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Here at SmilesForever Orthodontics, we’re on a mission to let people know that there’s no age limit for achieving a beautiful smile! Our team has successfully treated patients from ages 7 to 78, and we’ve seen how treatment can transform smiles and lives. Still, many adults we speak to are worried that the opportunity for straighter teeth has passed them by. We have good news — you’re never too old to improve your oral health with orthodontics! 

Have you felt uncomfortable with the way your teeth look or function? Have you been experiencing issues with your teeth or jaw and aren’t sure what can be done to relieve them? Would you like a more aligned smile but aren’t sure if traditional braces are for you? Our expert team is here to help! Keep reading below to learn what we have to offer adult patients like you. 

Your Complimentary Consultation With Us

Your first visit to any of our Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch or Loganville locations is one of the most important appointments you’ll have. This is our chance to meet and get to know a bit about each other and discuss the concerns you have about your smile. You will have the opportunity to learn more about orthodontics, receive a complete initial exam, and find out which treatment options will best meet your needs. During this initial consultation, you can expect our team to:

• Review your dental and medical history forms
• Perform a complete oral exam, with X-rays, to determine whether treatment is necessary
• Help you create a customized treatment plan
• Discuss all financial information, insurance options, and payment plans

We want every patient to feel comfortable with the treatment process and that begins with this initial consultation! Our team will ensure you’re fully informed about each step in your orthodontic journey, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can trust us to provide you with all the information you need to determine which treatment is right for you.

Your Investment In A Healthier, Happier Smile 

Once you’ve spoken with our doctors about your concerns, Dr. Brad Gilbert, Dr. Adam Wells or Dr. Svetlana Lekht will perform a thorough but painless examination of your mouth. They will create a customized treatment plan based on your unique needs and determine the necessary treatment fee. We’ll outline everything your treatment plan includes and the investment needed for your new smile during your consultation. 

We understand that orthodontic treatment can be a significant expense for any family. However, we believe it’s an important investment in your health and confidence that will pay off in a big way for years to come! Our practice never wants finances to stand in the way of our patients receiving the orthodontic treatment they need. To make the best treatment possible for you and for your family, we accept orthodontic insurance benefits and offer convenient payment plans. 

For your added convenience, our SmilesForever Orthodontics team is happy to review your insurance coverage and file the necessary paperwork on your behalf! We do whatever we can to eliminate any financial barriers standing between you and your healthiest smile.

Orthodontic Treatments For Adult Patients

Cutting-edge technology and efficient techniques allow us to offer our adult patients a wide variety of treatment options. These advanced options are more comfortable and customizable than ever before and allow our orthodontists to give you the results you desire. We offer the following treatments for adult patients and several more you may be a candidate for:

• Traditional Metal Braces 
• Clear Braces
• Invisalign Clear Aligners

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.

Clear (Ceramic) Braces

Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

The aligner series are invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are much easier. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. Our patients love the freedom and flexibility Invisalign offers. 

Keep in mind that not every treatment will be suitable for all patients. Working with our experienced orthodontists will ensure you receive only the most appropriate treatment for your individual smile.

Find Your Best Smile at SmilesForever Orthodontics

If you’ve been waiting for a beautifully aligned smile that feels as good as it looks, you’ve come to the right place! SmilesForever Orthodontics will build a customized treatment plan based on your specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. Our skilled and experienced team is committed to providing you with a rewarding orthodontic experience from your first visit with us to your last. Call us today at any of our Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch or Loganville, Georgia locations or request an appointment online to schedule your FREE consultation and take the first step toward the beautiful, confident smile you’ve always wanted!

During National Facial Protection Month in April, it’s a reminder for all organized sports athletes and recreational sports players to wear mouthguards to protect their teeth and their smiles. Research shows 13 to 39% of all dental injuries are sports-related. Many injuries can be prevented or far less severe by wearing a mouth guard; they should be part of an athlete’s standard equipment from an early age.

Any time you and/or your child is engaged in an activity where the face can come in contact with something hard— another player, a ball, an elbow, the pavement, etc. — it’s a time to be wearing a mouthguard. It is important that the mouth guard is comfortable, well-fitted, doesn’t restrict breathing, and is strong enough to resist tearing. For our SmilesForever Orthodontics patients it’s also very important that while the mouthguard protect the inside of the cheeks and lips, it not restrict tooth movement into their proper alignment. 

Children and teenagers tend not to wear ill-fitting mouthguards. Just as one size doesn’t fit all — all mouth guards types are not right for every patient. You may see over-the-counter brands advertising “comfort fit” products, which require boiling, or dentists requiring a mould of your or your child’s teeth to custom fit a mouthguard. While in orthodontic treatment mouthguards that protect the lips and cheeks, the inside of your mouth from possible injury should not fit to the teeth tightly as it is important to allow the teeth to continue moving into proper alignment. 

So this month we’re highlighting the importance of a properly fitted orthodontic mouthguard. Our orthodontists Dr. Brad Gilbert, Dr. Adam Wells and Dr. Svetlana Lekht provide the most advanced orthodontic options for purchase to our patients. They’re also available in colors to help match your team! 

Take proper care of your guard so it’s ready when needed and will last a long time. Brush the guard with a toothbrush and toothpaste before and after each use. Regularly, clean it in cool, soapy water and rinse it well. Store and transport your mouth guard in a sturdy container. Don’t chew on the mouthguard and don’t wear a removable retainer with it. Be sure to replace it when it shows signs of wear and tear.

Talk to our orthodontic team to ensure you are choosing the protection that is best for you and/or your child. Orthodontic mouthguards are available at each of our Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch and Loganville, GA practice locations. Should you choose to purchase one elsewhere, please make sure they are specifically made for orthodontic wearers and do not require boiling. Patients are always welcome to bring their guards with them to their appointments to inquire about the fit. Protect your face — protect your teeth — protect your SMILE! 

National Facial Protection Month is sponsored by the Academy for Sports Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

The Votes Have Been Counted And The Results Are In! SmilesForever Orthodontics is a 2022 Best of Gwinnett Winner for Best of Orthodontic Practices.

Our doctors and staff at SmilesForever Orthodontics want to thank our patients for voting us the best in the Gwinnett area, again this year! Thank you to each and every one of you. We are beyond delighted to announce your votes helped us achieve, and to now celebrate, being awarded our 14th consecutive “Best Of” blue ribbon! With this 2022 Best of Orthodontic Practices, valued distinction, it tells us you love your smiles and are proud to share our practice with your friends, families and neighbors. Thank you. We want you to know we value your trust in allowing us to continue treating your families smiles. Your trust means the world to us.

With the rapidly evolving field of dental and orthodontic treatment, it is important that our practice remains on the cutting edge, while providing excellence in treatment and results, patient care and affordable payment options. At SmilesForever Orthodontics, our orthodontists Drs. Brad Gilbert, Adam Wells and Svetlana Lekht offer the full scope of advanced technology, diagnostic testing, and treatment. Our physicians take the time necessary to provide each patient with information needed to understand their treatment options and to achieve the best possible results. 

Additionally, our orthodontists are fortunate to be working with a devoted and skilled staff of which each member stands out at their respective positions with a complimentary skill set and a caring attitude. We believe this approach allows us to be the best orthodontic practice for quality care.

Thank you again to all of our patients, peers and to Gwinnett Magazine’s Guide to Gwinnett division, that voted us Gwinnett’s 2022 Best of Orthodontic Practices!

We love all of our patients and communities serving Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch and Loganville and throughout Gwinnett, Hall and Walton counties!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month! During the month of October, orthodontists around the country work to promote awareness about the benefits of orthodontic treatment and the many advantages of a healthy smile. Dr. Brad Gilbert, Dr. Adam Wells and Dr. Svetlana Lekht believe that simply hiding the Halloween candy this month won’t be enough if you’re looking to improve your child’s (or your own) smile and maintain oral health. Read on to learn how a healthy mouth begins with a straight smile.

What is Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment creates alignment between the positioning of the teeth and jaw. Many different types of appliances can be used to correct various bite issues including braces, headgear, palatal expanders and retainers, among others. While many treatment plans will be most effective on children whose jaws are still developing, adults have plenty of orthodontic treatment options available to achieve a beautiful and healthy smile, including clear braces and removable aligners.

Why is Orthodontic Treatment Important?

For proper function of the jaws and teeth, orthodontic treatment may be a crucial part of any oral care routine. Under the care of an orthodontist, patients will gain:

An aesthetically pleasing smile.

Having a beautiful, confident smile has long-reaching effects. Numerous studies have proven that a straight smile is becoming increasingly mainstream in today’s society. From school age children to adults, those with straight teeth are quite often perceived as being more successful. The impression your smile leaves can make all the difference between gaining opportunities or being passed over.

A strong and healthy bite.

The jaw functions best when it is properly positioned. Ill-positioned Jaws that are not positioned correctly may contribute to problems such as, difficulty in chewing, speech impediments, cracked or broken teeth and other dental issues.

Proper alignment of the teeth.

Properly aligned teeth fit together like puzzle pieces, working and resting together. When the upper and lower teeth don’t match up, you are leaving your teeth exposed to years of extensive wear, which may lead to an increase of dental health problems down the line.

How You Can Participate in National Orthodontic Health Month

October is the perfect time to visit the orthodontist! Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

• Your child doesn't need to have lost all of his/her baby teeth before going to the orthodontist. On the contrary, going before all your child’s baby teeth have been lost is advantageous. This allows for early identification of potential issues and, in some cases, more effective treatment outcomes because the jaw is still growing.
• The American Academy of Orthodontics recommends that children be seen by an orthodontist by age 7. This enables the doctor to determine what issues, if any, are present. This early start allows the orthodontist to identify early warning signs to monitor, as well as tackle current issues while the jaw is still growing.
• You ABSOLUTELY can visit the orthodontist as an adult! With many more options available than ever before, adults are increasingly seeking to improve the function of their jaws and bite, improve their oral health and obtain beautiful, confident smiles. Our SmilesForever Orthodontics practice treats a large percentage of adults, offering both INVISALIGN® and iTero® digital scanning. We offer many treatment options to suit your needs and strive to make treatment comfortable as well as affordable.

Let this October be the treat and not the trick into putting your oral health first! Take the first step toward your child’s (and your own!) healthy, beautiful and confident smile by setting up a complimentary consultation with us today. You’ll be glad you did!