What to Do About White Spots
HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED white spots on your own or someone else’s teeth? When we think of stains, we usually think of dark colors, but stains on teeth can just as easily be whiter than the surrounding area. These white spots can happen for a few different reasons, and there are a few different ways to remove them.
Causes Of White SpotsStains can affect the outside of the tooth and the inside. White spots are surface stains affecting the enamel, and they can occur on an otherwise healthy tooth....Read More
Avoiding Post-Braces Stains
The first thing you should know when it comes to post-braces stains is that they are not inevitable. It also isn’t the braces...Read More
What Makes Our Smiles Unique
EVERY PERSON IS BORN with their own unique smile. Some smile with all of their teeth, some only show the top row, and some don’t show their teeth at all, and a smile can come in all shapes and sizes and still be genuine. We can also end up with smiles that look a lot like our family members’ smiles even if we have very different faces. How does this happen? What gives our smiles their shapes and makes them shine?
The Structure Of A SmilePart of the way we smile is of course based on our...Read More
Fighting Back Against Oral Cancer
ORAL CANCER IS A SUBJECT we’d all prefer not to have to think about, but it’s critical to have a basic understanding of risk factors and symptoms. More than 50,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with oral cancer last year, and that number is expected to rise. That’s why, in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we’re dedicating a blog post to giving our patients the tools they need for early detection.
Oral Cancer Risk FactorsThere are several risk factors that increase a person’s...Read More
Don’t DIY Your Braces
AS PARENTS, WE ARE often impressed by the ingenuity of our tweens and teens, but not every idea they come up with is a good one. One of the more alarming new trends that’s been popping up lately is do-it-yourself braces.
Quite a few teenagers have been posting videos demonstrating to their peers how to make their own braces at home as a cheap alternative to braces. While we hope these teens’ passion for straight teeth takes them into the field of orthodontics someday, there are many reasons why...Read More
The Different Types Of Teeth
YOU’VE PROBABLY NOTICED that your teeth aren’t all the same shape, but do you know the reason? Humans have four different types of teeth, and they each serve specific purposes, both in helping us chew and in giving us our beautiful smiles!
Types Of Teeth And What They DoThe reason we need so many different types of teeth is that we are omnivores, which means we eat both plants and meat. We need teeth that can handle all of our favorite foods!
IncisorsAt the very front of the mouth,...Read More
Why Choose An AAO Orthodontist?
YOU DESERVE A SMILE that reflects your best possible you, which is why you deserve an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), like Dr. Aljanabi.
It takes three additional years of specialized study beyond dental school to become an orthodontist. Those extra years are what make us experts in straightening teeth and correcting bites to give our patients healthy, beautiful smiles, and only dentists who complete them are eligible to become members of the...Read More
A Brief History of Braces
CAN YOU IMAGINE an Ancient Egyptian in braces? Are you picturing an appliance made out of metal bands and catgut? That’s right; the practice of straightening misaligned teeth has been around since ancient times! So how did we get from there to the braces of today?
Ancient OrthodonticsEvidence suggests that those braces made of catgut and metal bands were likely only used as part of a burial ritual, to make sure the dead person’s teeth looked nice for the afterlife. Similar burial rituals were...Read More
Consequences of Crooked Teeth
For some, it might seem like the benefits of having straight teeth are purely cosmetic. And those benefits certainly do exist. Studies have shown that people tend to perceive someone with straight teeth as wealthier, happier, and more dateable than someone with crooked teeth. But there are plenty of other important benefits as well.
Consequences Of Crooked TeethThere are many different ways crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth can negatively impact a person’s health and quality of life....Read More
What Are Lingual Braces?
Many people who want to undergo orthodontic treatment have concerns about the effect on their appearance. Adults, particularly, may worry that braces will affect their professional and social lives. Teens may also have these concerns. These patients may want their treatment to be as discreet as possible.
Discreet orthodontic treatmentFortunately, there are many options for orthodontic treatment that are very discreet. Clear aligners (the most well-known of which is Invisalign) are one of...Read More