Dental Superheroes to the Rescue!

As an orthodontic patient, you are probably more aware than most that the dental world involves a variety of specialties – orthodontics being one of the dental specialties identified by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Because there are myriad factors involved in taking care of your mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw, we sometimes call on our partners who specialize in different areas of dentistry. You can think of us and our partners as a team of dental superheroes, each with a different special power – although we usually work alone, we rely on each other for backup in tricky situations.

You may have been referred to us by your general dentist, who diagnosed your need for orthodontic treatment. In turn, we may need to refer you to a different type of specialist, should we spot any indication of a different type of problem.

Below you'll find a handy reference guide of dental specialties. Of course, should we ever refer you to another doctor, we will explain in detail exactly why your individual oral health requires a closer look by a particular specialist.

Endodontics
Dentists specializing in Endodontics are focused on the dental pulp, or soft tissue inside your teeth. As such, they are authorities on root canal treatment (extraction of the pulp from an infected tooth). With expertise in both root canal treatment and avulsion (salvaging teeth that have been knocked out), endodontists are the tooth-saviors of the dental world.


Orthodontics
Probably the best-known of the dental specialties, Orthodontics sets its sights on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems such as overbites and underbites. (These problems are known in the field as malocclusion, or "bad bite.") Orthodontists straighten and align teeth and jaws, most often using appliances such as braces and retainers.


Periodontics
Experts in the tissues that support the teeth (gums and other areas), periodontists are most often associated with the treatment of periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontists also treat complications arising from gum disease, such as lost bone and gum tissue.


Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgery involving the bones and tissues of the face, mouth, and neck is the task of the oral surgeon. Operations include wisdom teeth removal, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, dental implants, and surgery to remove cancer. This specialty also includes cosmetic facial surgery, which can address birth defects and ease the effects of trauma, accidents, and aging.

Pedodontics
Commonly known as Pediatric Dentistry, Pedodontics is the branch of dentistry dedicated to the oral care of infants and children. Trained in child development and psychology as well as dentistry, experts in this field are especially attuned to children's needs, and focus heavily on preventative care.


Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to tooth restoration and replacement, providing a variety of options to either fix or replace problem teeth. From crowns and veneers, which work with the teeth in your mouth, to bridges and dentures, which replace them outright, prosthodontists identify the best solution for damaged or missing teeth.

Welcome back to School!

Wu Orthodontics would like to welcome back the students returning back to school! What is your favorite part about going back to school?  

Welcome New Team Members!

We’ve added new team members to our family here at Wu Orthodontics. We would like to extend our warmest welcome to Kelly and Celina!

Kelly is our Front Desk Scheduling Coordinator. She is from a small town in Wisconsin and new to the Palo Alto area. During her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, good food, and playing video games.

Celina is our Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and comes to us with over 5 years of orthodontic experience. During her free time, she loves watching movies, reading, and spending time with her family. She also speaks Spanish.

We are very excited to have Kelly and Celina join our team, and we look forward to all of the “Wu”nderful contributions they will bring to our practice.

To find out more about the rest of our team, visit our web site.

Wu Orthodontics is now a Premier Invisalign Provider!

Invisalign is a proven method for aligning teeth, and we have years of experience administering treatment to patients. Wu Orthodontics is now a Certified Premier Invisalign Provider. This means Dr. Eric Wu has successfully completed the training course administered by Align Technology (makers of Invisalign), and we maintain regular treatment and attend ongoing clinical training classes to keep our treatment expertise top-notch. There are only 5% of offices across the country that are Premier Invisalign Providers!

How It Works

The Invisalign system uses aligners made of a clear, specially-manufactured plastic to slowly reposition and straighten your teeth. These aligners are tailor-made for your teeth and are completely removable, requiring no metal wires or brackets. The aligners are used in stages: each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the sequence, carefully moving your teeth in order as determined by your dentist.

Over 1 million people worldwide have chosen Invisalign or Invisalign Teen to improve their smile quickly and unobtrusively. To find out if Invisalign is the route to your new smile, we invite you to call our office to set up a consultation.

Never Too Old to treat yourself to a WUnderful Smile

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their smile through Invisalign or braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best!

Can Braces or Invisalign Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it is never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments such as the Damon System Braces or Invisalign make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made Damon System braces and aligners more effective and comfortable compared to traditional braces.

If you think you or someone you know might benefit from orthodontic treatment, get in touch with us today to set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

Taking Care of Your Toothbrush

You know your toothbrush is a vital tool for the proper care of your teeth – but do you know the best way to take care of your toothbrush? Following are some guidelines for toothbrush care:

One toothbrush should have one owner.

If you share your toothbrush, you could also be sharing bodily fluids and bacteria, increasing your risk of infection.

Toothbrushes need privacy, too.

For the same reason, when storing brushes, make sure they are placed in such a way that they can't touch each other.

Give your toothbrush some space.

Keep your brush in a clean, well-ventilated spot and make sure it has time to dry in between uses. Keeping your toothbrush in a closed, moist space regularly can encourage the growth of germs.

Showering is good for your toothbrush.

Before and after each use, rinse your toothbrush under running water to eliminate excess toothpaste and other residue. Rub your fingers along the bristles – but only after washing your hands; no use substituting one set of germs for another. When you're finished, shake out the brush to accelerate drying.

Let your toothbrush indulge in a nice bath.

You may be able to reduce the amount of bacteria on your brush by soaking it in anti-bacterial mouthwash after each use.

Don't get too attached to your toothbrush.

Swap your old toothbrush for a new one at least as often as every three to four months. Keep an eye out for frayed bristles and replace sooner if necessary. The more worn the bristles, the less effective brushing is. Of course, if you've been sick with the flu, a cold, or a mouth infection, say goodbye to your toothbrush and move on to a new, germ-free one immediately.

Don't trust Aunt Minnie's toothbrush-cleaning advice.

Although they certainly mean well, and they're clearly creative, your friends and relatives with home-cooked ideas about cleaning toothbrushes may not be the safest sources of information. Dishwashers, microwaves, and boiling water are no substitute for simply buying a new brush – and in fact could damage your brush, rendering it less effective.

Remember – what's good for the toothbrush is good for the teeth!

Wu Orthodontics Continuing Education

Keeping up with the latest advanced technology, Dr. Eric Wu went to Carlsbad, CA to visit the OrthoOrganizers headquarters office to learn about the latest in braces technology. Dr. Eric also met other orthodontists from around the country to share in their best practices. Pictured with Dr. Eric Wu is Lisa (Practice Relations Coordinator, Wu Orthodontics, Dr. Anurag Patel (TX), OrthoOrganizers Rep Ty Brown and Dr. Clark Colville (TX).