Ask Dr. Caponera: Any truth to those rumors about braces?

Trust us when we tell you our entire team at Caponera Orthodontics is well-aware that there are a lot of myths and half-truths flying around these days when it comes to braces and orthodontic treatment. But, before you buy into those myths, Dr. Caponera thinks you should get the facts first! Our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists have some helpful information on the myths and facts of orthodontics, and we definitely encourage you to check them out before settling for rumors about braces!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment at Caponera Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call at our convenient office in Plantation.

We hope you have a great rest of your Memorial Day weekend, and we can't wait to see you all again!

Early treatment at Caponera Orthodontics

Dr. Rinaldo Caponera will tell you that Braces were originally considered to be best suited for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are usually not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists say it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Caponera to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give our team at Caponera Orthodontics a call at 954-791-6510 if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Invisalign® treatment at Caponera Orthodontics: What's the advantage?

A couple of weeks ago, we discussed the importance of straight teeth. Today, we thought we'd follow-up and discuss one of the best ways you can accomplish a straight, beautiful smile: Invisalign.

If you're wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities, trust us when we say that you're not alone. Folks always ask Dr. Caponera if Invisalign will slur their speech or if people know they're in treatment?

To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Dr. Caponera does is take an impression of your teeth as they are now - and digitizes it. Using special software, he looks at the current positioning of your teeth and compares it to the way your teeth should look. Next, Dr. Caponera and team use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. The best part about Invisalign treatment? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Caponera is a certified Invisalign provider in Plantation and surrounding communities. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at Caponera Orthodontics, please give us a call.

Smile now, smile later, smile often! From Dr. Caponera

Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Wayne State University. The researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they studied photos of 230 baseball players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile).

The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009, and the researchers took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and, yes folks, even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be almost 80 years old.

So smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Caponera Orthodontics on a regular basis? If not, give us a call at 954-791-6510!

"Hey Dr. Caponera! What the heck is malocclusion?"

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Caponera calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Dr. Caponera will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Caponera Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.