Category: For Teens

GOOD TO KNOW!!!

Good oral hygiene linking to good health was known as far back as A.D 23-79!

It’s no secret that caring for your teeth is an affordable way to keep healthy teeth. Excellent hygiene is your first defense against costly dental treatment later in life.

Orthodontics is an investment in happiness. A gorgeous smile worth sharing comes along with that investment! Thirty percent of Dr. King’s patients are adults over the age of thirty five & our oldest patient is over 80… So yes, orthodontics is for everyone. Dr. King is fighting this relentless economy with you and for that reason adjustments have been made so treatment will fit YOUR family budget.

Call 747-5766 and Ashley will set up your free exam, consultation and panoramic x-ray. If you have questions please contact us for a prompt reply.

Remember, selecting your orthodontist for a lifelong smile is like buying jewelry. You want solid gold not just gold overlay. Check out our “WHAT TO ASK AN ORTHODONTIST” page for questions to ask when making this important decision. Dr. King provides these questions for you because no patient should have to return for re-treatment. Getting it right the first time…THAT is what Dr. King does.

Some facts about dental hygiene and orthodontics for you to enjoy and learn from:

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting mal-aligned teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Tom Cruise, Kathryn Heigle, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes, Fay Dunaway, and Brandi.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today’s braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• Besides alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can improve self-esteem while treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

A BEAUTIFUL SMILE AT EVERY AGE!

At Jupiter Orthodontics, Dr. King understands that image is important. For that reason Dr. King assures folks of every age that there is no need to put off orthodontics. You have no doubt heard of Invisalign and the great results achieved with these removable clear trays.

If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about wearing braces, Invisalign at Jupiter Orthodontics is your solution. Invisalign straightens teeth through a series of clear, custom-fit removable aligners. No one knows the are there but you, so go ahead, SMILE!

Knowing a tough economy might inhibit the process, he gave thought to several possibilities that will help. Dr. King has put in place affordable, custom financing options to accommodate every budget. Check out our “Ask a question” option on our home page. Go ahead and ask Dr. King the questions you need answers to.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Working  with  the  school district of Palm  Beach County is a  privilege. It takes a village to raise a child and there are limitless ways  to  reach  out  and  do so.  Working  with CHOICE AND CAREER OPTIONS has allowed many students to work along with Dr. King and his staff in his office.  What better way to nurture the abilities of young minds who are interested in the orthodontic field than to show them first hand.

Many interns have spent valuable time learning about orthodontics with Dr. King.  Education begins much earlier where Dr. King is concerned.  He goes to our local schools and teaches kids from kindergarten up about the benefits of excellent dental hygiene.  It’s quite probable that your child has even benefited from the dental and orthodontic supplies that are regularly delivered to their schools.

Teamwork and education!  It’s what great communities are made of!

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ORTHODONTIC HEALTH MONTH

Happy October! For those who don’t know, it’s National Orthodontic Health month.

This month-long event is organized by our good friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Don’t forget about Dr. King’s candy buyback program through our local schools. November 1st – 4th from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. For every pound of candy brought in, students will receive $1 and Dr. King will donate $1 to their participating school.

Dr. King realizes that this is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. So candy up, but remember there are many treats that are not brace friendly and Dr. King is here to help you maneuver through your treat dilemmas. Based on recommendations from the AAO here are items you’ll want to avoid:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Ice

If you damage your braces, just give Dr. King a call immediately. Small problems can be solved easily. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until you are able to come into our office.

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH BRACES!

Dr. King knows a new school year brings a lot of stress for many kids.

If you are headed back to school and are wearing braces for the first time, some patients might feel a bit self conscious. It’s ok! It takes just a few days to adjust physically and emotionally to the look and feel of braces. The good news is that you don’t need to put a bag over your head because support and understanding from family and friends goes a long way during those first few weeks while you adapt.

Starting a new school year brings with it many things to deal with. New classes, new teachers, new friends and new academic challenges which can be overwhelming! So Dr. King wanted to share with all of his patients some suggestions to enjoy their time in school and succeed the upcoming school year.

1. Get plenty of sleep every night. Eight hours is recommended.

2. Eat a healthy breakfast; it’s the most important meal of the day.13

3. Pack a healthy lunch or make healthy choices when selecting your school lunch. Avoid the vending machine and limit the junk food intake!

4. Stay active. Go outside & get some exercise – take a walk or ride your bike – you’ll feel great!

5. Ask for help. When you are having a hard time understanding a concept, ask your teacher, your parents or your friends for guidance.

6. Have a positive attitude and keep that amazing smile on your face!

Dr. King and our entire team wish for you all a great and productive year!

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG!

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog.

Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about orthodontics and the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice.

Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctor and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!

CONSIDERING DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ORTHODONTICS??

girl thinking grey background

June 15th, 2018

There are several direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies on the market right now and they love to make their treatment sound convenient, cheap and effective. What people may not realize is that they are often times treated as consumers and not patients. For example, in some instances direct-to-consumer companies do not involve an in-person evaluation and/or in-person supervision. Being seen in an office by an actual licensed orthodontist is imperative because there is more to creating a beautiful and healthy smile than just shifting some teeth. Orthodontic treatment, if not done correctly could lead to irreversible tooth and gum loss, bite changes and other expensive damage. Ask yourself this question: What other transforming medical procedure would you undergo without being evaluated and supervised before, during and after IN PERSON by a doctor? You want to be treated as a patient not a consumer.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) believes you should do your due diligence when selecting an orthodontist and/or method of orthodontics. Below are several questions for you to ask while you are researching direct-to-consumer orthodontic treatment.

1. As part of your orthodontic treatment fee, do you receive any in-person visits to a licensed orthodontist’s office during your treatment?

    • If YES:
      • How many?
      • What occurs during these visits?
      • What credentials does the doctor have?
      • What do other patients have to say about the treatment they received?
    • If NO:
      Are you comfortable receiving orthodontic treatment without any in-person visits from a licensed orthodontist?

2. As part of your treatment, are comprehensive diagnostic records like x-rays taken before your treatment?

3. If an emergency arises, does the company have an orthodontist in your area that you can see in-person?

4. How do you know if your gums and teeth are healthy enough to start orthodontic treatment? Who makes that decision?

5. Is only one treatment type offered (such as invisible aligners or a certain appliance)?

    • YES- how will you determine that it is the best treatment option for you?
    • NO- who will help you determine what the best course of treatment is?

6. Who can you speak with at the online orthodontic company about your treatment, financial aspects, dental health and the potential risks involved with your treatment?

7. Who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating your course of treatment? Is it you?

8. Does the treatment model comply with the dental laws in your state?

We hope that you have found this information helpful. Please keep in mind that orthodontic treatment is not a product you are purchasing but a medical service that is best handled by a medical professional. If you seek treatment from an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, you can rest assured that they have spent many years in a post-doctoral residency program. To find an AAO orthodontist near you, click here: https://www.aaoinfo.org/

GREAT ORTHODONTIC RESULTS IN LESS TIME? YES YOU CAN!

girl smiling straight teeth long hair blue background

October 31st, 2017

One of the most frequent questions patients ask is, “Is there a way to accelerate orthodontic treatment?” Dr. King is happy to respond with a resounding, yes! As a Propel® provider, Dr. King can get you in and out of Invisalign in about a third of the time. Dr. King’s continuing education hours are ten times greater than the required amount so he has the skinny on safe and proven ways to help his patients achieve results quickly, comfortably and effectively. That’s something he’s happy to make available to you and why he recommends Propel technology.

WHAT IS PROPEL?

For a variety of reasons many patients don’t like the thought of spending years straightening their teeth and thanks to Propel Orthodontics it’s not necessary. Propel is a procedure that is used in conjunction with Invisalign. Dr. King is able to incorporate the procedure at your regular office visit and can complete a session which makes the teeth move faster. Often treatment time is cut by up to 66%.

HOW DOES PROPEL WORK?

Many things can influence the duration of your treatment time. The largest factor affecting how quickly your teeth move into their new position is the rate of bone remodeling. Okay, so this may be a little technical but you’ll be able to understand. The osteoclasts and osteoblast increase which is caused by the Rapid Acceleration Phenomenon (RAP). The bone is treabsorbed and rebuilt which is known as bone remodeling.

The Propel device is used to make micro-osteoperforations (MOPs), or tiny perforations that are the size of a pinhole in the bone around the teeth. The MOPs encourage a natural inflammatory response, which stimulates the release of the cells involved in the breakdown of the bone. This kicks off bone remodeling and accelerates tooth movement. MOPs increase the rate of tooth movement reducing treatment time by up to 66%.

Propel is gentle and very little discomfort is experienced during the procedure. Numbing is required and one should take Tylenol the next day. One or two Propel treatments are usually required but complicated tooth movement may require additional treatments. Patients go back to work that same day.

IS PROPEL SAFE?

Absolutely! The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics noted that Propel is an “effective, comfortable, and safe procedure that accelerates tooth movement significantly.”

PROPEL TREATMENT AFTERCARE

Remember, there’s zero recovery time after a Propel procedure but to get the most out of treatment there are a few recommended steps:

You might experience minor sensitivity which will go away in a day or two. It’s extremely important that you don’t take anti-inflammatory pain medication like Aspirin or Ibuprofen. Inflammation is a good thing in this case because the inflammatory response is how Propel works its magic to speed up orthodontic treatment.
Spicy food is not your friend for a few days. Stay away from anything with citric acid (e.g., orange juice, lemons or limes) for several days because the treatment area will be a bit sensitive.

While the micro-perforations are healing, swish with undiluted hydrogen peroxide or rinse with chlorhexedine two or three times a day ensuring a clean and disinfected mouth. Brushing afterward will make the whole hydrogen peroxide rinse experience fade away quickly!

AM I A CANDIDATE?

Perhaps, but because every mouth and orthodontic needs are different the best thing to do is come in to the office so Dr. King can determine that for you. Diagnostic records will be taken to see exactly what the needs are in your specific case. We’ll have the coffee ready and are looking forward to meeting you.