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Crowded, crooked teeth are just unsightly and the best reason for braces, right? Not so fast – there are other reasons to correct that snaggly smile that have nothing to do with vanity.

A crowded smile can make it very difficult to keep your teeth as clean as you would like to. The jam-packed nature of crowded teeth creates areas for plaque to accumulate and turn into tartar. Dentists call tartar "calculus", a rock hard substance that results when our teeth aren't cleaned well. This material is a precursor to periodontal disease.

The long term consequences of periodontal disease are well documented. Not only does it cause tooth loss but numerous studies have described its relationship to heart disease, diabetes, low birth weight babies, obstructive sleep apnea and more.

So orthodontics isn't just about making your teeth nice, straight and beautiful. It is much, much more. It is just as important to align your teeth so that you are able to keep them clean and free of the bacterial toxins that cause the destruction that accompanies periodontal disease.

If you suffer from overlapping or crowded teeth you may able to avoid periodontal disease and metal braces by straightening your smile with Invisalign. The Invisalign system uses clear, plastic trays that fit over your teeth and allow your teeth to move gradually. Unlike traditional braces Invisalign is removable for eating and cleaning your teeth.

If you should have any questions regarding periodontal disease and orthodontics, please do not hesitate to give our office a call at 800-509-8357 to schedule your initial general health dentistry consultation. We will arrange an appointment that works best for your schedule. Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro will take the time to answer your questions and concerns and help you to obtain your goals of a healthy mouth and beautiful smile. Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro serve the Phoenix, Arizona area and combine LVI training and state-of-the-art technology to bring you, and your family, the very best and healthiest general dentistry.

Malocclusion is the term dentists use to describe an overbite or underbite. An overbite is a common orthodontic condition in which the upper teeth over lap or fall over the lower arch of teeth. An under bite occurs when the upper teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth. While an overbite may be unsightly, it will probably not cause any major health concerns but left untreated, an underbite may eventually lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) which affects the jaw joint, resulting in pain while opening the mouth, headaches and a wide range of other symptoms.

These types of bite disorders can be repaired by your dentist using orthodontics. Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that treats improper bites, crowding of the teeth and tooth irregularity. Options for correcting malocclusion are braces, dental appliances, or Invisalign.

Invisalign is a series of clear, removable aligners that are used as an alternative to traditional metal braces. These series of clear aligners slowly move the teeth into the proper place. You begin with taking some dental impressions that are used to make your aligners. Your dentist gradually takes you through these aligners and over time you will start to see you teeth move into the proper position. Correcting these types of bites with Invisalign is a terrific alternative to old metal braces. With advances in Invisalign technology over the past several years treatment for more severe cases of malocclusion is now possible.

If you have any questions regarding overbite or underbite or how the Invisalign system can help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile by emailing our cosmetic dentistry office today to schedule your initial Invisalign consultation. Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro, treat patients in Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and other East Valley Cities in Arizona.

A Crossbite is an irregularity of how your teeth fit together. A crossbite can involve just one tooth or a group of teeth. If the teeth don’t fit together properly, you may have some dental concerns later on in life. Crossbites can be very damaging to the teeth and surrounding structures. They cause excessive wear of the teeth, lead to jaw joint discomfort (TMD) and cause periodontal problems because the overlapping and crowding do not allow proper cleaning.

Crossbite can appear in various forms:

• A posterior crossbite is where the lower teeth are outside the upper teeth in the back of the mouth
• An anterior crossbite is where an upper front tooth is on the inside of the lower teeth

It is best to repair a Crossbite as early as possible but it is never too late. The first step is to ask Phoenix, Arizona cosmetic dentists, Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro about your options. Crossbite can be repaired many ways. One of the newest and more popular ways is using the Invisalign system.

Invisalign is a series of clear, removable aligners that dentists use as an alternative to traditional metal braces. This series of aligners slowly move the teeth into the proper place. Unlike metal braces they are not cemented to your teeth so you can remove them for eating and brushing your teeth. Since they are clear, most people never know you have braces!

If you have any questions regarding Crossbite and Invisalign please do not hesitate to contact Phoenix, Arizona cosmetic dentists, Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro for a consultation at (480)834-6991. For patients in the Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and other East Valley Cities in Arizona, we will fully answer your questions and help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Invisible braces sound too good to be true but our technology today is incredible. In the past when people discussed braces, visions of the dreaded metal mouth appeared – just like Ugly Betty on TV. No longer! With Invisalign, adults no longer have to be self-conscious about the fact that "at their age" they are being treated with orthodontics and many children can avoid the discomfort and aggravation of metal braces.

Invisalign braces were invented by Zia Chishti. They are transparent, removable, and moldable braces generated using 3-D computer technology. Instead of one pair of braces that are cemented to the teeth and constantly adjusted, a series of orthodontic aligners are worn in succession over a period of time. The results are straight beautiful teeth without the headaches of traditional "braces."

Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional orthodontics but just like the traditional approach, it takes time. Invisalign can also be faster in achieving your goal than other orthodontic alternatives, and most patients love the fact that they can remove their Invisalign to eat and brush their teeth. They especially love the appearance of Invisalign – most people will never notice you are wearing it. Like all orthodontics wearing some kind of retainer upon completion of Invisalign is necessary to maintain the end result.

If you have any questions regarding Invisalign, please do not hesitate to contact Phoenix, Arizona cosmetic dentists, Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro for a consultation at (480)834-6991. For patients in the Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and other East Valley Cities in Arizona, we will arrange an appointment that works best with your schedule to answer your questions and get you on your way toward the beautiful smile you desire.

One of the best ways to be sure your child will have healthy teeth and gums into adulthood is to teach them to practice good oral hygiene.

You can start getting your child accustomed to having his or her teeth cleaned in infancy by gently cleaning their gums after they nurse or are given a bottle. Once their teeth start to come in, brush them gently with an infant toothbrush. An infant toothbrush is very soft and gentle to a baby's teeth and gums, but will help acclimate the child to the feel of having his teeth brushed.

As your child gets older, you can gradually teach her to brush her own teeth. It takes a certain amount of coordination to effectively brush your teeth on your own, so it might be a few years before you can depend on your child to fly solo. In the meantime, be sure to demonstrate proper technique, and have Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro help you by also demonstrating during regular appointments.

Flossing, too, is very important for children to learn to do properly. Many children like the plastic floss holders shaped like colorful animals, as these are easier for small hands to maneuver than a piece of floss. Ask Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro to recommend a product that will work well for your child.

Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro provide pediatric dentistry in the Mesa, Arizona area, as well as Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. For questions about when your child should see the dentist, or how to teach your child proper dental hygiene, please contact the offices of Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro for a consultation or an appointment.