Our Blog

ClearCorrect™ vs. Traditional Braces

May 27th, 2020

ClearCorrect treatment has become a very popular treatment for teens as well as adults in the past few years. There are many reasons why they are rated as one of the number-one options for realigning teeth, but some of the options may stand out more than others.

ClearCorrect is custom made with modern 3D technology to ensure the perfect fit. This means that each aligner that is provided to you by Dr. Andrew Nalin has been specifically made for you based on impressions and X-rays of your teeth. The aligners are conveniently replaced every few weeks to keep your teeth adjusting correctly.

Although traditional metal braces do the job they aren’t always comfortable. They have to be adjusted every month and can cause some soreness for several days after. The rubber bands and brackets can also be an aggravation while eating, not to mention the rubber bands have been known to come off and be swallowed while eating.

Visibility

ClearCorrect are clear, hence the name. They are literally unnoticeable and have a very smooth surface. Traditional braces are very obvious and usually metal colored. The option of having a clear or invisible form of treatment helps teens stay self-confident.

Convenience of Each Type of Treatment

Unlike traditional braces ClearCorrect is easily removable to be able to eat, drink as well as to brush and floss teeth. This helps greatly with oral hygiene.

Clear Correct also causes less soreness after changing to new aligners versus getting the traditional braces adjusted. There is also no mouth irritation due to not having wires or brackets to deal with.

Overall, ClearCorrect is more desired because of the many options as well as the convenience. Make an appointment at our Mount Vernon, WA office today to see if ClearCorrect will work for your individual orthodontic needs.

When is the best age to begin orthodontic treatment?

May 13th, 2020

Most parents know that routine dental care should begin during their child’s toddler years. And many assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. Andrew Nalin for an initial orthodontic consultation.

The ideal age for an orthodontic evaluation is age seven. At that age, your child will have a mixture of adult and baby teeth for Dr. Andrew Nalin and our team at Nalin Orthodontics to make a determination about whether any problems are present. Typically the first molars have come in by the time your child turns seven, giving us an opportunity to check for malocclusion, also known as “bad bite.” Also, by the time your child reaches the age of seven, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites, and open bites can be detected.

When Dr. Andrew Nalin and our team perform an evaluation on your child at an early age, you get one of two positive outcomes. Although treatment usually will not begin until one to five years after the initial evaluation, it’s still helpful in determining whether your child has any problems with the jaw and teeth early when they are still easy to treat. Earlier treatment can also cost less to correct a potential problem than delayed treatment.

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 years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene.

If your child is approaching age seven, or has already surpassed his or her seventh birthday, it is time to schedule an appointment for an initial examination at Nalin Orthodontics.

Wishing all our moms a happy Mother’s Day!

May 6th, 2020

"Motherhood: All love begins and ends there." - Robert Browning

We would like to take this moment to thank all the great moms out there for being so great during their child’s visits to Nalin Orthodontics. Whether it’s driving their kids to regularly scheduled appointments or for “being there” while their child is treatment, the moms who come to our office are all stellar individuals, so Dr. Andrew Nalin and our entire staff would like you to know that we appreciate you all!

Happy Mother’s Day and enjoy your special day!

Why should I visit the dentist during my treatment?

April 29th, 2020

So, you just got your braces on, and you're wondering why you should continue visiting your general dentist since you’re seeing Dr. Andrew Nalin every other month. Patients always ask us if they should continue to see their dentist while in orthodontic treatment. In short, the answer is yes.

Today, we thought we would share a few reasons why it’s crucial to keep up with your regular visits with your dentist in addition to coming in for your regular adjustments at Nalin Orthodontics.

One of the best reasons to visit your dentist while you undergo orthodontic treatment is to remove plaque and tartar. Having braces provides additional nooks and crannies in which food particles and bacteria can hide. Eventually, plaque and tartar can form around your brackets, bands or other appliances which can lead to cavities. Having your teeth professionally cleaned can help ensure most, if not all, plaque and tartar is removed. Even if you are undergoing clear aligner treatment, dental checkups and cleanings are equally as important.

The next reason to visit a dentist is to help protect your teeth from decalcification, or the loss of calcium in your teeth. A potentially serious condition in which white spots on your tooth surfaces, decalcification is irreversible and if left untreated, can lead to cavities. Decalcification is preventable; patients who cut down on sugary sweets and acidic foods, practice good oral hygiene, and visit their dentist regularly can help prevent decalcification.

The final reason we recommend visiting your dentist while you have braces is this: cavities can prolong your treatment. If you are interested in completing your orthodontic treatment on time and without any delays, visiting your dentist every six months or as recommended can go a long way toward making that a realistic goal. Your dentist can provide fluoride treatments or other treatments that strengthen your teeth and protect them from cavities.

Making sure to visit your dentist will help ensure your teeth look their best once your braces come off. If you do not have a general dentist and would like a recommendation on finding one in the Mount Vernon, WA area, please give us a call or let us know at your next adjustment appointment!