Gale Ranch Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of San Ramon Blog

Many parents assume orthodontic treatment doesn’t begin until all of a child’s permanent teeth have come in—but that isn’t always the case. In some situations, waiting can allow bite problems or crowding to become more difficult to treat later.

That’s where Phase 1 orthodontics comes in. Also called interceptive orthodontics, Phase 1 treatment focuses on guiding jaw growth and addressing developing orthodontic concerns while a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth.

If you’ve started noticing changes in your child’s smile, here are a few signs they may be a good candidate for Phase 1 orthodontics.

When you finished with Invisalign, you might’ve adored the results you got. After months of following a diligent routine, you’re finally enjoying the straighter smile you wanted. While it was looking great, have your teeth slowly started to shift back over time? This can leave you worried about your grin, so you may think wearing your retainer will put everything back in place. However, this may not be the case. Here’s what you need to know about this situation.

Invisalign is a popular treatment that adults choose to get a straighter smile with, as it is discreet and comfortable. However, many teens love them as well; in fact, yours might be going through their own journey with them! While they are undergoing their clear aligners, you might’ve noticed that they are a bit forgetful about their tray routine. Here are four tips you can try to help keep their orthodontics on track.

If you’re a new parent, you may have noticed more conversations than ever about lip and tongue ties in infants. These conditions, where the tissue connecting the lip or tongue to the mouth is unusually tight or thick, can affect feeding, speech, and oral development. But are lip and tongue ties actually becoming more common, or are we simply getting better at recognizing them?

The transition from milk or formula to solid foods is an exciting developmental milestone for both parents and children. However, for some little ones, this process doesn’t go as smoothly as expected. One underlying issue that can make this transition more challenging is a lip or tongue tie—a condition that restricts the movement of the lips or tongue due to a tight or short piece of tissue called a frenulum.

While lip and tongue ties are often discussed in relation to breastfeeding difficulties, they can also significantly affect how a child eats solid foods. Here’s how these oral restrictions can interfere with feeding and what parents can do to help their child overcome these challenges.

As a parent, hearing your baby cry and not knowing how to comfort them can be heartbreaking. While all babies cry, excessive fussiness or signs of colic can leave many parents searching for answers. One possible but often overlooked cause of prolonged crying is a lip or tongue-tie. These conditions may affect how your baby feeds, swallows, and digests, which in turn can contribute to colic-like symptoms.

When you learn your child has an oral condition, it’s completely understandable to go on a research-spree trying to learn everything you can about the problem. While it’s definitely easier to find good resources on lip and tongue ties, odds are you’ve probably still stumbled upon some information that isn’t entirely accurate. Keep reading to see why these lip and tongue tie myths are totally busted!

Invisalign is a modern alternative to traditional metal braces that realigns a patient’s teeth using a personalized sequence of clear aligners. Each of these devices is designed to shift the teeth closer to their ideal positions, and they are virtually invisible when worn while requiring no dietary restrictions. However, you’ll still need to maintain good oral habits and practice excellent hygiene to keep your treatment on track. Here’s a quick overview of a few excellent Invisalign habits as well as a few that can lead to costly treatment delays.

Invisalign is a clear alternative for young patients who are embarrassed by their smile and would rather undergo treatment with a more discreet set of braces. Its design promotes flexibility because of how easy it is to remove the trays before eating and drinking. However, this removability comes with great responsibility. Invisalign aligners do not affix to teeth like metal brackets and wires, so what should you do if your child or teen loses one of their trays? Keep reading to find out.

To date, more than 17 million patients have chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign. This is largely because the aligners are clear and custom-made for each patient, ensuring they don’t draw unwanted attention or cause soft tissue irritation. But do they also reduce your risk of tooth decay? If this question has been on your mind, then read on to find out the answer!