Orthodontics FAQ

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry, focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.

Who is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received 2 to 3 years of additional training and experience. Your orthodontist is able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function of your smile.

What’s the best age to visit the orthodontist?

If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of 7; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every five orthodontic patients being over the age of 21. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself, or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.

How can I take care of my teeth if I’m wearing braces or a retainer?

• ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day.
• Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your orthodontist or family dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities!
• If you take out your retainer to eat, brush your teeth, and floss, then remember to keep it safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken.
• Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and water. You may also use denture cleaner twice a week. Do not use hot, boiling water or the dishwasher.
• During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth causing more plaque and possibly cavities).
• Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes) or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, soft bagels, ribs, taffy, etc). See our complete lists of foods to avoid and foods you can eat.
• Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with your family dentist. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every six months.

What are braces?

Braces are used by your orthodontist to help you improve the look and feel of your smile! There are several different types of braces to choose from, including:

• Clear braces
• Ceramic braces
• Self-ligating braces
• Invisible braces
• Traditional metal braces

If I get braces, how long do I have to wear them?

The amount of time spent in braces can vary depending on the individual patient. Every smile responds differently to treatment. Treatment times can take anywhere between 6 to 30 months; however, most standard treatments take about 22 months.

Do braces hurt?

Braces do not hurt often; however, you may feel a small amount of discomfort for a couple days as your teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to your new braces.

Do I need to brush my teeth more often if I have braces?

With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times a day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. Brushing regularly will help remove any food that may be caught between the braces. You should also floss daily to get in between your braces where your brush isn’t able to reach. Your orthodontist can show you how to properly brush and floss once your braces are placed.

If I have braces, do I still need dental checkups every six months?

Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.

Will my braces interfere with my school activities; like sports, playing an instrument, or singing?

Playing an instrument or a contact sport may require some adjustment when you first get your braces, but wearing braces will not stop you from participating in any of your school activities. If you play a contact sport, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your braces or appliance.

How do I schedule my next appointment?

Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next appointment at your convenience. If you are a new patient or have been referred to our practice, please let us know, and we will provide you with all of the information you need.

Ortho line: 770-670-4779

New Year’s Resolutions – Dental Edition

Ahhh….it’s that time of year again.  The start of the New Year brings with it a clean slate.  It’s time to hit the reset button and start things fresh.  Many of us will make New Year’s resolutions regarding our health and wellness.  When you examine where you are from a health standpoint, don’t forget your oral health status.  There are lots of ways to reinvigorate your oral health wellness, here are a few ideas!

Beginning this month, make a resolution to understand your dental insurance benefits!  Understanding your dental insurance plan empowers you to use the benefits appropriately.   Realize that you are paying for these benefits through your monthly premium, so resolve to use your dollars wisely by taking some time to fully understand your plan.  Being proactive about understanding your plan can make life simpler if you or your child has a need for dental treatment later in the year.

If you or your children are not on a twice yearly schedule for dental hygiene visits, start today!  Call your dentist to make appointments, for you and your children.  If you would prefer to avoid scheduling your child’s appointment during school time, call now to schedule a summertime appointment.  For many offices, these appointment times fill up fast, so calling now can help to ensure that you get your choice of appointment times.

Change your toothbrush!  This might seem like a simple action, but it is an important one.  As a general rule, you should change your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months.  The bristles begin to wear down over time and become less effective at adequately cleaning your teeth.  An important thing to remember, especially this time of year, is that you should change your toothbrush after you have suffered from a cold, flu, a mouth infection or a cold sore.  This is because germs that cause these ailments can linger on your toothbrush and cause reinfection.  Be sure to change your child’s toothbrush if they have experienced any of these symptoms as well.

Last but not least, pep up the daily oral hygiene routine in your house!  Something as simple as changing your child’s toothpaste can add freshness to a mundane task.  Or maybe you could try a different type of toothbrush, or add mouth rinse to your child’s routine.  It is so important to solidify your child’s daily oral care maintenance.  Thoroughly brushing and flossing teeth daily can lead to great oral health all year long!

Merry Christmas!

‘Tis the season for friends and family, so from ours to yours, we wish you the happiest holiday.

End of Year Dental Insurance Plan Benefits

As the end of the calendar year quickly approaches, this is a good time to take a look at your dental insurance plan.  If you or your children are due for dental cleanings or treatment, here are some reasons why you might want to schedule them before December 31.

First and foremost, if you or your child are requiring any dental treatment, scheduling it sooner rather than later is always the best approach to take.  Delaying dental treatment can create the need for more extensive – and expensive – dental treatment down the road.  Be sure to consult your dentist and determine an appropriate timeline for scheduling the dental treatment.

If you have dental insurance but are not familiar with the specifics of your plan, it is worthwhile to take some time to review your plan.  This can be done by looking over the paperwork that you received upon enrollment, visiting the plan’s website, or making a phone call to your dental insurance company.  I realize that these might seem like mundane tasks, but if you are paying monthly premiums, it is wise to know what you are paying towards.

It is also important to remember that your dental insurance represents the relationship between you and your dental insurance company – not you and your dental office.  Though many dental offices will work to facilitate this relationship, ultimately it is your responsibility to maintain an active relationship with your dental insurance company.

Once you know the basics of your insurance plan, you can determine whether it is beneficial to schedule any end of year dental visits.  Many plans will require an out of pocket deductible before insurance coverage kicks in.  If you have already met your deductible for the year, and have work that needs to be done, it is wise to schedule it before December 31.  Once you pass January 1, you will again be responsible for paying the deductible for the new calendar year.

In addition, most plans have a yearly maximum benefit that they will pay out per year.  If you have not reached this yearly maximum, it will not carry over to the next year, so if you have dental care needs, it is beneficial to schedule an appointment before the end of the calendar year, to get the full benefits of your dental insurance plan.

The bottom line is that by scheduling your dental appointments in a timely fashion, you can improve your oral health and you can take full advantage of the insurance benefits that you are paying for with your premiums.  Both of which will give you reason to smile!

Tooth Bleaching

By Vishant Nath DMD

Over the past few years, the topic of tooth bleaching has become very common. There are several different types of tooth bleaching to choose from. They vary in everything from cost to effectiveness.

As the name implies, tooth whiteners or bleachers lighten the color of the tooth surface because they contain peroxides, or bleach components as the active ingredient. A very common side effect of tooth whitening is sensitivity in the teeth. Teeth contain microscopic dentinal tubules that run from the nerve of the tooth to the surface of the tooth. A tooth will become sensitive when the fluid in these tubes moves around. Normally, minerals in saliva plug the ends of the tubes that are at the tooth surface. The introduction of bleaching gels can dissolve these plugs, leading to the fluid in the tubes moving around, causing tooth sensitivity. In addition, some individuals are genetically more susceptible to tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity due to tooth bleaching is temporary, and will normally go away when the bleaching is discontinued.

Tooth bleaching is available in many different over the counter dental care products. From toothpastes to mouthwashes to tooth whitening strips, there are quite a few products to choose from that are advertised as having teeth bleaching abilities. These types of tooth whiteners are usually the most inexpensive. The effectiveness of these products will vary depending on such factors as how often and continuously they are utilized.

A visit to your dentist will introduce two more choices in teeth whitening products. Your dentist can make a custom mold of your teeth and provide you with tooth whitening gel to use with this tray for in-home bleaching. Because it is specifically molded to your teeth, this method is usually a bit more effective than those that you can purchase in a store.

The last tooth whitening method is in-office tooth bleaching. This is typically the most effective method of tooth whitening. The effectiveness of the peroxide is enhanced through several factors. The teeth will be kept dry during the process through the use of gauze as well as a device called a retractor, which will pull the lips away from the teeth while the peroxide is applied. The gel can be left on for 30 to 60 minutes. Also, sometimes the teeth will be exposed to a curing light or laser to further activate the peroxide.

No matter which method of tooth bleaching appeals to you, talk to your dentist to find out more about which products and methods they recommend. No matter what your budget might be, there is a product out there for you!

Its All About the Kids

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines the specialty of pediatric dentistry as “an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescents, including those with special health care needs.” This article will address the idea of “kid’s time”, which is one aspect of the field that can make your experiences at a pediatric dentist’s office different from that at general dentist’s office.

Pediatric dentists have been described as the pediatricians of dentistry. In order to be called a pediatric dentist, a dentist must complete a two-year pediatric residency after completing a four-year dental degree. This residency prepares pediatric dentists for working with children of all ages, as well as special needs patients.

In catering completely to children, we build our practices as if we were looking through the eyes of a child. Everything from the décor to the size of the dental chairs and instruments are prepared entirely for children. Pediatric dentists create an environment that is aimed toward keeping children of all ages engaged and comfortable during their dental visit.

With this is mind, it’s important for adults to realize that when you enter a pediatric dental office, it’s all about the kids. Pediatric dental offices operate on “kid’s time”. That means that if a child needs additional time and attention in order to make the most of his/her dental visit, this will be accommodated.

Our young patients may handle a first check-up or cleaning appointment very differently from an appointment where the dentist is treating decay. Every effort is made to make these experiences go as smoothly as possible, but, sometimes, extra time and attention is required to calm an anxious patient. Most of the time, scheduling is planned appropriately so as to avoid running behind throughout the day, but we do like to remind the parents that unexpected delays can occur as we are giving all patients as much time as they need to feel comfortable.

So if you encounter some unexpected wait time with your child at your next dental visit, please try and be patient and remind yourself that your child too, will be given as much time as he/she needs to feel comfortable. This is just one of the ways that pediatric dentists do all that they can to develop healthy relationships with their patients, that will hopefully lead to a lifetime of good dental health!

The Importance of Preserving Healthy Teeth

By Vishant Nath DMD

For most people, our teeth are strongest and healthiest when they first erupt from the gums. This is true for both primary and permanent teeth. Once the health of a tooth is compromised, it’s difficult to return it to that strong, healthy, original state. This article will provide information on the importance of using good hygiene to maintain healthy teeth, and how to best care for teeth which have been restored.

The most ideal situation of course is to keep teeth healthy and not have to drill, fill or otherwise bother the tooth structure. Once a tooth has developed a cavity, even with modern dental techniques, its difficult to completely restore the tooth back to its original healthy state. So the first priority is to establish correct and consistent hygiene techniques. When these habits are established during childhood, it’s much easier to carry them through to adulthood. Both primary and permanent teeth require daily hygiene. This includes brushing at least twice a day and daily flossing to remove food particles from in between teeth. This must be done on a consistent basis. It truly needs to become established as part of a daily routine in order to effectively protect the tooth structure from damage. The second part of having good hygiene is making it a point to visit your dentist every six months for cleaning, x-rays and exams.

So, let’s say that due to any number of circumstances, your child develops cavities or tooth decay. Its important to remember that there are dental techniques that can be used to attempt to restore the tooth. When these restorative techniques are utilized, it’s even more important to develop good hygiene as follow-up. Follow your dentist’s advice regarding which foods to avoid to maintain the integrity of the fillings. As part of daily hygiene, take a quick look inside your child’s mouth and examine the filling to make sure it has not become chipped or otherwise damaged. As stated above, twice-yearly dental visits are equally important. Your dentist can examine each filling to make sure that it is still working to protect the tooth from further damage or decay.

The bottom line is it’s never too late to develop good oral hygiene. It does take a conscious effort to follow through on establishing a daily hygiene routine and complementing this at home care with twice-yearly dental visits. Take the time to take care of your child’s teeth. It is time well spent!

Understanding Your Child’s Dental Condition

By Vishant Nath DMD, Pediatric Dentist

The last thing that you want to hear at your child’s dental visit is that treatment is needed. Everyone wants to hear the dentist say “Your child has no cavities, see you in six months!” Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. So what’s the best advice when your child needs dental treatment? Read on!

When your child is diagnosed with the need for dental treatment, it is very important that the parents (1) understand why the treatment is needed and (2) have trust in the child’s dentist to best diagnose the treatment. In most cases, when treatment is prescribed in children, time is of the essence. Primary, or baby teeth are softer than permanent, or adult teeth. Because of this, decay can often spread quickly in children. This means that it’s important to get your child’s dental treatment completed in a timely manner.

You want to walk away from any diagnosis understanding what your child’s dentist is prescribing regarding treatment, and why they are taking this approach. If you do not understand, make it a point to ask lots of questions so that you understand exactly what the issue is and how the dentist is recommending it be treated. Even if you plan to get a second opinion (which is highly recommended), ask lots of questions. This is a good time to educate yourself. There are often times different ways to treat dental issues. The information you receive by asking questions may help you to decide which approach you are most comfortable with regarding your child’s dental treatment.

If you do plan to get a second opinion, make sure that you get the second opinion quickly. If you wait too long, your child’s need for treatment may worsen, which will mean that the dentists are not comparing the same situation, and therefore their diagnoses could differ.

After you have found a dentist whom you are comfortable with and trust to perform your child’s treatment, it is most important to schedule treatment in a timely manner. If you wait too long, the decay may worsen, and the diagnosis may need to change.

Remember that every dentist gets a similar education in dental school and residency, but once they begin practicing, their experiences will build a knowledge base that can differentiate them. Each dentist will have different treatment methods that they are most comfortable with and have seen provide the best results. There are often different approaches to prescribing dental treatment, all within the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines. All can lead to great oral health for your child.

By Vishant Nath DMD, Pediatric Dentist

 

Welcome Dr. Shawn McMoran

We would like to welcome our new doctor on behalf of all of our offices!

Dr. Shawn McMoran, a native of central Arkansas, graduated from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in 1997. Upon graduation, he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program, also at Lsu School of Dentistry. After practicing several years in private practice as a general dentist, he also practiced at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for almost for almost 5 years in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. After working with children in a hospital environment, Dr. Shawn decided to pursue the specialty of pediatric dentistry. He completed his 2 year specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry/Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville Kentucky. Dr. Shawn achieved board certification with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry in 2011 and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association and The Georgia Dental Association. He enjoys traveling, reading, cycling and just about all sports. He currently resides in the Atlanta area.

Healthy smiles start early!

We provide complete dental care for your child.