Our Blog

Invisalign, which we happily provide at Wichita Falls Orthodontics, is a great alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment if you've been apprehensive about the thought of metal braces. During your initial visit, the first thing we do is take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Invisalign treatment, which consists of a series of aligners that you switch out approximately every couple of weeks, can help patients with crowded teeth, crossbites, overbites, underbites and more. Invisalign gradually shifts your teeth into place, creating the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted. During treatment with Dr. Frech, patients wear the aligners all day and night, except for during meals and when they’re brushing and flossing; cleaning your teeth and eating are a snap since you can easily remove your aligners! And because they’re clear, no one will know that your teeth are steadily straightening!

To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, we invite you to give us a call at our convenient Wichita Falls, TX office and schedule a consultation.

Even though it’s called a “permanent retainer,” your fixed retainer isn’t necessarily meant to last a lifetime. But with care, it should last just as long as you need it, keeping your teeth perfectly aligned after your orthodontic treatment is complete. Why is this retainer the one to choose for challenging alignments?

A fixed retainer is often used for teeth which were very crowded or had large gaps before treatment, especially along the bottom teeth, which tend to shift more. With a permanent retainer, a custom fitted wire is attached with a bonding adhesive to the back of each of the selected teeth. This design makes sure that the teeth can’t shift out of place while your bones and ligaments strengthen around them.

Occasionally, though, your permanent retainer isn’t quite as permanent as it should be. If you think your fixed retainer is becoming “unfixed,” what clues should you look for?

• Broken wire

A clearly broken wire can be obvious, or you might discover it when you notice pain or irritation caused by the end of a wire poking around your tongue or mouth.

• Loose bond

The orthodontic adhesive used to bond the wire to each tooth can come loose as the result of an accident, an unfortunately chewy treat, or simply with the passage of time.

• Shifting teeth

You might not notice anything wrong with your retainer, but what you do notice is that your once-straight teeth have started shifting back to their old positions. If you see any movement in your teeth, your retainer might need repair.

What should you do?

• Give our Wichita Falls, TX orthodontic office a call! It’s important to act promptly to prevent further retainer damage, oral discomfort, and tooth misalignment.
• Rinse with warm water if your mouth is irritated.
• If a wire is poking you, call us for advice on gently pushing it back into place.
• Orthodontic wax can protect your teeth and tissue from detached wires.
• If you have a clear retainer, wear it until you can come in. If you don’t have one, and you can’t see us immediately, ask if an over the counter moldable retainer is a good idea to help keep your teeth aligned in the meantime.

One benefit of a fixed retainer is that it’s almost invisible because it’s behind your teeth. But this hidden location can also make it difficult to notice potential problems. Fortunately, there are some proactive steps you can take to help your permanent retainer—and your bite—stay healthy:

• Avoid foods which are sticky, hard, or chewy. If a food can damage traditional braces, it can damage your retainer.
• Wear protective gear like mouthguards and helmets when you’re active—they protect more than just your retainer!
• Ask your dentist to examine your retainer adhesive’s staying power whenever you have a checkup.

If you notice a detached wire or loose adhesive or see your teeth shifting, give Dr. Frech a call. It’s important to act promptly to fix a fixed retainer, because your teeth and bite alignment are in jeopardy when you delay. And always bring your retainer (or retainer pieces) with you in case we can repair it.

Permanent retainers don’t necessarily last forever. But whether your fixed retainer is going to be with you long-term, or whether you’re going to transition to a removable retainer in the future, let’s make sure your permanent retainer is just as “permanent” as it needs to be!

You have several options for orthodontic treatments that effectively straighten teeth. Damon™ Smile braces are a good option for patients who desire a method that is quick, convenient, and discreet.

Many patients want to avoid traditional braces that can cause pressure and uncomfortable pain. Traditional braces have wires and brackets that extend throughout the mouth, which gradually move teeth into their proper position with some pressure. They also use ties that connect wires to the teeth.

Damon Smile technology is different because it helps to guide teeth gently into place by reducing the amount of force. When you can wear braces in comfort, the process becomes much less intimidating.

The Benefits of Damon Smile Braces

1. Faster results. Damon braces don’t contain metal or plastic ties, so there’s no need to tighten the wire on them. Damon Smile also has a unique system that allows for self-ligating. This system has a specialized clip with a “door” in place of the elastics in traditional braces.
2. Fewer appointments. Lightweight, shape-memory wires allow teeth the freedom to move faster, without the need for as many adjustments.
3. Comfort. Damon Smile realigns teeth and enhances facial appearance without extracting any teeth or using rapid palatal expanders. The slide mechanism facilitates more comfortable repositioning of your teeth.
4. Better oral health. Damon braces are easier to clean because they don’t have ties attached where food particles commonly get stuck.
5. Helps with facial balance. These braces can help achieve a wider smile, improves facial profiles, and help to decrease dark triangles that appear in the corners of the mouth.

If you’re considering a braces treatment for yourself or your child, ask Dr. Frech about the Damon Smile system and how this orthodontic method can achieve the results you’re looking for. There are an array benefits to appreciate when you compare the Damon method to traditional braces.

Feel free to contact our Wichita Falls, TX office if you have questions regarding orthodontic treatment for a more beautiful smile.

Braces don't look or feel much like braces anymore. New materials and techniques have made braces lighter and more comfortable than ever before.

One of the most intriguing developments involves Damon Smile self-ligating braces. You might recall that older style braces involved a lot of wire and rubber bands to keep in place. As teeth moved into their new positions, all that material had to be moved, too. In the meantime, the rubber and wire blocked toothbrushes and floss. In other words, it was really hard to keep teeth clean.

Damon Smile braces eliminate the connecting wires and rubber bands. Instead, one permanent component keeps braces in place. Self-ligation eliminates the need for headgear or external wires in most cases, making these braces a winner in the appearance category, too.

Avoid the Cutting Edge

Traditional braces pose a small but painful risk: you can catch your cheek or gum on the rough edge of the brace wires. Damon Smile braces have a smoother surface that significantly reduces that risk.

Because the braces self-adjust and move with teeth, patients need fewer appointments at our Wichita Falls, TX office. They don’t have to come in for tightening or readjustments. Teeth can move into position faster with self-ligating braces, although this can vary by patient. Patients report the braces are pretty comfortable, too.

More Room to Move

Another thing we like about Damon Smile braces: they actually adapt to the shape of the mouth as teeth change position. As a result, Dr. Frech won’t have to pull back teeth to create space for crowded front teeth.

If you need braces, you have a lot of options. There’s probably never been a better time to look into having your teeth straightened. Call our Wichita Falls, TX office for guidance on the fastest and most effective way to improve your smile.