expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Tony Khara, D.M.D.

Orthodontist

Dr. Tony Khara practices Orthodontics in Holly Springs, NC. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment includes metal wires that are inserted into orthodontic brackets, which can be made from stainless steel or a more aesthetic ceramic material. The wires interact with the brackets to move teeth into desired positions. Being advanced in the field, Dr. Khara may also use Invisalign or other aligner trays that have been designed to align a patients? smile. As an orthodontist, Dr. Khara must recognize various characteristics of a malocclusion or dentofacial deformity, define the nature of the problem, including the etiology if possible, and design a treatment strategy based on the specific needs and desires of the patient.
Dr. Tony Khara, D.M.D.
  • Holly Springs, NC
  • University of Pittsburgh Dental School
  • Accepting new patients

What happens it i forget to wear my retainer for 3 days

You should contact your Orthodontist to make sure what to do but this is what I tell my patients: Your teeth may have moved and it might be tight and give some discomfort to put READ MORE
You should contact your Orthodontist to make sure what to do but this is what I tell my patients: Your teeth may have moved and it might be tight and give some discomfort to put the retainers back in. You may have to take some Tylenol or Advil for discomfort if you are not allergic. I would try to wear the retainer full time for a few days until the retainer fits all the way down as it did before. If your teeth have moved and you can not get your retainer back in: then you should see your orthodontist and you may need some minor adjustments or a new retainer

Braces

They make special tools to remove the braces. Some very minor pressure will be there. Once the braces are taken off then the glue will need to be removed

How do you clean your teeth while having braces?

You need to brush at least three times a day: ideally after breakfast, lunch and dinner and floss before bed time. It will take at least 3 min to brush each time counting to 10 READ MORE
You need to brush at least three times a day: ideally after breakfast, lunch and dinner and floss before bed time. It will take at least 3 min to brush each time counting to 10 seconds on each brace and along the gum line. Only use a soft tooth brush or a good electric tooth brush like Oral-B or Sonicare. A Waterpik is also very helpful to use. Also you should see your dentist at least every 6 months while in braces for a tooth cleaning

How do you get rid of stains after braces?

You should talk with your general dentist to see what the best options are.

Can you talk with Invisalign?

I as a Doctor can talk with Invisalign. Our office is in the top 1% in the country for Invisalign doctors so we have good communication with them. But you as a patient might not READ MORE
I as a Doctor can talk with Invisalign. Our office is in the top 1% in the country for Invisalign doctors so we have good communication with them.
But you as a patient might not be able to talk directly with them.

Can I get jaw surgery after braces?

Yes, it's possible. You may or may not need braces again for the jaw surgery depending on what the orthodontist and Oral Surgeon you work with suggest.

Can you get braces if you have bad gums?

Your first step would be to improve the health of your gums, you do not want to move teeth that have gum disease. That would worsen the health of your teeth. Your first step would READ MORE
Your first step would be to improve the health of your gums, you do not want to move teeth that have gum disease. That would worsen the health of your teeth. Your first step would be to see a regular dentist for a cleaning and go from there.

Is an X-ray required for braces?

Yes to see the roots of the teeth.

Can an orthodontist provide Invisalign?

Orthodontists are the experts and specialists in tooth movement. So yes Orthodontist are better than general dentists to help you with Invisalign. With that said, some orthodontists READ MORE
Orthodontists are the experts and specialists in tooth movement. So yes Orthodontist are better than general dentists to help you with Invisalign. With that said, some orthodontists do a lot more Invisalign than other orthodontists. Our office is in the top 1% in the country for providing Invisalign treatment. This matters because our extra experience can help the patient more. You can check directly on the Invisalign website and find an orthodontist with experience. I would suggest using a 10 mile or 20 mile radius because there is a large difference in each doctor. I have seen some patients went to a consultation elsewhere and they were told that they could not do Invisalign. When they came to us it was very easy for me to treat them with Invisalign.

How long do you wear braces after jaw surgery?

The time in braces after jaw surgery varies significantly depending on the surgery outcome and how much additional tooth movement is needed to get the bite into a final stable READ MORE
The time in braces after jaw surgery varies significantly depending on the surgery outcome and how much additional tooth movement is needed to get the bite into a final stable position and close all the spaces. The oral surgeon usually likes to wait for about 2 months before they release the patient to the orthodontist for the orthodontist to continue their treatment. The bones have to heal for those two months after surgery. Typically it is 9 months of treatment with braces if everything goes well with the surgery, But if the surgery is not completely successful then the treatment time will take longer in braces after surgery.

Why do my braces hurt when I eat sweets?

It might be a sign of a potential cavity. I would suggest that you see your dentist

Can I do a deep cleaning on my teeth with orthodontics?

Yes you can have a deep cleaning with braces on, sometimes we will temporarily remove the wires and then let your dentist/periodontist do the cleaning. Afterwards we will put your READ MORE
Yes you can have a deep cleaning with braces on, sometimes we will temporarily remove the wires and then let your dentist/periodontist do the cleaning. Afterwards we will put your wires back in that same day.

How do orthodontists fix broken brackets?

That has to fixed in the orthodontic office. Not at home

Do you need braces for underbite surgery?

If your underbite is significant and would need Jaw Surgery: then ideally braces are needed. An Orthodontist has to work with an Oral Surgeon to set up a plan for you. This team READ MORE
If your underbite is significant and would need Jaw Surgery: then ideally braces are needed. An Orthodontist has to work with an Oral Surgeon to set up a plan for you. This team work is very important to get good results. Typically patients will need braces before, during and after surgery: usually it takes 2 to 3 years depending on the surgery

How should I sleep with tooth pain from braces?

You should check with your orthodontist to see what the issue is. Depending on the severity of the pain, you may have to be seen if something is not normal. It's pretty common READ MORE
You should check with your orthodontist to see what the issue is. Depending on the severity of the pain, you may have to be seen if something is not normal. It's pretty common for teeth to be sore/experience some pain with braces if you recently had an adjustment. But better to get it checked out if you're concerned.

Can a tight retainer damage your teeth?

It's possible, but usually unlikely. If you had your braces off, it's important to wear a retainer to keep them from shifting. It's best if you contact your orthodontist for them READ MORE
It's possible, but usually unlikely. If you had your braces off, it's important to wear a retainer to keep them from shifting. It's best if you contact your orthodontist for them to check your retainer. Make sure you bring it with you when you see them.

Is root scaling good before braces or Invisalign?

If you need it, then it's good to get it done before starting treatment. I would recommend a waterpik as well to help clean your teeth and gums after brushing and flossing.

How long does it take for gums to heal after getting braces?

I would suggest that you should get a WaterPik. it helps clean around braces and can help the gums to heal. You can order one from Amazon for $70 and is well worth the investment. READ MORE
I would suggest that you should get a WaterPik. it helps clean around braces and can help the gums to heal. You can order one from Amazon for $70 and is well worth the investment. Use this after brushing and flossing.

Can you get braces for just two teeth?

No, you cannot, it won't work. You will need braces on multiple teeth to move them. It's a system.

Can you bite into an apple with braces?

Yes, but it sometimes gets stuck in the braces. So, please brush after eating.