Removable Braces – Orthodontic Treatment

What is a removable brace? A removable brace is called a removable appliance because you can take it out. You should wear it all of the time, even at night and for eating. The only time you take it out is when you are cleaning your teeth and when you need to clean the appliance.

What is a fixed brace?

Fixed braces cannot be taken out on your own. They only come of your teeth at the end of treatment. Special brackets are stuck onto your teeth, through which a wire is passed to put force onto your teeth. Since you cannot take them out, you will need to pay extra special attention to cleaning your teeth while you are wearing the braces. Special brushes can be bought at the practice to make this easier.

What are retainers?
Retainers are designed to keep the teeth straight after your braces have been removed. They do not move your teeth, like a brace, but they do stop your teeth from trying to move back into the position they moved from. It is very important that you wear your retainers and follow the advice you have been given. If you do not follow the advice then your teeth will regress. What a shame if this was to happen after all the effort to give you a fantastic new smile.

When can I start treatment?
Once you have been seen for an initial consultation, and if you are ready and eligible for treatment, we will arrange an appointment for you to start your treatment.

How long do I have to wait for an appointment when my dentist has referred me?
We commit to seeing new patients referred to us within approximately 4 weeks.

What happens at the Consultation appointment?
At this appointment, we take a look at your teeth. We may take x-rays, photographs and impressions of your teeth.

Do you treat adults?
Yes! We have an increasing number of adults who are realizing the benefits of orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of their teeth, giving them a beautiful smile and better facial appearance. This leads to increased self-esteem and confidence. Adult treatments are all done on a private basis.

How much does private orthodontic treatment cost?
The cost depends on what needs to be done and the treatment option which is chosen. We can only advise you at the consultation stage, and provide you with the overall cost of treatment most suited to you.

Remember orthodontics is an investment in your appearance, so it is worth having a consultation.

What payment plan do you offer for private treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your appearance. It can help with your confidence and your willingness to smile. We encourage our private patients to pay as you go on an interest-free monthly payment plan. You can spread the cost of your investment in your appearance over the duration your treatment, making it simple and easy for you to budget.

We offer an interest free payment plan which can be spread over 12-24 months . Please discuss these options with the orthodontic team.

We also accept credit cards.

Can Private patients make priority bookings?
Yes! If you are a private patient, one of the benefits is being able to make bookings for several appointments in advance. This means that you will be able to choose appointments, which suit you well. The practice also reserves times during the week for private patients only.

For how long will I need to wear my braces?
The duration of the treatment depends upon your condition and what needs to be done. If you are receiving private treatment, then this will also depend upon the type of brace, which you have opted for.

How often will I need to visit the orthodontist?
As a rule of thumb, we see you every 6-12 weeks depending upon your brace and the stage of treatment.

Will it hurt?
Treatment may be uncomfortable after the tightening of your braces for a few days. This pain can be relieved with the use of painkillers, and this will be discussed by the team once you have started your treatment.

Will it affect my speech?
This will depend upon the type of brace, which you have. We will discuss this with you, once you have had your braces fitted.

Which foods should I avoid?
You should cut out all sugary snacks and fizzy drinks as they are not good for healthy teeth and gums. Try to drink plenty of water and milk between meals. Hard foods can cause breakages so they are best avoided. Breakages can lead to treatment time being prolonged and the inconvenience of repairs. So eat with care, and look after your investment.

Will my teeth stay straight after treatment?
At the end of treatment, your teeth will have moved from their natural position and have a tendency to move back. We will provide you with a retainer to prevent the teeth from moving back. We will provide with full instructions on how you can keep your smile looking beautiful.

Do I need to see my own dentist during my orthodontic treatment?
Yes! Please! We like to maintain a good relationship with your dentist throughout treatment and keep them informed as to your progress. We ask you to see your dentist for your regular check–ups to make sure that you have excellent oral hygiene and health.

Do I need to be referred by my dentist to have an appointment?
Not at all, we will keep your dentist informed after your first visit to us. We are delighted that many of our patients come to us through recommendations from previous patients.

How to Give Your Home a Professional Cleaning Before Listing It for Sale

If you’re preparing to sell your home, you’ve probably got quite the laundry list of tasks to tackle. There’s the whole financial side, hiring a real estate agent and an attorney to manage the closing. There’s your own move to contend with, finding a new place to live and figuring out how to pack years and years of your family’s life in boxes for the big trip. But before you even put your house on the market, you need to get it ready to be shown. The first impression your home makes on a potential buyer is crucial, and a dirty, cluttered home just won’t cut it. You can hire a cleaning service to take care of everything, but if you’ve got the time and the inclination you can save some money and do it yourself. But this won’t be like any other cleaning you’ve attempted. Here is some advice on how to give your home a professional cleaning or make ready before listing it for sale.

First off, step onto the front curb and take a look at the impression your home’s exterior leaves. There are certain elements you’ll want to farm out to the pros, simply because you won’t have the proper equipment. You should have the outside of your house power washed, which will rid it of years of accumulated dirt and grime. After the power wash, consider if you need to do any repainting. When the exterior is clean all of the little chips and age marks will become clear, and a fresh coat of paint can make the house appear years newer. You should also have the gutters cleaned, so that everything appears well maintained. The landscaping clean up you can probably handle yourself, as long as you didn’t let things get too overgrown. Look at magazines for some inspiration, and consider replanting if it will make a big difference.

Now it’s time to head inside. Before you get into a deep cleaning, do a full house de-clutter. You want the place to have personality, and to look lived in. But if every room is overwhelmed with stuff it’s going to seem much smaller than it actually is. Anything you haven’t used in six months to a year should be sold or given to goodwill. You might also want to consider renting a storage facility, so you’ll have somewhere to put stuff that’s taking up space but you aren’t willing to get rid of quite yet. Pay special attention to the closets. They should be used but not over stuffed, so the potential buyers can see how much storage space there really is.

When it comes to a professional cleaning, pay special attention to the floors. You’ll want to return your tile and wood floors to their original beauty if at all possible. Polish the wood, think about a refinish job if it is needed, and bring in professional-grade cleaning products for the tile or linoleum in your kitchen and bathrooms. Your carpeting will probably need attention as well. You should be able to rent a carpet cleaner, so you can take care of any ground in dirt and most stains. It may not look brand new, but it will revitalize the fibers and improve the color and overall look.

You’ll also want to clean the furniture and the window treatments. You might be able to use the same carpet cleaning machine on your upholstery. Just check the instruction manual and do a spot test on a hidden area to make sure the material won’t stain or discolor. You’re probably thinking that the buyer isn’t looking to purchase your furniture, so it shouldn’t matter. But you’re trying to create a situation where they can picture themselves living in your home. Check out the real estate postings and go see some homes for sale, or even some medical center homes for sale. Many of them will be set up with temporary staging furniture. Although it won’t have the same personality as your home, you’ll notice that the fresh and clean furniture will feel more inviting. You want the potential buyer to see your home on its best day, and that means a deep cleaning.

Construction Defects – Soil Issues

Expansive Soils
Expansive soils are the second leading cause of property damage. Expansive soil swells when wet and then shrinks when dry. The pressure that expansive soil can exert can be very destructive. The pressure produced can reach as much as 15,000 pounds per square foot which is plenty strong to crack driveways, floors, and even foundations. Builders and developers should have previous knowledge as to whether or not their development is on expansive soil and with this knowledge can build accordingly. Unfortunately, some builders or developers will knowingly use construction methods that are cheaper and do not take into account potential damage that may be caused by expansive soil. These are the scenarios where homebuyers are most adversity affected.

Collapsing Soils
Collapsing soils have low moisture content whereby the particles contained are loosely-packed. These soils also contain clay that acts like glue, holding together soil grams. When the soil gets wet, this clay loosens and the particles of soil grams are then dispersed. Signs of collapsing soils can be cracks in the wall which are a common examples of construction defects. The soil would need to be analyzed properly to clearly understand if collapsing soil is indeed the issue. However, if collapsing soil is thought to be the cause of a construction defect, it is important to note that in many cases this damage could have been avoided with proper analysis of the soil before building.

Mudslides and Landslides
Mudslides and landslides can cause very serious damage to property as well as to any life it affects. A mudslide, also known as a mudflow, contains dirt and debris that is accumulated from heavy rainfall, snow melt, volcanic eruption or even a severe wildfire. The speed of the mudslide will depend on the steepness of the slope it is flowing down, the amount of precipitation and other factors such the vibration of the ground. The slide can reach a flow rate of 35 miles per hour while it picks up everything in its path. It will not slow down until it reaches a plateau.

Landslides, unlike mudslides, contain only a block of land. Landslides can also be caused by natural resources; however, they occur often from construction of roads.

Both mudslides and landslides can be quite dangerous and damaging to the property and lives they encounter, but also to future land development sites.

Flooding
Flooding occurs when an excessive amount of water has covered an area, usually land, which is normally dry. Flooding is usually caused by heavy rainfall that happens in a brief amount of time. Flooding can cause minor damage if caught in time and controlled. However, flooding can cause irreversible damage that takes time, resources, and money to fix. Flood damage can leave a property uninhabitable. Flooding is not only a natural disaster but can be caused by plumbing issues. A builder could have cut corners in the materials and/or products used or installed a faulty electrical system that effected the functionality of the plumbing system.

Soil Erosion
Erosion can impact the shaping of a land’s surface. Wind or water can start the process of erosion whereby material from the land is swept down a stream, a coastline, a hill, or a slope. Water has the biggest influence on erosion. Erosion can be a natural occurrence, but it can also be caused by human error. If builders and/or developers do not survey soil properly, they can single-handedly start the process of erosion. They can use construction techniques that instead of preventing erosion of the surface will actually increase the potential of erosion and therefore damage to any future housing.

Soil and geological hazards like expansive soils, collapsing soils, mudslides and landslides, flooding or erosion can cause severe damage to property. Do not wait to contact an attorney that will assist you in taking the proper steps to protect your rights. More Information @ https://bryanwoodslaw.com/construction-defects-2/