Category: Orthodontics

What Are the Most Popular Cosmetic Dental Procedures?

Cosmetic dentistry has become more and more popular over the years as patients increasingly want teeth that are beautiful in appearance as well as healthy. Paris Mountain Dental offers a few different popular cosmetic dental options that can help you achieve your smile goals and attain a dazzling smile that you can’t wait to show off!

Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment. That’s why you see so many drugstore teeth whitening products like whitening strips and whitening toothpastes. It’s very common for teeth to naturally appear a little yellow or simply less bright than we want them to be. Professional teeth whitening is a simple and easy way to achieve a consistently bright white smile that lasts for many months or even years. We can work with you to decide what shade will make your teeth look beautiful yet very natural.

Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear aligner therapy is another popular cosmetic dental treatment. Aligners quickly, effectively, and discreetly can shift teeth. If you have always wished you had a straighter smile but don’t want to wear noticeable metal braces, clear aligners are an excellent alternative option. Orthodontic treatments can be used to correct a patient’s bite and reduce crowding. A straighter smile can lead to better overall oral health. Of course, many patients are more interested in the cosmetic enhancements that orthodontic treatment provides. Regardless of your reason for pursuing clear aligner therapy, our team would be happy to help!

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are less common than teeth whitening treatments and clear aligner therapy for a few reasons, but they are still a popular cosmetic dental service. Veneers are a permanent treatment. Once a patient decides to enhance their smile by having one or more veneers placed, the tooth or teeth must always be protected by a veneer or another dental restoration. Veneers tend to be more of a financial investment as well. However, for patients who are looking to achieve a gorgeous, Hollywood-esque smile, traditional veneers can offer them the straighter, whiter, more uniform smile that they have always wanted.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Travelers Rest, SC

Not sure which treatment option is right for you? Schedule a cosmetic consultation with Paris Mountain Dental today. We’ll be happy to help you decide which treatment or treatments will work best for your unique smile.

Learn more about our most popular cosmetic treatments!

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How Clear Aligners Work

Smiling woman with curly hair holds a clear aligner in front of her face.

Clear aligner therapy is a revolutionary teeth straightening method. Aligner therapy utilizes retainer-like trays to straighten teeth. But how do aligners straighten teeth? It’s a valid question that many patients ask when considering aligners. Keep reading to learn more about how they work and what they can do for your smile!

What Is Clear Aligner Therapy?

Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligner therapy uses clear, plastic trays to straighten teeth over time. To create the aligner series, dentists utilize digital scanners to create a 3D model of the teeth. With the model, a series of aligners are designed to move teeth incrementally over the treatment period. Clear aligners use gentle force to push teeth into their desired positions. Each new aligner tray gets you closer to the finish line!

How Clear Aligners Straighten Teeth

Clear aligners are worn for one to two weeks at a time. They are specifically designed to not fit perfectly so that they can push the teeth gently into their new positions. After one to two weeks, patients swap out their current trays for a new set. These are worn until the teeth have adjusted to fit in the newest trays. This cycle continues until the preferred smile results are achieved! Aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours a day to stay on the estimated treatment timeline.

Benefits of Clear Aligner Therapy

Wondering if clear aligner therapy is the right choice for you? This advanced orthodontic treatment provides a wide array of perks for patients!

  • Aligners are removed before eating
  • You can easily brush & floss
  • Subtle appearance
  • Smooth, comfortable aligners
  • Minimal pain & discomfort
  • Fewer appointments
  • Reduced treatment time on average

Clear Aligner Therapy in Travelers Rest

Ready to achieve your dream smile without having a mouth full of metal? At Paris Mountain Dental, we are pleased to offer clear aligner therapy. We love watching our patients gain a straight, beautiful smile without having to deal with the stress or embarrassment of braces. Please contact us to schedule your orthodontic consultation!

Discreetly straighten your teeth with clear aligners!

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How Cosmetic Dentistry Impacts Your Oral Health

Attractive dark haired young woman with curly hair shows off a beautiful smile enhanced by cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is more than just looking better. It can also impact your oral health and improve your general well-being. Let’s go over some typical cosmetic dentistry treatments and talk about how they can improve your oral health.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are thin ceramic layers that make custom changes to your teeth. Dental veneers are an excellent option for internally stained teeth, minor alignment issues, and chipped teeth. Porcelain veneers do more than give you a dazzling smile. They often save your teeth from further problems down the road. For example, not fixing a chipped tooth can lead to problems like more cracks in the enamel or the potential for a bacterial infection within the tooth. Both of these issues can lead to more costly and extensive repairs.

Teeth Whitening

Stained teeth are a common dental problem. Food and drink particles, smoking, natural aging, or certain medications are reasons for teeth staining. Teeth whitening can lift the stains from your teeth and give you a brighter smile. Professional teeth whitening is superior to store-bought whiteners. A custom-tray whitening treatment from Dr. Ghimire at Paris Mountain Dental is safer for your mouth and more likely to create better results. When you’re proud of your smile, you are more vigilant about taking care of your teeth. This includes implementing a dental hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly flossing.

Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear Aligner Therapy can give you a straighter smile that will leave you a healthier person. All of this while avoiding the appearance of traditional metal braces. Straighter teeth can have a considerable impact on your oral health. They are easier to clean and less likely to get broken. Aligned teeth also improve your bite and prevent excessive wear on your teeth. These factors make you less likely to develop jaw pain, gum disease, cavities, or other oral infections.

Better Oral Health in Travelers Rest, SC

Paris Mountain Dental in Travelers Rest, SC offers several cosmetic dentistry procedures, including veneers, professional teeth whitening, and clear aligner therapy. They all can help improve your oral health and improve your appearance at the same time. Please schedule an appointment with us to discuss your situation.

Ask us how cosmetic dentistry can improve your overall oral health!

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How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Dark haired smiling girl holding her clear aligner

At Paris Mountain Dental in Travelers Rest, SC, we are happy to provide you with the best orthodontic care when it comes to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams. Here, we’ll discuss clear aligners as an option for straightening your teeth and explain how they work.

What Are the Benefits of Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are a fantastic way to straighten your teeth. While traditional braces use metal brackets and wires to straighten your teeth, clear aligners are removable, clear plastic appliances. The benefit to clear aligners is that they are subtle and virtually invisible. People might not even notice you’re wearing them so you can feel more confident about your appearance while you straighten your teeth. Another great aspect of clear aligners is that they are removable. This means that you can take them out for special occasions so you feel your best for the big moment. You can also take them out when you eat and brush and floss your teeth so you can clean your teeth thoroughly.

How Do Clear Aligners Work?

First, a custom-made plan to straighten your smile is computer generated. Next, the aligners will be made to fix your specific alignment issues. The aligners fit snugly over your teeth. Where traditional braces slowly pull your teeth into place, clear aligners gently push your teeth into place. Surprisingly, it usually takes less time to straighten your teeth using this method. For the treatment to work however, you’ll need to wear your clear aligners for about 20 to 22 hours per day. The aligners are replaced with new ones every few weeks so that your teeth are constantly being pushed into the right spot. At the end of the treatment, you’ll receive a final set of clear aligners to serve as a retainer. Wearing the retainer every night will ensure that your teeth stay in place.

How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?

At Paris Mountain Dental, we offer many payment options so that you can get a straighter smile no matter what your budget is. We accept many insurances and can even accept payment through CareCredit. This allows you to split your costs into easy monthly payments. If you don’t have insurance, we offer the Paris Mountain Dental Savings Plan for a low annual fee so you can get preventive care at no additional cost and a 12% discount on other dental procedures and treatments. Call our Travelers Rest office today for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Contact us to learn more about clear aligners.

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The Advantages of Clear Aligner Therapy

Trio of images showing the progress of clear aligner therapy

Are you are contemplating straightening your smile? Consider using Clear Aligner Therapy to do it. At Paris Mountain Dental we’re proud to offer clear aligners to our patients along with a number of options to make it affordable. Here’s some information about how it works and why people love it.

How Clear Aligners Work

Clear aligner therapy straightens your teeth using clear, plastic aligners instead of the traditional wires and brackets. We will create custom aligners that fit snuggly over your teeth. Computer software accurately identifies what must be done to correct your particular misalignment issues. Then, the aligners apply gentle pressure to the areas that need straightening and push your teeth into place. You need to wear the clear aligners for between 20 and 22 hours every day. Every few weeks you will swap out your aligners for new ones. The new aligners will continue to move your teeth further into place once the older set have done their job. You’ll receive numerous aligners at one time so fewer visits are needed to the office. Wait, we’re getting ahead of ourselves talking about the benefits. . .

The Advantages Of Clear Aligner Therapy

One of the greatest benefits of clear aligners is that they are virtually invisible. This eliminates the self consciousness that people, especially adults, sometimes feel while straightening their teeth. Additionally, the aligners are removable! Therefore, you can take them out for short periods of time. No more embarrassment if you have a special event like a job interview, a wedding or a family photo. You can remove them while eating so food doesn’t get stuck in them. Plus, you can take them out to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. Maintaining good dental hygiene is easier. Also, although you may feel a little pressure when you switch to the new set of aligners, they don’t hurt. Sometimes wearers of traditional braces experience quite a bit of discomfort when they get their braces put on or tightened. Lastly, aligner therapy often takes less time, depending on your straightening needs.

If you think you may be a good candidate for Clear Aligner Therapy, give us a call and we’ll schedule a consultation.

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Foods to Avoid with Braces

Smiling teenage boy with short curly black hair and braces is wearing a dark green jacket and standing in front of a horizontal paneled fence

Alright, we get it. Braces aren’t exactly fun. They take a lot of work, over a lot of time. But here’s the great thing, when you finally get those brackets off, your smile will be show-stopping. So while you might be dreaming about your favorite forbidden snack, please be patient. Don’t jeopardize the beautiful results you’ve been working so hard to achieve.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

There are a number of foods that are totally off limits if you’re sporting traditional metal braces. Please stay away from sticky and/or chewy foods like gum, candy, and bagels. Crunchy snacks like nuts, popcorn, and pretzels should also be avoided. You should never chew on ice since it could chip a tooth, but especially not with braces. And avoid biting directly into fruits and veggies like apples and carrots–cut them up into small, bite-sized pieces before enjoying.

Know the Consequences

Not convinced? Keep reading! You have to know what you’re getting yourself into if you break the rules. Remember, not only are you investing a lot of time and energy into wearing your braces, they are a financial investment too. Some foods should be avoided because they are hard to clean up after, but if you chew on hard, tough foods, you risk damaging the braces. For example, you could break a wire or need to replace a bracket. Setbacks like these can prolong the process, and even alter the effectiveness of the procedure, providing results that differ from those desired.

What Can I Eat?

We know, it’s tough to swear off treats like pretzels and popcorn, but with braces you can actually eat most foods. Stick with soft foods. Foods that are cooked, blended, or pureed are typically safe bets. Granted, some things are a little messier with braces. You’ll want to immediately clean your teeth after eating so chunks of that juicy hamburger with onion, tomato and lettuce aren’t a part of your smile!

Orthodontics at Paris Mountain Dental

We’re here to tell you that the result you’ll get from treatment with braces will be worth the small temporary sacrifices you’ll have to make. If you think you’re ready for a straighter smile, give us a call to schedule a free orthodontic consultation.

If you want more advice about which foods to avoid with braces or how to care for your teeth while wearing braces, contact us at Paris Mountain Dental. We’d love to hear from you.

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At What Age Should My Child Have an Orthodontic Evaluation?

young girl pointing at braces after orthodontic consultation

It’s not uncommon for tweens and teens to need braces. And since the headgear of the past is long gone, they’re usually less averse to the idea of orthodontia. But when should your child have an orthodontic evaluation? We recommend bringing your child in once their permanent teeth start erupting. That doesn’t necessarily mean your child will leave with a shiny set of braces, but it does allow us to start keeping an eye out for potential problems.

Benefits of Early Teeth Straightening

The most ideal time for children to get braces is between the ages of 10 and 14. At this point, their head and mouths are still growing and developing. Teeth are more likely to take to the straightening process during this time. Of course, people can get braces at any age, but there are benefits to straightening teeth earlier rather than later.

  • Influence jaw growth and bite
  • Lower trauma risk if front teeth are protruding
  • Correct harmful habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, etc.)
  • Improve aesthetics of face and teeth
  • Help permanent teeth move into better positions

Orthodontic Evaluations for Kids

If you notice any of the following in your child, it may be time for an orthodontic evaluation:

  • Difficulty chewing
  • Breathing through mouth
  • Crowded or misplaced teeth
  • Jaw position that is too far back or forward
  • Front teeth not meeting, or meeting abnormally
  • Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
  • Facial appearance that seems unbalanced

When your child comes in for an orthodontic evaluation, we take X-rays and go over any potential problems we see with their tooth eruption and mouth development. We discuss our suggested treatment plan with you so you can talk it over with your child. It’s important to go over the idea of braces with your child since they will be the one wearing the braces for years.

Braces aren’t nearly as big a deal as they used to be, but it can still be hard to decide if the time is right for your child to have an orthodontic evaluation. If you’re unsure, give Paris Mountain Dental a call. One of our team members will gladly discuss your concerns, answer any questions you have, and help you schedule a convenient consultation appointment.

It’s time to help your child get a healthy smile!

Schedule an Orthodontic Consultation

Should You Visit a Dentist or Orthodontist for Braces?

young adult woman with braces smiling in classroom

Did you know you don’t need to see an orthodontist if you want braces? At Paris Mountain Dental, we provide complete orthodontic treatment for all our patients in Travelers Rest.

You Don’t Have to See an Orthodontist

There is no need to see a specialist if you want to have your orthodontic treatment done with your regular dentist! Dr. Ghimire has completed the requirements for The American Orthodontic Society’s Comprehensive Orthodontic Education and she is certified in Invisalign®, giving her the ability to offer orthodontic treatment without banding.

Braces for All Ages

You don’t need to be a teenager to correct your smile. In fact, many adults choose to get braces later in life, and some even opt for Invisalign. Dr. Ghimire is trained to not only address all of your general and restorative dentistry needs, but she is also experienced in creating a braces treatment plan and timeline to straighten your smile. Whether you decide to go with traditional metal braces or choose Invisalign aligner therapy, we have everything you need to get a beautiful and attractive smile.

Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment from Your Family Dentist

Seeing your dentist for your orthodontic treatment has numerous benefits. You can keep all your appointments under one roof, plus Dr. Ghimire will already know your medical history and will be able to develop a treatment plan that is just right for you.

Another benefit of seeing Dr. Ghimire for getting your braces is being able to see your general dentist at the same time of your orthodontic treatment. This means all of your appointments are in one place, and if during your orthodontic appointment, we notice another small issue, we can take care of it right there if there is time. Plus, you can make back-to-back appointments, so you don’t have to drive all over town for your oral health care.

We want you to have a beautiful smile that you’re confident about and you feel good about showing off. Make a consultation with Dr. Ghimire today to find out how braces or Invisalign are right for you. Schedule an appointment with our friendly staff today by giving us a call or booking online!

Start on the path to a straighter smile!

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Braces Throwdown: Which Orthodontic Treatment is Right for You

Teeth straightening is not just for teenagers anymore – today’s modern orthodontics treatments take into consideration the utility of removable, clear orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign. Traditional braces are still a great option for some, so today we will discuss which orthodontic treatment is right for you.

ghimire-ortho

Invisalign®

Invisalign has become a very popular alternative to traditional wire braces. This product is a set of custom-made, plastic aligner trays that you wear for most of the day. The trays are clear and many people won’t notice you’re wearing them at all. You can remove them for eating or important meetings, whereas with traditional braces you obviously do not have that option. Aligner therapy is good for mild to moderate crookedness, and also for correcting overbites and spacing issues.

Fastbraces®

Looking for an affordable, fast-working orthodontic treatment that is effective and allows you to get on with your life? Fastbraces is an accelerated treatment option that uses clear brackets and can take as little time as just a few weeks up to a year. Fastbraces are more discreet and also a faster treatment option for adults and teenagers that need more intensive straightening than options like Invisalign can provide.

Conventional Metal Braces

Metal braces are the traditional method for straightening teeth, as they are a tried and proven method which can be adjusted to your specific needs throughout the treatment. Traditional braces are also more affordable, and can allow your dentist to make slight adjustments throughout your treatment as needed.

For the best advice about which treatment option is right for you, schedule an appointment with Paris Mountain Dental today!

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