NEWS

Who doesn’t want to have beautiful teeth? Most people do want a beautiful smile with nice straight teeth. Unfortunately, we are all not so lucky to have been born with the beautiful smile we want. This is where your orthodontist comes in handy.

One of the most common questions that our patients at Wise Braces ask us is, “is getting braces going to hurt”? Thanks to advances in technology, the process of getting braces put on and having them adjusted is much easier than is was 20-30 years ago. For example, we no longer routinely use ‘bands’ on all the teeth. Placing bands on all the teeth was an uncomfortable procedure back in the day. Thank goodness those days are over!

Now, we use low profile braces (brackets) that are glued directly to the outer surface of the tooth which eliminates the pain of having a tightly fitting band placed around each tooth. Placing braces on the teeth is a much more comfortable experience than having to deal with the pressure and pushing that use to be used when bands were placed on the teeth.

Getting Braces Put On

If you are worried that having your braces put on is going to hurt, don’t worry. The process of getting your braces put on is painless. In fact, many of our patients fall asleep while they are getting their braces put on. The most important thing is that your teeth remain completely dry when the braces are being glued to your teeth. The orthodontist uses something called ‘cheek retractors’ to keep your lips and cheeks off of your teeth so that the teeth can remain dry for the braces application process. The cheek retractors will need to be in your mouth for about 20 minutes, which is about how long it takes to put the braces on.

Once the braces are on, the cheek retractors will be removed from your mouth. Now comes the fun part. It’s time to put the wire on the braces and pick your COLOR. The wire is what makes the magic of tooth movement happen. Without a wire attached to the braces, the teeth will not move. The wire is held on to the braces with little 0-tie elastics that come in many colors for you to choose from. Each time you come in to have your braces adjusted (which means having your wire changed) you get to choose new colors. That’s what makes it fun.

Fun fact: The initial wires that will be used on your braces are called Nickel Titanium wires. This technology was originally invented by NASA and has been a great asset to the field of orthodontics. These wires have what is called ‘shape memory’ which means they will return to their original shape once attached to your braces. Your teeth move because the wire is essentially returning to its original shape while it is attached to your braces. How cool is that? The use of these wires has reduced the discomfort patients have when getting their braces on because these wires apply a slow and continuous force on the teeth versus the very stiff Stainless Steel wires that use to be used as the initial wires that were put on.

The First Few Days After Getting Your Braces On Can Be Uncomfortable

Now that you got your braces put on, you will need to spend the next few days or so getting use to them. Although there is no immediate pain after having your braces put on, you will experience some soreness for up to a week after having the braces put on. The soreness tends to kick in anywhere from 12-24 hours after the braces are put on. Your teeth are being forced to move which results in some soreness. Over the counter pain relief medication (taken as directed on the bottle) and a soft diet is recommended, but is not required, for the first 2-3 days after you have your braces put on.

You may also develop a sore spot on the inside of your cheek or lips while your mouth is getting adjusted to the braces. If this happens, you can use the wax we provide you in your new patient kit to place on the bracket or brackets that may be causing the irritation.

The good news is that the soreness quickly subsides and goes away.

Getting Your Braces Adjusted At Subsequent Visits

Now that you have braces, your orthodontist will need to see you every 6-8 weeks to adjust your braces. This is what use to be called getting your braces ‘tightened’. But don’t worry, we are not cranking up your braces and tightening them. We are simply changing the size of the wire that goes on your braces. As your teeth continue to get straighter and straighter, we put in thicker and stiffer wires. When a thicker or stiffer is placed on the braces it may feel ‘tight’. That tight feeling is where the term ‘getting the braces tightened’ came from. When a new wire is placed, you may feel slight discomfort for 1-2 days but it is nowhere near as sore as when the braces were first put on.

Technology has advanced the field of orthodontics tremendously. Here, at Wise Braces Orthodontics, we utilize state of the art technology to make your experience as painless and comfortable as possible.

If you are considering having orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, give us a call to schedule a complementary consultation at 786-360-1048.

This is a very common question that many parents have when it comes to their child possibly needing orthodontic treatment. The signs might be right in front of you and don’t even realize it. If you are not an orthodontist, it may be tough for you to see the signs that your child’s smile may be in need of orthodontic treatment such as braces or Invisalign. This is where the professional guidance from an orthodontist, such as myself, comes in handy.

Look At Your Child’s Bite

You may look at your child and think their teeth are pretty straight, but as an orthodontist, I look at more than just how straight or crooked teeth are. Many parents make the innocent mistake of judging whether or not their child needs braces based on how straight their teeth look. Just because the teeth may look straight, does not mean that the bite is correct. A bite that is off can cause many problems down the road as your child ages into adulthood.

The top and bottom teeth are meant to come together in a particular way so that they do not get damaged over the years.

Bite problems can occur in the front teeth (underbite or overbite), the back teeth (crossbite) or a combination of both. Parents most often miss seeing the bite issues that are in the back of the mouth because you may not see them when you child smiles. It is important that bite problems are corrected at the appropriate time in a child’s life because an improper bite can cause their teeth to wear down faster and possibly lead to fracture of teeth. As you can see, orthodontic treatment is not only about making the teeth straight. It is also about making sure the bite is healthy.

When In Doubt, Schedule A Complimentary Consultation With Dr. Wise

At Wise Braces Orthodontics, it does not cost you a penny to come in and see Dr. Wise for an orthodontic consultation. Our initial consultations are always complimentary. Whether or not you feel that your child’s bite is correct, it is always best to seek the opinion of a trained orthodontist to ensure that no hard-to-see issue are happening.

Many parents are not aware that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children should be seen by an orthodontist by the age of 7 years old for their first orthodontic evaluation.

A common misconception that most parents have is the idea that all of the baby teeth need to have fallen out before their child can start orthodontic treatment. This is not true at all. In some cases, for example, baby teeth that have no fallen out could mean that there are other issues such as a permanent tooth being stuck in the bone (impacted) and not allowing for the baby tooth to fall out naturally. A situation like the one just describe can be detected in an x-ray and requires immediate attention.

If your child’s bite is developing normally, the typical age for starting orthodontic treatment is usually between ages 11-13 years old. However, if your child’s bite is not developing normally, early orthodontic treatment may be needed as early as 7-8 years old. This is why it is important to have your child evaluated by age 7 years old. Most bite problems are much easier to correct while children are in their early growing stages. Bite problems that are not addressed until after puberty often times require jaw surgery to get corrected. Taking care of bite problems at the appropriate age can save you a lot of money in the long run and potentially avoid the need for jaw surgery.

The earlier you bring your child in to get checked by Dr. Wise, the better. Even if your child’s pediatric dentist has not referred you yet, early intervention is key. Remember, the initial consultation is FREE so you have nothing to lose. It can make all the difference in your child’s smile. Our goal is to educate parents so that their children can have beautiful healthy smiles that last them a lifetime.

You have made the decision to have orthodontic treatment with braces for yourself or for you child. Congratulation, you are on the road to achieving a beautiful smile with nice straight teeth. During your time in braces there are some sacrifices in your diet that you will need to make. One of the most common questions our patients ask is what they are not allowed to eat while their braces are on. It is important that you follow the instructions your orthodontist gives you so that you can avoid emergency visits or delays in your treatment time.

We understand that you might be temporarily missing out on some of your favorite foods, but it is important that you follow the rules so that you can finish your braces treatment as soon as possible and begin to show off your new beautiful smile.

The basic rule of thumb is to avoid eating foods that are very hard or sticky. Eating hard and/or sticky foods can cause you to break the braces off of your teeth and prolong your time in treatment.

We will breakdown the do’s and don’ts of eating with braces.

Ask Your Orthodontist What You Can and Can’t Eat With Braces

When you have your first consultation with us, you will be given a treatment plan that is designed for you and only you. Once Dr. Wise has explained what treatment you will need, there will be some time for you to ask her any questions you might have. This is the perfect opportunity for you to ask what types of foods you can and can’t eat during your time in braces. This will not only help you to understand the foods that you can enjoy, but it can also help you to understand why there are certain food restrictions.

In general, the rules for metal braces, ceramic braces and Invisalign may differ slightly. There are some foods that are restricted for braces but are okay to eat with Invisalign. On the other hand, some foods may break ceramic braces more easily and traditional metal braces.

The No No List of Food

It is important to know which foods are generally off-limits while your braces are on. Very sticky foods such as gum, hard candies, starbursts, laffy taffy, caramels and gummy bears, foods can get caught and get stuck on your braces. The amount of sugar in certain foods (mainly candy) can also damage your teeth if you are not doing a good job of cleaning your teeth. Therefore, it is very important that you brush over, under and around all the braces to remove any sugar or acids that may be left on the teeth after eating.

Hard foods such as thick toasted bagels, croutons, popcorn kernels, thick chips, raw vegetables, meet on a bone (chicken wings or ribs) and pizza crust should be avoided during your braces treatment. Biting into these hard foods can cause the braces to break off of the teeth. This requires extra emergency visits to the orthodontist to replace the broken braces and can prolong your treatment time.

Large foods like apples, raw carrots, corn on the cob and pieces of steak need to be cut up into small pieces. If you bite into an apple, for example, it is likely that your braces will be in your apple instead of on your teeth. If you are a vegetable lover, we recommended that you eat your veggies cooked instead of raw.

Any meet on a bone such as chicken wings or ribs should be removed from the bone. If you bite into a chicken wing or rib and hit the bone with your braces, there is a high chance that a brace or a few braces may break off of your teeth.

The Safe Zone

Softer foods such as spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, shredded meet or chicken, baked or mashed potatoes, eggs, pancakes, grits, oatmeal, yogurt, cheese, thin sandwiches on soft bread, soups and cooked vegetables are usually safe to have during braces treatment. It is important that you brush your teeth after every meal or snack so that food particles, sugars and acids from foods do not stay stuck on your teeth around the braces for prolonged periods of time. Good oral hygiene habits are important in order for you to avoid permanent damage to your teeth and gums.

Wise Braces is an orthodontic boutique located in Kendall that offers personalized and comprehensive orthodontic care. At our office no patient waits more than 10 minutes to be seen. We respect your time! Also, you will always be seen by Dr. Wise at every visit.

Services we provide:

– Orthodontic treatment for children
– Orthodontic treatment for teenagers
– Orthodontic treatment for adults (it’s never too late to get braces or Invisalign for adults)

Treatments we offer

At Wise Braces we strive to meet each patient’s treatment needs with individualized treatment plans as no two patients have identical orthodontic needs.

The types of treatment that we offer are:
– Traditional braces (metal braces)
– Clear braces
– Invisalign
– 3M clarity aligners

We are committed to helping you achieve a beautiful smile. We want you to have an experience that will improve your smile, day, and life.

Wise Braces Facilities

Wise Braces is located in Kendall and has plenty of parking available for your convenience. In addition, the office is clean and modern with the latest technology to make your appointment a pleasant experience.

Here you will find:
– Digital x-rays
– Digital scanner
– Paperless charting

We offer late-night appointments for those who work or find it challenging to get to our office during the day.

When to seek an Orthodontic consultation

For anyone seeking treatment for children, it is recommended that the first orthodontic visit happens at age seven to assess the growth and development of the teeth and jaws. Some children may need early treatment (Phase I).

Whether you’re a child, teenager or an adult, it’s never too late or too early to get a winning smile.

Dr. Nancy Proano Wise

Doctor Wise has ten years of experience in Orthodontics. Before that, she was a practicing general dentist for five years. Dr. Wise is always available to talk and explain things; or answer any questions you or your child may have regarding their treatment.

Our Staff

Every time you call, you can tell that the person on the phone has a smile on their face; everyone here is friendly. They will make you feel like family and greet you with a smile at every visit.

Our staff is also very knowledgeable when it comes to insurance. It is very common for patients to have insurance questions and we can help you with that.

Insurance

We accept most insurances, please let us know if you have insurance when you call to book your complimentary consultation so that we may verify orthodontic benefits and give you a proper estimate at your consultation.

Why choose Wise Braces?

Wise Braces is an orthodontic boutique where our patients come first. Our ultimate goal is for you to have a beautiful and healthy smile without having to wait hours at your appointment.

We value your time so when you come to our facility, you won’t have to sit here and wait long. We make sure to schedule your appointments so that you may get the most out of each visit with Dr. Wise.

We provide personalized service; each person’s treatment is not the same. Everyone has different needs therefore your treatment is designed specifically for you.

We are very proud of how our patients feel about the practice, when they are here and even when they leave. You can check our reviews on Google to see what our patients are saying about us!