Braces: Cosmetic or Necessary?

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Maybe there is a debate in your head whether or not you or your child should begin the orthodontic journey. Do you wonder about the benefits? Take a look at these four reasons for starting down the road to straighter teeth.

1. Making room for crowded and crooked teeth.

Some may feel that crowded and crooked teeth aren’t legitimate reasons to invest in braces. However, sometimes this is only a sign of other issues. Did you know that crowded and crooked teeth are more difficult to keep clean? Giving the teeth more “breathing room” makes it easier to keep your mouth healthy.

2. Having confidence when speaking and laughing.

Do you find that you naturally hide your mouth when you speak or laugh? Maybe you talk softly and muffled because you don’t want others to notice your teeth. Those types of self-conscious habits could disappear as we walk alongside you on this journey. We don’t want others to miss out on who you are and what you have to say and offer those around you.

3. Correcting misaligned bites/jaw disorders.

Orthodontic treatments offer the opportunity to realign your jaw and the way you bite. An over- or underbite could be a domino effect of other issues: interfering with the way you chew, be a cause of jaw pain and could even lead to headaches or migraines. The strain put on your jaw and teeth that are misaligned poses the risk of even breaking a tooth.

4. Giving you a smile to enjoy!

If there is anything we desire for you to walk away with, it would be a beautiful smile. We desire for our patients to know the investment they’ve made in orthodontic treatment will last them a lifetime.

Don’t hide those pearly whites any longer and consider coming in for your first FREE appointment!

Akridge Orthodontics offers a complimentary evaluation, all you have to do is click here to begin the discussion about your teeth. This way you can get all of the information you need and decide if/when is the best time to begin this journey. You won’t lose a penny as we discuss how Akridge Orthodontics could be the next step toward a smile you love.

A More Affordable Solution

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Instead of focusing on novelties like massages or free soft serve ice cream to add to your orthodontics experience, we would rather keep our costs down to offer you a more economical solution.

When did getting braces need to include frills? We recognize the investment you’re making toward healthy teeth for your family. The steps you take now toward straightening teeth and correcting under- or overbites will lead to greater teeth and jaw health in the future.

By keeping the cost down, we focus on extraordinary orthodontic care. We honor all types of orthodontic insurance and will review a patient’s coverage to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses. We take the total cost of treatment, minus insurance and down payment to equal an affordable monthly payment.

Two of our most popular perks that we offer are a FREE consultation for your initial exam and also discounted appointment times.

Our FREE consultation is a time where Dr. Matt will talk through the next steps if there are any. He can estimate a timeline for teeth progression and help you know what’s coming around the corner.

With discounted appointment times you can save your family $500 by simply scheduling your appointment time before 1:00 p.m. Think of how you could use that $500 discount.

We’re excited to work with your family and give you the best orthodontics experience at the most affordable price. Get a FREE consultation at either of our convenient locations in Middletown and Campbellsville today!

Take Advantage of Summer!

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First of all, be ahead of the rush and take hold of these last weeks of summer. Here is a perfect opportunity to check off another to-do-list item before school resumes and the list of extra-curricular activities increase—braces consultation.

At Akridge Orthodontics we offer a FREE consultation appointment for braces. This complimentary evaluation is nothing for your child to fear. It is completely painless and easy. We will take a quick look in their mouth to see if there is a need for braces. As we evaluate the situation, we will give you an idea of what the orthodontic process could look like for your family and which kind of dental appliances or braces will work best for your child. During your appointment, our friendly staff will chat with you, making sure all your questions are answered. To speed up this process bring this new patient form filled out with you.

With the daylight hours at their longest, you may find our mid-day times most convenient with your routine. Consequently, this will free your time for more afternoons and evenings outside at the pool.

Taking steps now, as we gear up for fall, will lend itself toward a stellar smile in no time. Dr. Matt will ensure to correct any issues with your child’s teeth in as short of a time period as possible.

Find one of our Kentucky locations that are convenient for you, whether that be Middletown, the Outer Loop or even in our Campbellsville office, and make an appointment for your free consultation. We look forward to creating bigger smiles for your family.

Can Orthodontics Change Your Face Shape?

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Some people have asked if orthodontics can change the shape of your face. The answer is yes! Braces can bring symmetry to your face and fix alignment issues that look awkward, restoring a natural look to your mouth and jawline. There are three alignment issues that will have the most dramatic effect on a person’s appearance when corrected.

Underbite
With an underbite, a person’s chin juts out and the jaw looks too big for the face. The bottom lip often overpowers the top lip. After braces and potentially surgery, a person who had an underbite will notice that their jaw no longer sticks out and their features look softer and more natural.

Open Bite
With an open bite, teeth tend to look a little bit like horse teeth, coming out at an angle, and oftentimes people cannot close their mouths naturally. The mouth looks like it is always stretching over teeth that are too big. Braces can help pull these teeth into a more vertical alignment so that they are no longer bucked. This allows the patient to be able to close their mouth naturally and not have to stretch their lips around angled teeth.

Overbite
With an overbite people appear to have no chin and an undefined jawline. Sometimes the top lip looks like it protrudes from the face when looking at someone’s profile. Braces bring the bite into alignment and help establish a better jawline for patients. In some cases, orthodontic surgery will need to be done in addition to braces to alter the alignment of the jaw for any of these alignment issues. In these cases, the upper or lower jaw did not develop properly and a doctor will need to go in and perform surgery to bring the underdeveloped jaw forward.

For perfect alignment, come to Akridge Orthodontics and Dr. Matt will make sure to give you your best smile!

Is your child ready for orthodontics?

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The best time for braces is when your child’s permanent teeth come in. However, there are other types of treatments that may require earlier care. For this reason, The American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association recommend that all kids be evaluated for orthodontic treatment by the age of 7.

Braces

The main reasons that a child would need braces are to correct crooked, overcrowded or overlapping teeth or a bad bite. It is best to correct these issues while a child is still growing and the teeth are easier to move. Although braces can still be effective on adults, the treatment may take longer and require more extreme measures. Over time, damage can occur to the teeth of adults who neglected orthodontic treatment during their childhood. The optimal time for braces for most kids is between the ages of 10 and 14.

Treatment Timing

Occasionally we need to start treatment a little earlier than normal. Usually, this is due to a front tooth being in crossbite. We refer to this limited type of treatment as Phase 1.

However, we like to try to treat most cases in one total phase of treatment. This can make it easier on patients and parents when treatment is done in one phase over a two year period, as opposed to multiple phases over many years.

Regular Dental Checkups

If you are taking your child in for regular dental checkups, your dentist will be able to foresee any issues and recommend you to an orthodontist at the appropriate time. Children should be taken to a dentist every six months according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

See An Orthodontist

The best way to know if your child is ready for braces is by bringing them in to be looked at by a professional. Starting the process early does not mean that your child will get braces right away. By taking the initiative and bringing your child in, the orthodontist will be aware of any potential problems, map out a plan for treatment and give you a timeline for your child that will be unique to his or her individual mouth.

If you live in Middletown or Campbellsville and have any questions or concerns, we would be more than happy to offer you a free consultation with Dr. Matt at Akridge Orthodontics!

Three Steps to Becoming a New Patient at Akridge

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We love new patients and welcome them into our office! At the same time, we also know that transferring paperwork, getting information organized, and developing trust with a new doctor are a few challenges in the new patient process. We want to make your transition as a patient with us as smooth as possible, so you can feel welcome right away. That’s why we have broken down a new patient process that will help you know what to expect.

Initial Visit

During the initial visit, you will meet our friendly staff and have a brief examination. This will give you an idea of what the orthodontic process will look like for you and where we get to see what kind of dental appliances or braces will work best for you. It is also your chance to ask questions. Also, you can speed up the process by bringing this new patient form filled out with you.

Records Appointment

This is the part where you can start getting a little excited. We will take pictures of your teeth, molds, and x-rays. We will use these tools to fit appliances and retainers and come up with a plan based on the Alexander Discipline to get you fast and lasting results. At this point, you get to meet with Dr. Matt and hear him explain what your unique process is going to look like.

Placement of Braces!

It’s your big day! Are you excited? Nervous? Don’t fret, we will walk you through every step of the way. Typically we start with just the top teeth and do the lower teeth at a later visit. We will give you tips on keeping your braces healthy, and adjust wires that feel uncomfortable. This is when the real work begins, and you start making strides towards your new smile.

We always love seeing new faces and new smiles. We look forward to seeing you, and if you haven’t already, be sure to contact us to request an appointment!

Braces and Sports

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Soccer mom, football dad, baseball parents; you are the ones who sit in the hot sun, huddle under umbrellas in the rain, and cheer on your kids in whatever they do. You are their biggest fans, and on-call nurses. But freeing a lip from a brace is never a fun task for a parent, and can be painful for your kid. While orthodontics has come a long way in adjusting to those with active lifestyles, there are still a few precautions to be taken for kids with a more high-energy lifestyle. While having braces shouldn’t prohibit them from playing with friends, exploring the outdoors, or being active, we have a few tips for kids who participate in sports.

Orthodontic Mouth Guards

Think about the type of case you put on your smart phone, each person’s case suits their lifestyle. The bulky Otter box case is for active (or sometimes just accident-prone) people; mouth guards are the Otter box for your child’s smile. You and your child are working hard with us to ensure that when it is time to remove the braces, your kid’s smile is it’s best. Using a mouth guard is a great way to protect those precious teeth. These mouth guards are different than regular mouth guards, and not only protect teeth from impact, but provide a buffer between your inner lip and the metallic brackets. Unlike regular mouth guards, they do not fit as snug to the teeth, so if a lip gets hit, the brackets won’t get stuck in the guard (trust us, it happens!) It is also important to use an orthodontic guard as opposed to a traditional one because your child’s teeth will be moving and changing on a regular basis. Traditional mouth guards are made to be form fitting and cannot adjust as your child’s teeth move. These guards are perfect for high-impact sports like football, basketball, soccer, and wrestling.

Wax

This is a secondary method of protecting your child’s soft gums from the metal brackets. A great option for afternoons at the park playing catch, running around, and just letting your kid be a kid. The great thing about dental wax is you can keep extra in the car, put it in your child’s backpack, and keep it on hand. Parents develop a sixth sense for accidents. When you take your child to the park and your parental senses start tingling, add the wax. Dental wax is safe if accidentally swallowed, easy to remove and apply, and creates a smooth buffer over the brackets that is almost invisible. Your child’s friends may not even notice the wax has been applied!

Having braces doesn’t have to keep your child from doing what they love. If you have questions on if getting an orthodontic guard is right for your child, be sure to schedule a visit to go over the details of what kind of sports your child participates in, and we can find the right fit.

What to Expect Before Your Kids Get Braces

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Braces have become a trademark of growing up, and have come a long way from the “nerdy” stereotype. But there is great care that will need to happen before, during, and after treatments, and a few things you may want to explain to your child before they go in to get braces.

Braces Make You Sore

While your child may be getting excited about choosing the colors for their braces (as they should!) it is important to remind them that they may feel a little sore for the first week. Let them know this is because their teeth are moving so that they can have a superhero smile. Ask your doctor for recommended children’s pain relievers to keep on hand.

It Can Take a Few Weeks to Get Used to

Even after the soreness fades (which we promise it will) it can be difficult having that extra millimeter of surface between your child’s gums and their teeth. Using dental wax to cover the brackets will help ease this transition.

How to Handle Sports

Basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and other contact sports can provide potential risks for jamming a brace against gums. Packing on some wax before a game may do the trick, but mouth guards usually are the best option.

No More Candies, Gum, or Ice

This is the hardest part of braces for a kid! Chewy and hard candies, along with crunching on ice are just too much for braces, and will get stuck, damage the brace, or cause tooth discoloration over time. This is a tough one for kids to follow, so offering alternatives might be the best way to handle it. Can’t have candy? Go out for ice cream. Maybe even encourage your kids to keep a small braces kit on hand, just in case.

Braces mean minor lifestyle changes for kids, but it is always worth it in the end when they finally get their braces removed, and see their superhero smile for the first time. Keep appointments regular, and those braces will be off before you can say up, up, and away.