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Today, thanks to technological advances, dentists have the intraoral scanner that allows them to take a digital impression of the mouth in a precise way, through the emission of a light source on the patient's jaws without any radiation.

This latest generation device has replaced dental impressions. It offers an instant 3D image replacing the plaster casts, providing data of interest for diagnosis and predicting the treatment to be followed and its results.

This diagnostic tool has a touch screen computer system that takes detailed images of the anatomical structures of the oral cavity that are then displayed on the touch screen in a three-dimensional image. “It will show cavities, fractured teeth, the presence of calculus, and the current position of the pieces, offering the patient results that are easier to understand. It also helps to improve the Smile design in Orthodontic treatments (retainers and palatal appliances), brackets, and invisible aligners, also for the creation of Dental Prosthesis, Dental Veneers, Crowns on implants, Overlay Inlays, Inlays and Onlays, among others.

The benefits of this digital technique are:

• Scan the teeth shortly.
• Show a 3D image of the patient´s mouth.
• Better result.
• Greater patient comfort.
• No reflux. Sensation.
• Provides an accurate diagnosis of other defects.

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with preventing, diagnosing, intercepting and treating the incorrect and detrimental position of teeth and bones and the way they relate to each other.

No matter what age a patient is, it is never too late to take positive action to achieve not only oral health with straight teeth, but to achieve the beautiful smile you've always wanted.

To find out if you need orthodontic treatment, we advise you to make an appointment with Dr. Anna Maria Salas. She is a specialist in the area and through a clinical examination, panoramic x-ray and other studies can analyze the dentition in its entirety and determine what is the most appropriate treatment depending on your case.

However, there are patients who ask what are the ideal appliances to correct the bad position of the teeth. Well, the famous braces. It does not matter if they are the traditional metal brackets or the porcelain ones. Also, there are the new generation (splints) that are removable and transparent, if you are looking for aesthetic and mechanisms of tooth movement.

But depending on the case, Dr. Salas will tell you which one is best suited for your needs

It should be noted that the speed of treatment does not depend on the type of orthodontic appliance we use, but on the case to be treated and the patient's responsibility (keeping appointments and complying with the recommendations). Missing an appointment will delay treatment.

Another concern that patients have is thinking that orthodontics hurts. Putting on a bracket is not painful. It is possible that the first few days they may feel pressure on the teeth and in some cases discomfort in the gums from the rubbing of the braces while they get used to them (orthodontic waxes can be applied to the points where they bother us some little boils). If you apply another type of appliance, such as removable braces, you will not really feel any difference, just observe how the teeth straighten.

When a patient is undergoing orthodontic treatment, unforeseen events occur, such as a bracket falling off or becoming detached, and having a wire (archwire) that pinches or bothers. This can cause cuts and abrasions inside the mouth.

This type of situation should not happen if the advice given to each person when in consultation is put into practice. However, there are those who think it is impossible for it to happen if they eat hard, crunchy or sticky foods. Then, they realize how true the advice they had to put into practice is.

If this happens to them, they should be calm and patient. The first thing to do is to carefully remove the brackets from the appliance and store them in a safe place to prevent them from becoming deformed (and take them to the appointment). However, sometimes the brackets are held to the wire by the elastic.

And if the wire is bothersome, place some dental wax to prevent abuse or to alleviate and minimize chafing. Remember that if quick action is not taken, cold sores can occur on the cheek or gum.

In these situations you may wonder if it is an emergency or if you should wait until your next visit to the specialist.

Dr. Anna Salas always advises you to call the office immediately and notify them of what has happened so that they can reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. Waiting longer than usual could cause, in addition to discomfort, unwanted movement of the teeth that can lengthen the treatment time.

It should be noted that the braces are strongly adhered to the teeth but even so, biting on a hard or sticky food or object can cause the braces to detach or the arch to deform or come off.

However, NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER try to stick your braces with any strong glue as they contain dangerous substances and can damage the tooth or the molar.

We work to create smiles and we care about yours!

The year is almost over and you probably have a list of wishes that you want to see come true in 2023.

It would be wonderful to not only take care of your overall health, but also take into account your mouth to always wear a smile on your face. And if you don't like the way your teeth look, make it a goal to get orthodontic treatment.

There are a variety of treatments to straighten teeth. From metal braces to in-office aligners, with the best technology on the market. Dr. Salas will tell you in your consultation what would be the ideal treatment for you since each case is different and therefore, the type of braces to use and the time it to takes to straighten teeth is also different.

Those who have completed their orthodontic treatments can attest to how beautiful it is to see the before and after of their teeth and, of course, how proud they are to have made their teeth a priority.

Don't neglect yourself at Christmas. Teeth should be taken care of even during the breaks we have this time of year. It is very tasty to eat the Christmas dishes and desserts that are prepared to celebrate that the year is ending, that a new year is about to begin, and that it is time to get together and share with our loved ones and friends to express gratitude and tell them how much we love them.

The routine of brushing your teeth changes a little, especially if you have braces. That is why Dr. Anna Salas advises you that better hygiene will be your best defense.

And of course, lower your sugar intake, avoid snacking on food during the day and drinking carbonated beverages as all this can cause tooth decay and put your orthodontic treatment at risk and/or delay it. Remember that very hard foods, in addition to loosening the wire or detaching braces, can split or crack a tooth or molar.

Some people believe that chewing gum helps clean teeth if you do not have enough time for a dental cleaning at home. This is a mistake, since it is sticky and can stick to the braces and even pull them off.

To conclude, Dr. Anna salas and her team wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023 and remember that you are never too old for a new smile. The best is yet to come.