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This is a common question many orthodontic offices hear.  At Smiles Forever Orthodontics we are thrilled to answer this question for our perspective patients, because the answer is, "No, you are never too old to come in for an evaluation!"

Adult braces are more popular than ever. Many patients believe they may have missed their opportunity to get braces yet with the many options available for the adult patient today, the choices are exciting! Orthodontists can easily help patients of any age to correct dental problems.

Common Adult Concerns

Jaw joint problems

Crowding

Teeth that appear crooked

Bite abnormalities

Why Are These Areas of Concern?

You may be at a higher risk of gum disease, cavities, headaches and chewing as well as speech problems without proper treatment.  

Options Available

Fortunately, many teeth-straightening options are available today. Some patients hesitate at the thought of braces because they want to avoid the look of metal. The good news is that some of these options are almost invisible!

Traditional metal braces. This treatment involves attaching metal brackets and  arch wires to your teeth. Moving your teeth into proper position will take periodic adjusting in order to apply pressure to your teeth to achieve alignment.

Ceramic braces. Often called "invisible" braces, these are a popular choice among many adults. Along with tooth-colored, coated arch wires, these are a very low-profile, innovative preference. These braces are attached to your teeth and  also will take periodic adjusting to help move your teeth into proper alignment.

Clear acrylic aligners. These are a series of removable aligners that are custom- fitted to the individual patient. This type of treatment is preferable for many adults. Nearly invisible, they are easily removed during eating and easy to clean. Traditionally each set of aligners in the series is worn for a period of two weeks progressing in such manner with the following sets as recommended by your orthodontist. The teeth are increasingly moved until the teeth reach their final prescribed alignment.

Call Smiles Forever Orthodontics today to schedule your free evaluation. We are thrilled at the opportunity to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile!  After your consultation you will be advised as to the choices available to you to correct your concerns as well as the recommended treatment by one of our two highly experienced orthodontists, Dr. Parsons and Dr. Gilbert. We look forward to meeting you!

Spring and Summer vacations are quickly approaching! Is your smile ready for vacation?

As you plan for your trip don't forget to ready your smile. Whether you are still in the appliance and braces stages of treatment or already into the retention phase of your beautiful smile, we'd like to share a few tips to making your time away from home a bit more comfortable.

During the active phase of treatment (with appliances and braces) scheduling a visit to Smiles Forever Orthodontics to have your arch wires clipped and ties changed is a great way to ensure that you are off to a comfortable start!  While you stop in for your visit don't forget to ask for a pack of wax to take along with you! You'll need to remember to pack your orthodontic toothbrush or travel toothbrush and some floss as well. Fresh-n-Go toothbrushes (a toothbrush and toothpaste in one) are always available for purchase at our front desk should you be into a lighter mode of travel and at only $2.50 a super deal! Make sure you take plenty of elastics with you if you are asked to wear them during treatment. 

While on vacation should the unexpected happen, and a bracket come off, please make yourself comfortable so that you can enjoy the rest of your time away. Fingernail clippers are always a handy way to clip any sharp wires if an end bracket becomes loose.

During your Retention Phase of treatment you are already enjoying the benefits of a beautiful smile! While traveling remember to take along your retainers and retainer cases to keep your smile looking gorgeous and your retainers safe while away. Including your name and a mobile number or e-mail address on your retainer case is always a good idea just in case that retainer tries to stay on vacation when you are ready to head back home! Brightening your teeth with professional strength Crest Whitening Strips (available for purchase at the front desk) are a fabulous way to ensure those compliments on your smile keep coming!

We hope you enjoy your worry-free smile and a fabulous vacation!

You were told at your last orthodontic visit that we use "progressive" arch wires as they were being placed in your mouth! The assistant working with you may have sounded pretty enthusiastic, yet you are left wondering, why the excitement?

Haven't you seen those commercials with the eyeglasses you can basically bend and wad up, then they spring back to their original shape? What is the material they are made of? It's called NiTi or Nickel Titanium Alloy. It's kind of a weird metal alloy that likes to retain it's shape even after deformation.

If you have a straight wire, make it "crooked" or otherwise deform or bend it to the shape of your not so straight teeth, then the wire wants to be straight again, so it slowly moves back to it's original position bringing the teeth along for the ride. That is slow constant pressure over time. That's what moves teeth.

There is even a variant that is soft when cold. It's limp like wet spaghetti when cold. It is then easily placed on the teeth. As the material warms up in the mouth, it wants to be in it's original position. Weird Science!

Stainless steel wires (ordinary wires) are used a lot in orthodontics. The more you deflect the SS wire, the more force the wire applies to the tooth. A NiTi wire does the same thing, but the force is lower and more constant over longer deflection distances for the same size wire. This is usually more physiologic. You can bend it further without it being too "stiff". It really hurts if you put too much force on a tooth. 

What these NiTi arch wires mean when used during your treatment at Smiles Forever Orthodontics is that we are using gentle, yet continual pressure to move your teeth into alignment. As your mouth warms and cools with natural body temperature as well as the foods and drinks that you consume, the arch wires are being put to work. This process is progressing your treatment on a daily basis and that is truly something to be enthusiastic about!

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That why our team thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports. Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact us at Smiles Forever Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!