Dental emergencies can be frightening, especially when it involves your child. At Ahava Orthodontics in Fort Worth, we understand how stressful these situations can be, and we're here to help you navigate them with expert, compassionate care. Led by Dr. Shawne Barron, D.D.S., M.S., our pediatric dental team is ready to handle a wide range of dental emergencies, ensuring that your child receives prompt and gentle treatment. Whether it's a knocked-out tooth, severe tooth pain, or a broken tooth, Dr. Barron is experienced in treating dental emergencies in children. Her calm, patient-centered approach helps soothe both children and parents, making the process as smooth as possible while addressing the problem effectively. What to Do When Your Child is Having a Dental Emergency Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly—from a fall on the playground to biting down on something hard at dinner. Knowing when to seek immediate care is important for preventing further complications and ensuring your child’s oral health is [...]

Crooked teeth in children are more common than ever, often becoming noticeable as early as five years of age. While many believe genetics are responsible, recent research suggests that environmental factors and specific oral habits may be more to blame. Understanding these causes can help parents and caregivers take proactive steps to support their child’s healthy dental and facial development. Common Misconceptions: Is Genetics Really to Blame? For years, the idea that crooked teeth were purely genetic has been widely accepted. It seemed logical: if a parent or grandparent had crowded or misaligned teeth, it was assumed their children would likely inherit the same traits. However, modern studies have started to shift this understanding, highlighting that certain habits, health conditions, and lifestyle factors play a significant role in shaping dental and jaw development. While genetics may contribute to some facial structure and jaw shape, it’s often the influence of environmental factors and specific habits that more directly [...]

Misaligned teeth, also known as malocclusion, are a common concern among parents seeking orthodontic solutions for their children. Traditional braces and aligners often correct these issues by mechanically moving teeth into their proper positions. However, the Myobrace system offers a different approach by addressing the root causes of misalignment rather than just the symptoms. At Ahava Orthodontics in Fort Worth, we use the Myobrace to promote natural teeth alignment and healthier oral habits, providing children with long-term benefits that go beyond a straighter smile. What Causes Misaligned Teeth? Before understanding how the Myobrace works, it’s essential to know why teeth become misaligned. Misalignment often results from a combination of genetics and environmental factors. While genetics play a role in jaw size and tooth shape, poor oral habits, such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and incorrect swallowing patterns, are significant contributors to malocclusion. These habits can affect the growth and development of the jaw, leading to [...]

At Ahava Orthodontics, we are committed to providing cutting-edge solutions that focus on both immediate and long-term oral health benefits. One of the most innovative orthodontic treatments we offer is the Myobrace, a preventive treatment system that can straighten teeth and correct jaw alignment issues without traditional braces. The Myobrace is designed to help children with developing jaws and teeth by addressing underlying habits that can contribute to misalignment, making it an ideal, non-invasive choice for parents looking to guide their child’s natural dental development. Myobrace is more than just a way to straighten teeth—it’s a system that focuses on correcting poor oral habits that impact dental health. Unlike braces, Myobrace doesn’t rely on metal brackets or wires to pull teeth into position; instead, it helps children correct muscle and breathing habits that often lead to misaligned teeth. This comprehensive approach not only results in straighter teeth but also improves children’s overall oral function, helping them develop healthier smiles. [...]

At Ahava Orthodontics, we make it our goal to help all those in and around Fort Worth, TX achieve the straightest and healthiest smile possible. As your trusted Fort Worth, TX orthodontist, we’re proud to offer a variety of orthodontic treatments that are able to accomplish just that. Among our many treatments, the two most popular ones that people generally pick between are metal braces and Invisalign. We’d like to help you make a decision between these two options by giving you a rundown of the benefits of each one. Why Choose Braces? Braces—specifically metal braces—are the traditional form of orthodontic treatment that we’re all familiar with. Braces offer a time-tested and effective way of straightening a patient’s teeth through metal brackets and wires. Some of the benefits you’ll get by choosing braces include: Metal braces are the most effective at treating more complex orthodontic issues. The treatment time with metal braces is usually much faster. [...]

Braces help over 4 million people in the U.S. at any one time straighten their teeth. If you or your child fall into that group, taking care of your braces becomes a priority. You don't want to spend the money on braces only to have them fail or cause more dental problems. Proper care keeps your teeth clean and healthy, and it keeps your braces in good shape so they can do their job. Keep reading to learn about taking care of your teeth with braces. Brush Regularly Good oral hygiene with braces starts with regular brushing. While brushing is always important, it becomes more challenging with braces attached to your teeth. If plaque and food remain against your teeth, you might end up with cavities, gum issues, or permanent discoloration on your teeth. The general recommendation is to brush at least twice daily with each session lasting at least 2 minutes. It might take a [...]

So your little one isn’t quite so little anymore, and you are wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to visit an orthodontist, or whether you should wait until they are closer to middle school. The simple answer is that not only is it okay to go now, but also that your orthodontist (and your kid) will thank you for being hands-on when it comes to your child’s smile. Like so many things, proactivity is key to a successful orthodontic outcome, with as little amount of intervention as possible. We have gotten so used to regular checkups with a pediatrician and testing at various points in grade school. Orthodontics shouldn’t be any different. If you make plans to visit an orthodontist by age seven, your child may have the best chance possible to ditch the braces all together! What Does Early Treatment Look Like? While each child’s mouth will be different, there are a [...]

Chances are you've heard a lot about Invisalign and how well the treatment can straighten teeth. However, since it's a fairly new method of teeth straightening, you might not know much about it. But don't worry, in this guide we’ll explain more about Invisalign braces and how they can help you get straight teeth. Continue reading to learn more. What Is Invisalign? As its name implies, Invisalign is an almost "invisible" aligner of teeth form of retainers. Aligners substitute for conventional metal braces. You get transparent, removable trays that comfortably fit over your teeth. The transparent portion of the trays is created with BPA-free plastic. And yes, the material is relatively translucent, so it's hard to see that you've got them on! This is one of the reasons why Invisalign is favored over standard braces by many adults and teenagers. Based on a 3-dimensional model of your whole mouth, the trays are also custom-made. This means that the [...]

The braces have come off and now you’re ready for the freedom and enjoyment your new smile brings! But have you considered the aftercare your smile requires? Retainers provide stability for the jaw and help your teeth to stay in place. One way to think through the purpose of a retainer is to think of them as a steady support, after your braces did the heavy lifting for the past year (or more)! Retainers can seem daunting if you dread having one more thing to add to your nightly routine, but rest assured, there are options and information available to help you decide what type of retainer will suit you best. Benefit of Retainers While you may not be overjoyed at the prospect of another object in your mouth after finally having your braces removed, rest assured that wearing your retainer will be the best post-braces care you can give your smile. If you forget [...]

Learn the answers to the top 10 questions we receive from patients before getting braces. Whether you're getting braces, or it's your child that is about to get braces, the idea of braces and all of the questions associated with what happens during the process and how they will affect yours or your childs life can begin swirling around in your mind. It's no wonder, we receive countless questions from patients that include things like: Will braces hurts? How long will I have to wear braces? Am I still able to eat the foods I usually do? While some of these questions are best left to asking the doctor directly, some can be answered here because they are universal, or at least nearly so. Below, are the top 10 questions that we receive at Ahava Orthodontics: Your Fort Worth Orthodontist. Can Crooked Teeth be Prevented? Crooked teeth are often a product of genetics, making them difficult to [...]