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Everyone knows that the key to keeping your smile amazing after braces is to routinely wear your retainer, but what do you do if something happens to it? Whether you can’t find it or it’s been broken, your Laredo orthodontist is here to help.

Have you ever wondered how people began fixing their teeth? To us, braces have always just been an option and a part of our lives, however, that hasn’t always been the case. People have cared about their teeth and their smile for centuries, and there have been some interesting ways in how those concerns were addressed.

Curious on how to care for your or your child’s braces this Halloween. Click to learn tips on how to keep your braces & Invisalign this Halloween!

Having braces presents its own set of challenges. Learn from our orthodontists on how to care for your braces at school!

Wondering if Invisalign is right for you? See what our Laredo family orthodontists, have to say about Invisalign & Invisalign Teen.

Getting ready for an orthodontic appointment can raise many questions. From preparation to post-care, here are the best questions to ask your orthodontist!

Contrary to popular belief, all of your child’s baby teeth do not need to fall out before starting orthodontic treatment! Some children may have severe issues that will only worsen as the permanent teeth come in, making early treatment - Phase I treatment - detrimentally important. Phase I treatment and early braces can help your son or daughter avoid more complicated treatments later down the road.

At Laredo Orthodontics, Dr. Andrea Font, Dr. Patrick Moore, and our dental team know how difficult it can be for you and your children to have an orthodontic-friendly holiday season this year, especially with Christmas right around the corner! Nothing says the holiday season more than Christmas tree shopping, spending quality time with family and friends, and making wish lists for Santa...but unfortunately, many of your holiday festivities will have tons of foods, desserts, and treats that can cause harm to your family’s orthodontic appliances, and maybe even an orthodontic emergency!

At Laredo Orthodontics, we're proud to help patients of all ages throughout Cotulla, Zapata, and Laredo, TX achieve beautiful new smiles through orthodontic treatment. But in addition to providing treatments like braces and Invisalign, we strive to be a comprehensive resource for information on every part of the orthodontic process. One of the most common questions we get from patients is whether or not orthodontic treatment is painful. So let's answer this once and for all!

You already know that regular brushing and flossing is vital to the health of your teeth – but in addition to oral hygiene, your diet plays a crucial role in dental health. Believe it or not, what foods you eat can have a dramatic impact in preventing decay and keeping your teeth healthy and strong. As your Laredo orthodontist, we're proud to serve as a comprehensive resource to patients in Laredo, Cotulla, and the surrounding areas for all things related to oral health, so here are our recommendations on the best foods for your teeth.

In the past, if you wanted to get that perfect smile, the only way to do so was by going to see your local orthodontist for treatment. Whether you got metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign, you wore your appliance and went to follow-up appointments at the office until you finally had that brand new smile. Today, there’s a new kind of treatment that’s aiming to change the whole process, allowing patients to straighten their teeth at home without having to step foot into an office. This new treatment is becoming known as “online braces” or “at-home orthodontics”.

At Laredo Orthodontics, our mission is to help our patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles through quality, convenient orthodontic treatment. As a leading orthodontic practice serving the Laredo, TX area, we’re proud to provide treatments ranging from traditional metal braces to alternatives like Invisalign – but in addition to providing treatment, we strive to be a comprehensive resource for your oral health. If you’ve been wondering about the specific mechanics of what causes cavities, you’re not alone. Learn what our Laredo orthodontist, Dr. James VandeBerg, has to say about the science and the truth behind cavities.

So you’ve spent months – or maybe even years – undergoing our Laredo and Zapata Invisalign or braces treatment and it’s finally the day where you get to remove your orthodontics. While you may be absolutely thrilled at the prospect of finally getting to take your braces (or Invisalign) off, we have to warn you not to get too carried away – there’s still one important stage left – the retention stage. Dr. Patrick Moore, Dr. Andrea Font, and the entire team here at Laredo Orthodontics would like to tell you all about this vital stage in the orthodontic process.

Orthodontic treatment is common among teens and adolescents. By the time children have reached this age, all their permanent teeth have arrived, and it is possible to tell if they need adjustment due to misalignment, crowding or other issues. However, as common as braces are, some might prefer a less visible option. For many teens, Invisalign is a better option considering the comfort and overall appearance.

Braces for adults have become more popular and more common over the last several years. The advantages of having orthodontic work as an adult are many, leading more people to pursue treatment. However, many still prefer not to wear metal braces and bands. For those who prefer a less obvious treatment, Invisalign aligner trays are a popular option.

When you see an orthodontist for an initial consultation, he will explain the course of treatment he recommends to correct your malocclusion. In some cases, this can include removing teeth. Orthodontists generally try to avoid extraction, but if there is severe crowding, removal of one or more teeth might be necessary.

Orthodontics are a common course of treatment for young people. Although traditionally braces are used to treat adolescents, younger children can also be treated. Earlier orthodontic screenings can allow your child to begin treatment earlier, allowing for better long-term results.

Orthodontics is treatment to move your teeth into the right position, but the treatments used can present a challenge to maintaining your everyday oral hygiene. If you are wearing braces, flossing is not only possible, but it’s important to maintain the health of your teeth. Your orthodontist and your dentist can provide you with tools that will help you floss and brush effectively even with braces.

Even though both dentists and orthodontists will help patients with their oral health, how they go about doing it is completely different. Orthodontists focus on using orthodontic appliances, such as braces and Invisalign, to help shift a patient’s teeth into a straighter and more favorable alignment. Dentists, on the other hand, will provide regular dental care, including exams and teeth cleanings, to make sure that a patient’s teeth are healthy. While dentists are to be seen once every six months, orthodontists are only seen if necessary, such as in the event of an orthodontic problem. Also, a fun note about dentists and orthodontists is that all orthodontists are actually dentists as well. Orthodontists require dental training in addition to their two years of orthodontic coursework.