Did You Know That Fake Braces Can Be Very Dangerous For Your Dental Health

Did You Know That Fake Braces Can Be Very Dangerous For Your Dental Health

September 30, 2021

As the title says, fake braces can be very, very dangerous; hence this blog will help you understand how you can stay away from fake braces.

Although this is a very rare situation, there are still many cases where patients come in with fake braces, which are absolute like the original ones. In some cases, it’s just for fashion, but it poses a serious health hazard. Because they are not designed to function as they should, they can harm your gums, teeth, and jaw and destroy your teeth’ alignment. Hence it would be best if you only had your braces applied by a certified or well-known orthodontist.

If you are looking to improve your smile and make a difference in your look, why opt for something fake and poses a dangerous threat to your teeth. Instead, opt for originals. Original braces will not only improve your smile but will also make sure your teeth and gums remain healthy and strong. It will ensure your bone alignment stays intact.

If you are looking to have braces applied and are unsure where to go, why not speak to our specialists at Smiles On Greatwood Dentistry. We’re just a call away. Speak to us at (281) – 937 – 7530.

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist | The Contrast Between Them

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist | The Contrast Between Them

July 30, 2021

The dental assistant provides various tasks related to clinical administration and patient care. In contrast, the dental hygienist works for cleaning and polishing patient’s teeth.

While comparing the dental assistant vs. dental hygienist, it is observed that the dental hygienists also check for oral diseases by performing a dental health examination.

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of a dental assistant are,

  • To take care of the patients and enable them to sit on chairs comfortably.
  • Sterilize and clean all the dental pieces of equipment.
  • Prepare the clinical working areas to carry on treatment processes.
  • To dry the patient’s mouth through suction hoses and give the required instruments to the dentist during treatment.
  • Perform x-ray processes and other laboratory tasks.
  • Schedule all the patient’s appointments and their records so the patients can feel comfortable.

However, the typical responsibilities of a dental hygienist are,

  • To take care of the patient’s plaque, bacteria, and stains from the patient’s teeth.
  • Apply fluoride treatments to protect the teeth from decay.
  • Examine oral conditions of patients and provide health reports to dentists.
  • Help patients to select appropriate dental tools (e.g., floss, toothbrush, and mouthwash)
  • Provide the best education to the patients on brushing and flossing techniques.

Dental Assistant Program

The dental assistant program is itself a challenging task. It requires both technical and interpersonal skills. There are several ways to receive the training, which includes,

  • A formal dental assisting program
  • On-the-job training (OJT)

On-the-job training in place of formal dental assisting education is accepted in some states. But usually, other states require students to complete a one or two-year dental assistant program accredited by CODA.

Dental Assistant Salary

According to the HR-reported data, the average salary of a dental assistant is noted as $44,431 in California (as of June 2021). But a particular range lies in between $34,831 and $53,737. Also, the salary varies state-wise.

Dental Hygienist Program

An associate’s degree in the hygienist program requires two years to complete. Typically, 300 dental hygiene programs are accredited by CODA.

Hygienist Salary

Based on the data, the average salary of a dental hygienist is $84,907 in California (data recorded in June 2021). But as mentioned earlier, the salary also varies state and nation-wise.

So, the salary contrast is clear between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist.

If you are thinking of becoming a dental hygienist just because of their handsome salary, WDAS will first encourage you to become a dental assistant first.

This technique gives you a wide variety of knowledge for your upcoming dental career. It also provides you with the skillset of becoming a successful hygienist in your desired future.

Therefore, while contrasting the dental assistant vs. dental hygienist, the studying program of dental hygienists requires a long commitment. Being a dental hygienist, it’s a gratifying job but requires a lot of dedication. One has to learn a variety of subjects in a short period. But if you succeed in doing so, the hygienist salary will be as promising as your hard work.

Invisalign Rubber Bands and All You Need to Know About

Invisalign Rubber Bands and All You Need to Know About

July 15, 2021

The use of Invisalign rubber bands is a beneficial orthodontic treatment. This procedure includes clear plastic aligner trays, which help to reshape your teeth. These aligners are replaced every one or two weeks. Sometimes, your dentist may require you to wear elastic rubber bands with Invisalign, which is considered an alternative to traditional braces.

How Does Invisalign Work

Some devices help to align your teeth. But even they can not change the way your upper and lower teeth meet. The processes involve,

  • Traditional braces
  • Invisalign
  • Other aligners

On the other side, elastic rubber bands exert force on teeth to correct the bite conditions. The bite usually involves overbite or underbite. The placement of rubber bands depends upon the bite condition you are going through.

The question that arises is, how does Invisalign work? Invisalign are transparent plastic aligners that align the teeth. And while brushing, one can remove it as well. Invisalign is easy to wear and remove while eating a meal, flossing, or brushing. However, rubber bands along with Invisalign can give excellent results.

Under the question of how does Invisalign work, it usually takes 21-22 hours a day. If lesser time is given, then the treatment will become prolonged. Aligners are set according to the condition of the patient.

Primarily, dentists recommend wearing rubber bands along with Invisalign if the condition is worse. Rubber bands speed up the recovery process. One should change the elastic 3-4 times a day, or at least after every 12 hours because the rubber bands lose their effectiveness and strength after 12 hours.

Invisalign is an advanced form of traditional braces. And if talking about Invisalign vs. braces cost, Invisalign costs a bit more than these conventional braces.

Invisalign vs. Braces Cost

The next question that pops up is, how much is Invisalign, and how much are braces? According to Diamond Braces, braces cost $1700 to $3500. And, Invisalign can cost from $2400 to $9000. But dental insurance will make the Invisalign process a bit cheaper.

The cost of Invisalign and braces depends upon the severity of one’s condition and the region where you live. The dentists usually advise wearing rubber bands in clear or ivory-colored rounds as they have lower visibility. But it is not necessary that every time you get Invisalign, you would also need rubber bands. For this, you should contact your dentist and discuss your situation. The dentist will recommend you the need of rubber bands if necessary.

When considering Invisalign vs. Braces cost, Invisalign is more advance than traditional braces. Rubber bands make the recovery process quicker if used with Invisalign.

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