Thursday, October 17, 2019

National Orthodontic Health Month: 4 Orthodontic Myths


This month we are celebrating National Orthodontic Health Month at Bunn Orthodontic Group with lots of smiles from our amazing San Antonio community. National Orthodontic Health Month is aimed at educating people on the benefits of orthodontic treatment and how easy it is to find the right treatment plan for you.

Did you know the number of adults currently undergoing orthodontic treatment is an estimated 1.61 million adults? That is one in four adults! Many who are right here in our own San Antonio community, choosing to get traditional braces or one of our many orthodontic services. However, whether you are an eight-year-old, just starting third grade or 80 and wanting to continue making your smile shine, orthodontic treatment is the same process. Since our teeth continue to move and shift as we grow older, orthodontic treatment can be done at any age.

The mission at Bunn Orthodontic Group is to create a positive influence in the facial aesthetics, personality, and health of our patients. We are committed to creating the most beautiful smiles in our San Antonio community. We have seen many patients who are thankful for the orthodontic care they have received and how their smile turns out. Check out our Instagram page here.

An orthodontic treatment plan is different from patient to patient, however, the consequences of leaving misaligned teeth untreated bring the same results to your teeth and jaw. Misaligned teeth and jaws can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, difficulty chewing and in some cases, difficulty speaking. With a great treatment plan in place by Dr. Bunn or Dr. Alfonso, your personalized orthodontic treatment plan will create a healthier bite, aligned teeth and jaws, and a straight smile.

This month for National Orthodontic Health Month, we are debunking four orthodontic myths that are common misconceptions of orthodontic care, from traditional braces to how long treatment lasts, these myths are just that, myths.

Myth: Orthodontic treatment is just about straight teeth.

Orthodontic treatment goes beyond a straight smile. The most noticeable result when your braces come off or after your final tray of aligners is an improved straight smile. However, orthodontic care is about the alignment of the teeth and jaws and a functional bite that improves. With orthodontic treatment, your oral health improves and helps prevent decay and other dental problems that can occur.

Myth: Traditional braces are my only option.

Traditional braces are a great option for orthodontic treatment, however, we offer various other alternatives, part of our orthodontic services. We are part of the few orthodontic practices in San Antonio that offer Ceramic Braces. These are very popular with adult and teenage patients. They are made of translucent (clear) material and are nearly invisible on the teeth, giving them high cosmetic appeal.

Invisalign is also a popular orthodontic treatment option. Invisalign is a series of clear overlay templates called aligners that have been generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. Your aligners will be customized to fit the contours of your teeth, and each set of aligners will be slightly different to guide your teeth into the position that has been recommended by Dr. Bunn.

san antonio orthodontics


Myth: Orthodontic treatment takes forever. 

Advances and technology have made orthodontic treatment much more comfortable and less noticeable for all patients of any age. We feel it is important to analyze each patient’s specific needs, because in-depth planning leads to superior results and higher patient satisfaction. Which is why orthodontic treatment can range from a few months to a few years.

Orthodontic treatment requires careful, controlled movements of the teeth to ensure they are moving into proper positions. That is why it is important to visit a trained orthodontists and avoid direct to consumer orthodontics or resort to DIY braces. This can lead to dangerous permanent damage to your gums, teeth and bones.

Part of our orthodontic services when you schedule a consultation at our office, is to discuss treatment options, time frames and financial arrangements. We insist that our patients leave the office with a clear understanding of their specific needs, what the treatment will consist of and how long it will take.

Myth: I can’t play sports because I have braces. 

Orthodontic treatment should not stop any of our awesome patients from living their life. Our orthodontic services such as braces and Invisalign are able to fit into anyone’s lifestyle, regardless of his or her age. Most kids worry about their extracurricular activities such as sports and not being able to participate due to having braces. The solution is to wear a mouthguard designed for you. Ask our staff for more information on mouthguards.

This month is a fun month due to all the treats from Halloween. It is also the perfect month to highlight our teeth and jaws and how important it is to keep our smiles healthy. We gain a lot from having a healthy bite and a straight smile. Join your San Antonio friends and schedule a complimentary consultation for orthodontic treatment.