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Should I Get Braces as an Adult?

Orthodontic treatment with braces isn’t just for teenagers, as common perception may have it. Nearly 20 percent of people wearing braces today are adults. Orthodontic treatment for adults can be highly effective in treating malocclusions (the misalignment of the upper and lower teeth). Dr. Thomas Lien, Dr. Mani Alikhani and the team at the House of Orthodontia specializes in adult orthodontics in the living are of Cobble Hill. It’s never too late in life to improve your smile and dental health. Why do I need braces as an adult? If you had braces as a kid and you find that you need them again as an adult, that’s because our teeth shift as we get older. Different teeth may grow at different rates than others, too. They can change positions over time through natural growth, injury, or tongue thrust (a condition where the tongue projects through the front teeth during speech,...
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Can I Get a Mouth-Guard From My Orthodontist?

Having concerns of whether or not you should be wearing a mouth-guard? Dr. Thomas Lien, Dr. Mani Alikhani and the orthodontist team at House of Orthodontia recommends to their patients who play sports in Cobble Hill, NY that they wear a mouth-guard so that their teeth stay protected while undergoing orthodontic treatment. What do Mouth-guards do? Mouth-guards help prevent injuries to the teeth and jaws when patients get active in sports or physical activities. They are mandatory in collision sports such as football, hockey, and boxing where the risk of injury is likely. Children and adults involved in incidental contact sports like basketball, baseball, wrestling, soccer, and volleyball are now wearing mouth-guards to prevent injuries to the mouth. In fact, a study of high school athletes found that 75% of injuries occurred when mouth-guards were not worn, with 40% coming during basketball and baseball. As a result, whether you’re a...
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Invisalign Teen: The Clear Alternatives to Braces

If you're interested in Invisalign Teen for your child, Dr. Thomas Lien, Dr. Mani Alikhani and the team at House of Orthodontia offer their patients in the living area of Cobble Hill, a clear and removable orthodontic treatment meant just for their teenage patients. Invisalign Teen aligner trays are made of a clear thermoplastic material that are custom made to fit over the teeth. They gently exert pressure on misaligned teeth to bring them into a more natural, functional, and attractive position. Invisalign Teen is the clear alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign Teen at House of Orthodontia in the Cobble Hill area: Clear: No wires, no brackets, and no rubber bands are used with Invisalign Teen. A clear plastic tray that fits snugly over the teeth are all that is involved in treatment with Invisalign. It lets teens keep their appearance intact while gently improving their smiles. Removable. Invisalign Teen can be removed by...
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What Problems Can Invisalign Correct?

Invisalign clear aligners can treat many patients with unique orthodontic problems from overbites or under-bites to overcrowded teeth. Dr. Thomas Lien, Dr. Mani Alikhani and the professionals at the House of Orthodontia know that Invisalign clear aligners in the living area of Cobble Hill are an effective and convenient alternative to traditional metal braces. They have the knowledge and experience to answer their patient’s questions about Invisalign, including if treatment with Invisalign is an option for them. Invisalign clear aligners are indicated in the treatment of: Gap Teeth: Gap teeth can occur because of abnormal growth in the jawbone or when existing teeth spread and move to fill the space where a tooth or teeth are missing. The clear aligners are an effective treatment for positioning gap teeth into a more functional and attractive position within the mouth. Overbite: An overbite (or medically, an “overjet”) is when the upper row of teeth...
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Will Invisalign Work for Me?

Dr. Alikhani, Dr. Lien, and the professional team at the House of Orthodontia have developed a list of thoughtful questions that help their patients decide if orthodontic treatment with Invisalign in Cobble Hill, NY is appropriate for them. How Can I Tell if Invisalign Is Right for Me? Am I responsible? To be treated effectively with Invisalign, you need to accept the responsibility of caring for the trays. Not only do the aligner trays need to be kept clean, but you need to keep track of them while they are not being worn. Because your aligners are removable and clear, they can easily be misplaced or accidentally thrown out. It is important to remember also to put them back in your mouth after eating or brushing. A new set of tray aligners is exchanged for the old set in approximately two-week intervals as part of the course of treatment. How...
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How Do I Floss with Braces?

How Do I Floss With Braces? Dr. Alikhani, Dr. Lien, and the House of Orthodontia staff take the time to instruct each of their orthodontics patients in Cobble Hill, NY how to floss while they are being treated with braces. Life with braces can make good oral hygiene habits difficult to perform, can create spaces where food debris can collect, and they provide an environment for bacteria to thrive. Good brushing and flossing techniques and habits while undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces is often a challenge, but flossing with braces can be accomplished effectively once equipped with a little advice. Why floss? The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) advises that flossing is just as important as brushing in a conscientiously applied regimen of good oral hygiene. Toothbrushes are great for cleaning plaque from the fronts and back surfaces of the teeth, but they simply cannot reach the sides, in between the...
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What’s the Difference Between an Orthodontist and a Dentist?

What's the Difference Between an Orthodontist and a Dentist? Dr. Alikhani and Dr. Lien of House of Orthodontia have some tips to help patients in Cobble Hill, NY to distinguish between a dentist and an orthodontist. The difference between an orthodontist and a dentist may be indistinguishable to some people. Something that many folks don’t know is that all orthodontists can be dentists, but not all dentists can be orthodontists. They are both certified oral health care professionals, treat and maintain the health of your teeth and gums, and have the education and experience to be called doctors. In these areas, they are pretty comparable. However, there are more differences than similarities. What’s the difference? An orthodontist requires further schooling and more experience in their specialty (orthodontics) beyond their dental school training. A similar example would be if a medical doctor elects to take special training to become a surgeon....
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