Have you ever experienced a greater sense of relief than the moment your braces were removed? If you have, you can imagine the shock a person goes through when they notice their teeth have shifted after braces. After months or even years of wearing braces to straighten your smile, it can feel like your teeth are rebelling — it’s a mutiny of the mouth!

If this describes your situation, take a deep breath and relax. You’re likely a little stressed out about your predicament. After all, the process of wearing braces can be painful, expensive, and in some cases, awkward. You might feel like you wasted time trying to straighten your smile, but this isn’t true.

Teeth shifting after braces is relatively commonplace. Luckily, there are steps you can take to understand why the problem happens, and to correct if before the problem becomes more pervasive. In this article, we’ll provide tips to help you protect your smile and explain how Impressions can help you strengthen your smile and regain your confidence!

 

Why Do Your Teeth Shift After Braces?

Even if your teeth remained straight for years after you stopped wearing braces, your teeth can start to shift as you get older. Grinding your teeth in your sleep can also lead to shifting teeth. Of course, you can minimize the damage from teeth grinding with a mouthpiece, but you can’t mitigate all of the causes of shifting teeth; after all, your genes can also affect your smile. Your teeth are built to handle pressure, but when you apply too much, they’re going to seek some relief by shifting into a more comfortable (and arguably less sightly) position.

Tips for Preventing Your Teeth From Moving

Remember, your responsibility to your smile doesn’t end the moment your braces are removed. Getting through braces is a battle, but your lifelong smile is the war, and you’ll need reinforcements to truly conquer your smile. Therefore, it’s essential that individuals follow these three tips to prevent their teeth from shifting after braces:

Follow the Rules of Your Retainer

After your braces are removed, you’ll want to wear a retainer regularly to prevent your teeth from shifting. While your regular retainers are being prepared, you can wear molded plastic retainers to prevent any further shifting. Unless you’re eating or brushing your teeth, you’ll want to keep your retainer on at all times to ensure that your smile is ready for its next photo op.

Raise the Alarm When Teeth Start to Shift

There’s no reason to hesitate when you start to notice that something isn’t right with your smile. Your teeth have a mind of their own, not literally, but you never know how they will react after the braces come off. For instance, emerging wisdom teeth could shift your teeth closer together. If you didn’t follow the rules of your retainer, you could experience small shifts over time that cause it fit improperly. Removable retainers can warp, and permanent retainers need to be taken care of or shifting can occur. Regardless of the reason, it’s imperative that you dial up your dentist or orthodontist the moment you notice a problem.

Prove Your Commitment to Your Smile

Your smile is no greater than the sum of its parts, which means you have an obligation to all 32 of your teeth. That means brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, flossing, and taking proactive measures to prevent tooth decay. Decay can affect the shape of your tooth, causing the other teeth around it to shift. You should aim to see your dental hygienist regularly during the six months following the removal of your braces to ensure that your smile is holding strong and your retainer is doing its job.

Can You Straighten Your Teeth With Your Retainer?

Understandably, when you notice your teeth shifting it can lead to a momentary panic. You might feel like you can “fix the damage” by using an old retainer. Let’s make this clear, a retainer’s ability to straighten your teeth is predicated on its fit. In other words, if teeth have shifted and you attempt to wear a poorly fitting retainer, you may end up damaging your teeth even more. Yikes. This is quite a predicament, but you still have options — a surefire solution to your orthodontic relapse that will help you leave lasting impressions every time you smile.

What Is Your Best Option If Your Teeth Have Shifted? Impressions!

Impressions is an at-home take on traditional Invisalign that can help move your teeth into alignment. It uses aligners that you change weekly and doesn’t require you to visit your orthodontist for fittings. Impressions treats overbite, underbite, crowding, and spacing. Here’s how it works:

• Stop by for a free appointment. We’ll use a digital scan to map your smile so your aligners are a perfect fit.
• Don’t worry about coming in again to pick them up. We’ll save you the hassle and ship them straight to your front door.
• Time to impress your friends and family with a dazzling smile!

Best of all, Impressions provides the comfortable, easy-to-use and virtually invisible advantages of Invisalign for nearly half the cost. Impressions even files with all insurance providers! If you’re ready to learn more, fill out our form to see if you are a candidate for Impressions or request an appointment and find out firsthand why people love Impressions!

Invisalign is the clear aligner system that has swept the nation. It is a great way to improve your smile and confidence by straightening your teeth, however, Invisalign can often be too costly for most people. In fact, a lot of patients don’t need the level of orthodontic correction that this system provides. Luckily, there is a cheaper alternative to Invisalign and it’s called Impressions. Produced with the same technology as Invisalign, only these at-home aligners work faster and cost a lot less.

For most patients in North Carolina, Impressions takes half the time and is only half the cost as Invisalign!

 

How Much Do Impressions Aligners Cost in Asheville?

This cheaper alternative to Invisalign costs $3,500 for the entire treatment, and that’s before you’ve factored insurance into the equation. With insurance coverage, Impressions could come down to $2,500-$3,000. Compare that to Invisalign, which runs a patient about $6,800, and the savings are clear.

Impressions providers also offer payment plans if a one-time payment does not work for you. After an initial down payment, you can pay off the rest of your balance monthly. There’s no credit check required to qualify, and the payment plans are interest free!

Impressions Aligners Use Invisalign Clear Technology

The beauty of Impressions is that it uses the same clear aligner technology that made Invisalign so famous. This includes a scan with the 3D iTero Digital Scanner, technology developed by the makers of Invisalign. The 3D scanner ensures a complete, accurate scan of your teeth in minutes, without all the mess and inconsistencies of at-home dental impression kits.

Following an initial scan and assessment of your jaw and teeth, a set of clear aligners will be made to your specific needs. These aligners are made from the same material as Invisalign, and they are just as flexible and durable. After they’ve been made, the aligners are sent to your home in your own Impressions kit, which also includes complimentary whitening gel. Aligners are changed out weekly to slowly move teeth into alignment.

Are Impressions Aligners Convenient?

One of the best parts about Impressions aligners is the convenient nature of the treatment. Patients only come into the orthodontist’s office for one visit. It’s then that you’ll receive a consultation by a professional and the 3D scan completed by the iTero scanner. A couple of weeks later, your personal Impressions kit will be delivered to your front door! With Impressions, you can literally change your smile from the comfort of your own couch.

Each week, you just pop in a new set of aligners. Unlike braces, aligners can be removed to eat or drink, and they’re virtually invisible. After six to nine months of treatment, you’ll be wowed by how incredible your teeth look. At this time, you can purchase Vivera retainers that are made based on your last set of Impressions’ trays, or you can swing by our office to have a free set of aligners made for you in-house.

Impressions Is Doctor Directed

Just because the majority of your treatment takes place from the comfort of your home does not mean that it isn’t being supervised properly. Impressions treatment is doctor directed, meaning a doctor is involved in planning each step of your treatment. Impressions was actually developed by an Asheville-based orthodontist, Dr. Luke Roberts, who is a Diamond-level Invisalign provider, meaning he is in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in all of North America.

Plus, an Impressions rep will be available to answer any questions you have along the way. There are even emergency lines available for after-hours inquiries! That means that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of appointments or waiting rooms, but you still have the expertise of an experienced doctor at your disposal.

Extended Payment Plans Are Available Too

Impressions treatment is amazingly affordable–it costs around $3,500 for the whole treatment! With the help of insurance, that price could come down an additional $500-$1000. And even better, Impressions files with all insurance providers.

Many of our patients are busy people with bills to pay, so we understand that it isn’t realistic for most people to pay entirely out of pocket. That’s why we offer extended, interest-free payment plans! With just a down payment, you can set up a monthly plan that works with your budget. Our team of dental professionals will be on hand to talk you through your payment options when you come in for your consultation. And don’t forget to check out our special lottery going on now–you could win up to $500 off treatment or a $300 gift card to Sierra Nevada or the Salt Cave of AVL — or even FREE treatment!

See If You’re A Candidate for Impressions

Impressions offers a more affordable, convenient alternative to traditional invisible aligners, but don’t just trust us, see for yourself! Fill out this form to see if you are a candidate for Impressions or request an appointment to ask any questions you may have.

If you’re someone who spends any time on social media, possibly following a style influencer or former contestant on a top reality show, then you will be familiar with at-home teeth straighteners. They are just the latest in top beauty and health fads to sweep the nation, but unlike those jade rollers (what exactly do they do anyway?), at-home teeth straighteners have the potential to change your life in a drastic and noticeable way.

While there are a lot of good reasons to get your teeth straightened, doing so at home may not be the right form of dental correction for everyone, so continue reading to find out whether teeth straightening at home is the right move for you.

They Aren’t for Everybody

When deciding what kind of orthodontic treatment you want to choose, you need to consider exactly what you need to change. While the before and after photos of at-home straightening patients are impressive, the trays are really meant for the cosmetic enhancement of your smile. Those wanting more comprehensive orthodontic treatment will want to see an orthodontist about braces or Invisalign. Once you have that figured out, you can ask yourself what you’ll do with all your extra free time.

One of the most appealing aspects of at-home straightening is that it works quickly. On average, Impressions only takes six to nine months to correct a patient’s teeth. This is in large part because Impressions and other at-home straightening kits aren’t meant to address severe orthodontic issues. That’s when you’d want to talk to an orthodontist.

Fewer In-Office Visits

There is a lot you should know before getting aligners, but an essential part of this business model is that most of the orthodontic correction is done at home. Because of this, there isn’t much need to go into an actual office. This can be good or bad, depending on the person. To start Impressions, you’ll schedule an appointment at one of our ImpressionsHubs. This allows for one of our orthodontic specialists to take a more complete scan of your teeth using one of our 3D digital iTero scanner, the same technology used at the start of Invisalign. After the scan, a kit will be sent out to your house within 6 weeks containing your first set of aligners and a complimentary teeth-whitener.

Not every at-home aligner is made the same. Some companies send out a mold for you to use at home to make the tray. This method requires no actual in-office visits, but it can also open you up to a bad first impression, and that is not the way to start this treatment.

Who Should Consider At Home Teeth Straightening?

At-home aligners are ideal for someone who wants a fast, comfortable, convenient method of correcting their smile, especially the social teeth, or the front three teeth of your top and bottom rows. This style of straightening is great for professionals and other adults because it does not require you to wear noticeable braces. Braces can indirectly affect your performance in school or at work by preventing you from feeling confident in what you’re doing.

Other requirements exist to qualify for at-home straighteners. Mild to moderate tooth crowding or spacing is about the level that most at-home aligners work for. You also must have visited the dentist within the last 6 months to ensure that you do not have active gum disease, tooth decay, jaw issues, or loose teeth.

Who Doesn’t Qualify?

The first and most distinct disqualification for at-home aligners is that your case may be too severe to be helped by them. While teledentistry works for many cases, certain teeth may be too crowded or spaced for clear aligners to work successfully. There are general limitations to how much the teledentistry model can achieve. Teeth can be shifted or realigned, but major changes in their alignment will require a more acute style of orthodontics.

Additionally, if you do not have all natural or permanent teeth, you will not be able to use at-home aligners. Replacement teeth in the area that a person wishes to adjust will disqualify them from using aligners. Replacement teeth are designed to fit into the alignment of teeth that exists when they’re put in place. Straightening the teeth will not adjust a permanent replacement.

Finally, it’s important that you are able to comply with the instructions if you choose to use aligners. Anything less than total commitment could end up costing you more in the long run. At-home straightening services like Impressions rely on clear aligners to correct the look of your smile.

They aren’t permanent and are changed often to make small shifts in the shape and alignment of your teeth. Since aligners can be removed to eat and drink anything other than cool water, you as an individual are responsible for ensuring that you put them back in and keep them in place for the right amount of time, at least 22 hours a day.

What’s the Downside?

It is extremely important that you go to a dentist and get a full check-up before using at-home aligners. Once treatment starts, you won’t be spending much time at a dentist’s office, so it’s essential that you cover your bases before correction gets underway. Get advice from your dentist as to whether any oral issues exist that could be exacerbated by the aligners. Unhealthy gums, active tooth decay, or severe issues with bite can all derail your treatment. Any service that provides at-home straightening care will ask for recent x-rays to determine whether or not your teeth are healthy enough for aligners.

For most people, invisible aligners can be a great solution to take care of mild to moderate adjustments in the look of one’s smile. If you are interested in getting started with at-home aligners, set up an appointment with someone from our team. We would be happy to explain all the steps involved in Impressions and what to expect while using aligners.

Congratulations are in order, because if you’re reading this piece you’ve likely considered straightening your teeth with invisible aligners, which is going to be a huge victory for you!

While invisible braces are full of advantages and an end result that’s sure to make you smile, there will also likely be some adjustments you’ll need to get used to.

Like anything new and different, unknown side effects may come up and questions will need to be answered during your smile transformation. Since it’s October, we’ve decided to make a list of some of the most common side effects that are experienced while wearing invisible aligners that some people may find to be a little bit ~spooky~.

1) Minor Pain or Discomfort

This first one is probably the frightful feedback that we hear the most. Mild to medium pain and discomfort after beginning your Impressions smile transformation is totally commonplace. Actually, you should take it as a sign that your aligners are doing their job. The slight pain in your mouth is a result of the gradual movement of your teeth into perfect alignment. While it may not feel good, the discomfort or soreness should be gone in a day or two. Think of it like a workout for your teeth; it isn’t working if you’re not feeling the burn!

2) A Slight Change to Your Bite

Straightening a smile inevitably changes the way that teeth touch each other. By the end of treatment, most bites should shift to where they ought to be, which is likely different from where they were before. Plenty of people throughout the United States suffer from over, under, or sideways bites, and have grown accustomed to that position. If you find the discomfort worrying, however, get in touch with one of our representatives so we can double check your progress. We’re always around to help you out.

3) Issues With Fit

At times when you begin wearing a new set of aligners, they may not fit right. This is due to the differences in each set of Impressions aligners, which are sent to you all at once but changed weekly, that prompts a shift in the shape of your teeth. If your aligners aren’t fitting correctly when you’ve placed them in, consider using Chewies to assist in getting them on.

4) Loosened Teeth

Though certainly a side effect that may give most people a fright, loose teeth are actually a common part of the realignment process. It’s actually a sign that your treatment is working properly and shouldn’t cause you any worry. Once you’ve completed your orthodontic realignment and have stopped wearing your aligners, the looseness will pass.

5) Dry Mouth

If you’ve ever had braces or known someone who has, then you know that dry mouth is just part of the process, but for those who are unfamiliar, having something new in your mouth all day can really dry out your mouth. The best remedy is to increase your intake of cool water throughout the day, which is an excellent habit anyways. Treat yourself to a cute new water bottle and get used to taking it everywhere with you. Not only will you keep yourself hydrated, but you’ll also be helping the planet. An extra tip: don’t leave the house without lip balm either!

6) Bad Breath

Remember that after putting on your aligners, your teeth will not get as much air or water flow as they’re used to, and may be trapped with leftover food and bacteria for hours if you don’t clean them thoroughly. It’s a good idea to bring a teeth cleaning kit with you to school or work so that you can brush, floss and rinse after each meal. This can help you prevent bad breath from occuring, as can regularly cleaning your aligners and eating the right foods. Learn how to do so by reading our blog post about aligner cleaning and maintenance.

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7) Lisp

Whether or not you happen to think it’s endearing, a slight lisp has been known to develop because of the aligners. Some find that the aligners change the way they talk, others don’t. It really depends on the person; everyone is different. While it may take a few days, your mouth should adjust to the new hardware and any changes in speech will fade. In all likelihood, no one else that you see will be able to tell the difference, and after a few short months you’ll have a perfect smile that’ll make others stop dead in their tracks.

8) Confidence!

Okay, this one may not be quite as scary, but definitely expect to have a bit of extra confidence following completion of your smile journey. The way you’ll feel with the smile of your dreams is sure to bring positive attention to you, so prepare yourself for a whole lot more confidence as a result!

If you are an Impressions patient and experiencing any of the effects above or otherwise having difficulties, don’t hesitate to get in touch via our website. We have experts available to help you out!

If you are interested in learning more about Impressions or wondering if you could be a candidate, request an appointment  with us! The smile you’ve been waiting for could be much closer than you realized.

We all know that our diet is impactful on the health of our bodies, but did you know that your diet can affect your teeth as well? It’s true! There are certain foods that benefit the health of your teeth, and others that degrade their physical condition. Some may be obvious, like sodas and candy, but others are often less apparent.

Every food or beverage you consume comes into contact with your teeth, meaning that those foods will impact the health of your teeth and gums. How exactly does that work? We’ve compiled a guide to explain food’s impact on your oral health.

Did you know that the benefits of straight teeth extend much further than simply building your confidence? They can have a significant impact on your overall dental health as well. Try Impressions invisible aligners to straighten your teeth for 50% less than traditional orthodontics like braces.

 

Culprits to Cavities and Decay

We were all young once, and likely we all endured the unfortunate experience of realizing that we had cavities that needed to be filled. Many foods that typical American children consume一processed sugar, candy, soda一eat away at the tooth’s enamel, causing cavities. These foods have come to be associated clearly with tooth decay and are readily avoided by most parents.

But what about the other foods that cause cavities? If you hadn’t thought of that question in the past, don’t worry: few people do. But there are other foods that should be avoided to ensure good dental health.

Skip the Sticky

Tacky foods such as honey, raisins, dried fruits, and molasses, as well as starchy foods like potato chips and bread, cling to the surface of your teeth and increase the risk of cavities. These items are best enjoyed in moderation and followed by good oral health habits, such as brushing and flossing, and are acceptable in small amounts.

Watch the Acidity

Fresh produce such as tomatoes, lemons and oranges are all important parts of a healthy diet, however the acidity in citrus fruits and other types of fruits can negatively affect your tooth enamel. Try eating them with other foods as part of a meal.

Be Mindful of Staining

Drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine, though delicious, can adversely affect the outer layer of your teeth, known as enamel. The color pigments present in these beverages, called chromogens, attach to and stain enamel. While that doesn’t mean they’re totally off limits, be sure to drink plenty of water to wash it down.

Drink Responsibly

Alcohol consumption can lead to dry mouths and dehydration, which are two risk factors for tooth decay. While limiting your alcohol consumption over time is a smart move, especially since alcohol can increase your risk of mouth cancer, make sure to drink lots of water alongside any alcohol that you consume.

The Right Eating Habits

This guide isn’t all about the stuff you should avoid一we also want to equip our readers with a good idea of what foods are good for teeth.

Go for Anti-inflammatory

Anti-inflammatory foods, such as cherries, blueberries, kale, broccoli, beans, lentils and more, can help the health of your teeth as much as they do the rest of your body. Studies show that an anti-inflammatory diet correlates with healthier gums and lower rates of teeth loss, while certain refined foods and saturated fats contribute to inflammation.

Calcium Counts

Those who get the recommended daily amount of calcium, which is between 1,000 and 1,300 milligrams each day, are less likely to develop gum disease. Milk is an obvious source, as are other dairy products, but other foods can satisfy a calcium need, including beans, almonds and leafy greens.

Keep it Balanced

The American Dental Association recommends eating a well-balanced diet, made up of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins like fish and beans, as well as dairy. All these foods contribute to better oral health.

Healthy Fats

An important component of an anti-inflammatory diet, healthy fats promote oral health. This includes olive oil, fatty fish such as salmon, avocados, and nuts. Be careful with that last one一though nuts are good for your health overall, you’ll want to make sure to brush and floss after you’ve eaten them.

What Else Can You Do?

Now that you have a better idea of what to eat and what to avoid in regards to your diet, consider the other actions that you can take to promote the health of your teeth.

Stay Hydrated

Water is essential to the protection of our teeth (and the health of our bodies!), so don’t skimp when it comes to hydration. It supports the health of your teeth and washes away residual food particles that could negatively impact your oral health. Water also stimulates saliva production, which keeps the mouth clear and free of leftover food.

Try Sugar-free Gum

It may not be something that you’re used to hearing, but if the gum you chew is sugar-free, it can be really good for your oral health! Chewing sugarless gum reduces the risk of cavities because it stimulates saliva and moves around materials that may lead to tooth decay.

Practice Good Oral Health Habits

If you are trying to keep your teeth healthy and happy, the best way to do so is keeping them clean. Be sure to practice good oral health habits, like brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Leftover food particles can contribute to the erosion of enamel and the creation of cavities.

Your diet can affect more than just your waistline–if you’re not careful, you may find yourself in an unfortunate dental situation. Avoid any unnecessary doctor visits and cavity fillings by keeping your mouth and teeth in pristine shape through a series of good dietary choices and even better cleaning habits.

If you have questions regarding your teeth and wish to speak to a doctor, contact Blue Ridge Orthodontics, a leader in Asheville dental services.

We hope that your teeth are in the best shape they can be. If you are in need of orthodontic correction, find out if you’re a candidate for Impressions.