Richardson Orthodontics Blog

Do you notice that your jaw clicks when you chew your food or open your mouth to talk? Have you experienced frequent lockjaw and morning headaches? This likely means that you have TMJ disorder. This condition is common and can be frustrating when it comes to your daily activities. Fortunately, there are treatment options available to offer you relief. Read on to learn more about TMJ disorder symptoms and how Invisalign may be able to help.

You may have heard that improving your smile with the help of Invisalign is quicker and easier than using traditional braces, but many people are surprised at just how fast the whole process is. If you’d like to align your teeth with the help of this innovative system, here’s what you can expect from start to finish, and why it takes so much less time than treatment with wires and brackets!

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is what connects the jawbone to the skull. There is one on each side of the jaw. TMJ disorder occurs when these joints aren’t functioning properly, leading to discomfort of the jaw and the surrounding structure in the head. Since the TMJ is part of the oral structures, you may be wondering if it can affect the way you speak. Here’s what you should know.

Invisalign uses a series of custom aligners to gently and gradually shift the teeth into their proper positions. However, those aligners do not always work alone! In some cases, attachments are necessary to facilitate successful treatment. What exactly are Invisalign attachments, and do they hurt? This blog post provides some helpful information.

One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign treatment is that the aligners are removable. This feature can allow you to eat your favorite foods, go treatment-free for special photos, and, of course, enjoy easy oral hygiene. Removing your aligners can enable you to brush and floss your teeth without using any special techniques or navigating around a lot of brackets and wires. Just why is flossing with Invisalign so important, and how can you do so effectively? This blog post provides some helpful information.

Do you have a stiff or sore jaw or wake up feeling more drained in the morning than the night before? If so, then you might be suffering from a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. These joints anchor your jawbone to your skull just below your ears and are responsible for the range of motion of your mouth. If the muscles and ligaments surrounding your TMJ become inflamed, you could experience throbbing in addition to oral issues like malocclusion (bite misalignment.)

While there are several potential causes, you might be surprised to learn that your posture might be the culprit. Slouching can put extra stress on your shoulders and neck, which can cause your jaw joints to pop, lock, cramp, spasm, or shift out of alignment. Continue reading to learn about 3 tips that can help reduce tension from poor posture to alleviate your aching jaw!

Many of us didn’t naturally develop a perfectly straight smile. Fortunately, with modern dental technology, you don’t need to settle for misalignment. By seeing an orthodontist, you can achieve the straighter smile you’ve dreamed of. When your treatment is done, you will need to continue wearing a retainer to keep your teeth in their ideal locations. Continue reading to learn more about retainers and how long they last.

So, you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment—congratulations! However, your journey to a perfectly straight smile isn’t over just yet. After Invisalign, wearing a retainer is vital to keep your results. But how does a retainer help, and how long will you need to wear it? Here’s what to expect when it comes to the final step of your Invisalign treatment.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought about getting braces? You’re not the only one! More and more patients are choosing to improve their smiles with orthodontic treatment in recent years. Even so, despite how common metal braces have become, plenty of myths and misinformation still hold patients back. If you’re currently on the fence about your orthodontic treatment, continue reading. By clearing the air of some of these myths, you can approach traditional braces with confidence.

Back-to-school season is both an exciting and hectic time. In addition to preparing your teen for the upcoming semester by arranging carpools, buying school supplies, and charging all of their devices, it’s helpful to also consider what they need to stay on-track with their clear aligner treatment. With this in mind, read on to learn five back-to-school tips for your teen with Invisalign!