On the whole, lingual braces are not much different from their traditional counterparts. They bring your teeth into their more ideal alignment by repositioning them gently and carefully. The major difference is they do not sit on the front of your teeth. They rest on the back instead.

Their position allows them to work unseen, so you do not have to show them when you smile. Regular braces can sometimes steal the scene from your teeth, because they cover a good deal of them. Lingual braces are not attention thirsty, and they can allow you to sport your smile without worrying about showing people a bunch of metal.

If you would like to try lingual braces and see if they are right for your teeth, we offer them here at Rivera Orthodontics in El Paso, Texas. Our orthodontist, Dr. Jaime Rivera, is happy to discuss them with you, and he does all he can to give you your best smile. Feel free to call us at 915-592-5853, and we will gladly answer any questions you may have.

The post Have You Thought About Lingual Braces? first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Plenty of foods can cause issues with braces. One type is sticky foods, which can include quite a few candies. You may want to say no to gum, taffy, caramel and other such soft candies when they are presented to you.

These foods may seem harmless, but they can get wedged into open spaces between the wires and brackets. When they get stuck, they can get stuck, which can mess up the braces. The issues do not stop there, as they can also break your braces, which can put off the day when you can present your new smile to your peers.

We hope you understand that broken braces are not the end of the world. If they have a problem, then Dr. Jaime Rivera, our orthodontist, may be able to fix it and get them back on track. Fortunately, as you bear this advice in mind when you are offered these candies, such a repair job may not be necessary.

If you would like to straighten your teeth, we can supply you with braces here at Rivera Orthodontics in El Paso, Texas. We are always happy to help our patients get their best smile. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 915-592-5853, and we will help you with whatever you need.

The post Be Careful of Sticky Foods When You Have Braces first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

-Pack your oral hygiene kit: Your oral hygiene kit should include your toothbrush, interdental toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, floss threaders, orthodontic wax and more. These things will help you keep your braces and smile clean and fresh. Cleaning your teeth, gums and braces regularly can help keep them in tip-top shape.

-Pack your mouthguard: Your mouthguard can help you if you participate in high-contact activities. In fact, it can help you avoid a broken appliance and knocked-out and broken teeth! This is possible because it can absorb the force applied to your smile and braces when you suffer a blow to the face.

-Avoid chewy and sticky foods: These foods are very harmful to the braces and smile. This is because they pull the brackets off the teeth and cling to the braces and promote dental issues, like cavities. So, it’s best to avoid these foods and stick to more braces-friendly foods.

For more information and details about braces in El Paso, Texas, please contact our orthodontic team at Rivera Orthodontics. We are here to help you in any way we can, even if it’s just by answering your questions. We look forward to hearing from you and giving you the information you seek!

The post Want a Good Spring Break With Braces? Use Our Tips first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Notwithstanding, it is now fairly commonplace for adults to get braces either because they never had them as a youth, or because their teeth have moved out of alignment over the years. Generally, braces will work exactly the same way as do braces for kids. When choosing to get braces, adults will find that there are more options than there used to be when they were young. In particular, you can opt for less visible, transparent, and tooth-colored types that are easier to hide so that wearing them is less noticeable. Metallic color front and center is no longer the only choice these days.

There are three particular approaches for the less visible kind of braces:

–Aligner trays: Clear plastic molds that change to gradually push teeth into proper position.
–Porcelain braces: Tooth-colored brackets made of porcelain, not metal.
–Lingual braces: Hidden brackets are cemented to the backs of the teeth to be unseen.

If you need braces as an adult and one of these less visible options is of interest to you, consult with your orthodontist to discuss. One type might work better for you than the other.

Dr. Jaime Rivera would be happy to meet with you for an evaluation. Please contact Rivera Orthodontics to make an appointment at: 915-592-5853, or come by our office in El Paso, Texas.

The post Less Visible Braces for Adults first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

-Straighten your smile

-Improve your oral health (Crooked teeth create areas in the smile that trap harmful bacteria that can cause dental problems.)

-Make oral hygiene easier and more convenient (Brushing and flossing is easier when you don’t have hard-to-clean spaces in the smile.)

-Align your teeth without being noticeable

-Give you a smile you love and a smile you’re proud of

-Treat minor alignment issues (Because aligners aren’t invasive, they aren’t used for major alignment problems.)

-Improve your self-confidence and self-esteem

-Allow you to align your teeth with comfort

Do you have any questions about orthodontic aligners in El Paso, Texas? Or would you like to schedule an appointment to see if this treatment is right for you? If so, contact our orthodontic team when you get the chance. All you need to do is reach out to Rivera Orthodontics at 915-592-5853 and we will be more than happy to help you!

The post The Things Orthodontic Aligners Can Do for You first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

One reason why it’s important to have a braces-friendly diet is because it helps you maintain functional braces, and you need functional braces to have a top-notch smile. If you eat chewy and sticky foods that are damaging to the braces, your brackets and wires can break. This delays your treatment time because the appliance no longer works effectively. So, please do your best to stick to foods that are OK for the braces as well as avoid the sticky, hard, and chewy foods that are not.

Another reason why having a braces-friendly diet is important is because it helps you avoid dental issues, like tooth decay, gum disease, and enamel erosion. Having dental issues can cause pain, delay your treatment time, and add complications to the entire process.

For more information and details about having a braces-friendly diet in El Paso, Texas, please contact Rivera Orthodontics at 915-592-5853 when you have the opportunity. Our orthodontic team will be happy to give you the information and help you need as long as you reach out to us!

The post Why is a Braces-Friendly Diet Important When I’m Aligning My Smile? first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

– Misplaced midlines are present when your upper incisors fail to align with your lower incisors.
– Overbites, also called buck teeth, are present when your upper incisors stick out past your lower incisors.
– Crossbites are present when your lower jawbone sticks out past your upper jawbone.
– Rotation malocclusions are present when teeth are not in their proper location and position.
– Underbites, also called bulldog teeth, are present when your lower incisors stick out past your upper incisors.
– Transposition malocclusions are present with teeth erupt above the gum line in the wrong space.
– Open bites are present when your upper and lower incisors failed to connect when biting down.
– Spacing malocclusions are present if you have overcrowded teeth, too many teeth, and irregular gaps between teeth.

Don’t wait until it’s too late for an orthodontic treatment for a malocclusion. If you would like to know if you need braces or any other form of orthodontic care, please book an oral exam with Dr. Jaime Rivera and our team at Rivera Orthodontics at our orthodontic office in El Paso, Texas, by calling us at 915-592-5853. The perfect smile of your dreams is only a visit away!

The post Malocclusions That Require Orthodontic Treatment first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Most malocclusions occur within the incisors, which are the front teeth in the mouth. They are prominently presented on both the upper and lower rows in your jaw. Various types of incisor malocclusions include deep bites (also called closed bites), overbites (also called upper protrusions or buck teeth), misplaced midlines, open bites, and underbites (also called bulldog teeth).

Other forms of malocclusions include transposition malocclusions, spacing malocclusions, and rotation malocclusions. Transposition malocclusions arise when teeth erupt above the gumline in the wrong locations. Spacing malocclusions include abnormal gaps and overcrowded teeth. Rotation malocclusions are simply teeth that have rotated out of their proper alignments.  Another common type of malocclusion that is often treated with orthodontic braces is crossbites, which occurs when the lower jawbone sticks out past the upper jawbone.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Rivera Orthodontics to see if you are a candidate for malocclusion treatments, please call Dr. Jaime Rivera and the rest of our team at our orthodontic office in El Paso, Texas at 915-592-5853. Come in and become a success story with a healthier smile today.

The post Can Your Oral Health Be Improved with Malocclusion Treatments? first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

One of the best ways to keep your braces safe and clean is to always wear protective guards when partaking in any high-risk activities, including contact sports. This is important because braces are not shields for your teeth, as they neither seek to defend your teeth from harm nor are they indestructible. If you should break your braces, do not attempt to fix them yourselves. Visit your orthodontist as soon as you can.

To keep your orthodontic treatment on schedule, continue to practice safe and effective brushing and flossing daily habits. You can always switch to alternative methods if traditional tools such as dental floss cannot be used. Other dental tools include using tools such as water flossers or mouthwash to assist in your daily dental care.

If you are interested in treatment for your braces or to get a pair of braces, we are here to assist you. For a complete diagnosis and treatment, please contact Rivera Orthodontics to book an appointment with Dr. Jaime Rivera and our team at our dentist office in El Paso, Texas. Call us at 915-592-5853. We look forward to seeing you smile.

The post Cleaning Braces and Your Smile first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Braces will not clean themselves, and your oral hygiene habits are still necessary. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice per day and flossing as well. However, traditional braces can make flossing difficult. To make sure you can clean your teeth effectively, there are interdental tools designed specifically for braces, as well as alternative tools that can work well too, such as water flossers.

Keep your braces clean includes removing and washing your retainer at least once per week or more if necessary. If your braces should break or a wire gets knocked loose, do not try to fix it on your own. Doing so can increase your risk for an oral accident or potentially damage your teeth even more. Cover the end of any loose wires with a ball of wax and visit your orthodontist immediately.

If you want to experience the joys of an orthodontic aligner system at Rivera Orthodontics, simply call us at 915-592-5853 to schedule an appointment at our orthodontic office in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Jaime Rivera and our team look forward to straightening your smile.

The post What Steps Should You Take to Keep Your Braces Clean? first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.