Toggle navigation

Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S.
Christy M. Benjamin, D.M.D.

907 Lincoln Ave. Prospect Park, PA 19076(610) 583-5052
  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

 

Request an Appointment

Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • Home
  • Team
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for: September, 2018

Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces

By Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S., P.C.
September 21, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   braces   orthodontic treatment  
WhyemBigBangTheoryemActressMayimBialikCouldntHaveBraces

Mayim Bialik has spent a good part of her life in front of TV cameras: first as the child star of the hit comedy series Blossom, and more recently as Sheldon Cooper’s love interest — a nerdy neuroscientist — on The Big Bang Theory. (In between, she actually earned a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA…but that’s another story.) As a child, Bialik had a serious overbite — but with all her time on camera, braces were just not an option.

“I never had braces,” she recently told Dear Doctor – Dentistry & Oral Health magazine. “I was on TV at the time, and there weren’t a lot of creative solutions for kids who were on TV.” Instead, her orthodontist managed to straighten her teeth using retainers and headgear worn only at night.

Today, there are several virtually invisible options available to fix orthodontic issues — and you don’t have to be a child star to take advantage of them. In fact, both children and adults can benefit from these unobtrusive appliances.

Tooth colored braces are just like traditional metal braces, with one big difference: The brackets attached to teeth are made from a ceramic material that blends in with the natural color of teeth. All that’s visible is the thin archwire that runs horizontally across the teeth — and from a distance it’s hard to notice. Celebs like Tom Cruise and Faith Hill opted for this type of appliance.

Clear aligners are custom-made plastic trays that fit over the teeth. Each one, worn for about two weeks, moves the teeth just a bit; after several months, you’ll see a big change for the better in your smile. Best of all, clear aligners are virtually impossible to notice while you’re wearing them — which you’ll need to do for 22 hours each day. But you can remove them to eat, or for special occasions. Zac Efron and Katherine Heigl, among others, chose to wear clear aligners.

Lingual braces really are invisible. That’s because they go behind your teeth (on the tongue side), where they can’t be seen; otherwise they are similar to traditional metal braces. Lingual braces are placed on teeth differently, and wearing them often takes some getting used to at first. But those trade-offs are worth it for plenty of people. Which celebs wore lingual braces? Rumor has it that the list includes some top models, a well-known pop singer, and at least one British royal.

So what’s the best way to straighten your teeth and keep the orthodontic appliances unnoticeable? Just ask us! We’d be happy to help you choose the option that’s just right for you. You’ll get an individualized evaluation, a solution that fits your lifestyle — and a great-looking smile!

For more information about hard-to-see (or truly invisible) orthodontics, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Orthodontics for the Older Adult” and “Clear Aligners for Teenagers.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

How to Treat the Problem of Teeth that Never Developed

By Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S., P.C.
September 11, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: orthodontic treatment  
HowtoTreattheProblemofTeeththatNeverDeveloped

About one-quarter of people have teeth that never developed. While most of these congenitally missing teeth are wisdom teeth, they can also include premolars or lateral incisors (the teeth right next to the two front teeth, the central incisors).

Missing teeth can have an adverse effect on smile appearance. But that’s not all: because each type of tooth performs a specific function, one or more missing teeth can lead to bite problems and disruption of dental function. In the case of missing lateral incisors, the canines (eye teeth) normally positioned beside and toward the back of the mouth from them may begin to drift into the empty space and grow next to the central incisors. This can result in greater difficulty chewing and a smile that “doesn’t look right.”

To correct this situation, we must often first attempt to orthodontically move any out of place teeth to their normal positions. This re-establishes the space needed for the missing teeth to be replaced, which we can then restore with prosthetic (artificial) teeth. If the permanent restoration of choice involves dental implants, we’ll usually need to wait until the completion of jaw development around early adulthood. In the mean time, we can use a retainer appliance to hold the teeth in their new positions with prosthetic teeth attached to fill the empty space for a better smile appearance in the interim.

The real issue is timing—beginning orthodontic treatment when appropriate to a person’s oral development, as well as completing the implant restoration when the mouth has matured sufficiently. There are other considerations such as bone volume, which may have diminished due to the missing teeth. At some point we may need to consider grafting to build up the bone sufficiently to support dental implants.

This all may entail a team approach by various specialties like orthodontics, periodontics and implantology. Working together and coordinating within a timely schedule, a mouth and smile marred by undeveloped teeth can be transformed.

If you would like more information on treating smiles with underdeveloped permanent teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “When Permanent Teeth Don’t Grow.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

A Retainer Helps You Keep Your New Smile After Braces

By Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S., P.C.
September 01, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: orthodontics   retainers  
ARetainerHelpsYouKeepYourNewSmileAfterBraces

Moving your teeth to a more functional and attractive alignment is a big undertaking. You can invest months — even years — and a lot of expense to correct a bad bite. But all that effort could be for nothing if your teeth return to their original positions.

The very aspect of dental physiology that makes orthodontics possible can work against you in reverse. Your teeth are not actually rigidly fixed in the bone: they're held in place by an elastic gum tissue known as the periodontal ligament. The ligament lies between the tooth and the bone and attaches to both with tiny fibers.

While this mechanism holds the teeth firmly in place, it also allows the teeth to move in response to changes in the mouth. As we age, for example, and the teeth wear, the ligament allows movement of the teeth to accommodate for the loss of tooth surface that might have been created by the wear.

When we employ braces we're changing the mouth environment by applying pressure to the teeth in a certain direction. The teeth move in response to this pressure. But when the pressure is no longer there after removing the braces or other orthodontic devices, the ligament mechanism may then respond with a kind of “muscle memory” to pull the teeth back to where they were before.

To prevent this, we need to help the teeth maintain their new position, at least until they've become firmly set. We do this with an oral appliance known as a retainer. Just as its name implies it helps the teeth “retain” their new position.

We require most patients to initially wear their retainer around the clock. After a while we can scale back to just a few hours a day, usually at nighttime. Younger patients may only need to wear a retainer for eighteen months or so. Adults, though, may need to wear one for much longer or in some cases permanently to maintain their new bite.

Although having to wear a retainer can be tedious at times, it's a crucial part of your orthodontic treatment. By wearing one you'll have a better chance of permanently keeping your new smile.

If you would like more information on caring for your teeth after braces, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Importance of Orthodontic Retainers.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink


October (3) August (3)
Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2021
      • April (2)
        • Evidence Mounting That Vaping is Hazardous to Your Oral Health
        • Supermodel Ashley Graham's Unpleasant Dental Encounter With a Frozen Cookie
      • March (3)
        • Include These Important Nutrients on Your Dinner Plate for Stronger, Healthier Teeth
        • 4 Things You Can Do To Reduce Chronic Dry Mouth
        • 4 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Tooth Enamel
      • February (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon's Daughter Loses a Tooth on National Television
        • Are You at Risk for Tooth Decay? Answer These Questions To Find Out
      • January (4)
        • Although Rare, This Condition Could Destroy a Tooth
        • 4 Guidelines to Help Make Sure Your Child's Oral Health Stays on Track
        • Wisdom Teeth Can Still be a Problem for the World's Youngest Billionaire
        • An Oral Irrigator Could Make Flossing Easier for You
  • 2020
      • December (2)
        • Endodontic Treatment Could Save a Tooth in Crisis
        • Boost Your Dental Health With Soon-To-Expire FSA Funds
      • November (3)
        • As Antetokounmpo Knows, Even an NBA Star Can Be Sidelined by a Toothache
        • That Energy Drink You Take for a Boost Might Be Hurting Your Dental Health
        • The Kind of Tooth Pain You Have May Identify the True Problem
      • October (3)
        • 4 Things You Can Do To Protect Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
        • You Don't Need to Pass a Football Like Patrick Mahomes to Remove a Loose Baby Tooth
        • Wisdom Teeth Bear Close Monitoring for Future Dental Health
      • September (3)
        • DIY Orthodontics is a Recipe for Dental Disaster
        • Lingual Braces Might be a Better Fit for Your Active Lifestyle
        • NHL Iron Man Keith Yandle Suffers Dental Trauma on Ice
      • August (4)
        • Direct Veneers Offer a Quick and Affordable Alternative to Traditional Veneers
        • 4 Dental Health Areas That Deserve Attention Before Getting Back to School
        • How to Care for Your Child's Valuable Primary Teeth
        • Lady Gaga Wasn't "Born This Way?"
      • July (3)
        • If a Root Canal Won't Work, This Procedure Might Save Your Tooth
        • Stop Plaque Buildup Around Your Implant-Supported Bridge With Flossing
        • Whatever Your Vacation Plans This Year, Don't Forget Teeth and Gum Care
      • June (3)
        • You Can Have a Straighter Smile - Just Like the Queen of England
        • Instill These Habits in Your Child for a Lifetime of Great Dental Health
        • How to Avoid 'White Spot' Decay While Wearing Braces
      • May (3)
        • These High-Tech Tools Help Your Veneers Look Attractive and Natural
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
        • Porcelain Veneers Could Change Your Smile and Your Life!
      • April (3)
        • Practice Daily Hygiene to Avoid Gum Swelling While Wearing Braces
        • Ultra-Thin Veneers Might Help You Avoid Enamel Removal
        • Pretty Little Liars' Lucy Hale Crushes on Smiles
      • March (3)
        • Correct a Cross-Bite by Widening the Upper Jaw with an Expander
        • Overcoming Gum Recession will Restore Dental Health and your Smile
        • Uncovering Early Gum Disease Through Periodontal Probing
      • February (3)
        • Find Out How These Famous Celebrities Protect Their Smiles From Teeth Grinding
        • It's Best to Avoid This Online Trend for Your Enamel's Sake
        • A Loose Tooth is a Sign of Deeper Dental Trouble
      • January (3)
        • 4 Things to Do to Keep Your Child's Dental Development on Track
        • Too Old to Straighten Your Smile? Not If You're Like These A-List Celebrities
        • You May Need Orthodontics Before Replacing a Missing Tooth
  • 2019
      • December (3)
        • It Takes Artistry and Skill to Achieve the Right Color Balance for Your Veneers
        • Follow These Holiday Toy Tips for Your Kids to Avoid Dental Injuries
        • Dakota Johnson and Her Missing Tooth Gap Sparks Online Debate
      • November (3)
        • Eating the Right Carbs Helps Keep Your Gums Healthy
        • Fluoridated Drinking Water Helps Curb Tooth Decay Safely
        • Orthodontics: More Than Straightening a Crooked Smile
      • October (3)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • 3 Reasons to See a Pediatric Dentist
        • Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
      • September (3)
        • Despite Some Online Sources, Root Canals Don't Cause Disease
        • Crazy Little Thing Called... Hyperdontia?
        • Your Dentist Might Hold the Key to Solving Your Sleep Apnea Problem
      • August (3)
        • Sedation can Make Dental Treatment Easier for High Anxiety Patients
        • 4 Serious Health Conditions That Gum Disease Might Make Worse
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
      • July (3)
        • To Extract or not Extract? The Big Decision About Your Child's Wisdom Teeth
        • Primary Teeth are Critical to Future Dental Health and Worth Preserving
        • This Rare Tongue Condition Often Looks Worse than it Actually is
      • June (3)
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • You May Not Need a Narcotic to Manage Post-Dental Work Pain
        • Do This for Your Dental Health Before, During and After Cancer Treatment
      • May (3)
        • Keep an Eye on Your Family's Fluoride Intake
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
        • Simple Steps to Follow if Your Child has a Toothache
      • April (3)
        • Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
        • Stress and Nighttime Teeth Grinding
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
      • March (3)
        • Antibiotic Resistance Requires Action - and a Change of Attitude
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Harms Your Health
        • Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
      • February (3)
        • Viggo Mortensen's Red-Carpet Smile
        • 4 Tips to Prevent Childhood Tooth Decay
        • Not Jazzed About Wearing Braces? Consider Clear Aligners Instead
      • January (3)
        • Topical Fluoride is a Safe Way to Protect Your Child's Teeth from Decay
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
        • Lingual Braces Offer a Less Visible Alternative to Traditional Braces
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
        • Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
        • J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
      • November (3)
        • You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
        • Advanced Equipment and Safe Practices Ensure X-Ray Safety for Children
        • Removing Teeth Could Improve an Orthodontic Outcome
      • October (4)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
        • 4 Signs Your Child May Have a Poor Bite
        • Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain and Saves Your Tooth
      • September (3)
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • How to Treat the Problem of Teeth that Never Developed
        • A Retainer Helps You Keep Your New Smile After Braces
      • August (3)
        • Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • Treating a Child's Tooth Injury May Require Special Consideration
      • July (3)
        • Anchorage Devices Provide More Accuracy, Less Treatment Time for Braces
        • We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
      • June (3)
        • Be Sure to have These 3 Essentials Covered Beforehand for Veneer Success
        • Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
        • Stop Wearing Your Dentures While You Sleep!
      • May (3)
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Keep Watch for Bite Problems with your Child's Teeth
        • What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
      • April (2)
        • Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • March (2)
        • 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
        • Why the Bottled Variety Might not be Your Best Choice for Clean Drinking Water
      • February (2)
        • Regular Screenings Could Help With Early Oral Cancer Detection
        • Teething Troubles Make Tennis Superstar Not-So-Serena
      • January (3)
        • Early Action Needed to Save Your Tooth from Root Resorption
        • Partial Dentures: an Affordable Alternative to More Expensive Restorations
        • Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
      • November (2)
        • How to Lessen the Effects of Chronic Dry Mouth
        • Weather the 'Storm' of Teething with These Comfort Tips
      • October (3)
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • Is Laser Treatment a Good Option for Controlling Gum Disease?
        • Why Dental Care is Even More Important When You're Pregnant
      • September (2)
        • The Secret to Preventing Gum Disease - Control Bacterial Plaque
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
      • August (2)
        • Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • July (3)
        • The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Include Limitations on Sugar in Your Tooth Decay Prevention Strategy
      • June (2)
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • Dealing with the Reality of Increased Disease Risk with Braces
      • May (2)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • A Bonded Retainer Could be a Preferred Choice over a Removable One
      • April (2)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • Take Steps to Save an Incoming Tooth's Place to Avoid a Poor Bite
      • March (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
      • February (2)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
      • January (3)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • 'Tooth in One Day' Procedures Require Special Attention for Success
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • 3 Questions You Should Ask Before Undergoing Adult Orthodontics
      • November (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • 4 Reasons you may want Your Dentist to Whiten Your Teeth
      • October (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Don't let Gum Disease - the 'Other Dental Disease' - Rob you of Your Smile
      • September (3)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
        • A Royal Fix
      • August (2)
        • Local Anesthesia Eliminates Pain Completely During Dental Work
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • July (2)
        • Clear Aligners Reduce Risk for Developing Gum Disease Better than Braces
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • June (2)
        • Be Sure Your Child has Access to Dental-Friendly Snacks at School
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • May (2)
        • A Retainer Helps you Keep Your New Smile after the Braces Come Off
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • April (2)
        • Moving Just a Few Teeth can have Big Results
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • March (3)
        • Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
      • February (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
      • January (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Six Ways Saliva Helps Your Mouth and Body Stay Healthy
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Implant-based Overdentures may be a Better Long-Term Fit Option
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • November (3)
        • 3 Ways to Reduce the Bacteria in Your Mouth that Cause Tooth Decay
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Welcome Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (56)
  • cosmetic dentistry (4)
  • tooth decay (5)
  • braces (7)
  • dental implants (7)
  • dentures (2)
  • orthodontics (8)
  • saliva (1)
  • oral health (16)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • smile makeover (2)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • oral hygiene (22)
  • teeth grinding (6)
  • pediatric dentistry (14)
  • orthodontic treatment (22)
  • bad breath (1)
  • retainers (3)
  • nutrition (6)
  • crowns (2)
  • clear aligners (2)
  • gum disease (12)
  • anesthesia (1)
  • bonding (1)
  • periodontal (gum) disease (3)
  • teeth whitening (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • space maintainer (1)
  • bonded retainer (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • sugar (1)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • x-rays (2)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • bruxism (1)
  • mouthguards (3)
  • plaque (1)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • dental injury (4)
  • teething (2)
  • dry mouth (2)
  • chipped tooth (3)
  • partial denture (1)
  • root canal treatment (6)
  • oral cancer (2)
  • shingles (1)
  • bone loss (1)
  • porcelain veneers (5)
  • bone grafting (1)
  • tooth pain (2)
  • veneers (2)
  • anchorage devices (1)
  • loose tooth (2)
  • extractions (1)
  • lingual braces (2)
  • topical fluoride (1)
  • root resorption (2)
  • antibiotics (1)
  • wisdom teeth (5)
  • gerd (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • fluroide (1)
  • pain management (1)
  • retainer (1)
  • sedation dentistry (1)
  • sleep apnea (1)
  • snoring (1)
  • extraction (1)
  • fluoride (1)
  • dental injuries (3)
  • gum recession (1)
  • palatal expander (1)
  • dental implant (1)
  • apicoectomy (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Dental Procedures (81)
  • Oral Health (92)

Dr. Richard Benjamin and Dr. Christy Benjamin

Our Location

907 Lincoln Ave.
Prospect Park, PA 19076
(610) 583-5052

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday:12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday:Closed
Friday:9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dentist Website Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map