Which is Best for My Smile? Invisalign® vs. Traditional Braces

At the Wellesley, MA, dental office of Murad Padamsee, BDS, DMD, MS, we offer both Invisalign and traditional braces. Dr. Padamsee is a certified pediatric dentist who specializes treating pediatric malocclusion—or the misalignment of corresponding teeth. Not sure what’s right for you? Read on to learn more about the teeth-straightening options we offer:

Invisalign®

One of the most exciting dental innovations in recent decades is Invisalign®. If you want straighter teeth but don’t want to wear metal braces because of the way they look, this might be the option for you. The Invisalign® alignment system uses clear trays that are easy to insert and remove at your convenience. They’re so discreet that most people won’t even know you’re wearing them; what’s more, you can remove the trays whenever you want. On average, patients get new trays every 6 to 8 weeks for their shifting teeth. The total treatment duration for Invisalign® varies from patient to patient, with the average being about 12 months.

Invisalign® is normally recommended for teens and adults who need their teeth shifted into place; for large gaps between teeth and severe malocclusion, traditional braces are usually the best course of action.

Traditional Braces

For pediatric malocclusion and severe malocclusion in teens and adults, traditional braces remain the gold standard. Crafted from metal, traditional braces aren’t as comfortable and convenient but can take care of dental problems that Invisalign® can’t. For example, braces are often used to correct bruxism — a condition associated with TMJ.

On average, traditional braces are worn between 18 months and 3 years; some patients must wear a retainer after their braces have been removed. Although not everyone wants traditional braces as their first choice, Dr. Padamsee and the staff at our Wellesley, MA, dental office use the latest in modern dental technology and believe in a gentle approach to dentistry; it’s our goal to make the process as pleasant as it can be from start to finish.

We Can Straighten Your Smile

The first step when deciding between Invisalign® and traditional braces is the initial evaluation, during which, high-tech imaging studies will be done. Dr. Padamsee and his friendly staff will create a treatment plan that is personalized to suit your dental needs and answer any questions you may have. 

Call our Wellesley, MA, dental office today to schedule your appointment, or contact us through our website. 

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous medical condition in which breathing stops and starts during sleep. At the Wellesley, MA, dental office of Dr. Murad Padamsee, we have over 20 years of experience in providing our patients with sleep apnea and snoring solutions. We use the latest advances in dental technology, such as state-of-the-art 3D imaging and intraoral imaging.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea — obstructive, central, and complex. 

Obstructive sleep apnea: This is the most common type of sleep apnea; it occurs when throat muscles become relaxed during sleep and soft tissue blocks the airway.

Central sleep apnea: This condition occurs when the brain doesn’t send out the right signals to properly control breathing.

Complex sleep apnea: Some patients have complex sleep apnea, which is both of the above types at once. Complex sleep apnea is also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea.

Characteristics of Sleep Apnea

One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring. Other symptoms include waking up multiple times a night with shortness of breath, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, and insomnia. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be harmful and even fatal.

There are a variety of sleep apnea risk factors to be aware of, including:

• Advanced age
• Being male
• Larger neck circumference
• Smoking
• Use of alcohol or sedatives
• Nasal congestion

Although children can have sleep apnea — with many of the same symptoms — it’s far less common than in adults. Childhood obesity is one risk factor that may raise a child’s sleep apnea risk.

Treatment Options

There are a variety of treatment options available for sufferers of sleep apnea. CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is a common treatment method. For some patients, oral appliances are a better option. The oral appliances we use offer superior mobility and are far less invasive than the CPAP route. The first step is a thorough evaluation and exam, including an analysis of your dental and medical history. From there, a personalized treatment plan will be created to suit your needs.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you suspect sleep apnea, schedule your appointment with Dr. Padamsee in our bright and modern Wellesley, MA, dental office. Give us a call or reach out through our appointment request form — we look forward to serving you! 

To Take Good Care of Your Teeth, Follow These Six Brushing Tips

Brushing everyday is one of the best ways to take care of your teeth. However, it's not just that simple. For optimal dental care, follow these six tips.

1. Pick the right brush - Not all brushes are the same, and you need to choose one that fits your mouth.

2. Brush the right way - You should hold your brush at a 45-F-degree angle to your gums and use an up-and-down motion with short strokes.

3. Take your time - While brushing twice a day is recommended, three times is probably best. Also, whenever you brush, make sure you do it for at least two minutes.

4. Don't overdo it - Conversely, don't brush too much or for too long, as this can wear down enamel and hurt your gums.

5. Keep it clean - Always rinse your brush, as germs can linger on it.

6. Let it go - Make sure to replace your toothbrush every three to four months or if the bristles are becoming frayed or broken.

The Importance of Children’s Braces

We all want our children to live happy, healthy lives. In addition to impacting regular dental function, bite misalignment during childhood, also known as pediatric malocclusion, can have a serious impact on children’s quality of life as they grow. Treating bite and jaw alignment issues with braces as the jaw is developing is an important part of preventing these common oral health problems:

Overcrowding and Impacted Teeth
The third molars are not the only teeth that can become impacted, or stuck, during the development phase. Overcrowding and impaction are common when a child doesn’t have enough space in their arch to accommodate every tooth. This makes it extremely difficult for kids to properly brush or floss their teeth. Primary teeth (baby teeth) are already more susceptible to developing cavities – the inability to properly clean every tooth only amplifies this vulnerability and makes it harder for children to maintain healthy, lasting smiles.

Overbites and Underbites
Bite misalignment can also impact a patients’ facial structure. While in childhood, an over or underbite may not be especially noticeable, these alignment issues hinder overall facial development, creating the look of a too small or protruding lower jaw. From a functional perspective, this severe malocclusion prevents proper chewing, biting, and swallowing. The misalignment can also increase the risk of nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism), which wears down teeth and makes them vulnerable to cavities and fracture.

Sleep Apnea
While many often consider sleep apnea to be exclusively an adult condition, this breathing issue can also affect children. Children already have limited space in their mouths – when combined with bite or jaw misalignment, overcrowding prevents the tongue from fitting properly with the rest of the dentition. As a result, the soft tissue and tongue fall back and blocking airflow while children sleep, spurring on sleep apnea.

Extractions
Childhood orthodontic appliances are specifically designed to ensure the correct development of the jaw and smile. Having braces early on, when these components are still developing, helps ensure that the dentition and jaw is in the position for optimal health and function in the future without having to make serious adjustments to the smile. In particular, when patients put off orthodontics treatment until their late teens or adulthood, they often need some teeth to be extracted to make enough room in the dentition for the rest of the smile.

Learn More about Kid’s Braces in Wellesley Today
At the family dental practice of Dr. Murad Padamsee, our mission is to ensure every child has access to the right dental care for lasting dental health. As a certified pediatric dentist in Wellesley, Dr. Padamsee is uniquely experienced in creating long-term braces treatment plans for children. For more information about the consequences of pediatric malocclusion and available braces solutions for your child, contact Murad Padamsee, BDS, DMD, MS today to schedule your child’s orthodontic consultation.

Treating TMJ Dysfunction

Unlike other conditions, there are a number of different factors which can contribute to the development of TMJ dysfunction. In Wellesley, TMJ specialist Dr. Murad Padamsee is dedicated to helping regain full oral function and overcome the pain and discomfort cause by TMJ problems. When treating this condition, our goal is to create a conservative yet comprehensive treatment solution.

As many of the symptoms and side effects of TMDs affect oral function and wellness, our Wellesley dentist often uses conservative dental treatments that provide the dual benefit of improving your smile and jaw function. In addition to recommending physical therapy to increase motion in your jaw, our commonly recommended TMJ treatments include:

Oral Appliances
Rather than sending patients immediately into more advanced treatments, Dr. Padamsee starts patients with a custom-fit oral appliance. Similar in size to a retainer, these specialized devices are designed to push the jaw into a more comfortable, stabilized position that alleviates pain and facilitates normal function. Within just a few weeks, patients are able to notice a significant difference in their bite and function.

Oral appliances are designed to fit each dentition precisely. At our Wellesley dental practice, K7 Jaw Tracking technology is utilized to measure the movements of your jaw and create an appliance that will stabilize the overall alignment of jaw. This added precision ensures effective, lasting results.

Orthodontics
The alignment of teeth can be a contributing factor to the development of TMJ dysfunction. Bite misalignment can also encourage bruxism, another potential cause of TMDs. To thoroughly address this issue, our Wellesley TMJ specialist may recommend comprehensive orthodontics as a means of improving the dentition, preventing overnight grinding (bruxing), and to realign the jaw. If extensive grinding has already compromised the strength of individual teeth, Dr. Padamsee may create a multi-faceted restoration plan that includes dental crowns to reinforce damaged teeth or implants to replace seriously worn or missing teeth.

Jaw Surgery
Due to the invasive nature of the procedure, jaw surgery is recommended only in the most severe cases of TMJ dysfunction and when all other alternatives have been exhausted. As this treatment cannot be reversed once started, our TMJ dental specialist strongly recommends trying all other conservative options prior to referring patients for surgery.

Treating TMJ in Wellesley
If you are experiencing jaw pain, headaches, facial pain, jaw clicking or locking, and difficulty performing basic oral function, we encourage you to contact our Wellesley dental team today. TMJ specialist Dr. Murad Padamsee has over 30 years of experience providing patients like yourself with conservative, highly successful treatment solutions. To learn more about TMJ, common symptoms, and treatment options, contact our team today.