SmileCSRA: Carter Orthodontics

Invisalign Corrects Severe TMJ

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:35:54 +0000

Dr. Carter recommended Invisalign last fall to hopefully correct my jaw misalignment. I have suffered from severe TMJ disorder for over 20 years and during that time have had many mouth guards & bite blocks to try to prevent my jaw from sliding and locking out of place. However, it seems that these appliances caused my jaw to become more and more out of line, now when I bite down the only teeth that actually touch are the far back molars on my right and the top and bottom do not line up as they should. A dentist recommended a consultation with Orthodontist instead or Oral / Maxillofacial specialist. Dr. David put braces on both of my children and did a fantastic job so I knew he would be the best but I was concerned about being a working medical professional and having traditional braces. When Dr. David said he felt Invisalign would work just as well to correct the problem, I was thrilled. The process has been very simple and the staff is always great at explaining how everything works and what to expect. I have been able to wear my Invisalign while seeing patients without it affecting my speech, even traveling has been no problem at all. I am almost halfway through my treatment time period and I can see the changes in my alignment. I am hopeful that Invisalign will correct (or greatly improve) my issues and am so pleased with the entire process so far.

-Melissa Bailey PA-C

Aiken-Augusta Progressive Study Club

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:56:09 +0000

On Tuesday, March 20, Dr. David and Carter Orthodontics hosted the first Aiken-Augusta Progressive Study Club. Dr. David has long felt a need for all general dentists AND specialists be up to date on the most current dental treatments and techniques, and what better way than to do it TOGETHER. Each month, Dr. David and Carter Orthodontics will present national and international speakers via teleconference (through DentalEd) for all invited dentists in the CSRA. The first DentalEd meeting presented the latest concepts on anterior (front) tooth crowns and porcelain veneers, important to both family dentists and orthodontists alike. The meeting lasted three hours and all attendees found the ‘group’ learning session to be not only unique, but also kept all well informed and on the same ‘page’ as to what are the best techniques and dental materials available.

Carter Orthodontics remains on the forefront looking for exceptional ways to stay educated as well as providing the BEST treatment available!!!

Digital Optical Scanner Now at Carter Orthodontics

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:16:42 +0000

Dr. Carter Recognized as Super Elite Invisalign Provider

dcarter — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:56:22 +0000

Dr. Carter – Super Elite Invisalign Provider

Congratulations to Dr. Carter on achieving the Invisalign Super Elite Premier Provider status for 2011. Because of his hard work and dedication to the Invisalign system, Dr. Carter has been recognized among the top 1% of Invisalign practitioners in North America. There are currently only about 20 doctors in North America that have this distinction. Dr. Carter lectures extensively for Invisalign and is currently working on new projections with the help of Align Technology.

This status means that Dr. Carter has treated more orthodontic cases with Invisalign than any other provider in the area. You may have been told you weren’t a candidate for Invisalign. Get a second “Certified” opinion. Schedule a Free Consultation with Dr. Carter to see if you could be a candidate for Invisalign. Many doctors offer Invisalign treatment. Why not have yours done by a certified expert?

3D Scans take the place of Impressions

dcarter — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:27:29 +0000

One of the unpleasant parts of getting braces or starting the Invisalign treatment is the impression process. Read more about impressions and see photos here. Coming soon to Carter Orthodontics is a Digital Optical Scanner that will eliminate the need for impressions. Check out this video that shows how it’s done:

Invisalign on Vacation

dcarter — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 02:37:28 +0000

Recently I went on vacation for a week to Jamaica. I asked Dr. Carter if there were any special instructions for taking my aligners on vacation. What if the Invisalign aligners broke while I was out of the country? What if the airline lost my luggage with my aligners stowed inside? Here are some tips from Carter Orthodontics for vacationing with Invisalign:

Carter Orthodontics can order a new set of aligners and have them shipped to your hotel. However, it does take 2 weeks for the aligners to be delivered. So you’re out of luck if you’re only gone for a week. If you have time to wait for the aligners, call your orthodontist immediately to have them ordered. You will need to wear your previous set of aligners while you are waiting on your new set, so make sure to bring them along.
If you’re going out of town or out of the country for a week or a short period, take your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set with you. If your current set breaks or gets lost, call your orthodontist immediately. Let them know how long you’ve been in your current set of aligners. This will help them determine if you should put your previous set of aligners in or your next set of aligners.
If you’re flying, make sure to pack your Invisalign aligners in your carry on baggage, just in case your luggage is lost.
Also, take along an extra case. I left mine in the airport restroom on the very first day. The rest of the week I was constantly trying to find a safe place to store them while I was eating.
While staying at the resort I left my purse in the room in the safe. If I took my aligners out to eat, I would wrap them in a napkin or paper towel (since I lost my case) and immediately put them in my pocket or my husband’s pocket so they weren’t accidentally thrown away. Then there was the dilemma of not having a toothbrush or toothpaste handy. When you’re in a jam like this, the best thing to do is rinse your mouth out a few times with water and rinse your aligners off as well before you put them back in. As soon as you’re back in your hotel room, you can brush your teeth. It’s not ideal but it will do in a pinch.

I loved having my Invisalign aligners on vacation as opposed to metal braces. We were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary and I wanted our photos of this special event to look good. I wouldn’t have felt confident about my smile when our photos were being taken if I had a “metal mouth”. I’m half-way through my treatment and my smile is looking so much better. I can’t wait to see the finished product!

If you have any tips for vacationing with Invisalign, please let us know. Have a great summer!

Invisalign Refinements

dcarter — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:23:19 +0000

After finishing up 23 sets of Invisalign trays, I am now in the Invisalign refinement process. Dr. Carter had estimated 20-24 months for the whole process from the beginning. So it will probably be March/April 2012 before the Invisalign process is complete. At my last appointment they removed the attachments from my teeth as well as the rubber band attachment. That small taste of freedom was nice! They also took new impressions of my teeth. Below are photos of the impressions they took along with the “caulk gun” of the material they use for the impressions. I waited about 4 weeks to receive my new Invisalign trays. During that time I wore my last set of aligners. They did fit more loosely than before because the attachments were gone. I still had to wear them full time as well. When my new trays came in, I was fitted with more attachments. This process was much less nerve-wracking than the first time. I knew what to expect and my teeth are not as sensitive as they used to be. I attribute this to straighter teeth. The attachments are not on the same teeth as before. And no more rubber band!

Dr. Carter said he is moving my front teeth up into my gums which involves moving bone and tissue as well. This is one reason for the process taking a little longer for me. The clinic manager, Cheryl, showed me the computerized movement of my teeth from start to finish. I’ve come along way, baby! I have included photos from the very beginning that were taken in Dr. Carter’s office as well as the new ones that were taken when they did the impressions. I am really happy with the progress!

Have you gone through the Invisalign refinement process? I would love to hear from you!

What CAN Invisalign treat?

dcarter — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:47:13 +0000

This is a GREAT question Iâ€™m often asked. And itâ€™s an important one. Teeth do not know what is â€˜pushingâ€™ on them. A fine example is the effect a childâ€™s THUMB can do to teeth. Teeth simply respond to constant pressure over a period of time. So Invisalign aligners (clear plastic trays that are worn) have the same effect wires and braces have on teeth. If someone tells you otherwise, itâ€™s simply untrue. At Carter Orthodontics, we treat spaced teeth, crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, open bites (where the front teeth donâ€™t touch), and even surgical cases! And I will be posting these treated cases on my blog and on our Facebook fan page over the coming year. You will see for yourself that just because someone who is not comfortable treating with Invisalign says â€œIt canâ€™t be done with Invisalignâ€, doesnâ€™t mean it canâ€™t be done. Experience matters!

Invisalign Treats Open Bites

Invisalign Treats Overbites

Invisalign Treats Underbites

Invisalign Teen Benefits

dcarter — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 01:21:46 +0000

Invisalign Teen was created for a teenager whose active lifestyle doesnâ€™t work well with traditional braces. But even more than that, Invisalign had PARENTS in mind! Thatâ€™s right. As a parent myself, I always had two concerns with teenagers wearing Invisalign: 1) They may lose or break them; 2) Theyâ€™re so clear, how do I know they have them in? The answer to question #1 is that Invisalign Teen allows each patient to LOSE or BREAK up to 6 aligners (clear plastic trays that are worn), and there is NO CHARGE to replace them! And the answer to question #2 is that each aligner has a little blue dot that covers the last tooth (molar). This blue dot is actually a â€œwear indicatorâ€ that gradually turns clear over the course of two weeks (which is how long each aligner is worn in the series of aligners). So each week, have your Teen show you their aligner before they go to the next one. If there is still a blue dot, they havenâ€™t worn it!!!

How Much Does Invisalign Teen Cost?

dcarter — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 02:44:53 +0000

At Carter Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign and Invisalign Teen for the same fee as our braces! As a cost-conscious parent myself, I want the best for my kids as much as anyone. If I can get the highest quality and technology too, thatâ€™s a HUGE BONUS! So, we offer the choice of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen at the same fee as our Damon System braces (which are also super high tech). That way, the only REAL decision a parent or patient has to make is â€œWill my Teen wear the aligners for the entire treatment?â€ I can tell you from being one of the leading providers in the country, that most Teens who REALLY want them REALLY wear them! If youâ€™d like to hear more about how Invisalign Teen could benefit your Teen, call us (706.650.0468)Â for a FREE consultation. See you soon!