Treatments & Appliances 6 min read · By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics Quick answer Interproximal reduction (IPR), sometimes called filing, slenderizing, or stripping, is a routine orthodontic technique that removes a tiny sliver of enamel between teeth to create space. It is painless, safe when done properly, and often lets us… Continue reading Filing Between Teeth (IPR): How Interproximal Reduction Creates a Better Smile
Tag: Braces
Learn everything about braces, from types and benefits to costs and care tips. Explore expert orthodontic advice to achieve a straighter, healthier smile!
Do Braces or Invisalign Hurt? Pain Comparison and Management
Living With Braces 6 min read · By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics · Living With Braces Short answer: Both braces and clear aligners cause mild soreness because both move teeth with steady pressure. Expect a couple of tender days after placement, an adjustment, or a new aligner tray, then it eases.… Continue reading Do Braces or Invisalign Hurt? Pain Comparison and Management
What Causes Gaps in Teeth and How to Fix Them
Bite & Alignment Issues 6 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics A gap between the front teeth, what dentists call a diastema, is one of those things people either love or want gone. Some wear it as a signature. Others would rather close it. Either choice is fine, but… Continue reading What Causes Gaps in Teeth and How to Fix Them
What is Teeth Crowding and How Can It Be Fixed?
Bite & Alignment Issues 6 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics Crowded teeth are the single most common reason people come see me. Maybe a tooth is twisted, or the bottom front teeth overlap, or everything just looks a little bunched. The reassuring part: crowding is one of the… Continue reading What is Teeth Crowding and How Can It Be Fixed?
Orthodontic Elastics: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Treatments & Appliances 6 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics At some point in braces treatment, we'll hand you a little bag of tiny rubber bands and ask you to hook them between your upper and lower teeth. These are orthodontic elastics, and here's the thing patients don't always… Continue reading Orthodontic Elastics: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Traditional Braces vs. Power Chains: What’s the Difference?
Treatments & Appliances 5 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics Patients ask me this all the time, usually when they notice a stretchy chain of colored rings appear on their braces partway through treatment: are power chains different from my braces, or a replacement for them? Here's the clear… Continue reading Traditional Braces vs. Power Chains: What’s the Difference?
Water Flossing: Is It Effective for Oral Care?
Oral Health 5 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics Water flossers get a lot of hype, and if you wear braces you've probably wondered whether one is worth it. The honest take: water flossing genuinely works, especially for braces, bridges, and implants, but it's a teammate to string floss,… Continue reading Water Flossing: Is It Effective for Oral Care?
What is TMD? A Comprehensive Guide to Temporomandibular Disorders
Bite & Alignment Issues 6 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics If your jaw pops when you open wide, aches by the end of the day, or sometimes feels like it might catch, you may be dealing with TMD. It's common, often manageable, and frequently misunderstood. As an orthodontist,… Continue reading What is TMD? A Comprehensive Guide to Temporomandibular Disorders
Can You Chew Gum with Braces? A Complete Guide
Living With Braces 5 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics Gum is the classic braces question, and the classic answer, "absolutely not," deserves a little nuance. Sticky, sugary gum really is a bad idea with braces. But sugar-free gum is a different story, and if you wear clear aligners… Continue reading Can You Chew Gum with Braces? A Complete Guide