Los Angeles Orthodontist Blog

Jan

2012

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Learn How Orthodontics Can Help Protect You from Heart Disease

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – What does February’s American Heart Month have to do with an orthodontics expert’s practice in Los Angeles? It seems like the two are completely unrelated, but orthodontist, Dr. David Alpan explains how oral health is linked to cardiovascular health.
“Any time we can, we raise awareness about diseases and educate people about how to prevent them,” says Dr. Alpan. “I see thousands of patients, both pediatric and adult, so I use my regular contact with patients to pass along important health information.”
While gum disease, a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys bone and gum tissues that support the teeth, does not necessarily cause cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S., researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease.

Continue reading Learn How Orthodontics Can Help Protect You from Heart Disease →

Jan

2012

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Interproximal Reduction

Interproximal reduction is the removal of a small amount of enamel from between the teeth to reduce their width. It’s a way to acquire additional space between adjacent teeth to create ideal tooth alignment during orthodontic treatment. Interproximal reduction (IPR) is also known as reproximation, slenderizing, stripping, enamel reduction or selective reduction.

Some patients can be put off by the the idea of having to have their teeth slightly reshaped during orthodontic treatment to achieve ideal results. But, there are many benefits to IPR.

I mentioned that IPR is a way of creating space to improve tooth alignment, but it is also used to improve the bite. I often use IPR to improve the appearance of the teeth for a better aesthetic appearance. In certain cases, it alleviates the need for permanent tooth extractions, and many times, IPR can increase the stability of the teeth so that they are able to retain their placement over time. Further, it can also reduce what we call black triangles. Black triangles are created when there is an absence of gum tissue between two teeth and it looks like there is a dark triangular space or hole between the teeth, even though the teeth may be properly aligned.

To execute interproximal reduction, I typically use either a diamond strip (looks like a slate strip or nail filing strip) and move it in between the teeth, or I’ll use a dental handpiece that looks like a small dremel. IPR is not uncomfortable or painful for the patient in any way, but the sound of the file can cause some unease. It will not lead to and increase in tooth decay or gum disease. The important thing to remember is that IPR is a very safe and effective way of achieving ideal tooth alignment.

Interproximal Reduction System - Handpiece typically used for IPR

Jan

2012

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Extreme Teeth Makeover: The Case for Braces

Vivera-Retainer Braces or Veneers? That is the question that many people face who are looking to make some changes to the appearance of their teeth. I always recommend that people try to resolve their misalignment issues with braces because orthodontic treatment does not compromise the structure of the teeth, and it’s a much more natural, healthy way to take care of teeth and jaw problems.

Some people are concerned about how they will look with braces on, and nowadays, there really is nothing to be concerned about. With the addition of Invisalign and Incognito hidden braces to the orthodontic industry, patients no longer need to worry about being self-conscious about how they might look or feel with braces. Even braces that fit over the front of the teeth are offered in less conspicuous styles with smaller brackets, clear brackets, and invisible ties. Orthodontic treatment undoubtedly takes longer to complete than the two or three dental visits required to fit veneers to teeth. However, most patients start seeing visible results with braces in just a couple of months.

Choosing veneers can be very risky as they do change the structural integrity of the tooth. Dentists remove .5 mm of enamel so that the adhesive they use bonds to the teeth correctly. The teeth are reshaped so that the veneers can fit. This means that veneer patients are forever married to this treatment. Because of the loss of enamel and the type of reshaping, tooth decay can be an issue in veneer patients. Additionally, veneers can be extremely costly with one tooth potentially costing thousands and lasting only ten years.

Reconstructing a mouth with veneers is extreme, and in many cases, the veneers could be avoided with orthodontic treatment.

There are some cases in which veneers can really add to the aesthetic of a smile. During orthodontic treatment, teeth can be somewhat reshaped, but people with significantly irregular shaped teeth can benefit aesthetically by fitting those teeth with veneers. However, it is still my strong opinion and recommendation to undergo orthodontic treatment first and then evaluate whether or not you need further cosmetic dentistry.

Jan

2012

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Temporary Anchorage Devices Can Prevent The Need For Jaw Surgery

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Many technological advances have been made in the field of orthodontics during the last decade, including the development of temporary anchorage devices that can be used to treat complex malocclusions and may prevent the need for oral surgery.

This orthodontic treatment is one that Dr. David Alpan has been using at his Las Vegas orthodontic practice since 2006. TADs are mini implants or mini screws placed in the jaw that are used to move teeth without using other teeth as the anchor.

“With traditional braces, the wire ties all the teeth together and any movement of one tooth will affect the others,” Dr. Alpan explains. “A temporary anchoring device allows one tooth to be moved without impacting the adjacent teeth.”

A treatment plan that includes TADs can shorten overall treatment time and prevent the need of mini implants or jaw surgery. Dr. Alpan uses the VectorTAS, which stands for temporary anchorage system, a product from orthodontic technology leader Ormco, who also distributes Damon Clear braces.

“Orthodontists can get better angles and forces using TADs to help move the teeth, usually much faster and often eliminating the need for headgear or oral surgery,” Dr. Alpan says, who provides braces for adults and children.

Continue reading Temporary Anchorage Devices Can Prevent The Need For Jaw Surgery →

Jan

2012

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That’s Just Crooked

In most cases, crooked teeth are just another thing for which you can blame your parents as they are often inherited traits. Overbites, underbites, misaligned teeth, and misaligned bites are mostly a product of our genetic disposition. But, before you condemn mom and dad, there are other reasons why teeth and bites become misaligned.

Some of the other reasons people may end up with teeth, bite or jaw problems include thumb-sucking, losing baby or adult teeth too early in life, gingivitis, poorly fitted dental restorations, or even putting a lot of pressure on your teeth and gums by grinding or clenching.

The good news is that whatever problems you think you or your parents may have caused, they are all fixable. Usually, all it takes is a little orthodontic treatment to get those crooked teeth and jaws back in their place.

Jan

2012

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Phase I Orthodontics

It is a common misconception that orthodontic treatment cannot occur until a child has lost all baby teeth. Phase I orthodontics is orthodontic treatment that occurs between the ages of 7 and 9, and is specifically intended to treat adult and baby teeth. Before age 7, children do not have enough adult teeth, nor have they developed enough to begin orthodontic treatment. Usually around age 7 is when the front four and back two adult teeth have come in, allowing an orthodontist to see how the bite is manifesting itself through growth. It is at this point that orthodontists have the ability to analyze the child’s teeth and bite to determine how they will develop over time. In many cases, some baby teeth may need to be removed before or during treatment to help with the development of the adult teeth, but baby teeth are often used in Phase I treatment to hold space for the adult teeth that will take their place in the future.

When I examine a child in the Phase I stage, the most common issues I look for are crowding, a crossbite relationship (where top teeth are biting on the inside of the lower teeth), a jaw discrepancy (perhaps a Bucky Beaver or Jay Leno issue), or habits, such as finger sucking, that may be creating a problem. I look for signs where the development may not be heading down a normal path hoping to intervene early to change the growth pattern to a more favorable scenario. By utilizing Phase I orthodontics, patients will often need less orthodontic work and will most likely not run the risk of needing to extract permanent teeth in Phase II when all of the adult teeth have come into place.

Dec

2011

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Happy Holidays!

It’s hard to believe that another year has past, yet here we are in anticipation of Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the 2012 New Year celebration. Aesthetic Orthodontics has had a great year and we hope that all of our patients, families, and friends have as well. It has been a pleasure serving you and we wish you all the happiest of holidays!

Dec

2011

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Faster Results, Less Discomfort, Discrete Options With Damon Braces

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -These days people of all ages are getting braces in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
At Aesthetic Orthodontics, many of them are choosing an option that treats faster and with less discomfort, according to Dr. David Alpan, a Los Angeles invisible braces provider.

That non-traditional option is the Damon System. These braces are a popular option because unlike braces that use elastic ties to keep archwires in place on the bracket, Damon uses a self-ligating bracket that does not require them.
“The system employs a slide apparatus which permits the archwire to be adjusted freely, allowing teeth to shift into position faster with fewer changes,” says Dr. Alpan, an orthodontist in practice since 1996.

Regular braces, including metal braces, gold braces, lingual braces, hidden braces or invisible custom-made Incognito Braces, require elastics that act like bungee cords, causing friction and pressure that makes treatment slower and often causes soreness, discomfort and pain. Because the Damon System self-ligating braces do not need elastic ties the brackets themselves are smaller, which causes less irritation to the lips, tongue and cheeks. Continue reading Faster Results, Less Discomfort, Discrete Options With Damon Braces →

Dec

2011

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Get Hidden Braces From The Best In The City

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Knowing which Las Vegas kids orthodontist to get that dream smile from does not have to be complicated. Why not go with the best?
Dr. David Alpan of Aesthetic Orthodontics is the Incognito Elite Premier Provider for not only Las Vegas but Los Angeles and Beverly Hills too.

“Incognito Hidden Braces have a unique design and completely customized fit,” says Dr. Alpan, an adult and children’s orthodontist. “Each patient is unique so we make each orthodontic bracket unique too.”
Continue reading Get Hidden Braces From The Best In The City →

Dec

2011

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What To Consider When Contemplating Teeth Bleaching Treatment

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- More and more people are seeking out a whiter, brighter smile with teeth whitening. But bleaching is not a one-size-fits-all procedure since people have different goals and varying levels of staining.

“There are a variety of teeth whitening systems available, including whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter strips and trays, and whitening systems obtained from your dentist,” says Dr. David Alpan, a Los Angeles braces for children and adults provider.

He says the following five factors should be taken into consideration before someone makes a decision about treatment to avoid spending money on products that do not provide the desired results. Continue reading What To Consider When Contemplating Teeth Bleaching Treatment →

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