Blog
I’ve got some crazy teeth – what can an orthodontist do for me?
Posted on February 21st | 11:10am
Whether you have crowding, crossbites, gaps, missing teeth, or all of the above, Dr. Jones can help you to get the perfect smile you deserve. Dr. Jones is a specialist that was in the top 10% of his class while at dental school and attended an additional two year program to gain his license in orthodontics.
An orthodontist assesses alignment problems, takes radiographs and measurements, and fits patients with the treatment path that best meets their individual needs. Dr. Jones is very attentive and careful to recommend the best possible avenue for orthodontic treatment for each patient. If you haven’t seen a general dentist in a very long time, it may be best to see a dentist for a cleaning prior to getting braces as oral hygiene is very important in assisting an orthodontist in helping you achieve the best results possible. Feel free to contact our office at (580)-357-4946 to set your appointment today!
Hooray! Time to get the braces off! What will that appointment be like?
Posted on January 4th | 10:05am
First off, congratulations! What an exciting moment! This appointment will begin like the others in the way that Dr. Jones will look at your teeth and smile and confirm that nothing has changed between the last appointment and this one. Once he confirms that your teeth are still perfect, our hygienist will begin to remove the braces and clean the surface of the teeth removing all the glue, and bonding agents.
Following the removal of the braces, a dental assistant will proceed to take impressions of your teeth with molding material so that our in office lab can create your retainers for you. This appointment takes about an hour and a half to complete. The receptionist will also schedule an appointment for retainer pick- up within a few days. This appointment will not cause you any pain, and there is no need to take anything prior to this appointment. Feel free to contact our office at (580)-357-4946 with any questions about getting braces removed.
I’m feeling kind of nervous about my appointment to get my braces – will it hurt?
Posted on December 18th | 4:25pm
It’s perfectly normal for a patient to be nervous prior to the braces being placed, because anything new or unknown can cause some hesitation or nerves. The process of putting on the braces is not painful. If Damon brackets are selected, a band or metal ring will be placed around the back molars and cemented into place.
The process of fitting these bands may cause some slight pressure as the patient must bite down on the band to seat it. The brackets are then cemented to the surface of the teeth, and wires are placed last. Dr. Jones will not need to give you a shot or sedate you to place the braces. If desired, the patient may take Ibuprofen to help with soreness after the appointment and the pressure during the appointment. The process of placing the braces takes approximately an hour and a half. Following the placement, the patient does not have to wait to eat or drink. Feel free to contact our office at (580)-357-4946 with any questions about the “banding” appointment.
So I’ve made by appointment for an adjustment – Now what?
Posted on November 11th | 12:10pm
Around 80% of the appointments scheduled in our office are what is termed an “adjustment” appointment. At these appointments you can expect to have first, an assessment by Dr. Jones followed by an assistant changing wires, power-chains, rubber bands, and/or repositioning brackets.
If the patient is a minor, a parent may request to speak with Dr. Jones when the assistant comes to the waiting room to bring the patient back and the assistant will retrieve the guardian once Dr. Jones is at the patient’s chair. At every adjustment appointment, Dr. Jones will see each patient and determine what needs to be changed, and what needs to be done next. The dental assistant will complete the appointment and will bring the patient to the front office for scheduling. If the patient is a minor, the dental assistant will review with the present guardian what was done at each appointment and will answer any questions asked. Adjustment appointments are usually scheduled eight to twelve weeks apart depending upon patient needs with some exceptions. Feel free to contact our office at (580)-357-4946 with any questions.
I broke a bracket – What should I do now?
Posted on October 2nd | 9:50am
First, what exactly is a bracket? Brackets are each individual metal piece that is cemented to each tooth. When a bracket is “broken,” it has lost its bond to the tooth and is loose on the wire unattached from the tooth.
Brackets can become loose for multiple reasons, and it is important to inspect brackets each day to ensure that if there is a broken bracket it can be repaired as soon as possible. Broken brackets require a specially scheduled appointment to repair, as Dr. Jones needs to be present in the office for a new bond for the bracket to be placed. If brackets are left loose or broken for an extended period of time, it can set back treatment or even worst case scenario extend overall treatment time. Contact our office at (580)-357-4946 if you notice a broken bracket.
What is an orthodontist?
Posted on September 26th | 11:10am
Dr. Jones is an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists assess tooth alignment, jaw and bite dysfunction, and overall compatibility for orthodontic treatment. Dr. Jones uses measurements, x-rays, and scans to gather data and determine what specific treatment would be most effective for each patient. All orthodontists are dentists, but only around 10% of dentists are orthodontists.
After dental school, at least two or three academic years of advanced specialty education in an ADA-accredited orthodontic program are required to be an orthodontist. Admission to orthodontic programs is extremely competitive and selective. If you have any questions about what Dr. Jones can do for you, or about what makes our office special, contact us at (580)-357-4946.
*Information courtesy of American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
How young is too young to see Dr. Jones?
Posted on August 19th | 2:00pm
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist at age 7. This is because by age 7, most children will have all of their 6-year molars and at least four of their permanent anterior teeth (two upper and two lower). Once these teeth erupt, it is much easier for Dr. Jones to determine what a potential treatment plan would consist of for your child.
These earlier screenings and appointments are helpful as they have been shown to identify orthodontic issues resulting in minimizing, or even eliminating more extensive orthodontic treatment later in life. Often, early orthodontic intervention can help guide proper jaw development and allow room for normal eruption of permanent teeth. If you have a child age 7 or older, contact our office at (580)-357-4946 to set up a new patient exam.
*Information courtesy of American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
Foodies Beware – orthodontic treatment makes meals more of a thoughtful endeavor
Posted on July 12th | 11:45am
Did you know what you eat can potentially affect your treatment outcome? While in orthodontic treatment, certain foods may need to be avoided. To protect the bond between the surface of your teeth and the bracket base, hard and sticky foods need to be avoided. Popcorn, nuts, chips, taco shells, ice, pretzels, hard cookies or crackers, and hard or sticky candies are some examples of foods to avoid while in orthodontics.
There are certain foods that should be eaten differently – by cutting into small pieces rather than biting whole with front teeth – such as: raw vegetables, apples, thin crust pizza, meat, burgers, sub sandwiches, and corn on the cob. Maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet is important of everyone’s teeth and overall health. The healthier you are, the better the results of your orthodontic treatment because a proper diet provides all the essential nutrients to bones and tissues undergoing change. Foods with high sugar content should also be avoided while in treatment as they may cause dental carries or cavities, staining, and damage. Examples of these foods may include: soda, candies, fruit juices, and coffee. If you have any questions about something you’re planning on eating, feel free to contact our office at (580)-357-4946.
Not a teen, Not a problem! Adults deserve a beautiful smile, too!
Posted on June 5th | 1:30pm
Today, one in five orthodontic patients is adults! More and more adults are realizing that they deserve a beautiful, straight smile. New technology is making it easier and easier to receive orthodontic treatment in a much more comfortable and effective manner. Our office offers an option of self-ligating brackets, Insignia custom brackets, or Invisalign aligner treatment. Today’s brackets are much smaller, and there are overall fewer appointments.
“Colors” are a thing of the past as our brackets employ a sliding door that does not require a colored o-tie to keep it in place. With Invisalign treatment, clear, plastic, removable aligners are created to over time move teeth into position. Call our office at (580)-357-4946 to schedule an appointment today!
“Banding?” What’s a “banding?” I scheduled it, but that doesn’t mean I know what it is!
Posted on May 28th | 10:10am
A banding appointment is our office technical term for the appointment that is scheduled, and the time that is allotted to place braces. The phrase “banding” was coined, because with Damon brackets, bands are fitted on the molars to act as an anchor for braces. The rest of the teeth have brackets “bonded” to them.