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Month: October 2016

How Do I Know if I Chose the Right Orthodontist?

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If you’re seeking an orthodontist for you or your child, then don’t make a commitment too quickly; every orthodontist is different. Some may prefer to use a specific treatment plan over others, and some may charge their patients more for treatments more than other orthodontists do.

Orthodontics treatment (especially with traditional metal braces) means that you’re making a big commitment for multiple years, so we understand the importance of doing your research. Be sure to search for and select the orthodontist that meets your individual needs and criteria. Dr. Ana Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics is here today to help you choose the right orthodontist in Salem, OR.

Ask your family, friends, and Dr. Ana Castilla.

The first step to finding the right orthodontist for you is to simply ask around. You can always ask friends or family if they know about a good Castilla Orthodontics that they might’ve used for their treatment.Your family’s dentist also can help point you in the right direction. Dentists usually are knowledgeable about the other dentists and orthodontists in your area. Once you’ve considered your options and have narrowed it down to a few orthodontia providers in Salem, OR, you should call to ask them a few questions. Their answers will be helpful in determining if their practice is right for you.

There are several questions that you should ask your prospective orthodontist.

  • What are the possibilities of orthodontic treatment?
  • What treatment options do you offer?
  • How often will visits take place?
  • How long will treatment last?
  • What are your office hours? (Many orthodontists have limited hours, meaning that working parents may have to take time off or kids will have to be taken out of school.)
  • How many orthodontists work in your office?
  • How long have you been in orthodontics?
  • What is the cost of treatment, and how do you determine the cost?
  • What insurance plans do you accept?
  • Do you offer a free consultation?
  • Can you provide references from current or past patients?
  • Is the orthodontist using the most recent technology in their procedures?

Be aware of your surroundings.

Pay attention to the office around you and remember to take mental notes on what you see and experience. Are the office staff and hygienists friendly? Is the office staff professional? Are they flexible to work with? Are the orthodontist and office accessible for advice or emergencies?

Think about what type of orthodontic treatments are available to you.

Most orthodontists offer four main treatment options:

  • Metal braces are the traditional and most common option. They are most often used for children under 12 years of age.
  • Ceramic braces are clear or tooth-colored and are usually self-ligating. They work the same as metal braces, but are much less visible making them more popular with adults. However, they cost more than traditional braces.
  • Lingual braces are the most inconspicuous as they are fixed to the back of (behind) the teeth, enabling them to remain completely unseen. The downside to lingual braces is that they are usually much more expensive, and very few orthodontists offer them due to the associated costs and longer treatment time.
  • Clear aligner systems like Invisalign are made of smooth plastic, are virtually invisible, and can be taken out to eat, brush, and floss. One big advantage to aligners is that they are now practically the same cost as traditional metal or ceramic braces. However, they are only used in treatment for teens and adults.

If you’re an adult looking to restore your or your child’s sparkling, beautiful smile, then look no further than Dr. Ana Castilla at Castilla Orthodontics in Salem, OR. To schedule a consultation with the Castilla Orthodontics team, call them today at: 503.399.0721

How Do I Keep My Invisalign Clean?

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If you have recently been fitted for Invisalign in Salem, OR, the team at Castilla Orthodontics would like to congratulate you on getting one step closer to a confident and healthy smile! Dr. Ana Castilla knows that while Invisalign is in your mouth doing the important work of straightening teeth, it’s also crucial to keep your Invisalign aligners clean. The Castilla Orthodontics team recommends that their patients follow these tips to keep their Invisalign clear aligners clean and working properly.

  • Saliva and plaque may collect on the Invisalign aligners, and that creates the perfect home for harmful or odor-causing bacteria. It is important to clean your aligners every time you take them out. (You take your aligners out before you eat, right?) Brush your aligner the same way you brush your teeth; with a little bit of toothpaste and a toothbrush. You should also brush and floss your teeth while you’re at it. That will help to reduce bacteria also.
  • Soak your aligner in a product like Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, Retainer Brite, or even denture cleaner once or twice a week. Avoid a colored denture cleaner; it may stain or color your aligners.
  • Avoid foods that may stain your aligners. Tea, coffee, wine, and sodas stain the aligners most often. Hot drinks may warp the plastic trays into a position that no longer fits on the teeth, thus extending treatment time.
  • Wear Invisalign conscientiously. Invisalign clear aligners need to be worn to work. The trays are removable to eat, but they need to be worn to be effective. Do not keep the Invisalign tray out of your mouth for longer than is necessary to eat, brush, or floss.

Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is easy, and it’s a very important part of the overall treatment. Just remember, whenever you brush your teeth, brush your aligners too. To make sure you remember, the team at Castilla Orthodontics recommends that you make a small Invisalign cleaning kit for when you’re on the go. Include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to keep your teeth and Invisalign sparkling clean!

If you have any more questions on keeping your Invisalign clean, or want to schedule an appointment, give Dr. Ana Castilla a call. You can reach Castilla Orthodontics in Salem, OR by calling: 503.399.0721

What You Need to Know Before Choosing Braces

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Dr. Ana E. Castilla and the team at Castilla Orthodontics develop orthodontic treatment plans that are personalized for each patient’s needs. These plans may include treatment methods and approaches that are best suited to the patient’s needs and treatment goals near Woodburn, OR, including choosing braces. Traditional braces, ceramic or lingual braces, Invisalign clear aligners and other treatments are options Castilla Orthodontics offers their patients.

So if you are debating orthodontic treatments, before choosing braces you should know:

Traditional Braces Can Be Uncomfortable

Traditional braces are made of metal that are comprised of many small parts such as wires and brackets. Because of this, you may experience trouble with your braces such as a loose bracket or wire. If your system seems to cause you pain apart from the normal discomfort of jaw or misalignment movement, you need not worry. The solution is simple – apply soft wax to the area that is bothering you, and come into Name Orthodontics as soon as possible. Dr. Ana E. Castilla will be able to fix the broken part so that your braces will work properly for you to continue a comfortable day-to-day routine with braces near Woodburn, OR.

Braces Can Trap Food

Braces can trap food in and around the teeth. Regardless of what you’re eating, the location of your braces will cause some food debris to get stuck. It is important to brush thoroughly and completely while being treated with braces. Dr. Ana E. Castilla suggests brushing after every meal, before bed, and upon waking. It is important also to floss well during treatment. You may want to purchase a braces-friendly flosser, like a Waterpik, to eliminate food debris between your brackets and wire.

Some Foods Should Be Avoided

Dr. Ana E. Castilla also suggests that you avoid some foods while living with your braces near Woodburn, OR. Some commonly known foods to avoid include gum, popcorn, and bagels. Ana E. Castilla Orthodontics can provide you with a detailed list of foods to avoid that could damage your braces.

Eventually, caring for your braces will become second nature and adjusting to your new lifestyle will be easy. You may find that your new oral health care habits stick around after your braces are removed.

Castilla Orthodontics and Dr. Ana E. Castilla help their patients decide which orthodontic treatment options fit best with their budgets, schedules, and treatment goals. If you have more questions, need further information, or to schedule an appointment, call Castilla Orthodontics in Salem, OR at: 503.399.0721

How Do I Fix My Orthodontic Speech Impediment?

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Did you know that chronic speech problems can be caused by the misalignment, or malocclusion, of your teeth? Dr. Ana Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics near Stayton, OR knows that these and other oral health care issues can cause an orthodontic speech impediment.

Do you have a lisp? Do you whistle when pronouncing certain sounds or words? Do people complain that you mumble? Then orthodontic treatments with Dr. Ana Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics may be the key to regaining your clear speech, straight teeth, and healthy mouth.

Types of Malocclusions

  • Bruxism. When someone grinds or clenches their teeth while they sleep at night. This can lead to a sore jaw in the morning and, if left untreated, can result in jaw disorders that affect speech.
  • Open Bite. When the upper and lower teeth extend forward from the jaw and do not fit together optimally when the mouth is closed. The problem is rooted in habits from early childhood (for example, thumb sucking). Open bite is a common cause of speech impediments, uneven tooth wear, and can interfere with proper oral hygiene.
  • Gaps between the teeth. When there is significant space between two teeth, or a tooth is missing. This may make it difficult to pronounce certain words or “ess” sounds.

Treatment

Dental malocclusions don’t go away on their own. If you suffer from any of these types of orthodontic issues that sometimes result in a speech impediment, you will need orthodontic treatment to bring your teeth into alignment. Braces can correct any type of misalignment and possibly reduce or eliminate speech problems. With braces, brackets are affixed to the front of the teeth, and an archwire is run through them, which will slowly situate the teeth into their optimal location. (Remedial speech therapy may also be indicated so that, as the teeth are repositioned, the patient can get used to pronouncing words or sounds that were once problematic.)

If you don’t like the idea of being treated with metal braces, there are other options for you to choose from that are more discreet. Ceramic braces, which are clear or tooth-colored), and lingual braces, which are braces that are adhered to the back of the teeth where they are not visible.

Tips and Tricks

To prevent your lips or cheeks from becoming irritated by your braces or Invisalign, dental wax can be placed over your brackets or wires. Dr. Ana Castilla and the Castilla Orthodontics team will show you how.

Some patients may find that their speech is inhibited due to the installation of their new braces. There are some exercises that can help a patient improve their speech while being treated by an orthodontist. Try speaking a little slower. You can then more easily adjust your speech to the way you want it to sound. Singing can help strengthen mouth and cheek muscles, making speech a more controlled movement. Reading aloud may help with your pronunciation and your speech projection while wearing braces.

If you’d like to find out if your orthodontic speech impediment is caused by your teeth and how you can fix it, call Dr. Ana Castilla and the Castilla Orthodontics team to schedule a consultation at their office near Stayton, OR. Help is just a phone call away: (503) 399-0721