Advantages of Invisalign Over Traditional Braces

While Invisalign is not an option for everyone, it is a great option for many of our patients.  Due to Dr. Michael Richards' extensive training and experience with Invisalign we can treat most cases very successfully using it.  Here are a few advantages of it over traditional braces:

Cosmetic.  Invisalign is a series of clear aligners that gradually move your teeth.  Because they are made of a high quality clear plastic most people won't even notice that you are wearing them. That means that they won't even know you are in orthodontic treatment!

No dietary restrictions.  Unlike traditional braces no food is off limits when you are undergoing Invisalign treatment because you simply remove your aligners to eat and drink. So go ahead and eat those ribs or that Sugar Daddy!

Brushing and flossing is easy.  For patients with traditional braces it is difficult to keep their teeth clean; brushing and flossing are difficult and take more time.  With Invisalign you simply remove your aligners and brushing and flossing is just the same as it has always been for you.

Comfort. There are no wires or brackets poking your lips or cheeks as with traditional braces. 

Come in for a complimentary consultation and ask Dr. Richards if Invisalign is a good option for you.

Why do I need to wear rubber bands with my braces?

Most of our patients will need to wear rubber bands at some point during their orthodontic treatment.  Rubber bands are usually used to correct your bite, making your top and bottom teeth fit together better.  One of the more common problems that Dr. Richards fixes with is an overbite.  Rubber bands help pull the top teeth back and the bottom teeth forward.

Rubber bands come in different sizes and strengths.  Also, there is numerous ways to wear rubber bands. When it is time for you to start wearing rubber bands Dr. Michael R. Richards and the team at Farr West Orthodontics will show you exactly how to wear them and provide you with the rubber bands that will work best for your mouth.  If you get confused on how to wear your rubber bands please call our office and let us know.

One of the best ways to keep on schedule for getting your braces off on time or even early is to diligently wear your rubber bands.  Unless Dr. Richards tells you otherwise, rubber bands should be worn around the clock.  The only time you should take them off is to eat and to brush and floss.  When you do take them out throw the rubber bands away and replace them with a new pair. 

You should wear them while you sleep, while you are at work or school, while exercising, and while relaxing. Weak rubber bands that are worn all the time work better than strong rubber bands that aren’t worn very much. If you lose or run out of rubber bands please call us or stop by the office and we will happily give you some more.  

What do braces cost?

We get this question all the time.  It is a difficult question to answer because no two faces or mouths are exactly the same.  Dr. Michael R. Richards feels strongly that to create the best smile possible for you he needs to develop a unique and personalized treatment plan for you and every other patient. The treatment fee is largely determined by the duration of treatment, which is related to the difficulty of the treatment.  Some cases are relatively simple, requiring one short phase of treatment, whereas, some case are very complex or difficult requiring multiple treatment phases and appliances to create a beautiful smile.

The only way Dr. Michael R. Richards and the team at Farr West Orthodontics can give you an accurate quote for the cost of orthodontic treatment is for Dr. Richards to actually see you and perform a complimentary exam. Our team will get high quality digital photographs of your face and teeth; Dr. Richards will use these to educate you about your own mouth! He will also perform a complete oral exam, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions. By going through this process our team can give you an accurate treatment fee and estimate of how long treatment will take. At this time we can better discuss your insurance benefits and our flexible payment options to make your orthodontic treatment something that will make you smile.

Dr. Richards is not only concerned with making your teeth straight and giving you a great bite but wants to make sure your teeth fit as well as possible with your smile and the rest of your face.   Our passion is to make you smile.  When you smile we smile.

Call us today to at our convenient location in Farr West to schedule a complimentary exam.

Palatal Expanders

It’s no easy feat to have one of the best smiles in Hollywood. The reality TV starlet Kristin Cavallari attributes her gorgeous smile to routine oral hygiene, the removal of two impacted wisdom teeth, and having undergone orthodontic treatment. Kristin’s treatment began in sixth grade when she was fitted with a device Dr. Michael R. Richards and our team calls a palatal expander, which is used to guide upper jaw growth in our younger patients.

What is a palatal expander?

A palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by applying gentle pressure on your top, back teeth. It helps the top teeth fit better with the bottom teeth, giving you a better “bite.” In addition, palatal expanders work to create more room for teeth and promote a broader, more appealing smile!

Do palatal expanders hurt?

Palatal expanders produce very little discomfort, however, you may experience some difficulty speaking and swallowing for the first few days. Dr. Michael R. Richards and his team will give you important instructions on how to take care of your expander so that your treatment will remain on schedule.

Typically, it takes about a month to achieve the desired amount of expansion. After Dr. Richards has confirmed you have the correct amount of expansion, you will keep wearing your expander for about six months. This allows new bone to fill in and get strong. It is similar to after breaking an arm and you have to wear a cast to allow the bone to fill in and harden. Dr. Michael R. Richards and our team at Farr West Orthodontics are eager to make sure your expander works as well as possible.  If you have any questions about your expander or your treatment please give us a call. We are in the office 5 days a week and on weekends Dr. Richards can be reached by calling the number listed on the office’s voicemail message.

How much do braces cost?

We get this question all the time.  It is a difficult question to answer because no two faces or mouths are exactly the same.  Dr. Michael R. Richards feels strongly that to create the best smile possible for you he needs to develop a unique and personalized treatment plan for you and every other patient. The treatment fee is largely determined by the duration of treatment, which is related to the difficulty of the treatment.  Some cases are relatively simple, requiring one short phase of treatment, whereas, some case are very complex or difficult requiring multiple treatment phases and appliances to create a beautiful smile.

The only way Dr. Michael R. Richards and the team at Farr West Orthodontics can give you an accurate quote for the cost of orthodontic treatment is for Dr. Richards to actually see you and perform a complimentary exam. Our team will get high quality digital photographs of your face and teeth; Dr. Richards will use these to educate you about your own mouth! He will also perform a complete oral exam, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions. By going through this process our team can give you an accurate treatment fee and estimate of how long treatment will take. At this time we can better discuss your insurance benefits and our flexible payment options to make your orthodontic treatment something that will make you smile.

Dr. Richards is not only concerned with making your teeth straight and giving you a great bite, but wants to make sure your teeth fit as well as possible with your smile and the rest of your face.   Our passion is to make you smile.  When you smile we smile.

Call us today to at our convenient location in Farr West to schedule a complimentary exam.

How To Avoid Delays In Your Orthodontic Treatment

Our patients at Farr West Orthodontics hate the thought of delaying their treatments and often ask us what they can do in between their adjustment to help. Today, Dr. Michael Richards and our team wanted to provide some tips on how you can stay on track in with your treatment plan time.

The first thing is keep your adjustment appointments. Each visit with Dr. Richards is carefully planned to move your teeth a certain way in a specific time frame. It’s important to realize that missing an appointment can add weeks or even months to your orthodontic treatment time.

Next, we want you to let Dr. Richards and our team know right away if you experience any problems with your braces. A missing wire, rubber band, or broken bracket can delay treatment time, so we ask that you please give us a call right away to report any problems rather than waiting until your next appointment.

Make sure you wear your rubber bands as prescribed by Dr. Richards. Most, if not all, of our patients will need to wear elastics or rubber bands at some point during their treatment. Not wearing the elastics, or not wearing them enough, can slow down your treatment time. Rubber bands are crucial in aligning your bite and getting it to fit together correctly.

Finally, we want you to maintain good oral hygiene. In addition to flossing regularly, we encourage you to brush your teeth multiple times a day. Not brushing will slow down tooth movement, as well as increase your risk of developing cavities or tooth decay, which will inevitably delay treatment time. The last thing you want is a beautiful smile with stains on your teeth. 

If you have any questions about any of these tips, or if you have any general questions about your treatment, please call the office or ask Dr. Richards during your next visit!

When Do Kids Need Braces?

Some kids can’t wait to get their braces, seeing them as a sign that adolescence and adulthood can’t be far behind. Others are a little worried about what they’ll be like or how they’ll look. How your child feels, you probably have some questions and concerns of your own (not the least of which may be how you’re going to pay for them!). Here’s the lowdown on kids and braces.


Why Kids Need Braces

Kids can need braces for any number of reasons, including crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth, or a “bad bite” (known as malocclusion). Malocclusion is a discrepancy in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws. When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it’s called an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger, it’s called an underbite.
Sometimes tooth and jaw problems can be caused by tooth decay, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. But often they’re inherited, so if you or someone in your family needed braces, it’s likely that your kids will, too.
Often, your child’s dentist will be the first to notice problems during a regular visit and recommend that you see an orthodontist (a dentist who specializes in correcting jaw and/or teeth alignment problems). The orthodontist can determine whether your child does indeed need braces and which types of devices would be best.

There’s no set age for a first orthodontist visit — some kids go when they’re 6, some kids go when they’re 10, and some go while they’re teens. Even adults can receive orthodontic treatment. Many orthodontists say kids should see an orthodontist once their permanent teeth start coming in, around age 7. At this age, issues such as uneven bite and overcrowding will become apparent. Starting the process early doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away. It just means the orthodontist will be able to determine which problems exist and assess the best time to start treatment.

If you would like to receive a complimentary exam from our office, call  801.731.4850 today! We look forward to helping you achieve the beautiful smile you deserve!