Jessica Cohen Orthodontics Blog

The day that people get off their braces is a magical one. After years of hard work and immaculate oral hygiene, they can finally see the smile they’ve been dreaming of all this time. It’s enormously rewarding for both the patient and their orthodontist.

However, while your journey with braces has come to an end, a brand new one is just beginning. Adapting to life without braces takes a while, but if you keep these things in mind, the transition will be much smoother.

It’s hard to understate the benefits of having a set of straight pearly whites in your mouth. The most obvious upside is the boost of confidence you gain while looking in the mirror or smiling with your friends and family, but could there be more?

Invisalign has become the go-to orthodontic solution since it was introduced in the late 90s due to its discreet nature and easy application. Twenty years later, there are still benefits of the system are still less obvious to most users. To learn more about these often overlooked advantages, continue reading.

It’s probably no surprise to learn that before you can begin the orthodontic process, your orthodontist will need to capture X-rays of your teeth and jawbone. Furthermore, additional X-rays will need to be taken throughout the treatment in order to confirm that everything is proceeding as planned.

However, some patients are worried about the radiation involved with having their X-rays taken – but is this truly something you need to be concerned about? Here’s what you need to know before scheduling a consultation.

Often enough, people just get orthodontics for cosmetic reasons. That’s only natural – a crooked smile isn’t pleasant to look at! Still, were you aware that there are health benefits of straight teeth? An aligned grin actually does a lot of good for your body. Therefore, getting one would improve your overall quality of life. If you want to learn more, your Highland Park orthodontist will happily explain. Here, then, are four physical perks of nicely straight teeth.

Have you always dreamed of having straight teeth? When you have a gapped or crooked smile, it can make you feel self-conscious and affect how you interact with others. Now that you have begun the journey to more aligned pearly whites with orthodontics, you can’t wait for the day to flash your new grin nonstop! But exactly how long will it take? Your dentist in Highland Park is here to tell you the average timeline and what you can do to make the most out of your treatment.

At your last Invisalign appointment, you can’t help but look forward to life without dental devices. However, your orthodontic care doesn’t end when the clear aligners are removed. To preserve your hard-earned results, you must wear a retainer for the rest of your life. If you neglect to do so, your teeth could move back into their original pre-orthodontic positions. Aside from consistently wearing your retainer, you must also take proper care of it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Braces might seem like a procedure for kids, but that’s far from the truth. Thousands of grown-ups get them every year! (You’re never too old, after all, to enjoy straighter teeth.) That said, there are things you should know when getting braces as an adult. Otherwise, you’ll get caught off guard by the treatment process. Fortunately, your Highland Park orthodontist can set things straight. Here are four facts about adult braces to learn ahead of time.

Looking to get braces but not sure where to start? Here are 10 things you need to know before getting started with your braces journey.

Finding safe foods to eat while wearing braces isn’t always easy. Usually, it means forgoing many of your favorites because of the potential for damage to your aligners and brackets. However, you don’t have to go hungry or stick to boring or bland foods. Instead, an orthodontist has compiled some healthy recipes and delicious options you can expect to enjoy while undergoing treatment for a straighter smile.

We weren’t all fortunate enough to develop a naturally straight smile. The good news is that with modern dental technology, you don’t have to settle for misalignment. By seeing an orthodontist, you can work toward the straighter smile that you’ve always dreamed of. When your treatment is complete, you will need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their proper places. Continue reading to learn more about retainers and how long they last.