Blog

Your Invisalign Journey

Invisalign is as common today as traditional braces. Usually, when you go to the orthodontist, you’ll be shown multiple treatment options, from Invisalign clear aligners to traditional bracket and wire braces. How does Invisalign work exactly? A completely invisible treatment that allows you to eat whatever you want is too good to be true, isn’t it? Not at all! Gain valuable knowledge on Invisalign from orthodontic specialist Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

  • What is an Invisalign Aligner?
  • Invisalign Treatment Breakdown
  • What Can Invisalign Fix?
  • Can Kids get Invisalign?

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What to Expect with New Braces

The week after your new braces go on is often tough. There’s a lot you have to adjust to from metal in your mouth to changes in diet, nightly routine, and oral hygiene. Transitions and changes are never easy, and to help make your journey to a beautiful smile smooth and painless, Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics explains what to expect from your first week in braces.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

  • How Long Do Braces Hurt?
  • Eating with Braces
  • What to Expect When Getting Braces

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What Happens After Braces?

After months or even years of braces, patients are only too happy to finally be done with treatment. To make sure the smile you leave our office with stays with you forever, you’ll need to be fitted with and wear a retainer. Retainers prevent relapse and are a way to make sure the movements your orthodontist made are permanent. Get the answers to frequently asked questions about retainers and maintaining a healthy smile after receiving orthodontic treatment from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics. 

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

  • What is a Retainer?
  • Different Types of Retainers
  • Wearing Your Retainer
  • What if My Retainer Doesn’t Fit Anymore?

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Why Mouthguards Are So Important

Many of our patients are student athletes or have a sport they love. After getting braces, many of these sports-enthusiasts wonder if they’ll have to take a break from their games and practices. We’ve all heard horror stories of sports injuries, even worse witnessed one ourselves. Playing sports during orthodontic treatment is 100% possible! The best way to protect your mouth from a painful fate is to invest in a mouthguard. Mouthguards protect not only your teeth, but the soft tissue of your mouth from injury as you play. Luckily, braces will not keep you from any sport or physical activity. However, the price you pay for a beautiful smile is taking a little extra care of your mouth while in treatment. Keep reading to uncover the significant role that mouthguards play in protecting your oral health and overall well-being from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

  • Why mouthguards are essential
  • Do Braces put you at higher risk for a sports injury?
  • What type of mouthguard should I buy?

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Early Evaluation and Missing Teeth

Often when parents bring young children into our office for initial evaluation, they are missing several primary teeth. Parents are worried that starting treatment won’t be an option until all the permanent teeth have grown in, or until all baby teeth have fallen out. It’s common to wonder if your child is losing teeth at the right time, or too slowly, or even too quickly. These concerns are normal, and a reason why it’s good to get your child into the orthodontist starting at age seven. Orthodontist Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics can answer all these questions and more and can start any treatment needed early enough to prevent major issues. 

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Can I Get Invisalign?

Choosing your orthodontist, and by extension, what your options are for years of orthodontic treatment and appointments, is no small feat. One of the deciding factors in this decision is which types of tooth movement your orthodontist has available. Traditional braces, self-ligating braces, or even Invisalign are all options. With so much innovation in the orthodontic field, we have lots of options to best fit any patient’s needs. Whether traditional braces or Invisalign is best for you, our team of orthodontic specialists is here to help you!

 

Making a Decision: Invisalign 

  • Choosing Invisalign
  • Invisalign Candidacy
  • What issues can Invisalign help with
  • Invisalign Pain

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