Deband Days at Vaughan & Vaughan Orthodontics

Getting your braces off is an exciting moment! All the visits to our office and the months of hard work to care for and clean your braces has finally paid off! At Vaughan and Vaughan Orthodontics, we believe your deband day is a big step, so we wanted to share a few videos of patients who recently got their braces off too!

Invisalign - How It Works in Corpus Christi, TX

Have you ever wondered how Invisalign manages to straighten teeth without using braces at all? The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at all three Vaughan & Vaughan Orthodontics. We also have plenty of resources on our web site to check out about Invisalign, or give our office a call today to learn if this revolutionary new way to improve your smile!

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:
• An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
• A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
• A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontists). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner. Questions? Give us a call or visit our web site!

-Vaughan & Vaughan Orthodontics of Corpus Christi, Alice & Beeville, TX

Vaughan & Vaughan Orthodontics Wants You To Smile–June is National Smile Month!

It is June already-- Can you believe it?

We are so excited to tell you June marks National Smile Month, a great time to remind our patients to brush, floss, practice good nutrition at home (and over the summer) to avoid cavities and gum disease, among other dental health issues.

After all, there’s more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Here are a few easy steps you can improve your oral health at home:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your general dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of the tips here, we encourage you to give us a call! We hope you had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

–Vaughan & Vaughan Orthodontics