Allentown Doctors

Do I Need Braces, I Have an Overbite with Gaps, and Crooked Teeth on Both?

It sounds like braces would do wonders for your smile.

The first thing I would do if I were you is to head in to an orthodontist for a consultation. There are many tools, braces being one of them, which an orthodontist has received special training with and can use to make your vision for your smile a reality. Once you voice your goals for treatment to your orthodontist, you can pick the right tool for the job together.

Scott Frey, DDS

Allentown Orthodontist

I Just Got a Palatal Expander, Will It Close My Gap Before I Get Braces in 3 Weeks?

Everyones making fun of the gap in my two front teeth. Im getting my braces in like 3 weeks I dont have to turn my expander anymore. I was wondering if the gap will close on its own before i get my braces?

Don't sweat the gap, it just means that your expander is doing it's job. Now you'll be on a path towards a broad beautiful smile that no one will give you grief about.

Once your orthodontist has you stop turning your expander the gap will close a little bit, and when you get braces on your teeth will start to line up and the gap will get closed completely if it hasn't already.

Scott Frey, DDS

Allentown Orthodontist

If I Break a Pair of my Invisalign, Can I Move on to the Next Tray?

Today someone accidentally threw away my Invisalign which I've been wearing for about 3 and a half days, so I tried to clean them with hot water, which deformed the top one. I have my next tray, and it seems to fit. Should I move on to my next tray?

I'd try moving on to the next tray, and really sock them in for the next week with the aligner chewies to minimize any potential problems. I'd also wear them for 3 weeks instead of the prescribed two.

There is the potential for your teeth to begin not tracking with your aligners, and moving in a direction that you do not want, so I would schedule an appointment with your orthodontist so see how the jump in aligners works out with moving your teeth.

Next time you want to clean your aligners, avoid hot water (I have seen people put them in the dishwasher which is also not good). One easy way to get them clean is go to the store and pick up a denture cleanser and follow the instructions to disinfect the aligners (there are other ways to get them clean but this is the simplest).

Scott Frey, DDS

Allentown Orthodontist