:38 +0000

Did you know that February is National Dental Health Month? At times, parents need to help their children take care of their teeth and braces, and that can be a challenge. Our office is interested in how you encourage your children to take care of their dental health. Our office will celebrate National Dental Health Month with a drawing for a $100.00 gift card to Target. Entry is by posting your ideas on the Facebook page.

Ask Dr. Rose & Dr. Malik: How long does orthodontic treatment take?

googlelogin0285@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:32:23 +0000

Your smile is totally unique, so the time you’ll need to spend undergoing orthodontic treatment will also be unique. Generally, orthodontic treatment will take about two years, and this is for good reason. During this time, your teeth will slowly move into their desired positions, leaving you with a great smile with as little discomfort as possible. Rushing treatment can result in a less than perfect smile with a greater chance of tooth movement after your treatment is complete. At Houston Area Orthodontics, we don’t want to waste your time with treatment that won’t retain your smile for the rest of your life.

Of course, treatment time will vary depending on your specific situation. Very minor tooth movement may only take a few months to correct, while serious malocclusion (poor bite) may need more than two years to correct. Only Dr. Rose & Dr. Malik will be able to accurately estimate the time your treatment will take. But trust us—it’ll all be worth it in the end!

Has your child or teen visited our Houston office for an orthodontic consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help him or her begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!