Blog Layout
Why Choose James May Orthodontics for Your Orthodontic Treatment
Dr. James May • Dec 31, 2020
When pursing the care of a professional orthodontist it can become quite tiring indeed. Weeding out those who are there for the care and commitment to your health and which ones are only out to get more clients and therefore more money. Knowing there are so many different providers for your orthodontic needs from which to choose, but of course the most vital is to remember the health of your teeth.
One of the most important things to remember while at your consultation with your orthodontist is how you felt during your visit. Did the doctor and staff make you feel welcome and comfortable? Did your surroundings make you more agitated or calm and relaxed? A thing most people forget is that you should feel at ease when visiting your orthodontist. It does not matter if they are the top rated orthodontist in the state, if you are not at ease you should continue looking for a doctor who makes you feel comfortable. After all you are going to be spending the next several months to few years sitting in that chair.
At James May Orthodontics, your Houston orthodontist, you are part of our family! We want to have you feel as comfortable at our offices as you are in your own home. Our team is dedicated to giving you the very best and latest in orthodontic care while providing good old fashion customer service. We are here for any questions you may have before, during, or even after your orthodontic journey. We take your health and wellbeing very seriously and want to ensure you receive nothing but the best.
The James May Orthodontics team is focused on providing every patient to be treated with the same respect, professionalism, sensitivity and care for any and all your oral health needs. After all our goal is the same as yours; to make sure you are getting the very best experience throughout your orthodontic journey. We recognize and understand that money and time are important factors to everyone, which is why our team has proven to be efficient with booking and scheduling appointments, as well as working with you to help accommodate any needs.
James May Orthodontics is dedicated to providing the very latest and best in orthodontic technology. Our wide array of treatments and services we serve should be able to offer any patient the ability to receive the benefits of oral care regardless the severity of their case. Every patient’s needs are different and there are some cases where certain orthodontic treatments would benefit better than others. These issues will be determined during your consultation with your orthodontist, and from there a treatment plan will be discussed.
We offer both traditional metal and ceramic braces, and clear aligners such as Invialign. We also offer treatments for sleep apnea, TMJ/TMD, as well as surgical orthodontics. We are one of the few practices in Houston that can offer functional jaw orthopedics for children. This can help prevent the need for any extractions of permanent teeth they may encounter later in life. Whichever treatment plan patients end up receive, they can be relaxed in knowing they are getting the very latest in technology and the best care in the area.
Houston orthodontists are in agreement that you shouldn't use your aligners to whiten your teeth. Find out the reasons why here.
Choosing a Houston orthodontics office is the first step to making yourself a priority in 2023. Take a look at how orthodontic treatment can improve your life.
Your health is linked to the condition of your teeth. Here are the benefits that your Houston orthodontics team can grant you after visiting.
Why pay for braces if your teeth will shift right after they're removed? Some Houston orthodontic specialists might recommend a permanent retainer.
Does Invisalign actually work? Discover the best Houston Invisalign provider and the reasons you should consider getting Invisalign.
If you are trying to straighten your teeth, knowing how they got crooked can help. This guide explains what causes crooked teeth and what to do about it.
Are you struggling to brush and floss because of your braces? Click here to get some tips from the best Houston orthodontics professionals.
Do you have some orthodontic troubles you want resolved, but don't want to resort to invasive procedures? Two-phase treatment may be right for you.
Alright, so you have just gotten your braces taken off and your smile is looking fantastic... what’s next? The retainer! That’s right- it does not matter what type of orthodontic treatment you received such as traditional metal braces or clear aligners, everyone has to wear a retainer in order to help keep your newly straightened teeth in their positions and not revert back to their original spots. So now your question may be, how long do I have to wear my retainer? Orthodontists will recommend that you should be wearing your retainer for 12 hours or more every day, following the first 8 weeks after your treatment ends. This helps to ensure that your teeth, which have just spent months moving to this new spot, do not shift as these 2 months afterwards they are the most susceptible to moving. After this time, your Houston orthodontist such as James May Orthodontics, may advise from wearing them for most of the day to nighttime only. Make sure you only switch after your orthodontist gives you their approval that your teeth are not going to shift. If you prefer to wear your retainer longer even after the orthodontist gives his thumbs up, that is not going to harm your smile in anyway – just make sure you are taking them out when you eat and keep them clean! Teeth are pretty amazing little pieces of our bodies and they are incredibly dynamic. Unless they are held into place after your treatment, they will continue shifting, and after all the time and effort going through braces, do you honestly want to jeopardize that progress? Wearing the retainer as instructed will help to reduce the risk of shifting teeth. Your orthodontis is also going to instruct you to wear your retainer to bed every night for at least the first year after treatment. After a year, or when through your orthodontists instruction, you can begin to wear them every other night. After another year a lot of patients will opt to wear theirs only a few times a week during their sleep routine. Some people are more prone to having their teeth move fiercely than others and after a while you may find your retainer a little tight as you put it on. Talk with your orthodontist to see your options. There are different types of retainers, however, the same rule of wear still applies to them all. The Hawley retainers are going to be the most common one people recognize. These are made of acrylic and metal. The Essix retainer has the appearance of as an Invisalign or ClearCorrect aligners, however, these tend to be a little more durable and sturdy as they are going to be lasting a little longer than the average aligner tray. The final retainer is a permanent one. Sure, technically this one does not a set amount of time you need to wear it, as it does not come out. It is attached to the back of your teeth and is not visible from the front. No matter which type of retainer you and your orthodontist agree is the best choice for you, the function for all of them is to serve the purpose of keeping your teeth straight and not reverting back to how they were.
We all know that having braces is the common method of correcting crooked teeth and helping to improve your misaligned bites, but did you know that there is some prep work to be done before you get your pearly whites attached with some metal? One of these preparation tactics your orthodontist could use is by placing spacers in between some teeth. Most of the time, those who are getting traditional braces will most likely have orthodontic spacers. The main purpose of spacers is to make sure there is enough space between certain teeth (hey, molars we are looking at you). The reason for this small distance is to make sure your orthodontist has enough room to attach and install your braces. Traditional metal braces use brackets and wires that are connected to your teeth. These wires are connected and anchored to rings, or metal bands. Since back teeth are usually packed and wedged close together, these spacers help to create that extra room for installing those metal bands. To insert your spacers, it is really a very simple process. Your orthodontist will use a small device or even dental floss to help stretch out the spacers first, warm them up a bit before use, if you will. Then, once you’re sitting in the chair and mouth open wide, each one will be wiggled into place between the predetermined teeth. Spacers are important to help gain that extra space, but typically do not need too long to begin their work. Most orthodontist will insert spacers roughly a week before the traditional braces are scheduled to go on. As simple as spacers are to put in, they are simply as removed, and if they have their job correctly that space will have widen enough for them to easily slide out. While most patients do not report major pain from spacers, there can be a feeling of slight pressure or pinching. However, this feeling is quickly reduced with over the counter pain medication, such as Aspirin, and should not last more than a day or two. Each case and patient is unique, therefore not all treatment plans are alike. Consulting with an orthodontist or dentist beforehand will help to better understand if spacers or braces are needed. Spacers can be made of many different materials, however, the most common types are going to be rubber and metal. Because they are still a part of the orthodontic treatment plan, spacers are typically included in to cost of braces. Braces in general can range anywhere from $3000 - $7000, depending on treatment plan. While there are payment plans available, most dental insurance policies can help cover costs. Check with your provider to see whether they cover orthodontic treatments, or find out from your Houston orthodontist , such as the expert team at James May Orthodontics, to see what may be available for you. If you are interested in learning more about spacers or about the orthodontic treatment plans available, schedule a consultation today with James May Orthodontics today!
