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Dr. Kathleen Tavarez knows there are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, she thinks you should get the facts! Our team at Tavarez Orthodontics came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Tavarez Othodontics, feel free to give us a call.

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Tavarez Orthodontics, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

Ok, what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Tavarez to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what Dr. Tavarez calls “bad bite.” Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

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 on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Tavarez Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s almost springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. If you play sports such as baseball and soccer, it's important that you consult Dr. Tavarez for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing contact spring sports. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Tavarez Orthodontics.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Tavarez Orthodontics.

Part of what makes Invisalign "work" is that it's customizable for pretty much anyone. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Dr. Tavarez does is take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, Dr. Tavarez and our team look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Tavarez is a certified Invisalign provider, and has been named an Invisalign Elite Premier Provider, representing the top 1% of North American practitioners.

If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call!

Have a great weekend!