Does Your Child Really Need a Palatal Crib? 

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If you have a child that is still sucking their thumb or pacifier after the age of five, your orthodontist in Norton, OH, might recommend a palatal crib. But what is a palatal crib, and how does it work?

Let’s take a look.

What Is a Palatal Crib and What’s It Used For?

A palatal crib is a dental appliance. It’s a metal framework shaped like a semi-circle and placed in your child’s mouth.

If your child is still sucking their thumb or pacifier after the age of five, fitting them with a palatal crib could save you from having to pay for extensive and expensive corrective dental procedures in the future. It will also help your child avoid damaging their mouth to the point of causing speech impediments and other issues.

A palatal crib is considered an early orthodontic intervention in Norton, OH, and it’s used to stop the following destructive behaviors.

  • Prevent Thumb Sucking
  • Break the Pacifier Habit
  • Prevent Tongue Thrusting

How a Palatal Crib Works

A child sucks their thumb or pacifier as a self-soothing mechanism. A palatal crib prevents your child’s thumb or pacifier from being able to touch the roof of their mouth. So, the palatal crib prevents that self-soothing sensation from occurring. And this, in turn, breaks the sucking habit almost immediately.

A palatal crib is a non-invasive and well-tolerated dental appliance placed on the roof of your child’s mouth and held in place by cementing it to the backs of the upper teeth.

The Benefits of a Palatal Crib

These are just a few benefits of fitting your child with a palatal crib.

  • Malocclusion Prevention
  • Encourages Proper Facial Development
  • Promotes Proper Tongue Posture
  • Helps Break Bad Habits (thumb and pacifier sucking and tongue thrusting)

Are You Looking for a Reputable Orthodontist in Norton, OH?

If you think your child might need a palatal crib to stop thumb or pacifier sucking, please Contact Hockenberger Orthodontics today. We would be happy to show you exactly how it works and answer all your questions.

Can Bruxism Affect Appearance of Your Face?

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Bruxism is a condition where a person grinds their teeth. While it’s commonly associated with dental issues like worn enamel or jaw pain, bruxism can also impact your facial appearance in surprising ways. Over time, constant grinding can change the way your face looks, affecting everything from muscle structure to the overall shape of your jawline. If you have bruxism, talk to your orthodontist in Norton, OH.

Enlarged Jaw Muscles

One of the most noticeable effects of bruxism is the enlargement of the jaw muscles. These muscles, responsible for chewing, become overworked when you grind your teeth on a chronic basis. This can lead to hypertrophy, where the muscles grow larger over time. The result? A broader, more square-shaped jawline that can change the overall symmetry of your face. For those seeking a softer, more contoured look, this change can be unwelcome.

Shortened Teeth and a Sunken Appearance

Constant grinding wears down the enamel on your teeth, making them shorter. When this happens, the vertical height of your face decreases, which can give your face a sunken or collapsed appearance. This makes the face look older and more fatigued, altering the balance between your lower and upper face.

More Wrinkles

Bruxism doesn’t just affect the muscles and teeth. It can also contribute to premature aging and the development of wrinkles. What happens is, constant tension in the facial muscles can create stress around the mouth and cheeks, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. These changes make the face appear more aged than it really is.

Bruxism most certainly can have a significant impact on the appearance of your face, usually a negative one. But bruxism is also highly treatable. Talk to your Norton, OH orthodontist to learn more.

Is Orthodontic Care Right for Adults?

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You’ve seen them before. Those movies go back to high school, where some kids had braces, and others had retainers. They would grow up to have great and perfectly aligned teeth.

Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, we have solutions that are not only kid-friendly but can help adults fix their teeth without having to wear uncomfortable metal and wire braces to work and social gatherings.

The team at Hockenberger Orthodontics of Norton, OH, is proud to serve the local community with quality dental care services, including state-of-the-art orthodontic care. You can rest assured that no matter the bite issue, we’ve got you covered.

How Orthodontics Can Help Adults

We’ve all heard of braces, but how else can orthodontics help you?

Orthodontic treatment can improve your oral health and overall well-being in several ways:

  1. Boost Your Confidence: A straighter smile can significantly boost your self-esteem and confidence.
  2. Improve Your Oral Health: Crooked teeth can be problematic to clean, leading to a higher risk of cavities. Orthodontic treatment can help you maintain better oral hygiene.
  3. Correct Bite Issues: Misaligned bites can cause jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and even wear and tear on your teeth. Orthodontics can help correct these problems.
  4. Facial Symmetry: Straight teeth can improve your facial appearance and create a more harmonious smile.

Your Local Quality Dental Care Professionals

Although early childhood orthodontic solutions are essential for the growth and development of young smiles, it is never too late to correct those bite issues.

We have many different solutions for all our patients, regardless of the situation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can make your smile shine brighter.

During your next appointment with the amazing team at Hockenberger Orthodontics of Norton, OH, you can be sure you are receiving the best possible care and guidance that you and your family deserve.

Why Your Child Needs Early Orthodontic Care

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Orthodontic care is a step above the general daily care that you may be used to. Your children’s smile is essential, and many issues can affect your child’s ability to live their lives to the fullest.

The experienced team at Hockenberger Orthodontics of Norton, OH, is proud to serve the local community with exceptional dental care services, including professional orthodontic care, which helps to ensure and preserve the smiles of tomorrow.

What are Orthodontics?

One of the most critical conversations in your household will be the conversation around the possibility of your child needing braces. Orthodontic dental care teams specialize in jaws and misaligned teeth. While braces are a common solution, many tools and procedures may suit your child.

Why Would My Child Need Orthodontic Care?

Orthodontic care is essential for everyone, but seeing a professional as early in life is crucial. If your child is of middle school age, here are some signs they may need care:

Still Has Baby Teeth

Children start losing baby teeth as early as five and should have most adult teeth by thirteen. It’s important to check in with an expert if your child is not losing their baby teeth regularly or the tooth is growing back in an improper position.

Hard to Bite and Chew

Misaligned teeth cause chewing and biting issues, and children can get food stuck in their teeth and gums, which may not be removed with brushing. The earlier bite issues are resolved, the better.

Speaking and Other Mouth-Related Issues

Jaw and tooth issues can cause difficulty breathing, so you may find that your child is consistently breathing through their mouth. Misaligned teeth can also cause speech issues and can affect facial symmetry.

Your Local Dental Care Specialist

When your child consistently complains about dental care issues, it may be time to see an orthodontic professional. During your next appointment with the qualified team at Hockenberger Orthodontics of Norton, OH, you can be sure you receive the best care and guidance your unique situation deserves.

Hockenberger Orthodontics — How Do Clear Aligners Work?

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If you want straight teeth, clear aligners are a great option. They’re comfortable, hardly noticeable, and relatively inexpensive. While it’s easy to understand the benefits of these popular orthodontic devices, do you know how they work?

In this post, we’ll talk about what you can expect with clear aligners.

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are orthodontic devices that help to straighten teeth over time. Working just like braces, they move teeth to their desired position over a matter of months. However, instead of using metal brackets and wires, clear aligners utilize a strong plastic. This device simply snaps over your teeth for a comfortable orthodontic experience. While popular brands like Invisalign offer these clear aligners, you can also find several other providers.

Think clear aligners may be right for you? If so, contact Hockenberger Orthodontics today! We offer top-of-the-line clear aligners in Norton, OH.

What to Expect

If you’re interested in clear aligners, the process starts with a consultation with your orthodontist. They will examine your teeth, look at X-rays, and evaluate your dental history to determine if you’re a good candidate. If everything checks out, the next step is to take X-rays and get an impression of your teeth. This information is then sent to a lab to create your aligners.

Once your aligners are made, you’ll have another office visit to try them on and ensure a good fit. If things look good, you get a set of aligners to wear throughout your treatment plan. After wearing one aligner for a week or two, you’ll switch to a new aligner. You’ll continue this process until your teeth have moved to their desired position.

Interested in learning more about clear aligners? To speak with a skilled and knowledgeable orthodontist in Norton, OH, call Hockenberger Orthodontics today!

3 Things You Should Know About Orthodontic 3D Printing

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3D printers have become a standard piece of equipment for many dentists, but not everyone is aware of how they work or why they’re being used in more and more offices. Learn more about what printing does, when it’s used, and why you might want to take advantage of the technology.

3D Printers Take Exact Replicas

A 3D printer can create a replica for any number of dental devices. If you’re looking for braces in Norton, OH, they can be used to construct an appliance that can give your teeth the look and shape you’ve always wanted.

The process is fairly straightforward. First, a scanner will make a map of the mouth. Then, the printer will use that information to layer different materials together. 3D printers have made customization far more affordable, because now it can be automated across the board.

It’s Extremely Versatile

Crowns, braces, aligners: 3D printers are being used to make any number of devices. When everyone has their own dental patterns (known as dentitions in the industry), it’s crucial to find solutions that will work with the rest of your mouth.

Unlike the devices of yesteryear, the quality is far more consistent. Patients no longer have to worry about the technician making a mistake or refusing to complete a difficult design.

The Right Dentist in Norton, OH Can Help

3D printers give patients better results for less money, and they’ve revolutionized an entire industry. However, not every dentist has the same equipment, nor will they be able to use it in the same way.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Norton, Akron, or Wadsworth, OH that knows how to pass along the benefits of 3D printing to you without endangering your health (or wallet), contact Hockenberger Orthodontics today.