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Keeping up with your oral hygiene while in orthodontic treatment is very important. While the braces and Invisalign are working hard to align your teeth and perhaps even correct your bite!  You still need to take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing well with braces and Invisalign.

Why is oral hygiene important during orthodontic treatment?

Plaque builds up around the brackets and in between the wires. This is why you need to take the time to floss well and make sure you brush after every meal or snack. If you have Invisalign it is just as important to keep up with your oral hygiene. You need to brush or rinse your mouth before putting the trays back in your mouth.  The trays can hold  leftover food particles that may get stuck in your teeth. This is not good.  Just rinse the trays and brush them to keep them clean. After every meal or snack it is important to clean your teeth and your braces or Invisalign trays. 

What can happen if you do not keep up with your oral hygiene?

Poor oral hygiene can cause tooth decay and/or gum disease. Due to the braces holding plaque and food particles, the acid and sugars from the foods are left on the teeth which will cause an outline of staining of the brackets. If you do not keep up with your oral hygiene during your treatment with braces, it could also cause your treatment to end prematurely.

When you start treatment at our office you will receive an orthodontic toothbrush kit which will include special tools to help make it easier to floss under the wires and get the small food particles out. 

Tips for keeping up with your oral hygiene during treatment:

• Brush after every meal and snack, using a timer set at  .
• If you cannot brush after eating, try to rinse mouth with either water or even mouthwash.
• Floss.  Ask your orthodontist for floss threader.

                      Ready to schedule a consultation?

Our office is eager to meet you and can't wait to discuss your orthodontic options!  If you are ready to start your smile journey with Azizi Orthodontics, give us a call. We have two convenient locations: Glenside-(215) 576-6414 and Ambler-(215) 646-9514.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune system condition caused by the small intestine’s sensitivity to gluten. Gluten is a protein that can be found in foods containing wheat, rye and barley. People who have celiac disease can have serious issues if they come in contact with gluten. Symptoms include:  bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and more. To be diagnosed with celiac disease, a physician would have to order blood work and analyze the results.  In some cases, an intestinal biopsy may be required.

How would celiac disease interfere with your oral health?

Celiac disease could affect a patient's enamel and tooth development if they were diagnosed at a young age. Due to the lack of calcium in a celiac patient's body, they tend to be more prominent to cavities. Some non-food items can also contain a wheat protein to help the elastic nature and to thicken and bind substances. You can find gluten in some cosmetic products, medications, and even some dental products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rules which must be met in order for a product to advertise as gluten-free.  It is up to the manufacturer to put a label on their product stating it is gluten- free. 

Some gluten-free dental products are:

Benco Dental : PRO-SYS, PRO-SYS Premium, Gibson Health Care, Chlorhexidine Rinse

Crest:  All Crest Toothpastes, Crest Whitestrips

Colgate:  All Colgate products, Optic White mouth rinse, Total mouth rinse, Periogard mouth rinse, PreviDent Mouth Rinse, Optic Whitestrips

Water Pik Technologies: Waterpik, Waterpik soft, Shine cosmetics

Henry Schein:  Acclean

At Azizi Orthodontics, we want to reassure our patients they will receive the best care in our office. Patients who may have celiac disease should know we are using safe products and will not have to worry about our products affecting their treatment.  
 

 Ready to schedule a consult?

Our office is eager to meet you and can't wait to discuss your orthodontic options!  If you are ready to start your smile journey with Azizi Orthodontics, give us a call. We have two convenient locations: Glenside-(215) 576-6414 and Ambler-(215) 646-9514.

Say goodbye to gagging and gooey impressions! Thanks to the latest technology, the Itero Scanner, Dr. Azizi is able to provide his patients with the best!

What is the Itero Scanner?

The Itero is an intra-oral scanner that  creates a 3-D model within minutes. There is a small wand that captures all the areas of the mouth and combines the images of your teeth to create the 3-D model. Dr. Azizi is able to have a patient's mouth scanned within minutes without using any gross materials. With the Itero scanner our office is able to give our patients an amazing and easy experience without gagging! The Itero creates a 3-D model of your mouth which helps Dr. Azizi  give his patients the best treatment. While being scanned Dr. Azizi is able to see all dimensions of patients teeth and their bite.  The scans are also more accurate and  better detailed.

Why is the Itero scanner better than traditional impressions?

The Itero scanner is used for patients who need any orthodontic appliances, retainers, and Invisalign. The Itero guarantees a better fit for all orthodontic appliances, retainers and Invisalign trays versus the impressions we use to take on patients. Thanks to the Itero patients appointments are much quicker because the waiting process is eliminated. After the scan is taken, Dr. Azizi is able to show the patient a simulation of their smile journey. The other amazing thing about being scanned is  each scan is saved to your own personal file. So if a you want to see your progress during  treatment, we can easily pull up your chart on the Itero and show  all the scans we have taken of your mouth during  treatment. This is a great way for patients to feel confident in their progress.

Is the Itero only for patients who want Invisalign?

No. All patients are scanned during the new patient consult, regardless of choosing braces or Invisalign. Dr. Azizi will use the scan to create the best treatment plan for his patients whether it is for braces or Invisalign.

Ready to be scanned?

Every patient receives a scan at their new patient consultation. If you are ready to start your smile journey with Azizi Orthodontics, give us a call! We have two convenient locations: Glenside-(215)576-6414 & Ambler-(215)646-9514.

What to expect when visiting our orthodontic office for your new patient consultation

When you come in for your complimentary consultation you will be greeted by our new patient and appointment coordinators. If you haven't already, you will be asked to fill out new patient forms:  medical history, Hipaa and consent forms, as well as dental insurance information. Once you are finished with paperwork a certified assistant will introduce themselves and take you to our records room. During this time, the assistant will take two digital X-rays- a panoramic and cephalometric.  After x-rays, digital photos of your mouth are taken, and we use our high-tech Itero Scanner to create a 3D model of your teeth. Dr. Azizi will then analyze all the records very carefully.  He will then consult with the patient.  Dr. Azizi will give the patient his professional opinion on what type of treatment is beneficial and what would work best for you.

Am I too old for Braces or Invisalign?

Many people believe there is an age limit to receiving orthodontic treatment.  Good news!  Your age should not deter you from getting the beautiful smile you have always wanted. Everyone deserves a perfect smile no matter how old they are! Dr. Azizi will be able to give you that confidence boost when you are ready.

How can you straighten your teeth?

Whether you are a teenager or adult you can straighten your teeth by using braces or invisalign!  Yes, you read that right adult patients CAN get braces because again, orthodontics does not have an age limit! Some patients may think they will not be able to get treatment due to missing teeth or needing dental work completed, but that is not true. Dr. Azizi will still be able to give you the best treatment plan by communicating with your dentist while you are in orthodontic treatment.

What are your options for orthodontic treatment?

1. Traditional metal braces- Metal braces are the most common type of braces. The braces are made out of stainless steel and will straighten your teeth using the brackets and archwires. You can add and change the colors to your metal braces every visit.
2. Clear braces- Clear braces are a common choice for teens and adults who do not like invisalign. The clear braces are made out of ceramic brace with clear materials that do require more upkeep with your oral hygiene. They will straighten your teeth using the clear brackets and clear archwires.
3. Invisalign- Invisalign is a series of invisible trays that are prescribed by Dr. Azizi to align your teeth and correct your bite. Patients choose invisalign due to cosmetic reasons and their lifestyle. Invisalign patients need to wear their clear aligners at least 22 hours a day.

With full cooperation of the patient and Dr. Azizi’s superb treatment plan you will achieve a perfect smile in no time!

                                Ready to schedule a consult?

Our office is eager to meet you and can't wait to discuss your orthodontic options!  If you are ready to start your smile journey with Azizi Orthodontics, give us a call! We have two convenient locations: Glenside-(215) 576-6414 and Ambler-(215) 646-9514.