Month: February 2016

ABC’S OF BRACES: THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

By: Dr. Roy King DDS

Can you believe that we are mid way through February 2016!? While spending the majority of my time working with great people and creating fabulous smiles, I’ve also spent considerable time in continuing education so that you can receive the benefit of cutting edge technology.

Thinking about everything a patient would want to know about orthodontics and everything that happens in an orthodontic office is astonishing. So I thought you might like to know the ABC’s of Orthodontics. These are just some of the important things you should know about orthodontic treatment at Jupiter Orthodontics.

A – Adults make up over 30% of Dr. King’s practice!

Orthodontics isn’t just for kids and teens. Many adults, including some parents of our younger ortho patients, want a better smile too and we are happy to help. Traditional braces might be a bit of a concern for some and for that reason we offer Ceramic Braces and Invisalign. (See the letters C and I below for details on those treatments!)

B – Brackets

Brackets are the metal or ceramic pieces bonded directly to your teeth. Brackets are connected to the bands and they hold the wire in place.

C – Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces consist of tooth-colored brackets, wires and ties that allow for inconspicuous orthodontic treatment. Ceramic braces are a great option for teens or adults who want to avoid the appearance of traditional metal braces but achieve the same excellent results.

D – Damon System

We are pleased to offer patients passive self-ligating Damon Smile braces. Thanks to these innovative new braces, achieving your perfect smile will be faster and easier!!!

E – Emergency Care

Hopefully you won’t need emergency care! But we understand that things happen and we’re definitely here for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time if you feel that something is wrong. You will be able to speak with an assistant who can provide detailed advice on mouth sores, protruding wires, loose brackets, and more. At times, Dr. King will need to make adjustments if your braces are damaged, so keep us informed if something gets loose or lost.

F – Floss Threader

This tool helps you to insert floss under the wire of your braces. Flossing might be a little more challenging with braces on, but it’s definitely very important to do daily! Floss threader to the rescue… that’s right, a tool of the flossing trade! Just ask us how to get one if you don’t already have one.

G – Gums

It’s quite natural for your gums to be a little sore until they get used to the appliances / braces being there. After that, if you experience swelling, it could be from plaque buildup, which means you need to be a little more thorough with your brushing and flossing. Remember, two full minutes you must brush… Away from the sink you must NOT rush! Remember to see your dentist to have your teeth cleaned every six months.

H – Healthy Smile

Another reason patients choose orthodontic treatment is to improve their dental health. Crowded teeth harbor bacteria in hard to reach places which left unchecked can cause gum disease. Properly aligned teeth not only look amazing but are easier to keep clean and make chewing more efficient than overly crowded or unevenly spaced teeth (a benefit to digestion).

I – Invisalign

Invisalign treatment includes a series of clear, plastic aligners that gradually move your teeth to the position your orthodontist prescribes. And yes, they are absolutely invisible! No one but you and Dr. King needs to know about your treatment. Everyone else will just see your beautiful, natural smile as it nears perfection! Check out our website’s Invisalign section for more info.

J – Jaw

Jaw hurting? At times jaw growth issues and the resulting pain can indicate orthodontic treatment is necessary. Contact us if this is the case for you and we can help you figure out the best treatment to resolve your jaw issues.

K – Dr. King

And that is me! My absolute fascination with and commitment to orthodontics makes me what some may consider to be an “Ortho Geek.” Continuing education is the key to maintaining the highest level of excellence possible and I am a staunch advocate of pursuing it. My goal is to have cutting edge technology so that you have the best care while we get to know each other throughout your treatment.

L – Long term results that make you happy!!!

You won’t believe how your new smile will make you feel. Patients often report that the self esteem of their children or themselves, if they are the patient, has improved greatly. Confidence comes with that amazing new smile and you are going to love it. (We know this!!!)

M – Metal Braces

Metal braces are traditional braces and they have straightened many a smile over the past 100 years! These days, metal braces are smaller and more comfortable than they have ever been and now they come with a fun color palette to choose your color of the month!

N – Not your Average Ortho Office

Follow us on FaceBook and you’ll know what we mean. We aim to make your orthodontics experience the best it can be and we have fun along the way!

O – Observation

Observation for a patient who is not ready to start braces is always without any charge. Dr. King believes in starting a patient at just the right time. That being the case, if your child is not ready to start Dr. K will continue to monitor him/her at no charge until the time is right.

P – Plaque

Plaque is the sticky, colorless film that builds up from bacteria if you don’t keep your teeth clean, which can lead to bad breath, swollen gums and cavities. It’s even worse when it accumulates around your braces, because it can leave permanent marks where your brackets were.

Q – Questions and answers?

You ask and we are happy to answer. There are always plenty of questions you’ll have and while there is a lot of helpful info in this post we know it’s not possible to cover everything about braces in a single run through of the alphabet. We invite you to contact our office in Jupiter any time and ask us any questions that might cross your mind. Consultations are always free for prospective patients trying to decide whether braces are right for them.

R – Retainers

Retainers are worn after your braces are taken off to ensure that your teeth stay in their proper position. We will prescribe the type of retainer you need and we’ll let you know how long to wear it, based on your individual case. Wearing retainers is essential!

S – Smile it Forward

We have a wonderful program called Smile It Forward to help the underprivileged (among many other ways Dr. K helps the community). With a recommendation from a dentist and a completed short form from our website (Jupiter-Orthodontics.com) those who qualify are evaluated for FREE treatment.

T – Teeth care

Toothbrushes are very important for keeping your braces and your teeth clean. As an orthodontic patient you will need to replace your toothbrush more frequently than you normally would because brackets can wear the bristles out fairly quickly. Talk to us about getting an interproximal brush that slips under your wire into hard-to-reach places where food can get trapped. Power toothbrushes and Waterpiks can also be helpful for brushing your teeth with braces.

U – Unbelievable Results

Check out our outstanding before and after pictures of Dr. King’s patients to get an idea of the difference we will make in YOUR smile

V – Vast difference!

You may not believe the vast difference you will see. You would be hard pressed to find a group of people more enthusiastic about orthodontics than we are! Making a difference in your life is important to us and we look forward to getting to know you. Feel free to contact us for your free consultation.

W – Wire

Technically it’s called the archwire. This is the wire which attaches to your brackets and provides the force that straightens your teeth. Poking wires mean that something is out of place, but are an easy fix. Apply some wax and give us a call.

X – X-ray

X-rays are used to help illustrate the current position of your teeth so your orthodontist can create a treatment plan to move your teeth to their ideal positions. You’ll also be happy to know that we use iTero digital models so there are no more goopy impressions. We knew you’d like that!

Y – YOU!

You are what our office is all about. We look forward to meeting you and traveling with you on your journey to the dream smile you’ve been waiting for!!!

Z – Zip through treatment!

The better you care for your braces, the faster your orthodontic treatment will go (And the sooner you will have straight teeth and an overall healthier smile!)

Now, we know you may still have questions for Dr. King about having braces and for that reason Dr. King provides free one-on-one consultations. Once you start treatment our friendly and knowledgeable staff (You will love our staff!) can walk you through any questions you may have. If you’d like to schedule a free consult, fill out the form, or call our office at 561-747-5766.