Bite Correction Without Headgear!

Our office, powaybraces, uses the Herbst appliance to correct difficult bite problems. The newest version of this appliance is so small that all of our patients say its really comfortable, easy to eat with, and is not visible when talking.

Correction of dental protrusion, upper front teeth sticking out, is often difficult requiring patients to wear headgear. Headgear has been used by Orthodontists for decades and works well.

Problem is, children for the most part, find it very difficult to wear, uncomfortable, and ultimately do not wear it enough to achieve full correction of the bite problem. Orthodontists then must resort to rubber band wear to achieve a reasonable result. Again, this requires a tremendous amount of patient cooperation and diligence.

An additional benefit to the new smaller herbst appliance is a reduction of treatment time. We are finding correction of these difficult bites can be achieved in 18-20 months instead of the typical 24-30 months with headgear. This alone is remarkable.

A final benefit to the new smaller herbst appliance is we can reduce the number of appointments lessening the intrusion into your busy life. During bite correction with the new herbst appliance, appointments are typically scheduled every 3 months apart. Since this bite corrector is cemented and works full time every day, the movement and correction is far faster than with headgear. And absolutely no help is required by the patient in having to wear anything – especially a headgear. This is the best of all worlds!

All of us at Dr. Thomas' orthodontic office wish you and your family a wonderful 2009 Holiday Season.

Braces & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Did you know it is totally fine to eat chocolate chip cookies with braces?? At Powaybraces we not only like the idea, we bake them fresh and hot right in our office for patients and their famies to enjoy. Like the idea, we love it! Add to that a refrigerator filled with ice cold water or milk, and you have yourself a terrific way to spend time at the orthodontist. Dr. Thomas creates an enviornment where braces, fun, and great food combine to make your visit with us as fun as possible!

How do Damon Braces Work?

The Damon System is not just a new product, it's a new way of treating orthodontic patients. Conventional treatment all too often requires removal of teeth and/or the use of palatal expanders to make space. Although removal of teeth and the use of palatal expanders may be required, we have found their use is dramatically lowered with the Damon System. Another benefit is the elimination of elastic "rubber band" ties. While a mainstay of braces for years, their use greatly increases friction thereby slowing tooth movement - this directly increases the number of appointments required to correct a patients bite.

Damon passive self-ligating braces that eliminate the need for elastic or metal "ties". With Damon tie-less braces you can experience treatment without tightening.

Thousands of happy patients have been treated in our practice: Dr. Thomas' Poway Braces and we look forward to sharing the benefits of the Damon system with many more in the future!