Here at Feil Orthodontics, we create healthy smiles that look incredible and feel amazing. We use the latest orthodontic technology and work on perfecting our technique daily, but another element is necessary to achieve the best results—you! These tips for a healthy smile will help you maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine and help ensure that you get the straightest smile in the shortest amount of time possible. Knowing how to care for your smile between orthodontic visits is the first step!

Issues like cavities, gum disease, and noncompliance can interrupt your progress, leading to longer treatment times or subpar results. Keeping your mouth healthy and your appliance in good shape plays a large part in the success of your treatment. Let’s take a closer look at how you can brush up on the basics of oral care!  

eVisit your dentist for regular checkups.

Regular visits to your dentist are an essential part of caring for your smile. Your dentist is your primary oral health provider, and they’ll help you maintain clean and healthy teeth and gums and can identify any potential issues with your dental health. 

During routine checkups, your dentist will clean your teeth and examine your mouth, teeth, jaw, and gums. We encourage seeing your regular dentist once every six months for a cleaning and checkup to keep your smile in great shape.

Follow Dr. Feil’s guidelines.

Dr. Feil is a trained orthodontic expert, so you can trust what he says about your smile! For example, if you need elastics with your braces or aligners, change them as directed in between your checkups. Have you recently completed your treatment with us? Remember to wear your retainer to keep your newly straightened smile in place!

If you’re wearing aligners, we’ll give you several weeks’ worth of aligners at a time, but if your current set runs out before your next appointment, we’ll arrange to pick up the next set earlier. If you can’t get your new aligners right away, you can continue wearing the last set for 10-12 hours each day instead of the usual 20-22 hours. This will help extend the life of your aligners until an appointment is available and keep your treatment plan on track. 

Limit your sugar intake

A balanced diet can help decrease your risk of developing cavities with the vitamins and nutrients to support healthy, cavity-resistant teeth. Limit sugar-heavy foods, juices, and candy that erode enamel and leave harmful bacteria. It’s okay to enjoy these things in moderation; remember to brush your teeth and rinse well afterward to wash away the sugar.

Brush and floss like a pro

Brackets and wires make it easier for food particles to become trapped, which can lead to a buildup of bacteria and plaque. This means your teeth are more susceptible to cavities when wearing braces, tooth decay, and gum disease. These can delay your treatment progress and affect your final results, so paying attention to how you’re brushing and flossing throughout your orthodontic journey is essential! 

Stick to the following guidelines for healthy teeth, a bright smile, and fresh breath. 

• Brush three times a day, ideally after each meal and once before bed. If you’re in braces, brush around every part of them.
• Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and fluoridated toothpaste.
• Brush gently at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line, moving the toothbrush across every surface of every tooth to effectively remove bacteria and any trapped food particles. 
• Floss every night before bed to remove bacteria and any food accumulated throughout the day. Use tools like floss threaders and Waterpiks to clean hard-to-reach areas.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if you have a cold or other illness.
• Use antimicrobial and fluoride mouthwashes to help further improve your oral health.

Special tips for Aligner patients

If you’re an Aligner patient, you’ve got a bit of extra responsibility in caring for your aligners and oral health. Always rinse them off before putting them back in your mouth, and clean them well with gentle soap and cold water at least twice a day.

 If you notice any buildup, you can soak your aligners in a retainer or denture cleaner to remove it. Don’t forget to keep your aligners away from any heat sources, including hot water, to avoid warping and help them maintain their natural shape.

Give your smile the best with care from Feil Orthodontics

It’s always important to take good care of your teeth and gums, but it’s an essential part of your orthodontic treatment when you’re in braces or clear aligners. By following our tips for a healthy smile, you’ll be able to boost your oral health while working towards a straighter smile! 

If you have any questions or concerns about orthodontic care, our expert team is always happy to walk you through your treatment plan’s ins and outs. Want to learn more about how to care for your smile proactively? Get in touch with us today to schedule a FREE consultation or follow-up appointment with Dr. Feil in our Bismarck, Mandan, Beulah office!

When correcting a misaligned bite, Dr. Feil has the training and experience to give you comfortable treatments and outstanding results. He accomplishes this using a variety of orthodontic appliances, including palatal expanders. This important tool helps prevent or eliminate more severe jaw and teeth problems that may not leave enough room for permanent teeth to grow correctly. 

At Feil Orthodontics, we believe that everyone deserves healthy, beautiful smiles! We’re committed to giving you and your family a lifetime of healthy smiles in Bismarck, Dickinson, Mandan, and Beulah. Let’s take a closer look at what palatal expanders are, how they work, and what they can do to improve your child’s smile!

What is a palatal expander? 

A palatal expander is a device that works with the natural changes that occur as the teeth and jaw develop to create more space in a child’s mouth by gradually widening the upper jaw. This may sound a little scary, but the upper jaw develops as two separate halves that don’t entirely fuse until after puberty. Each half can be gently separated and stabilized with a palatal expander until that happens. This treatment is time-sensitive because expanders work with the teeth and jaw as they grow. 

Palatal expanders have two pieces that connect in the middle with a screw and are customized to fit over a few top teeth in the back of a child’s mouth. You activate the device by turning the screw in tiny increments each day with a small key. This creates tension at the junction of the two palatal bones, gradually moving them apart. Once we reach the desired expansion, Dr. Feil will keep the appliance in place for a few more months so the new bone can form in the gap and stabilize the expansion. Children typically wear palatal expanders for about six months in total.

Who can benefit from palatal expanders?

Permanent teeth usually replace children’s baby teeth between 6 and 13. Some children’s jaws are too small to accommodate their adult teeth, leading to crowded teeth and misalignment. Palatal expanders can: 

• Reduce or eliminate overcrowding—expanders create space for all of a child’s upper teeth to erupt in the correct positions
• Reduce the risk of developing impacted teeth—when other teeth block an unerupted tooth, we can create room for it to emerge by widening the upper jaw
• And correct a crossbite—the upper teeth should close around the outside of the lower teeth, but a narrow palate can cause the upper teeth to bite inside the lower teeth. An expander can correct this before serious asymmetrical jaw growth, restoring facial symmetry.

Expanding the upper jaw with a palatal expander can also improve a child’s smile aesthetically, limit tooth extraction, and may shorten treatment time if they need braces or clear aligners when they’re older. 

The different types of palatal expanders

The palatal expander we use for your child will depend on their age and the unique shape of their palate. There are fixed and removable options, and every expander we use is custom-made and fitted by Dr. Feil to accommodate your child’s natural palate shape and size. The most common types of palatal expanders include:

Rapid palatal expander

The rapid palatal expander, or RPE, is one of the standard expander types. It has a center screw with four branches attached to the paralleled back teeth of the upper jaw. You’ll get a small key that you’ll turn each day to activate the expander and create tension on the two palatal bones. Over time, this will widen the palate to the desired size and shape. 

Removable palatal expander

The removable palatal expander is another standard option for treating children, particularly in cases that require minimal expansion. The device is similar to a clear retainer, like those we give patients once they complete orthodontic treatment, but it also has a center screw. This center screw works similarly to the RPE and requires the same gentle daily expansion for 3-6 months.

Find your child’s healthiest smile at Feil Orthodontics

Orthodontic care can benefit patients of all ages, including children. A child’s mouth changes rapidly, with a great deal of shifting and moving as they lose baby teeth and the permanent teeth erupt. If there’s any misalignment or other issue, it’s often easier to treat at a younger age while the jaw and palate are still developing. 

Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Feil can identify potential problems and encourage a healthier smile using the appropriate orthodontic tools, including palatal expanders. 

If you’re looking to improve your child’s oral health, we’d love to meet you both and see how their smile is developing so far! Get in touch today to schedule a FREE consultation with our offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, Mandan, or Beulah.

Here at Feil Orthodontics, we know that no two smiles are the same. That’s why it’s important to work with an expert who is committed to finding the perfect treatment option for your unique smile. The first step towards a Feil Smile is a consultation with Dr. Feil in one of our four conveniently located offices. During this visit, you’ll receive a brief oral examination and have some photographs taken of your mouth. This is what allows Dr. Feil to form a diagnosis and build a treatment plan around your specific needs and goals. 

This customized plan will include a recommendation for the treatment method that is likely to be the best fit for your smile. Our practice has a variety of treatment options available, and we use the latest in orthodontic technology to make it easier than ever to achieve a confident smile! Today’s appliances are comfortable, efficient, and affordable, offering exceptional results our patients love. Let’s take a look at the treatment options we offer and how they can help straighten your teeth and improve your oral health! 

Back to the basics of braces

Braces are the most popular orthodontic treatment and with good reason. They’ve been around for centuries in one form or another and come with a long history of successfully correcting bad bites and misalignments. Braces can be particularly effective for patients dealing with more complex or severe cases. They tend to work fast at closing gaps and aligning the teeth, with the average treatment time lasting anywhere from 12-24 months. Minor signs of improvement can often be seen in a relatively short period, which can be encouraging for patients new to the process!  

There is some maintenance involved with traditional braces, which can be a learning curve. Your dental hygiene routine is a good example! Brushing and flossing regularly is an essential part of oral care for all of us, but it’s even more important for orthodontic patients. You may find it trickier to keep your teeth and gums clean when wearing braces since it can be challenging to navigate around the brackets, wires, and bands. Fortunately, it only takes a little patience and practice to get the hang of it! For the best results, we recommend patients brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time and floss every night before bed.

Food restrictions are another necessary part of the orthodontic process with braces.  During treatment, you’ll need to avoid anything sticky or crunchy since these foods can damage the brackets and wires. While there’s no denying this takes some getting used to, perspective is key. Remind yourself that nothing lasts forever (even if it sometimes feels like it!) All your hard work will pay off once your braces are removed, and we reveal your beautiful new smile. 

Follow-up visits are also essential for the success of any treatment plan. These appointments are usually scheduled for every 6-10 weeks or so in the office of your choice. During these checkups, Dr. Feil will ensure the teeth are moving in a healthy way and change the bands attached to the brackets. He may choose to replace the wire at this time as well. These appointments tend to be pretty quick so we can get you back to school or work as soon as possible, but they do help us produce the best results in the least amount of time. If you can’t make one for any reason, let us know as soon as possible and we’ll be happy to reschedule it for you. This will keep your treatment plan on track and our office running smoothly.

What are the different types of braces available?

Modern orthodontics comes with cutting-edge technology and efficient techniques that are comfortable and customizable. The variety of treatment choices available allow Dr. Feil to give you the results you desire without surgery or extractions in most cases. These options include the following. 

Traditional metal braces

Today’s metal braces are better than ever, with stainless steel brackets that are smaller and more comfortable than previous versions. These brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth then connected by a flexible wire. Dr. Feil will adjust the wire throughout the treatment process, which slowly repositions the teeth into the proper alignment. Patients can also add a pop of personality by choosing colorful elastics or go for a more subtle option with clear bands.

Clear ceramic braces

Ceramic braces work just like metal braces but have the added benefit of clear ceramic brackets. These match the color of the natural teeth much more closely, giving patients a discreet way to straighten their teeth, especially when paired with clear or tooth-colored elastics! Although these braces are durable, the ceramic material can make the brackets a bit more susceptible to damage. For this reason, we tend to recommend these clear braces for our older teen and adult patients.  

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are technically an exciting alternative to traditional braces, but we think they’re worth talking about, too! Instead of brackets and wires, these systems use a series of customized trays to straighten the teeth. These trays are made of a soft thermoplastic resin and customized to fit snugly but comfortably over your teeth. They’re also designed to be removable for short periods, like when you’re eating or brushing your teeth, giving you an extra measure of flexibility throughout the treatment process.  

Patient compliance is important with any clear aligner system. The aligners need to be worn for 20-22 hours per day throughout the treatment process to work. They must also be switched out for the next in the series every 1-2 weeks to keep up with the movements the teeth are making. If you’re worried about your ability to keep up with these requirements, metal or clear braces that are fixed in place may be a better choice for you. 

Find the best braces for you with Feil Orthodontics

Every treatment option has its own list of pros and cons, and not every method will be suitable for all patients. This is why Dr. Feil will create a personalized treatment plan for you based on your specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. 

You’ll never find any “cookie-cutter” treatment plans here at Feil Orthodontics! Dr. Feil will only ever recommend the treatment that is the best fit for your unique smile. 

If you’re in Bismarck, Mandan, Beulah, or Dickinson, we’d love to meet you and walk you through all the treatment options available to you. Get in touch today to schedule a FREE consultation and take the first steps towards the confident smile you deserve!

Do you have a Little League superstar gearing up for orthodontic treatment? Maybe your quarterback is scheduled to have braces placed before the season kicks off this fall? Baseball, softball, soccer, football, volleyball—whatever sport your child loves to play, Feil Orthodontics is proud to support them and work with them to achieve a healthier smile! However, many of our athletic patients worry that treatment will leave them sitting on the sidelines as we straighten their teeth. Fortunately, that’s not the case! Orthodontic patients can still participate in any sport they normally would as long as they take a few extra steps to protect their mouth. Let’s take a look at what that entails!

Mouthguards: simple, effective, and widely available

Mouthguards are the simplest and most effective solution when it comes to keeping your child’s mouth safe during sporting activities. You can find this essential appliance in regular and orthodontic models, both of which are affordable and widely available. Since it only takes a small amount of pressure on your child’s braces to irritate their gums or cheeks, it’s important to know which model best fits their needs. 

While regular mouthguards do offer some level of protection, they’re made from a thermoplastic material that heats up as it sits in the mouth. This molds it to the teeth and brackets, meaning the mouthguard can’t move with the teeth as they shift towards their new positions. This can actually work against what we’re trying to do by interfering with the straightening process, which may lead to extra appointments or longer treatment times.  

On the other hand, orthodontic mouthguards are specifically designed for orthodontic patients and fit comfortably over traditional braces. Instead of a thermoplastic material, they use high-grade silicone that provides better cushioning for the lips, preventing them from bumping up against the teeth and braces. This reduces the risk of oral injury significantly. 

Who should wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards are suitable for anyone who plays sports, but they are especially beneficial to orthodontic patients who wear braces. As the parent of an athlete, you probably already know how common dental injuries are, but the good news is that many of these can be prevented with a properly-fitted mouthguard! Whether your child plays competitive or recreational sports, a mouthguard will help keep their smile safe, particularly if they participate in anything involving impacts or collisions.

What are the different types of mouthguards?

There are typically three types of mouthguards available. These will vary in cost, comfort, and protection levels, but wearing any one of them is safer than not wearing any mouthguard at all. 

Stock

Stock mouthguards are ready-made, so you won’t need to visit a dentist or orthodontist to purchase one. In fact, they can usually be found in most sporting goods stores! Keep in mind, however, that they come in a more limited range of sizes and also require the mouth to be shut to keep them in place. Since they’re not customized to the patient’s mouth, these models  can be less effective than others.

Mouth-formed

This type of mouthguard softens when placed in hot water. Once it’s cooled down, it’s placed in your child’s mouth to set. The pressure of their bite further shapes it, resulting in a more personalized option that can still be readily purchased at many sports stores. Our team is happy to help your child with a final molding if needed.  

Custom-made

You’ll find custom mouthguards in most dental and orthodontic offices. We can create these appliances using an impression of your child’s mouth, providing them with the most accurate and comfortable fit possible. Although this option is a bit more costly and requires a visit to our office, the customized protection they offer your child’s smile simply can’t be matched by over-the-counter models! 

When choosing a mouthguard for your child, make sure it fits in their mouth comfortably and securely. It should also have high-impact energy absorption, be easy to clean, and never restrict their breathing in any way.

How to handle orthodontic emergencies

Mouthguards offer active kids a great deal of protection, but accidents can still happen. While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, they do occasionally occur. What do we mean by orthodontic emergencies? In general, this refers to:

• any serious injury or trauma to the face, neck, mouth, teeth, or gums
• swelling, infection, or bleeding of the gums or mouth
• severe pain or discomfort in the teeth, mouth, face, or neck

If your child’s mouth takes a direct hit while playing sports, let us know as soon as possible so Dr. Feil can assess the situation. Depending on the circumstances, he may recommend an emergency appointment to get a good look at any damage. If you feel that a visit to urgent care or the ER is necessary, don’t worry about it interrupting your child’s orthodontic process. We can always pick up where we left off or adjust their treatment plan once the emergency has passed and things have settled down.

Protect your child’s smile with help from Feil Orthodontics

Your kid may be a tough nut, but even minor dental injuries can be upsetting. That’s why we recommend mouthguards for every athlete, whether they’re practicing or heading out for a big game! We’re committed to helping your child continue playing the sports they love while we straighten their smile. If you have any questions about protecting your child’s mouth throughout the treatment process, get in touch any time and we’ll be happy to go over the options with you!

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all spent much more time communicating virtually with our inner circles. Social media has led that charge, making this communication much more accessible, streamable, and relatable. But while social media has its perks, it certainly isn’t immune to error. How is social media relevant to orthodontics? That answer lies in the filtering process that many social media outlets allow their users to apply to their faces. 

Face-tuning effects have placed a high value on facial symmetry and a high burden on users who find themselves feeling insecure when the camera is turned off. The trend is causing more and more patients to turn to their orthodontists with one question in mind: Can orthodontics fix my facial asymmetry? 

While facial asymmetry may be a source of anxiety for many of our patients, and while the team at Feil Orthodontics promotes a healthy body image, we are here to explain the orthodontics behind facial asymmetry and ways you can regain your self-confidence with #NoFilter. 

What is facial asymmetry, anyway?

Facial asymmetry is the appearance of an imbalance of an individual’s facial structures. Dr. Feil wants you to know that nearly everyone has some degree of facial asymmetry. It is part of being human to have some slight asymmetry which could be caused by genetics, facial growth as a part of the aging process, or the way your jaw is structured. 

Usually, this slight asymmetry goes unnoticed or is even considered to be an integral part of what makes you you, but in some more severe cases of asymmetry, anxieties and insecurities may arise. Asymmetries may cause what is known as a “weak” chin, sunken cheeks, or even double chins, and many patients with more noticeable cases feel pressed to find a solution. 

When it comes to the orthodontic side of facial asymmetry, we typically chalk it up to the type of bite you have…

Underbites, Overbites, and Crossbites, Oh My!

Everyone’s mouth is different, and everyone has some type of bite that falls into one of several categories. Each bite pattern is telling of your jaw structure, and jaw structure plays a huge role in facial symmetry. The first step your orthodontist will take toward addressing your facial asymmetry concerns is determining your bite pattern. 

Overbite

Overbites are arguably the most common bite pattern. If your top teeth overlap your bottom teeth when your mouth is closed, you may have an overbite. Not every overbite is in need of correction, but more severe overbites may cause your chin to have a receding appearance known as a “weak” chin. 

Underbite

Underbites are recognized by a protruding lower jaw that causes the bottom teeth to rest in front of the top teeth when your mouth is closed. People with underbites may see the greatest change in facial symmetry with the implementation of an orthodontic treatment plan. 

Crossbite

Crossbites consist of what looks like a mix of the above two malocclusions (bite patterns), so that in this pattern, some of the front teeth overlap the bottom teeth and some rest behind the bottom teeth. 

Open Bite

You will recognize an open bite by the distinctive gap between the top and bottom teeth – they don’t meet in the middle. While this bite pattern can pose a range of issues including difficulty chewing, it can also cause the face to appear longer, meaning that people with this bite pattern may also see significant results with orthodontic treatment. 

How can my orthodontist help with asymmetry? 

Asymmetry is best addressed when caught at a young age. This is because your jawline is still growing and changing which means it is much more readily influenced by orthodontic treatment. Even still, facial asymmetry can still be corrected in older patients as well with the use of braces and, in more severe cases, corrective jaw surgery. 

Typically, however, depending on the unique characteristics of your teeth, your orthodontist will use one of several treatment methods to attempt to bring your bite pattern to a more neutral position in a process called intercuspation. The goal of intercuspation is to align your teeth, and the hope is that by aligning your teeth, the angles of your face and jaw are adjusted to produce a more symmetrical effect without actually, physically changing any of your other facial features. Feil Orthodontics offers the treatment options below to help you feel more attractive. 

Metal Braces

As the traditional option, metal braces are often the first that come to mind when considering orthodontic treatment. These braces work by tightening the wire attached to a bracket glued to each tooth. With gentle, continuous pressure, your teeth are aligned over a period of 12-36 months, depending on the severity of your case, your mouth’s response to treatment, and your desired outcome.

Clear Braces

Clear braces work the same way as metal braces. The difference is that clear braces use white, ceramic brackets that blend in with the color of your teeth and provide a less noticeable appearance.

Clear Aligners

This removable treatment option uses a series of clear trays that adjust your teeth without the use of wires or brackets. Because they are clear, this option allows you to straighten your teeth with a look that is almost invisible. By wearing these trays for 22 hours per day for 9-15 months, you’ll see results in no time. 

Feil Orthodontics Gets the Job Done

At Feil Orthodontics, we work one-on-one with our patients to get them the results they desire. Although we sincerely hope you don’t let insecurities around facial asymmetry get in the way of your unique and beautiful smile, we know that orthodontic treatment can be a step in the right direction to addressing your concerns. If you’re ready to meet with one of our doctors to discuss how orthodontics might help you, schedule an appointment here for one of our free consultations!