Age 7 is the magic number for an orthodontic check-up

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Berger for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Berger to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Frequently asked questions about Invisalign®, from Dr. Jeffrey Berger

Dr. Berger and team know people are curious about Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces. Today, we thought we'd share with you a few popular questions people have about Invisalign treatment, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Q: How much does Invisalign cost?

A: As with other types of orthodontic treatment, the cost of Invisalign depends on the complexity of a patient’s case. We can determine your treatment cost at your complimentary consultation appointment.

Q: Does Invisalign really work?

A: In short, yes. In both clinical research and in orthodontic and dental practices nationwide, Invisalign has been proven effective at straightening teeth.

Q: Does insurance cover Invisalign?

A: Each patient should review their coverage since medical benefits differ significantly from policy to policy. If a patient has orthodontic coverage however, Invisalign should be covered to the same extent as traditional braces.

Q: What are aligners made of?

A: Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.

Q: What do aligners look like?

A: Aligners are nearly invisible and look similar to clear tooth-whitening trays, but are custom made for a better fit to move teeth. Some orthodontists and dentists have referred to them as “contact lenses for teeth.”

Q: How does Invisalign effectively move teeth?

A: Invisalign aligners, much like brackets and archwires, move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The difference? Invisalign not only controls forces, but also controls the timing of the force application. This results in an efficient force delivery system.

Want to know more about Invisalign? Set up a consultation with Dr. Berger by calling (424) 206 5841.

What’s on your summer reading list?

With summer in full swing, some of us at Dr. Berger's office wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading during the summer, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development and warding off the dreaded “summer slide”—and it's fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff (and Dr. Berger) would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Ask Dr. Berger: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Torrance, CA orthodontist Dr. Jeffrey Berger and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Berger can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Invisalign® tips, from Dr. Berger

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, we want you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not necessary for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also simple: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Dr. Berger's office, give us a call!