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.

Am I Too Old For Braces?

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Too old for braces? The answer is definitely, “No.” Maybe you find yourself in a new season where considering your teeth and jaw alignment can be a priority. Do you refuse to show your teeth when you smile? Have you put off the idea of braces because you’re afraid of how they will look?

Braces and various orthodontic treatments aren’t exclusive to the tweens or teens. They are also available for adults. With today’s technology, there are options for straightening teeth that are almost invisible when you smile.

Invisible Options

Here are two possibilities that Akridge Orthodontics offers that most adults prefer:

Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made up of clear materials that will blend with the color of your teeth. However, oral hygiene is important to protect these more brittle braces. Because of their delicate nature, ceramic braces are most often only used on the upper front teeth.

“Invisible” Braces
Akridge offers Invisalign® appliances, which straighten your teeth using a series of removable aligners. They are comfortable, with no metal rubbing in your mouth, and no one will even know you are wearing them because they are invisible! The removability option allows you to eat whatever you desire, and there are no complications with brushing and flossing.

Consider This
Many adults don’t realize how quickly they can change their smile and adjust the overall health of their mouth and jaw. Studies have shown there are even times when teeth straightening can reduce headaches and migraines.* Even at age 40, there is a good chance you could have your teeth another 50 years, so why not invest in your smile.

Maybe these are your questions:
How long is the process to straight teeth?
Are my teeth and gums in a good spot for braces?
What care or extra care will my teeth require?
How often will my braces need to be checked/adjusted?

We at Akridge Orthodontics would love to answer your questions, walk you through the options and find the best fit for you. Our initial evaluation is FREE. So come in and let’s talk about the next step of uncovering that beautiful smile. Get a FREE consultation at either of our convenient locations in Middletown and Campbellsville.

*International Center for Nutritional Research, Inc. “Dental/Migraine Connection”

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.

Four Steps to Keeping Braces Clean

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Braces aim to meet the goal of a healthy and beautiful smile, but getting there can sometimes be an uphill battle. This is especially true when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums clean in the process.

Besides avoiding sugary drinks and sticky candies, here are a few ways to keep your teeth and gums in good shape while having braces.

  1. Find the right angle. To gently clean the surface of your teeth and maintain strong gums, angle your toothbrush over and under the bracket. Scrub gently. Consider watching yourself in the mirror to make sure you cover as much of the tooth surface as possible.
  2. Take your floss behind the scenes. Your floss now requires a partner, a floss-threader. Nowadays, there are even some floss brands that have the floss-threader built in, which simplifies this process. The floss-threader allows your floss to go under your braces and remove excess build-up, especially after eating. Floss underneath each bracket as well as in between your teeth to keep from developing cavities.
  3. Consider an interdental-brush solution. Normal brushing and flossing can only do so much. However, a new tool that might come in handy while having braces is an interdental brush. This type of brush has a narrow head and makes it easy to brush underneath brackets and between teeth.
  4. Swish away those germs. Mouthwash can find its way in between tooth crevices that are unreachable with brushes and floss. Just an extra 30 seconds of swishing can go a long way to preserving a healthy mouth.

Have questions about your braces or considering where to begin the process? We at Akridge Orthodontics would love to answer your questions, walk you through the options and find the best fit for you.

Our initial evaluation is FREE. So come in and let’s talk about the next step of uncovering that beautiful smile. Get a FREE consultation at either of our convenient locations in Middletown and Campbellsville.

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!

Orthodontics Isn’t Just For Teens and Kids!

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Parents often bring their children in for orthodontic care thinking it is too late for themselves. “I’m too old for braces now” is often the reasoning they give. We know many people associate braces with an age group, but the reality is, braces are for every age.

Your teeth are constantly moving, and at Akridge Orthodontics, our practice of the Alexander Discipline works toward obtaining results that last a lifetime. But most adults today have not received the long-term benefits of proper orthodontic care, and therefore often need braces again, or even for the first time. We have options that can help.

First, Create a Plan

If you are thinking about getting braces, the first thing we suggest is scheduling an appointment so we can help you understand what to expect. Knowing that there is a plan to create progress, and understanding how you can take initiative in speeding up the process, will help put your mind at ease.

Clear Braces

There is such a thing as clear braces (aka ceramic braces). This is different than Invisalign because there are still brackets on the teeth and wires will still be used. The brackets themselves are clear and are far less noticeable than metallic brackets. This is a great option for those who want to keep their braces less noticeable, but they typically require more care as they are more fragile by nature.

Invisalign®

While this is usually the more expensive option, some have felt it is worth it. Invisalign works well for those who want to keep their braces a complete secret. These appliances can be removed while eating, brushing and flossing. All of the average hassles of normal braces are avoided, and all you have to do is simply remember to put them in! This option may not be for everyone, but if this is something you are interested in, it would be best to ask about it during your first meeting.

It’s never too late for orthodontic care and getting the most out of your smile. So whether you had braces as a kid or not, we want to ensure everlasting comfort for your jaw and teeth and are ready to meet for a consultation whenever you are.

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!

What is the Alexander Discipline?

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Akridge Orthodontics works hard to ensure you get the best results for your teeth in the most efficient fashion. We believe that Effort=Results, which is why we use The Alexander Discipline. The Alexander Discipline is a combination of orthodontic principles that lay a foundation for diagnosis and treatment of orthodontic cases.

The Discipline was developed by Dr. Wick Alexander over 30 years ago. Since then, Dr. Wick has passed those orthodontic principles on to orthodontists throughout the entire world. Dr. Alexander has developed a systematic approach to orthodontic treatment that is one of the most studied methods in the world. He has had the privilege of seeing his results go through generations of his own patients. Patients who once came to him as children, now bring their own children, and thus gives him the opportunity to see just how lasting the results of his methods are for himself.

Dr. Alexander has written many books based off of his methods, including “The 20 Principles of the Alexander Discipline”, and “The Alexander Discipline, Volume 2: Long Term Stability.” Along with technique, the method also typically uses smaller braces allowing for easier progression in orthodontic treatment. Small adjustments like these give practitioners an edge when it comes to results. For example, the elongated inner bracket allows for fewer wire changes which helps cut back on frequent appointments and provides more stable results at the end of treatment.

This set of beliefs makes results not only more efficient, but predictable. Less time is wasted experimenting and more time is spent on bringing you through the orthodontic process quicker. This means it’s more likely to have your teen’s braces off before prom, or your own braces off before your new job interview.

Throughout our experience, we constantly find truth in the theory that good, researched effort truly does bring about positive results. The Alexander Discipline is just one more way we strive to learn from the best, so you can have the results you are looking for.