Smile CSRA

Orthodontics: Fact or Fiction

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Movies and television would have you believe that the only people who wear braces are middle schoolers, and that the only options available include headgear and pounds of metal. That is simply not the case! We’ve decided to bust through the fiction and give you the honest facts about braces.

truth about braces

Myth: Orthodontic treatment is only for crooked teeth.
Fact: While a crooked smile is a common reason to seek orthodontic care, orthodontic interventions can also help with a wide range of dental health problems. From an overbite to jaw misalignment, Dr. Carter can help with many problems associated with your teeth, gums, and jaws.

Myth: Orthodontic treatment is just for kids.
Fact: Although children and teenagers often visit the orthodontist to get braces, the number of adults who choose to work on their smiles is increasing every year. No matter your age, a consultation with an orthodontist is always an option. It is never too late to smile with confidence.

Myth: Traditional metal braces are the only option.
Fact: Times have definitely changed. Advances in orthodontic technology mean that there are many options! Make sure to ask Dr. Carter about Invisalign® and other less-visible alternatives if you are concerned about having traditional metal braces.

Myth: Orthodontic treatment is too expensive.
Fact: At Carter Orthodontics, we work closely with patients to find ways to make the payment process a breeze. From helping with insurance to providing great payment options, we can make sure you find a price that is right for you.

Myth: Braces are painful and the treatment lasts many years.
Fact: In general, patients painlessly adapt to life with braces after the initial adjustments. In regards to treatment length, it varies from person to person. Some people may be required to wear braces for just a few months!

Clear Aligners Created with Orchestrate 3D Printing Techniques

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Technology’s role in dentistry and orthodontics continues to grow at a rapid pace. With the huge advances in technology every year, it can be hard to keep up. A big topic of discussion lately has been 3D printing and we can definitely see why. The processes may be complicated, but it’s important to understand just how much these new machines can do. From creating simple designs to working human limbs, it seems like anything can be 3D printed much quicker and at a fraction of the cost.

What is 3D printing? Check out the video below to learn more.

A great option for orthodontic patients who want straight teeth more quickly than they ever thought possible is Orchestrate 3D Technology.

The O3D process helps orthodontists keep the entire process under their own roof. That means your journey to straight, healthy teeth is faster than ever before. With this in-house printing, your orthodontist can create clear aligners for you, limiting your wait time and speeding up the entire process.

Have any questions? Leave them below! If you’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Carter, we’d love to set up your free consultation today.

My First Invisalign Appointment

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Before heading to my first Invisalign appointment, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had been wearing a pendulum appliance for months leading up to this appointment, so I was just excited to get that out.  I had a feeling getting and wearing trays would be a breeze compared to a permanent retainer. I was right!

After they removed my pendulum and took more “before” pictures, they started the Invisalign fitting process. I had heard horror stories of orthodontist using gross goo to take the impressions, but at Dr. Carter‘s office they use an awesome handheld imaging device.

After a few minutes of scanning, the computer created a rough digital image that exactly mirrors my smile, in all of its crooked glory. The really cool thing about the image was that it was able to show me all the angles. I honestly never realized just how bad my overbite was until I saw the 360 degree view of it. Yikes, you guys.

first invisalign appointment

A few minutes after that, the computer had produced a finalized version of my smile, along with a predicted outcome after I’m done with all of Invisalign trays. At my next appointment, they will show me the official Invisalign predictions, but they explained that this one would be pretty darn close. I have to say, I definitely like the new smile much, much better. It’s really cool to see then end goal when you’re starting a process like this!

predicted invisalign results

And with that, my first appointment was over. It was a really simple, pain free process and it was also seriously neat to watch my smile change on the screen. Now I’m officially on my way to a healthy, new smile. I couldn’t be more excited to share the Invisalign process. If you have any questions about anything so far, leave me a comment. I’ll do my best to fill you in!

In the meantime, if you’re interested in getting started, schedule your free consultation today.

Getting Braces During the Summer

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Summer vacation is finally here! For many people, this yearly break is the perfect time to start orthodontic treatment. Students are able to make the most of their free time by getting a jump start on their treatment. Many times, the initial appointments are closer together and might also come with some slight discomfort. By scheduling these during the summer, kids and teens have longer to adjust to having braces.  Additionally, new patients can complete up to a quarter of their treatment time before school starts back in the fall – and begin the new year well on their way to straighter, healthier teeth.

braces in the summer

Remember, children around the age of seven are already at an ideal developmental stage to reap the full benefit from braces or other orthodontic treatment. Parents, get your kids started on the path to a beautiful new smile today by scheduling their first free consultation at Carter Orthodontics. At this appointment, Dr. Carter will assess your child’s teeth and determine whether or not braces are required or recommended.

How to Have Healthier, Whiter Teeth

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You don’t always need to take drastic measures in order to have healthy, white teeth. Here are some simple tips to help you continue to flash those pearly whites:

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Start as early as possible. Children should be brushing, flossing, and heading to the dentist from a young age. Not only will you be keeping their teeth healthy and clean, but you will be creating habits that will last a lifetime.

Seal out trouble-making plaque. In some cases, sealants can be applied to molars to block out tooth-decaying plaque. Ask your dentist if this preventative treatment would be right for you.

Remember to brush and floss daily. Daily upkeep is one of the most important things when it comes to dental health. Brush twice a day (morning and night) and floss at least once a day. Clean your tongue while you’re at it!

Protect your teeth. If you play any impact sports, wear a mouthguard! When teeth are injured, they can’t function as they normally would. Protect them as much as possible, and you’ll reap the rewards.

Don’t smoke. This one seems like a no-brainer, but we thought we’d mention it just in case. Smoking is terribly unhealthy, but it can also stain your teeth. While you’re at it, skip other stain-inducing things like dark drinks and snacks.

Eat healthy foods. Sugar isn’t great for you, but it’s especially bad for your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth use simple sugars to create plaque. If you do eat sugary or carb-heavy foods, just remember to rinse your mouth with water as soon as possible.

Sip with a straw. Many drinks like juice and soda are acidic in nature, which means they are not the best match for your tooth enamel. Avoid prolonged contact with these drinks by using a straw. Ideally, you would also limit these drinks as much as possible.

Make regular appointments. Visit your dentist at regular intervals to make sure your teeth are in top shape all year round. If you have any spacing or bite-alignment issues, make sure you visit the orthodontist to have them checked out immediately. Healthy teeth create healthy, beautiful smiles.