Advanced Orthodontic Care

Braces in Denver ORTHODONTIST SERVING STAPLETON, DENVER, CHERRY CREEK & NEARBY AREAS OF COLORADO Malocclusion – or the misalignment of the teeth when the jaws come together – is corrected with braces. Braces have been used for generations to create smiles that are both healthy and aesthetically pleasing. Modern braces are common among children and adults alike, and there are various types from which to choose. To find out which braces you are a candidate for, please call Advanced Orthodontic Care in Denver at 303-578-4484. Dr. Robert Rudman is an experienced orthodontist who founded our practice in 1999. He is personally driven by achieving great results for his patients. Please browse the sections below to learn more. Are Braces Right for You? Types of Braces Braces for Adults How Braces Work Dental Hygiene with Braces Foods to Avoid with Braces Questions About Braces Your Consultation in Denver Are Braces Right for You? Young Denver woman wearing traditional metal braces. Braces address various types of malocclusion: Crooked teeth Crowded teeth Gaps between teeth Open bite Cross bite Over bite Under bite Malocclusion is very common. Even if your teeth look mostly straight, the way the jaws come together may be unbalanced or not fully aligned, which can lead to issues with the comfort of your bite. Your "bite" is in fact the way your teeth and jaws come together when you bite down. A bad bite can increase your risk of several problems: Jaw soreness Straining of the muscles, ligaments and nerves associated with the jaws and face Abnormal or uneven wearing of your teeth enamel Discomfort while chewing Difficulties with speech Tooth decay Gum disease Tooth loss Braces not only create beautiful smiles, they also address the functional and health-related issues above. Dr. Rudman will use x-rays, photos and an exam to assess your bite and the straightness of your teeth. If he determines you can benefit from braces, he will explain all of the types of braces that will work for you. Everyone's malocclusion is different, and the teeth must move in specific ways in order to create alignment. Dr. Rudman determines which types of braces are capable of moving the teeth in the right way for the individual patient. Types of Braces In this day and age, there is more than one option when it comes to braces: Traditional metal braces. These are the braces that may come to mind first. Metal brackets and wires gradually move the teeth over time, until the desired alignment is achieved. Rubber bands are used in various configurations to exert force on the brackets. Braces are much lower profile than in the past. You can choose colorful, clear or tooth-colored rubber bands to personalize your braces. Clear or "ceramic" braces. These braces work the same way as the metal kind, but the brackets are clear. They blend into the color of your teeth and offer a less visible option. The wires are metal and you can choose clear, tooth-colored or colorful rubber bands. Invisalign®. Just like braces, Invisalign works by putting pressure on the tooth. Unlike braces, there are no brackets or wires. Instead, you wear custom-made plastic aligners over your teeth, similar to a mouth guard. Each aligner is shaped in a specific way to get the teeth to move according to plan. You remove Invisalign to eat and to brush, and most people won't know you are wearing them. Synergy R. This new bracket system is self-ligating, meaning there is no need for the o-shaped rubber bands to hold the wire to the bracket that are a mainstay of traditional braces. Though there are many types of self-ligating brackets, Synergy R’s benefits are that they offer more comfortable tooth movement, use lighter force, have lower friction, and it takes less time to have them adjusted. Incognito®. These braces use metal brackets and wires placed on the inner surface of your teeth. They aren't typically visible when you smile, although people may see them when you speak and laugh. Nonetheless, many people feel much more confident knowing their braces are positioned less visibly. Dr. Rudman can show you examples of these choices and answer any questions you have about treatment length, comfort, results, cost and any other questions to help you make your decision. Braces for Adults Adult braces services in Denver and Stapleton CO. An increasing percentage of orthodontic patients today are adults. Whether you've never worn braces or had them previously, treatment as an adult can create the smile you want and healthy, straight teeth that will serve you well in the decades ahead. Adult braces patients report several benefits of treatment: Improve your confidence at work Feel good about your smile in social interactions Pose for photos without covering your teeth or pressing your lips together Prevent the discomfort and strain of an unbalanced bite

Denver Invisalign® Treatment ORTHODONTIST SERVING STAPLETON, DENVER, CHERRY CREEK & NEARBY AREAS OF COLORADO Denver Invisalign with Dr. RudmanWould you like straighter teeth and a better bite? If you’re seeking a superior smile and you’d like to achieve that better look without metal wires and brackets, Denver orthodontist Dr. Robert Rudman can determine your suitability for Invisalign®. What is Invisalign®? This orthodontic method straightens teeth with clear, plastic aligners. They are customized to your teeth, jaws and bite. During treatment, you progress through multiple sets of aligners, typically wearing one set for a couple of weeks before graduating to the next. In this way, Invisalign is similar to braces in the way it gradually moves your teeth over time. Invisalign® vs. Braces Thousands of people avoid orthodontics because they can’t stand the thought of wearing braces. Whether you’re concerned about discomfort or the effect the apparatus might have on your smile, Invisalign® could be an ideal alternative if you’re worried about traditional orthodontic correction. Invisalign® can treat many of the same issues affecting teeth and the bite as braces, including: Crooked teeth Crowded teeth Gaps between teeth Overbite Underbite Crossbite Open bite Instead of brackets and wires attached to your teeth, Invisalign® treatment requires you to wear comfortable, removable plastic aligner trays for a portion of the day. The aligners are customized to fit the unique shape of your dental arch. Advantages of Invisalign® Millions of Invisalign patients in the USDr. Rudman is in the top 1% of Invisalign® providers worldwide. As a Denver Invisalign® Elite Preferred Provider, he has helped many patients enjoy comfortable, low-profile orthodontic correction. Comfort and a nearly invisible aesthetic aren’t the only reason so many patients prefer Invisalign®. The removable design of the aligners allows you to: Eat what you want Engage in your favorite sports and activities without fear of damaging an apparatus Clean your teeth more easily than you can with braces Shift your teeth and bite into place by wearing the trays the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day Discard your aligner every two weeks and start using a new one for the next phase of treatment Treatment with Invisalign® also requires fewer office visits than braces. While some braces patients have to schedule monthly checkups with their orthodontist, with Invisalign® you can plan on seeing Dr. Rudman every six to eight weeks for an evaluation of the treatment’s progress and to pick up your next set of aligners. The Invisalign® Process Typical steps in the process: The consultation. First you will meet with Dr. Rudman for a consultation. You and he will discuss your goals for your smile and your specific bite issues. Once he reviews your x-rays he can determine whether Invisalign® is an option. He'll tell you all of your treatment options, including metal braces and clear braces. Mapping your teeth and treatment plan. No goop or putty required! We will take a digital scan of your entire mouth with a small, handheld wand. Dr. Rudman uses this scan to map out your entire treatment. It's completely customized to you. The Invisalign® lab uses these plans to create your plastic aligners. Getting your first set of aligners. We schedule your next appointment based on when the aligners are ready. Dr. Rudman makes sure the aligners fit and that you know how to take them on and off. Our team makes sure you get all of your questions answered and that you know what to do. We schedule your next appointment at this time as well. Returning to the office for routine appointments. You receive batches of aligners every visit, and receive the new batch every 6-8 weeks at your regularly scheduled appointments. It is normal to feel pressure and tightness the first few days after wearing a new set of aligners because they will be moving your teeth. Seeing your final results. Because of the nature of Invisalign®, there isn't really a grand reveal at the end of treatment; you will be able to see your progress every step of the way. Nonetheless, completing your treatment is an important achievement. The length of treatment varies by patient. It depends on the bite and teeth misalignment present, and what movements need to happen in order to straighten them. Life with Invisalign® Invisalign® allows you to live your life without missing a beat. While brace are the right option for some people, Invisalign has certain advantages if you are a good candidate. You can eat, play sports, and continue all of your normal activities without having to worry about making accommodations: Maintain the same lifestyle. With braces, you have to avoid certain foods, particularly those that are firm, crunchy, sticky or chewy. Since you remove Invisalign® to eat, you can enjoy any foods you like without worries about bent wires and brackets.

INBRACE Lingual Braces ORTHODONTIST SERVING STAPLETON, DENVER, CHERRY CREEK & NEARBY AREAS OF COLORADO Lingual (tongue-facing) braces are placed on the back of your teeth where people are unlikely to notice them at all. INBRACE lingual braces use a “smartwire” to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. It’s perfect for busy adults who want to conceal their orthodontic treatment from other people. You can still feel confident and self-assured while straightening your teeth with braces. During a consultation in Denver, experienced orthodontist Dr. Robert Rudman can determine whether you are a candidate for INBRACE or other systems, and he’ll help you weigh those options to find the right one for you. To schedule your appointment, please call our staff at 303-578-4484. How Does INBRACE Work? INBRACE uses slim brackets and a nitinol (nickel titanium) memory wire to straighten your teeth and align your bite over time, just like other types of orthodontia. Unlike other systems, INBRACE has these advantages: You can still brush and floss like normal You enjoy the convenience of a non-removable appliance People are unlikely to see the braces on the back of your teeth, unless you want them to! Ideal for busy adults who need to refine the results of childhood orthodontic treatment INBRACE uses Gentleforce technology to achieve the most efficient teeth movement with minimal force. Computer modeling and AI algorithms determine the shortest path for a tooth to move into the desired position, thereby eliminating unnecessary force from the smartwire and brackets. INBRACE is designed to provide movement that is healthier for your teeth and gums. It does so by applying light, continuous force over time. This light force allows your bones to adapt as the teeth move. The wire used to straighten the teeth is state-of-the-art. It’s not a straight wire, but instead consists of loops and curves designed specifically for your teeth and the way they need to move. One of the great things about the wire is that it dips down to the gums right at the location where you floss, so floss threaders are unnecessary. The nitinol material used to make the smartwire has been used for medical applications for decades. Are You an INBRACE Candidate? This orthodontic system treats a wide range of bite problems and teeth misalignment. It’s particularly effective in correcting: Crooked teeth Gaps between teeth Mild crowding Moderate crowding Moderate open bite Moderate deep bite (also called an under-bite) It may treat other issues as well. Visit Dr. Rudman to find out if you are a candidate. Dr. Rudman is passionate about creating smiles that are both attractive and healthy. He recommends the orthodontic options that he knows will achieve those outcomes based on your bite and teeth misalignment, your jaw, your dental health and other factors. The Treatment Process The INBRACE treatment process involves the following: First, a 3D scanner takes photographs of your teeth and bite The 3D images are used to replicate your bite digitally Dr. Rudman manipulates the 3D digital images to plan how each tooth needs to move to reach the ideal bite and teeth alignment INBRACE creates the customized smartwire according to Dr. Rudman’s plan From diagnosis to creation of the custom device, INBRACE is completely digital. INBRACE features a slim bracket system, which means the brackets that hold the smartwire are low profile, so they’ll have a less obtrusive feel inside your mouth. The smartwire loops lock into the brackets, which is different than traditional straight braces wires that slide into their brackets. Because of the looped design, torque is delivered with a rounded wire, and you can brush and floss just as you did before you had lingual braces. How Much Does INBRACE Cost? We’ll provide you with a cost quote when you visit our practice for your consultation. Generally speaking, INBRACE is often priced similarly to Invisalign, although that’s not always the case. Review your dental insurance policy to see if any coverage is provided for braces. We also offer the following financing options: 5 percent discount if you pre-pay the full amount 5 percent discount if you pre-pay in full via credit card Interest-free direct withdrawals from your bank monthly with a 20-30 percent down payment Our front office staff presents all of these payment options so you can decide how you’d like to finance your INBRACE treatment. Schedule Your INBRACE Consultation with Dr. Rudman Our team is thrilled to offer the INBRACE treatment option to people in the Denver, Stapleton and Cherry Creek area. Our comfortable, state-of-the-art office is located in Cherry Creek, conveniently near shopping and dining. To arrange a consultation to find out if you’re a good INBRACE candidate, please call our staff at 303-578-4484.

Many people who need braces avoid getting them because they don’t like the look of metal on their teeth or worry about what others might say. If you’re self-conscious about your smile, Dr. Robert Rudman has helped many patients in Downtown Denver achieve subtle orthodontic correction with Incognito™ invisible braces. Incognito™ Hidden Braces are the only fixed invisible braces option on the market. To learn more, please call Advanced Orthodontic Care at 303-578-4484 today to schedule your free consultation. Dr. Rudman serves patients from Downtown and other communities in the Denver area. About Incognito™ Hidden Braces While traditional braces are fitted to the front of your teeth, Incognito™ braces are fitted to the back of your teeth. Dr. Rudman uses top-of-the-line technology to customize these braces so they fit your mouth comfortably while shifting teeth and the bite into ideal alignment. In order to prepare your invisible braces treatment, Dr. Rudman will do the following: Take an impression of your teeth Send the impression to our in-house lab, where custom brackets and wires for your Incognito™ will be fabricated Within six weeks, you will visit our office again to be fitted with Incognito™ Hidden Braces To customize your invisible braces, our on-site lab uses advanced CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) equipment to create prototype brackets that are then fabricated using a durable gold alloy. Robotic technology helps bend a set of designed precision wires. Benefits of Invisible Braces Most people are candidates for orthodontic treatment with Incognito™ Hidden Braces. In addition to being completely hidden from view on the backside of your teeth, patients enjoy other advantages such as: Efficient, high-quality results; treatment time can be faster than traditional braces Greater comfort Minimal interference with speech Fewer office visits to adjust the arch wire

Retainers for Teeth ORTHODONTIST SERVING STAPLETON, DENVER, CHERRY CREEK & NEARBY AREAS OF COLORADO Retainers after braces in DenverRetainers keep your newly straightened teeth aligned for the long-term. Without retainers, your teeth will begin to shift and could become crooked again. There are several types of retainers and orthodontist Robert Rudman will help you find the right one for you. To learn more, or to arrange a consultation at our Denver-area practice, please call Advanced Orthodontic Care at 303-578-4484. Why You Wear a Retainer after Braces Teeth are prone to "relapse," which means they want to shift and return to their former positions. Once your orthodontic treatment phase is complete, the retention phase is necessary to keep your teeth in their new, straight positions. Retention protocols vary based on your specific case, but for most patients, Dr. Rudman will prescribe a constant use of the retainer for a certain period of weeks. During this time, you'll remove the retainers only to eat, and to brush and floss. This constant wear is essential when your braces first come off. The ligaments, bone and tissues surrounding your teeth will be adapting to the new alignment of your teeth. After this period of time, Dr. Rudman will likely recommend nightly wear of your retainer. Can I Get a Retainer Instead of Braces? Some people like the idea of closing a gap or straightening their teeth with a retainer, and skipping the braces altogether. While this is theoretically possible for the most minor, tiny adjustments, it would take several years or longer and could end up being ineffective. Retainers are designed to retain movement that has already happened, not to perform the movement itself. Using a retainer to straighten teeth is generally not a good idea and not recommended by orthodontists committed to your best results. If you are averse to the idea of wearing braces and looking for an alternative, arrange a consultation with Dr. Rudman to learn more about those options. Invisalign® uses clear teeth trays to straighten teeth, while Incognito® braces are placed on the inner, tongue-facing surface of your teeth. Dr. Rudman can determine if you are a candidate for either of these. Even if you'd benefit most from traditional braces, clear brackets may be an option for a lower profile. Dr. Rudman wants you to enjoy strong, aligned teeth and a beautiful smile. As such, he will recommend the range of treatments he knows will work best for you in the long run. Do I Wear My Retainer for Life? Lifetime nightly wear of your retainer will keep your teeth straight. Some people reduce their wear to 2-3 nights per week, which may be sufficient. Teeth continue to want to shift, years after your orthodontic treatment is complete. Retainers prevent them from doing so. If you were to stop wearing your retainer down the road, your teeth will eventually tilt, shift and could become crooked again. Types of Retainers There are three basic types: Clear plastic retainers, which are also call Essix retainers. These trays are customized to your teeth using impressions of your bite after your braces come off. They are easily removed and re-inserted over your teeth. Essix plastic retainer for braces Permanent/bonded retainers, which are a thin wire bonded to the back surface of the teeth. Also called a fixed retainer, these wires are most often placed on the back of the lower teeth. One of these retainers may also be placed behind the upper front teeth. Bonded retainers can be very important if the teeth were previously gapped, rotated or badly misaligned. The bonded wire ensures there will be constant retention on teeth at a high risk of relapse. Hawley retainers, which consist of an acrylic base and wires that wrap around the teeth. The wires can be adjusted for various purposes. These retainers are a little less common than the two other types. Retainers for braces Dr. Rudman will recommend the retainer that will work best for you. Oftentimes, a bonded retainer combined with nightly wear of an Essix retainer is the most effective. Long-Term Retainer Care and Maintenance When you receive your retainer, our team will go over all the care instructions so you know what to do. Here are the main takeaways for removable retainers: Clean your retainer. When you remove your retainers in the morning, rinse them under luke-warm water before storing them. Don't use hot water because the temperature could potentially warp the plastic. To remove built up deposits, submerge your retainers in a denture cleaning solution once a week or so. Don't clean with toothpaste. The paste is abrasive and will scrape up the surface of the retainers at some point. Don't clean with bleach or any other harsh chemicals. Stick to water and denture solution. Store your retainer in its case. It's easy to lose track of these small, clear aligners.

Orthognathic - Corrective Jaw Surgery ORTHODONTIST SERVING STAPLETON, DENVER, CHERRY CREEK & NEARBY AREAS OF COLORADO Corrective jaw surgery – also called orthognathic surgery – exists to repair certain functional problems; however, it also improves the facial profile and overall facial appearance of most patients. At Advanced Orthodontic Care, Dr. Robert Rudman may recommend orthognathic surgery in conjunction with braces, if you have certain jaw and teeth abnormalities and misalignment. What is Orthognathic Surgery? Woman wide a beautiful smile after corrective jaw surgeryThis procedure surgically corrects abnormalities of the jaws and teeth. Depending on the specific problems, these abnormalities may lead to difficulty with: Chewing and biting Breathing Speaking Swallowing Smiling Sleeping A person with jaw misalignment may have an asymmetrical facial shape. They may have teeth that are unevenly worn down, and they may experience pain and soreness around the jaw joints. There are other potential issues. If your jaw alignment is abnormal, you may find that you breathe with your mouth open often or always, and find you cannot breathe through your nose alone. Your lower jaw may look recessed or it may protrude too far beyond the upper jaw. You may find it difficult to bring your upper and lower lips together. Jaw abnormalities may also lead to sleep apnea, a disorder in which the airway collapses on itself during sleep, causing you to gasp for air and awaken multiple times throughout the night. Although this type of approach may take a year or more to complete, it is well-worth it to most patients. Not only does it repair the issues listed above, but it also improves the appearance of your face. Both in profile and from straight-on, your facial appearance will likely be more pleasing to you after orthognathic surgery. When the jaws and teeth are properly aligned, it has a dramatic effect on the balance and proportions of the face. Your jaws and related bones are the supportive structure beneath the skin – when they are aligned, it shows from the inside out. How to Find Out if You Need Corrective Jaw Surgery The only way to know for sure is to arrange a consultation with Dr. Rudman in Denver. Most orthognathic surgical cases are referred to an experienced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, who works collaboratively with Dr. Rudman to achieve your best bite and smile. In most situations, braces may be worn prior to jaw surgery, and then again after jaw surgery is complete. Jaw surgery is most often recommended only for those patients whose jaws have stopped developing. Therefore, the youngest teens and children may get alternative recommendations for guiding jaw growth, such as early intervention orthodontics. Most people are very happy with the results. Your lower face will look more balanced and you should have vastly improved teeth function. You'll also find your sleep and breathing improves, if those were problems for you prior to jaw surgery. Learn More About Improving Your Bite Dr. Robert Rudman is an experienced orthodontist who is passionate about achieving great results for his patients. He has been practicing in Colorado for decades. He established our practice in 1999. Give us a call in Cherry Creek to learn more, at 303-578-4484. When you visit Dr. Rudman for a consultation, he'll examine your teeth and mouth. We may take x-rays to get a detailed look at alignment. He'll determine whether braces alone can align your bite or teeth, or whether orthognathic surgery may be beneficial.