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Now that the new school year has begun, Dr. Garai and his team at your leading Vienna & Great Falls, VA orthodontist practice would like to remind our school-aged patients and their parents of how important it is that mouth guards be worn when playing sports.

A mouth guard is an extremely important piece of sports equipment that should be worn while playing all sorts of sports including football, soccer, basketball, hockey, gymnastics, skateboarding and when partaking in any activity that poses a risk of injury to the face or mouth. While some people don't think a mouth guard is necessary if you're wearing braces, people wearing braces whenever they’re practicing or playing regulation sports of all types should always wear a mouth guard. A mouth guard can not only protect your lips, tongue, cheeks and teeth from injury but it can provide protection to your braces' brackets and wires.

Why Mouth Guards are So Important

A mouth guard protects the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue from injury because it acts as a cushion that redistributes the force of a blow to the face. It also serves as a barrier between your teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. It has been reported by the National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety that:

• Dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injuries sustained during sports participation.
• An athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the mouth when not wearing a protective mouth guard.

Sometimes these injuries are so serious that they result in permanent damage to oral structures, which require costly, extensive medical intervention.

Choosing a Mouth Guard

There are three main types of protective mouth guards: the ready-made or stock mouth guards, boil and bite mouth guards and custom-made mouth guards provided by our Vienna, VA orthodontist. While these mouth guards vary in price and comfort level, all provide some protection. The American Dental Association states that the most effective mouth guard should be:

• Comfortable
• Tear-resistant
• Resilient It should
• Durable
• Easy to keep clean
• Should not impede your breathing

If you don't want to obtain a custom made mouth guard from our Vienna orthodontist Dr. Allen Garai, you should know that today there are special, affordable mouth guards on the market that are made especially for people who wear braces. You can find these mouth guards for sale either at a local pharmacy or online as many retail sites sell them.

Dr. Garai and his staff put our patient's health, welfare and safety first. That is why we're reminding students and their parents that wearing a mouth guard while being active is of the utmost importance. If you have any questions about protective mouth guards, don't hesitate to give our Great Falls and Vienna, VA orthodontic offices a call. We're always happy to speak with you and to answer any questions you may have!

The Invisalign® System is becoming increasingly popular due to the aesthetics and convenience that this orthodontic option provides. Whether you're an adult who's interested in improving your smile discreetly or have a teenager who doesn't want to wear visible metal braces, Invisalign may be the ideal treatment option for you. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear at our Great Falls and Vienna, VA orthodontic offices, and the answers from Dr. Garai.

Question: How does Invisalign work?

Answer: Conventional metal braces use wires and brackets to straighten teeth. With Invisalign, patients wear a series of clear, smooth plastic aligners. Each set of aligners is designed to be worn for between 20 and 22 hours a day for a period of about two weeks before moving onto the next set in the series. The aligners are designed to slowly and steadily move teeth into the final desired position.

Question: Will people notice I am undergoing orthodontic treatment?

Answer: Because Invisalign aligners are made from a clear plastic material, most people will not even notice that you're improving your smile. Invisalign is “clearly” a great alternative to visible metal braces as the aligners are virtually invisible.

Question: Are there any food restrictions with Invisalign?

Answer: No. The Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed when you eat. This means you can continue enjoying all the foods you love throughout your treatment process. And, because the aligners are removable, you can take them out when brushing and flossing to maintain good oral hygiene for your entire treatment time.

Question: How do I find out if Invisalign is right for me?

Answer: When you schedule a complimentary first visit with us, our Vienna & Great Falls, VA orthodontist will provide you with a thorough examination. Then, if treatment is recommended we'll discuss your treatment options, which may include Invisalign.

At Garai Orthodontic Specialists in Vienna and Great Falls, VA, we provide children, teens and adults living in Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun counties with a variety of orthodontic treatment options. This helps ensure that we have the right treatment option for each patient that meets their needs and desires.

Here are the most frequently asked questions (with answers) about one type of fixed braces we offer called lingual braces.

What are lingual braces?

Lingual braces, which are also called “hidden”, “concealed” or “invisible” braces, are the only non-visible form of fixed orthodontic therapy. These braces are placed on the tongue side of the teeth; this makes them virtually invisible. Lingual braces work the same way metal braces do but they are more costly than standard metal braces. However, patients who want the least visible type of fixed braces may find that these braces are exactly what they've been looking for.

Who can wear lingual braces?

Teens and adults with certain orthodontic problems can wear lingual braces. Dr. Garai has treated patients from the early teens to later adulthood with these braces. We will recommend the best treatment type for you after we've provided you with a thorough examination.

What are the advantages associated with wearing lingual braces?

There are many advantages to choosing lingual braces for your orthodontic treatment. Because these braces are custom-fit to each patient, they are a very effective and comfortable treatment option. Teens and adults who feel more comfortable wearing braces that are hidden from view enjoy the aesthetics this treatment option offers. And, lingual braces are very convenient for those patients who play contact sports or wind instruments, as the braces do not interfere.

How do lingual braces work?

This treatment option works much like traditional metal braces wherein a constant but light pressure is applied to the teeth. Lingual braces feature metal brackets and archwires just like conventional metal braces.

Do all orthodontists specialize in lingual braces?

Not all orthodontists receive special training for lingual braces. However, our Vienna and Great Falls orthodontist, Dr. Garai has been recognized as one of the leaders in lingual orthodontics in the Washington area by Washingtonian magazine. He has many years of experience treating patients with lingual braces and has been teaching lingual orthodontics at Children’s/Washington Hospital Center Department of Orthodontics since 1998.

How long does treatment take when lingual braces are worn?

Treatment time with lingual braces varies from patient to patient as no two patients are alike. Each person's treatment time is based on a highly individualized treatment plan that can take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years to complete.

Will lingual braces affect my speech?

While you may notice a slight change in your speech, this most often improves after a few days of wearing lingual braces.

Will I be able to clean my teeth well when wearing lingual braces?

Yes. However, you will need to dedicate more time to keeping your teeth clean when you're wearing lingual braces. We will go over proper brushing and flossing techniques with you when you first have braces placed on your teeth.

Can I still eat all the foods I enjoy while wearing lingual braces?

Unfortunately, no. There are some foods you will have to avoid such as popcorn, nuts, sticky foods and hard foods because these types of foods can cause damage to your braces.

Dr. Allen Garai along with his team of friendly professionals at our Vienna and Great Falls, VA orthodontic offices would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our blog! We proudly provide our comprehensive orthodontic care to children, teens and adults throughout the Vienna, Great Falls, Mclean, Oakton, Reston, Herndon, Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia areas!

Using the most advanced orthodontic technology available, we offer a variety of treatment options that cater to the individual needs and lifestyles of each of our patients. With over 17 years of professional experience, we've been privileged to have created thousands of individualized, beautiful smiles!

Meet Our Doctor

Dr. Allen S. Garai received his post-doctoral degree at Rochester, NY where he completed a one-year residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry. He continued with a two-year specialty in Orthodontics at Eastman Dental Center at the University of Rochester, which is recognized as one of the leading orthodontic residency programs in the country.

While at Eastman, Dr. Garai dedicated his time to studying facial growth in patients with craniofacial abnormalities under the supervision of Dr. J.D. Subtelny, a pioneer in the orthodontic treatment of patients with craniofacial abnormalities. Dr. Garai now teaches lingual “invisible” orthodontics at the post-doctoral orthodontic program of Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Dr. Garai has had special, two-year residency training in lingual orthodontics under one of the pioneers of lingual or “hidden” orthodontics. He has been treating patients with lingual braces for longer than 15 years and has been teaching Lingual Orthodontics at Children’s/Washington Hospital Center Department of Orthodontics since 1998. He has been recognized as “One of the leaders in Lingual Orthodontics in the Washington area” by Washingtonian magazine and has presented lingual treatment cases at the National American Orthodontic Association Meeting.

Types of Braces We Use

The metal braces we use are made of high-grade stainless steel. These braces are smaller, lighter and more comfortable to wear than the metal braces used a few years ago. Metal braces remain popular for many good reasons as they offer a reliable, effective and economical treatment option. Our patients wearing metal braces can choose colorful elastics for the brackets for a more individualized look.

The ceramic braces we use are made of a translucent ceramic material to provide patients with a less noticeable method of treatment. These clear braces have become favorites for many adults including some well-known celebrities because unless you look closely, it's difficult to notice they're being worn. While the aesthetics of these braces are undeniable, there are a few tradeoffs as the ceramic brackets can be less durable than their metal counterparts and the elastic bands used can stain between orthodontic visits.

The hidden lingual braces we use offer patients a very discreet way to improve their smiles as these metal braces are placed on the tongue side of the teeth, making them completely hidden from view. These braces may be right for you if you wish to wear the least visible type of fixed appliance and if you're a candidate for this treatment option.

The Invisalign System we use is for our adult and late-teen patients with certain orthodontic bite problems who wish to have straighter teeth without the use of metal or clear braces. Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets using a series of clear, customized, removable aligners. The aligners used are virtually undetectable which means most people won't even notice that you're undergoing orthodontic treatment!

The Invisalign Teen System we use are clear aligners designed especially for teenagers. This system works much the same as the Invisalign System for adults with a few key differences. Invisalign Teen aligners feature “compliance indicators” which are colored dots that fade over time as the aligners are worn in the mouth, showing whether or not you've followed the treatment plan. And, Invisalign Teen aligners come with “eruption tabs” which are designed to hold space for teeth that have not yet fully erupted.

Dr. Garai, our Vienna and Great Falls, VA orthodontist, has been using the innovative Invisalign System since 1998 and is very proud to be a Premiere Great Falls & Vienna, VA Invisalign provider!

Scheduling a Complimentary Consultation

If you'd like to schedule a complimentary consultation with our Vienna & Great Falls orthodontic office, please fill out and submit the form that is on our website. One of our team members will then contact you to set up an appointment time. We look forward to meeting you soon!