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Labor Day honors the contributions that workers have made to this country, and for many Americans, the holiday is a great time to relax at home with family and friends. But there are quite a few people who celebrate the holiday by getting out of town, with an estimated 33 million people traveling more than 50 miles over Labor Day weekend each year. If you’re dreaming of a great Labor Day escape but you’re not quite sure where to go, here are a few ideas from our team at Garai Orthodontic Specialist to give you some travel inspiration.

Explore a National Park

On a national holiday like Labor Day, it’s only fitting to experience the beauty of America’s landscapes by heading to the nearest national park. If you’re confined to an office most days of the year, national parks can provide a relaxing and scenic escape, whether you’re by yourself, traveling with a group of friends, or bringing the whole family along. Depending on how close you live to the nearest park, you can stay for an afternoon or for longer than a week. With 58 parks located in 27 states, there are plenty of beautiful areas to choose from.

Chow Down in a BBQ Haven

Barbecuing is a popular Labor Day activity, but instead of sweating over your own grill or oven, try visiting one of the country’s BBQ capitals. U.S. News and World Report names Memphis as the top BBQ destination, with more than 80 BBQ restaurants in the city, most notably Corky’s BBQ and Central BBQ. Kansas City is also known for the sweet taste of its sauces, while central Texas is said to have perfected the technique of smoking tender and flavorful brisket.

Relax on the Beach

Many people think of Labor Day as the unofficial start of fall, which brings cooler temperatures, more rain, and for many people, an end to lazy days at the beach. End your beach days with a bang by taking a trip to one of the coasts or to a lakeside beach. For an added dose of festivity, find a city or town that celebrates the occasion with a fireworks display over the water.

Whether you’re looking to turn your getaway into a full week affair or you simply want to experience a quick escape, make the most of your holiday by changing your surrounding scenery. Happy Labor Day from the Orthodontics practice of Dr. Allen Garai & Dr. Karen Tratensek!

Invisalign or Incognito – What’s the Right Choice?

With advances in modern orthodontic technology, there are a number of alternatives to traditional braces that can provide a much more covert and visibly pleasing orthodontic treatment. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the differing benefits for two treatment methods in particular – Invisalign clear aligners and Incognito lingual braces.

Invisalign is a set of clear plastic aligners – virtually invisible to other people – that are made from high-precision molds of your teeth. The aligners are switched our every two weeks, each new aligner moving your teeth closer to their final position. Incognito braces are metal braces placed on the backs of your teeth – making them completely undetectable to everyone but you and your orthodontist.

Main Differences

Although both do largely the same thing, the methods for each treatment plan are different and afford different benefits.

Invisalign, being clear plastic trays, are fully removable, making brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking much easier. The aligners are simply popped out for any of these activities and popped back in when done – simple as that. This means Invisalign comes with no dietary restrictions and can make it easier to maintain oral health during treatment.

On the other hand, Incognito, or lingual, braces are still metal braces. However, instead of being mounted on the front of your teeth where everyone can see them, lingual braces are placed on the backs of teeth, making them invisible to observers. Because they are physically mounted to the teeth, they can’t be removed for cleaning and eating like Invisalign can, and come with the same dietary restrictions as traditional braces. However, they are completely invisible to other people and completely customized to fit your teeth. Because they leave the front of your teeth completely vacant, Incognito braces are often a great choice for athletes, models, actors, and musicians who play wind instruments.

Your Local Vienna, VA Orthodontist

To truly make the decision about what treatment option is right for you, you’ll have to have a full consultation with Dr. Garai. To schedule an appointment, feel free to use our online form or contact us at either our Vienna, VA or Great Falls, VA offices. We can’t wait to see you!

An overbite is a common dental condition wherein the upper portion of the jaw is misaligned over the lower jaw, causing the upper front teeth to extend beyond the lower front teeth. Most people have slight overbites, which do not require treatment. However, for those who have significant overbites wherein the upper dental arch projects too far ahead of the teeth of the lower dental arch, orthodontic treatment is highly recommended.

An overbite can be caused by genetics, abnormalities in the jawbone or by poor chewing habits. Anyone with a significant overbite can experience a host of problems including:

• Jaw pain
• Increased wear and tear on tooth enamel
• Increased chance of tooth decay
• Increased chance of developing gum disease
• Speech interference
• Changes in the structure and appearance of the face, mouth, and smile
• Low self-esteem due to being unhappy with the overall appearance of the mouth and smile

Today's modern orthodontic braces like those used by our Vienna and Great Falls, VA orthodontist can be used to treat overbites. It's best to treat an overbite earlier rather than later to ensure optimal dental health. Treating an overbite in children is especially helpful since future dental health issues can be avoided early on.

Most overbites can be treated successfully with braces using brackets, wires, elastics and carefully applied pressure wherein the positions of the teeth are adjusted for more ideal alignment. In some cases where improperly aligned teeth cause an overbite, Invisalign can be an effective treatment option to use.

If you or your child has an overbite and you would like to find out what your treatment options are, contact our Northern Virginia orthodontic practice to set up your complimentary consultation. During this visit, we will provide you with a thorough examination and a follow-up discussion about your treatment options so that you have a clear understanding of what to expect from us. Our friendly team will gladly answer all your questions and will speak candidly with you about your diagnosis and recommended treatment.

While many people believe that only children and teenagers need to see orthodontists, the fact is that dental professionals routinely provide their specialized orthodontic services to people of all ages, including adults.

There are four very good reasons to visit an orthodontist:

• To reduce potentially having future dental problems.
• To improve your self-esteem.
• To fulfill your dream of having a straight, beautiful smile.
• To put your child on the right path to a healthy, life-long smile.

1. Reduce The Potential for Future Dental Problems

Common orthodontic problems, such as protruding teeth, crowding and spaces between teeth can all contribute to the development of tooth decay and gum disease. When an orthodontist treats these types of common dental problems, better overall oral and dental health can be achieved and maintained.

2. Improve Self-Esteem

It's important to feel good about yourself. If you tend to hide your smile because you are not happy with how it looks, an orthodontist can improve your smile by addressing your particular dental problems or issues. Individuals who have undergone orthodontic treatment smile with complete confidence once they are done wearing braces or aligners because they are proud of how their smiles look.

3. Fulfill Your Dream Of Having A Straight, Beautiful Smile

If you are an adult who is self-conscious about your smile because your teeth are crooked, protruding or have spaces between them, seeing an orthodontist makes good sense. Braces are definitely not just for kids anymore. There are many great orthodontic treatment options perfect for adults including:

• Hidden braces
• Lingual Braces
• Invisalign and more.

A growing number of patients we see at our Vienna and Great Falls, VA orthodontic practice are adults who have decided to improve their smiles and overall dental and oral health.

4. Put Your Child On The Right Path To A Healthy, Life-Long Smile

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child should see an orthodontist at age 7. While this may seem young, it is at this age when an orthodontist can properly identify any possible orthodontic problems. If your child does require treatment, this early start can reduce the time he or she spends in treatment and can make future treatment less invasive and costly. Plus, when seen by an orthodontist while he or she is young, you are helping your child achieve and maintain a straight, beautiful and healthy smile that can last a lifetime.

Contact Us For Your Complementary Consultation

Our Vienna, VA orthodontist Dr. Allen Garai provides orthodontic treatment to children, teens and adults using a variety of treatment options including clear braces, lingual braces and Invisalign. Here at our Northern Virginia orthodontic practice, we believe that everyone deserves to have a straight, attractive smile.

If you would like to schedule a complementary consultation with us for yourself or your child, please call us at (703) 281-4668 or fill out and submit the appointment request form on our website.