Tag: news

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.

DR. KING’S SMILING WALL OF FAME

“A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS…”

We Love Seeing Our Patients’ Smiles

At Jupiter Orthodontics, we take excellent Before and After photos of every patient. We give these photos to you at the completion of your orthodontic treatment. You will be amazed at the transformation.

We consider your smile our orthodontic masterpiece. Dr. King loves when patients check back with us years later by letter, email or Face Book to say they still can’t believe the difference and they are so happy they met Dr. King.

Every Smile Leaves Our Office With Newfound Confidence
At Jupiter Orthodontics, we feel that nothing will give our new patients more confidence and trust in our office, our skill, and our expertise, than seeing other patients with their beautiful new smiles on our walls. Our patients range in age from eight to eighty.

Come see for yourself. Envision yourself with a gorgeous new smile from Jupiter Orthodontics. If you are considering Invisalign, with iTero technology you will be able to see what your smile will look like at the time of your first exam. Visit us in Jupiter, FL www.Jupiter-Orthodontics.com or call us at (561) 747-5766.

Your smile truly is our inspiration.

OCTOBER – NATIONAL ORTHODONTIC MONTH

What does the month of October mean to you?

For people in south Florida, October is when we get to wear those sweaters or jackets and scarves we’ve been waiting to wear. You start watching for those cold fronts to come in and an occasional bon fire out back. It is a welcomed respite from the hot Florida sun.

October means something a little different to our team at Jupiter Orthodontics because this is National Orthodontic Health Month.

National Orthodontic Health Month is an awareness campaign created cooperatively by orthodontists and other dental health professionals. During this month, we make a special effort to promote dental health and orthodontic health in particular. This is a great time to get your orthodontic questions answered by Dr. King and to learn more about exactly what an orthodontist can do for you and your family. If you’ve never been to an orthodontist before, you might not know what to expect.

Meeting Dr. King and his staff in the relaxed atmosphere here in his office can be especially helpful for any young orthodontic patients in your family. It is also a great way to find out how comfortable you can be during your appointments.

Healthy teeth and gums are an important part of the orthodontic process. Dr. King works hand in hand with your dentist to make certain your teeth are in good health. Visiting your dentist through the orthodontic process is essential to keep your teeth healthy and achieve the outcome you have dreamed about. We look forward to seeing you and your family this October right here at Jupiter Orthodontics!

A REASON TO MEAW – SURGICAL ALTERNATIVE

MEAW Method (Multi Loop Edgewise Arch Wire) An Alternative to Surgery

This is a very innovative technique that allows orthodontists to treat surgical patients without surgery, while utilizing braces. It was developed by Dr. Kim at Tufts University in Boston. If you have been told that you are a surgical candidate (ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY) it would be prudent to ask Dr. King if you are a candidate for MEAW.

How does it work? This technique allows me to change the occlusal plane and cranial base angle. The procedure itself is an extremely complicated technique for an orthodontist to utilize. Since it is always my goal to stay on the cutting edge of technology for the benefit of my patients I have included the MEAW technique as one of my treatment options. There is only one other orthodontist in all of South Florida who includes this option as one of their technical skills. It is my privilege to be able to offer my patients a non-invasive alternative to surgery.

Call Jupiter Orthodontics to make an appointment for a complimentary comprehensive consultation if you are interested in an alternative to surgical treatment. (561) 747-5766

DOES SIX MONTH SMILES REALLY MOVE TEETH FASTER THAN REGULAR BRACES?

Six Month Smiles!

  • Dentists offering Six Month Smiles cannot move teeth faster than orthodontists
  • The braces used in Six Month Smiles are the same as those used by orthodontists
  • Treatment time is shorter with Six Month Smiles because typically only the front teeth are moved
  • Six Month Smiles is not less expensive than conventional braces

I have recently had several patients who have asked me about ads they’re hearing on the radio and TV about a “new” orthodontic technique that can straighten teeth in only six months and do it cheaper than regular braces. What is this “new” technology? Can it really move teeth faster? Is it safe? And is it really cheaper than braces from an orthodontist?

There are several “short-term orthodontic” companies that offer primary care dentists two-day courses in straightening teeth and then provide them with the marketing and dental supplies necessary to begin offering braces immediately upon leaving the seminar. Two of the most popular companies are Six Month Smiles and PowerProx Six Month Braces. The demand for these products has been huge because on the surface they offer patients what they want, shorter treatment time for less money. What is this new technology and does it really move teeth faster?

There is nothing new about the braces used in short-term orthodontics. Some doctors use clear or tooth colored braces. Others may offer short-term treatment using good old fashioned silver brackets. The braces used by dentists offering reduced treatment time are exactly the same as those used by orthodontists. There is nothing in the design of these brackets or wires that moves the teeth any faster. The rate at which teeth move is limited by natural processes in the bone and ligaments around the teeth and all doctors play by the same biological rules. While there are some additional procedures (like Propel, AcceleDent, and Wilkodontics) that have been shown to increase the rate of tooth movement, the speed at which the teeth will move during Six Month Smiles or PowerProx treatment is exactly the same as conventional orthodontic treatment no matter which brand of brackets or wires are being used. If the rate of tooth movement is the same, how can they get the same orthodontic result in only six months?

The answer lies in the phrase “same orthodontic result.” Providers of short-term orthodontics will tell you, if they are following the guidelines given at their seminar, that the reason their treatment is shorter is because they are shooting for a different end result. As a specialist, I am trained not only to align the front teeth (the “social six”), but also to correct crowding, protrusion, open bites, deep bites, cross bites, over bites, under bites, impacted teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth, etc. Straightening the teeth in front that people see is generally achievable in the first six months of treatment no matter who provides the treatment. It is the correction of the above-listed bite issues that requires the extra time. The braces are on the teeth a shorter time with short-term orthodontics because the dentist merely aligns the front teeth and then takes the braces off without addressing the other problems. In other words, the treatment isn’t faster, it is just shorter because it is intentionally terminated before treatment is complete. But what if you only want your front teeth straight? Is this treatment approach healthy?

Every smile is different. There are some patients that can be treated in six months or less and the results are just fine. These patients usually start with only mild crowding or spacing. These patients have a bite at the start that is fairly normal. If the problems are mild, then six months is plenty of time… and the fees should reflect the shorter treatment time. If you have crowding, an open bite, a deep bite, an over bite, or bite issues in the back, merely aligning the front teeth in six months may leave you feeling things are worse after treatment than they were before. Crowded teeth will flare forward if merely aligned. Small overbites may become big overbites. Open bites may open further. Problems with the occlusion may actually get worse if the braces change the bite and then the teeth are left in that position. I’ve seen cases where six months of treatment gave a decent result. I’ve also retreated patients who were unhappy with their protrusive teeth and a bite that wasn’t corrected by the “short-term treatment” they received elsewhere. The key is having the training and experience to recognize if a case really is “simple.”

Finally, is short-term orthodontics really cheaper? Patients who have come to me for second opinions have disclosed that their quote for six months of treatment was about 75% of what I quoted them for full treatment. This sounds less expensive at first, but if the treatment I provide takes from 12 to 18 months and fixes everything, paying 75% of my fee to get only the front teeth straightened is actually more expensive. For example, imagine that you get two quotes for painting your home. If one painter quotes you $4000 to paint the entire house and a second offers to paint just the front side that is visible from the street for $3000, which one is actually cheaper? Additionally, if you are not happy with your final result, you’ll have to pay a real orthodontist to put your braces back on and finish the case.

My dad taught me that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Orthodontists are specialists with two to three years additional training beyond dental school in straightening your teeth. Does it make sense that a dentist with only a two-day course can straighten your teeth faster than a specialist? Your smile and bite are a complex system. You only get one set of teeth. Shouldn’t you do your homework and make sure you get the right treatment the first time?

NOTE: The author, Dr. Greg Jorgensen, is a board-certified orthodontist who is in the private practice of orthodontics in Rio Rancho, New Mexico (a suburb on the Westside of Albuquerque). He was trained at BYU, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Iowa in the United States. Dr. Jorgensen’s 25 years of specialty practice and 10,000 finished cases qualify him an expert in two-phase treatment, extraction and non-extraction therapy, functional orthodontics, clear aligners (Invisalign), and multiple bracket systems (including conventional braces, Damon and other self-ligating brackets, Suresmile, and lingual braces). This blog is for informational purposes only and is designed to help consumers understand currently accepted orthodontic concepts. It is not a venue for debating alternative treatment theories. Dr. Jorgensen is licensed to diagnose and treat patients only in the state of New Mexico. He cannot diagnose cases described in comments nor can he select treatment plans for readers. Because he has over 25,000 readers each month, it is impossible for him respond to all questions. Please read all of the comments associated with each article as most of the questions he receives each week have been asked and answered previously. The opinions expressed here are protected by copyright laws and can only be used with written permission from the author.

See more here!

MY ORTHODONTIST WANTS TO REMOVE HEALTHY TEETH

One objection some patients have with orthodontic treatment is that they just don’t want to have “healthy teeth” removed. Are there alternatives to removing healthy teeth?

There are several reasons why an orthodontist would prescribe the removal of permanent teeth in a treatment plan. The most common are crowding, overbite, protrusive teeth, and asymmetries. In theory it may be possible to treat all orthodontic problems without removing teeth; however orthodontists must consider the overall picture when making that determination.

Some variables might be:

  • The length of treatment.
  • Treatment efficiency.
  • Condition of the teeth.
  • Patient compliance.
  • Cost (keeping the teeth may increase treatment time).

There are situations where the best outcome cannot be achieved with a full set of teeth and extractions are unavoidable. Eliminating severe crowding or dental protrusion in both arches for example, usually require the removal of teeth. When it is unavoidable, healthy teeth that are removed are ‘sacrificed’ (giving up something good to get something better) so that bigger problems can be corrected.

Three examples of giving up healthy teeth to achieve better results include:

  1. Making room to avoid pushing them out of the bone or cause gum recession.
  2. Creating space to move front teeth back so the lips can close more naturally.
  3. Allowing the top teeth to be moved back to correct an overbite preventing the need for surgery.

Yes, a healthy tooth may have to be removed, but the results are usually more desirable overall. As an orthodontist, I truly care about preserving healthy teeth. It is important to identify ALL of the problems that exist, evaluate every available option, and then formulate a plan providing the maximum benefit. Typically, I can provide treatment without removing teeth, which is my personal preference and if I can remove unhealthy teeth instead of healthy ones, I’ll do that for sure. In the end your customized treatment plan based on my years of training and expertise will give you a result that is much healthier than before your treatment began.

Call my office and Ashley or Mollie will schedule your free evaluation which will solidify your decision to have treatment at Jupiter Orthodontics in which you will have complete confidence.

IS $4,500 A LOT OF MONEY?

Who wouldn’t want to receive $4,500 dollars? That is a lot of one dollar bills! Yup, that is a high number. The scary part is that in one year that is the number of accidents caused by texting and using electronic devices while driving.

Dr. King is so concerned about his patients that he felt the need to help young and older alike to understand that the safety of their friends as well as themselves are at risk when you text and drive.

DID YOU KNOW?

11 TEENAGERS A DAY ARE KILLED when texting while driving. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.)
You are 23 times more likely to crash when texting while driving. (National Transportation Safety Admin)
Driving and texting is six times more dangerous than driving drunk. (National Traffic Safety Admin)
Even if YOU are not killed in an accident think about how will you will feel if your friend is killed while you are texting them. Be safe and keep your friends safe.

Dr. King is urgently encouraging everyone NOT to text and drive.