Permanent or Removable Retainers: Which is Right for You?

When the time to remove your braces finally arrives, it is very exciting. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat confusing, too, because you are faced with choosing between two kinds of retainers. Should you go with permanent, removable, or a combination of the two? It is always wise to follow your orthodontist’s recommendations, but knowing more about the two types of retainer beforehand can be helpful.
Removable Retainers
Removable retainers offer the advantage of easy use: you will generally put a removable retainer in at night and take it out in the morning. Regardless of your retainer schedule, you’ll be able to enjoy some time with no retainer. However, a removable retainer can easily be forgotten at times, and this means you won’t be taking full advantage of teeth retention.
Another potential advantage of a removable retainer is that you can take it out and brush and floss your teeth with ease, which is more of a challenge with a permanent retainer. Although removable retainers can be very effective, they don’t tend to be as effective as permanent retainers, especially if they are not used as directed.
Permanent Retainers
Permanent retainers are the clear choice for patients who want to “get it and forget it.” Once your permanent retainer is placed in your mouth, you won’t need to worry about daily retainer schedules, since it is permanently affixed to your teeth.
Because teeth begin to shift naturally as we age, a permanent retainer typically offers better long-term results for teeth straightening than a removable one. You can’t forget to put it in — it’s already there! Temporary retainers get lost or are forgotten on trips, and often fail to get used as often as they should be.
One drawback to permanent retainers is flossing. Some patients find it more difficult to floss with a permanent retainer, but we can show you effective ways to floss fairly quickly with your permanent retainer.
Some orthodontists may recommend a combination of the two; for example, a removable retainer for the top teeth and a permanent one for the lower ones because the lower teeth are smaller and tend to shift more.
Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that wearing your retainer as directed is extremely important. As long as you follow our orthodontist’s advice, you will get the best results from your retainer, regardless of its type.

 

Dr.george bardawil -ORTHODONTIST www.drgeorgebardawil.com, info@drgeorgebardawil.com, Invisalign premier provider, speciality clinics center, st maamari,12th floor hamra,beirut lebanon Hamra clinic 961-1-747644 Fanar clinic 961-1-873718 mobile 961-3-542724

What are the Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems?

EARLY ORTHODONTIC SIGNS

Visibly crooked teeth are not the only reason to take your child into the orthodontist. There are some subtle things to look for as well, which may indicate the onset of more serious orthodontic issues. Many orthodontic issues are much easier to address if treated and corrected during a child’s development.
Waiting until facial development is complete or until the permanent teeth have come in can make correction of many orthodontic issues more challenging. Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontic care at any age, but addressing issues early is almost always the ideal choice.
If you’re wondering if you or your child might have need for orthodontic care, there are some things you can be on the lookout for. Here are some of the most common warning signs of orthodontic issues:
• Difficulty when chewing or biting
• Chronic mouth-breathing
• Sucking the thumb, the fingers, or any other oral sucking habits that continue after the age of six
• Overbite – when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by more than 5mm
• Top front teeth that cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth while biting
• Underbite – when the top front teeth go behind the bottom row of teeth when biting
• Crowded, crooked, overlapped, misshapen, misplaced teeth or extra teeth of any size
• Crossbite – when one or more teeth tilt toward the cheek or toward the tongue causing excessive stress on the jawbone
• The center of the top and bottom teeth don’t line up
• Uneven teeth-wearing
• Baby teeth coming out too early for the child’s age
• Pain in jaws
• Clicking in the jaw joints
• The jaw shifts off-center while chewing or biting
• A jaw that protrudes, or recedes, too much
• Difficulty speaking or enunciating clearly
• Chronic biting of the inner cheek or roof of the mouth
• Asymmetrical facial structure
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth
If you notice that either you or your child has one or more of these conditions, they could be signs that there is a risk of orthodontic or health problems. The sooner these problems are addressed, the wider and brighter you will be able to smile going forward!

Dr.george bardawil -ORTHODONTIST www.drgeorgebardawil.com, info@drgeorgebardawil.com, Invisalign premier provider, speciality clinics center, st maamari,12th floor hamra,beirut lebanon Hamra clinic 961-1-747644 Fanar clinic 961-1-873718 mobile 961-3-542724

Preventing Decay While Wearing Braces-www.drgeorgebardawil.com


Having braces can present some new challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. Preventing tooth decay can be a big challenge simply because of the tendency for braces to trap food under the wires and between the teeth and the brackets. Here are a few tips to keep your teeth healthy while wearing your braces:

1. Eat Braces-Safe Foods.
Keeping your teeth from decay starts with a proper diet. Foods that are high in sugar or starch can cause more plaque which is difficult to remove during your brushing. There are certain foods that should be avoided while wearing your braces. First, sticky foods like caramel or gum can get stuck in your braces and be difficult to remove during brushing. Next, hard foods such as nuts and candy could bend wires or even break a bracket. Foods that are firm or hard to bite into like apples, carrots, or corn on the cob should be avoided. As much as we like to snack on them, those crunchy treats can harm your braces. Things like chips, ice, popcorn can also bend or break your braces. On the other hand, bananas, mangoes, milk, water, poultry, and pasta all tend to be low in enamel-busting acids.

2. Proper Brushing.
You want to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums in order to clean the whole tooth, and brush gently in the area between the wiring and the teeth. Use a softer toothbrush with fluoride paste for best results. Rinsing every day will help, too. Rinsing is important regardless, but especially important when you have braces as you need to disinfect the entire mouth, including those spots under the braces where your brush can’t always reach.

3. Ask About Special Cleaning Tools.
There are also special brushes, or other tools, to get under and clean your braces. You can also find many of these items at your local pharmacy.

4. Regular Teeth Cleaning.
It’s important to keep your routine appointments with your dentist and dental hygienist for a thorough cleaning twice a year or as directed. The exact frequency of these visits will be up to your dentist as some types of braces are more demanding of a regular cleaning than others.

As long as you practice good oral hygiene and follow these basic tips, you should have no problem keeping your teeth from decaying while you wear braces.



Dr.george bardawil -ORTHODONTIST www.drgeorgebardawil.com, info@drgeorgebardawil.com, Invisalign premier provider, speciality clinics center, st maamari,12th floor hamra,beirut lebanon Hamra clinic 961-1-747644 Fanar clinic 961-1-873718 mobile 961-3-542724

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.
We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!
Thank you! Have a great week!

Dr.george bardawil -ORTHODONTIST
www.drgeorgebardawil.com,
info@drgeorgebardawil.com,
Invisalign premier provider, speciality clinics center, st maamari,12th floor hamra,beirut lebanon Hamra clinic 961-1-747644 Fanar clinic 961-1-873718 mobile 961-3-542724

Insignia Damon Braces.

Insignia Braces New

Insignia Braces | Better Results in Less Time! We are proud to offer Insignia braces, a revolutionary custom approach to orthodontics. Braces are generally manufactured for a wide range of patients; however, your smile is just like your fingerprints – there’s not another one like it! Dr. Bardawil utilizes new technology to help you achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted in less time, with fewer office visits! Insignia is a new orthodontic system that is changing the way smiles are made! What is Insignia and how will it help me get the smile I want? Insignia is an interactive software system that allows you and your Dr. Bardawil to create the unique smile you want. Insignia software uses virtual 3D imaging to generate a model of your mouth. Using the digital model, we are able to analyze the most effective and efficient way to achieve the smile you want. Once we’ve created your plan, we use the software to create custom archwires that will guide your teeth into the correct position, smoothly and directly, reducing your treatment time and giving you the smile you want, sooner. What are the benefits to being treated with Insignia? There are several benefits to being treated with Insignia. Insignia will make your orthodontic treatment quicker, more efficient, and more comfortable than traditional orthodontic care. Here are a few reasons why Insignia provides a higher quality of orthodontic treatment: Shorter treatment Precise bracket placement Custom archwires for efficient tooth movement Fewer appointments Custom Braces just for you

Dr.george bardawil -ORTHODONTIST www.drgeorgebardawil.com, info@drgeorgebardawil.com, Invisalign premier provider, speciality clinics center, st maamari,12th floor hamra,beirut lebanon Hamra clinic 961-1-747644 Fanar clinic 961-1-873718 mobile 961-3-542724

Enhance Your Smile without Anyone Knowing

Invisalign® BEIRUT

There could be a number of reasons why you are now electing to improve the appearance of your smile; perhaps a new job, or upcoming wedding or reunion has amplified your desire for a beautiful, perfectly aligned smile. Or, perhaps it is just time you did something to enhance your personal confidence. However, while you may want to correct misalignment in your teeth, the idea of wearing traditional metal braces may be less than appealing. Dr. George Bardawil  offers Invisalign® at his practice. The Invisalign® system consists of a series of clear, plastic aligners worn in succession to gradually shift the teeth into their proper position. The aligners are removable, comfortable, and undetectable when worn, making them ideal, particularly for adults. To learn more about Invisalign®, contact our offices www.drgeorgebardawil.com

How Invisalign® Works

• During your first appointment, Dr. Bardawil carefully evaluates the alignment of your teeth and bite to determine how to best move forward with treatment.
• An impression is taken of your teeth for further examination of problem areas.
• Dr. Bardawil maps out your Invisalign® treatment, including how many aligners will be needed, how long each one must be worn, and the length of overall treatment.
• Using digital imaging equipment, Dr. Bardawil shows you how your smile will look once the treatment is complete.
• The impression of your teeth is sent to a laboratory for your custom aligners to be crafted.
• At your following appointment, you will receive your Invisalign® trays and Dr. Bardawil will give you the necessary instructions for wearing the aligners.
• Generally, each aligner should be worn for approximately two weeks before switching to the next one in the series. You should wear the aligners as often as possible – between 22 and 24 hours is recommended. The aligners are specially made to be comfortable and removable for easy brushing, flossing, and eating. One of the main advantages of Invisalign® over traditional metal brackets and wires is that the trays are virtually invisible when worn, so others won’t even notice you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
• Dr. Bardawil will want to see you every six weeks or so to check the progress of the movement of your teeth. Once you have finished treatment, you will have a beautiful, perfectly aligned smile.

Benefits of Invisalign®

There are a number of benefits to undergoing orthodontic treatment with Invisalign®, including:

• Invisible – Trays are clear and therefore virtually unnoticeable to others when worn.
• Removable – Maintain good oral hygiene habits and eat whatever you want during the treatment.
• Comfortable – No metal brackets or wires to irritate your cheeks and tongue.
• Minimal pain – You won’t experience the pain of tightening or adjusting wires, as you would with metal braces.
• Fewer office visits – Go to the dentist less often than necessary with traditional braces, and spend less time in the dentist’s chair while there.
• See quicker results – You will notice changes quicker because the trays are clear and removable.
• View results before starting – With digital imaging equipment you can see the end result before you even begin treatment.
• Proven safe and effective – An FDA-approved treatment, many patients have already seen excellent results from Invisalign®.
• Enhance confidence – A stunning smile can enhance your self-confidence.
• Works for all orthodontic cases – No matter how minor or extensive your needs are, Invisalign® can help.
• Customized – Your treatment plan is customized for your individual needs.
• No risks or side effects – You may feel slight discomfort as the teeth shift but it is very minor.
• Improved oral health – Straight and properly aligned teeth help you avoid decay, gum disease, or other oral health problems.

Candidates for Invisalign®

The best way to learn if you are a good candidate for Invisalign® is to meet with Dr. Bardawil for a consultation. Invisalign® is ideal for both adults and teens with teeth misalignment, crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, or an overbite, under bite, or other jaw problems. Patients must have all of their permanent teeth for the treatment.

Learn More about Invisalign®

please visit their website at www.invisalign.com

Dr.george bardawil -ORTHODONTIST www.drgeorgebardawil.com, info@drgeorgebardawil.com, Invisalign certified provider, speciality clinics center, st maamari,12th floor hamra,beirut lebanon Hamra clinic 961-1-747644 Fanar clinic 961-1-873718 mobile 961-3-542724