DIY Braces: They May be Cheap, but They are Not a Good Idea

DIY Braces: They May be Cheap, but They are Not a Good Idea

By Mina Levi, DDS, 03/25/2015

       You may have seen a few stories floating around on the internet about people who have had success with cheap, $5 DIY braces in closing gaps in their teeth like this one. This method may be cheap and affordable, and you don’t have to go into the dentist for check-ups as often, however, there are many major problems that this can cause. Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS explains in this article some of the problems that can occur and why you shouldn’t try DIY braces.

1. Periodontal disease. Rubber bands that people have used as at-home braces can work their way under the gums where a person can no longer reach them or pull them out. This can separate the tooth from the gums and leave areas where the gums can collect bacteria and become infected. Even if the rubber band is retrieved, the attachments will be lost and the gums will harbor bacteria in those areas until the gums are healed with periodontal treatment and maintenance at a dental office.

2. Tooth loss. If rubber bands that sink below the gum line are un-retrievable, the separation of the gum and the tooth will continue and the rubber bands can wrap themselves around the root of the tooth, causing severe infection. The detachment of the gums from the tooth at this level can cause tooth loss alone, but with infection also in consideration, the tooth may be lost along with bone structure. The tooth will then need to be replaced with dentures or an implant. Implants are not an option, however, if there is too much bone loss in the area.

3. Lead poisoning. Metal that is found in DIY braces kits that are sold on the black market have been found to have traces of lead. Using this metal and putting it into your mouth can lead to lead poisoning; this can be fatal.

If the cost of professional Invisalign or metal braces is what may cause you to try DIY braces, please talk to Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS about the multiple financial options that are available to help you pay for Invisalign treatment such as in-office payment plans and Care Credit. If the multiple office visits is what is causing you to think about DIY braces, we can also talk to you about how often you will need to come in to the office and why, and we will try to make the treatment as seamless as possible for you. Please do not use DIY braces, as you could lose your perfectly healthy teeth. To learn more about Invisalign treatment, visit our Invisalign page here or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

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Mobile or "Loose" Teeth During Orthodontic Treatment

Mobile or “Loose” Teeth during Orthodontic Treatment

By Mina Levi, DDS, 10/30/2014

During orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign clear aligners or traditional braces, a patient may feel like their teeth are loose. Many patients feel nervous and confused about this sensation and can have questions like “are my teeth supposed to be loose?” and “why do I feel like my teeth are mobile?” San Francisco Invisalign Dentist Mina Levi DDS explains why teeth are semi-mobile during orthodontic treatment in the article below.

Tooth movement (from crooked to straight) occurs due to pressure applied to the teeth by the orthodontic device such as traditional braces or Invisalign. This pressure is transmitted to the crown, root, periodontal ligament and bone surrounding the tooth. The slow, continuous application of this pressure moves the teeth efficiently. In the direction the teeth are moving, the periodontal (gum) membrane is squeezed. The bone surface contacting this membrane begins to resorb due to activation of bone cells called osteoclasts (bone removing cells). In the places from which the tooth has moved (its original placement) bone cells called osteoblasts (bone building cells) start rebuilding the bone.

This is the reason that the teeth feel loose during orthodontic treatment, because the ligaments are squeezed and the bone is being removed and re-built around the tooth. Once the orthodontic treatment is finished and the teeth are in the final position, the bone stops rebuilding and stabilizes. Therefore, the feeling of tooth mobility will no longer exist. Even though the teeth are more secure in the bone after the treatment is complete, a retainer is still needed to keep the teeth in this position once appliances are removed.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Invisalign or orthodontic treatment, visit Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

Topics: Dentist San Francisco, Invisalign, Invisalign preferred provider, Invisalign provider, Invisalign dentist, Invisalign Dentist San Francisco, Invisalign preferred provider San Francisco, San Francisco Invisalign, orthodontic treatment, orthodontics, clear aligners, braces, metal braces, traditional braces, orthodontist San Francisco

Comprehensive Cosmetic Treatment

Comprehensive Cosmetic Treatment

By Mina Levi, DDS, 08/14/2014

 

A 22 year old female A.G. saw Dentist San Francisco Dr. Mina Levi with a chief complaint of crowding of the teeth and an upper front tooth sticking out more than she would like. The front tooth that was sticking out had a previous history of a root canal with a large plastic composite bonding over the tooth. The secondary concern was the overall look of the teeth with color and shape. After the initial examination, it was concluded that the patient would be a good candidate for Invisalign orthodontic treatment to correct the crowding and pull the front tooth into alignment with the rest of the upper teeth.

  

 

The Invisalign treatment lasted 10 months for patient A.G., and the teeth were aligned.

  

 

Once the Invisalign treatment was completed, Dr. Mina Levi suggested Zoom whitening to change the color of the teeth. However, the root canalled tooth in the front with the composite material on the top would not change color, and a new restoration would have to be placed at the time that the shape of the teeth was being changed.

After the Zoom whitening, the patient decided to restore the front 8 teeth with Lumineers, very thin limited-prep veneers. To begin this process, San Francisco Dentist Mina Levi, DDS reshaped the gumline using laser dentistry, and also re-contoured the teeth in order for the veneers to fit well and not look too bulky in the mouth.

 

After the re-contouring was finished, Dr. Mina Levi took impressions of the teeth and sent them to the laboratory for the Lumineers to be fabricated. About three weeks later, the veneers were placed.

After about 11 months of treatment, through Invisalign, Zoom whitening and Lumineers, the final restorations gave the following final result:

  

If you have any Cosmetic Dentistry concerns or interest in Invisalign, Zoom or Lumineers, give Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS a visit on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

 

Topics: Dentist San Francisco, Cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist san Francisco, comprehensive cosmetic treatment, comprehensive cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign clear aligners, Invisalign, Invisalign clear braces, orthodontics, Invisalign dentist San Francisco, Orthodontist San Francisco, Zoom whitening, whitening teeth, teeth whitening, white teeth, Zoom dentist, Zoom San Francisco, Lumineers, Lumineers veneers, porcelain veneers,