Getting Braces Off! -TIME LAPSE

Sydney gets her braces off!!

Century Orthodontics Wildwood

Am I Too Old?

Am I too old for braces?

Our adult Patients ask this all the time. 
You are never too old to have a beautiful smile.  Teeth will move at any age.
(This is why we suggest all patients wear a removable retainer at night for the rest of their lives)

Patients think that coming to the orthodontist is something that is for teens only, but this just isn't the case.  We treat patients from all ages 3-85+.  Our oldest patients was 85 and drove a red mustang so you are only as old as you feel. 

We think that everyone should have the opportunity to have a pretty smile.  Patients may have had straight teeth all their lives may have movements or crowding in their adult years.  So if you are an adult don't feel bad you are not alone.

The rest of our bodies are always changing what makes are teeth different? NOTHING!

The leaps in technology allow our adult patients options that were not available 20 years ago.  Orthodontist can now offer you straight teeth without anyone knowing you are straightening your teeth.  There are now products on the market that allow doctors to straighten teeth using nearly invisible brackets and or clear plastic aligners.  These tools attract our adult patients because they won't have to show off a silver smile while the work is being done.

Clear braces and Invisalign give confidence to patients that could not have orthodontic treatment when they were young.

A smile is the best thing you can put on in the morning so wouldn't you like to show it off??
Make a call to the Orthodontist today if you are thinking about making your smile straight.

Facebook Challenge

Challenge: Get 1,000 "Likes" on Facebook by 

August 31st, 2013.

Our office staff needs your help!  We need to to visit our Facebook page and like our page.

After you like our page ask your friends family and peers to like our page too.

The more likes we get the better chance for us to get our name out there.  

Beginning in APRIL we are having a Facebook photo contest.  Our Staff members will design their own Century Orthodontic Tshirt.  Our patients then will have to like our page, then like which Century T-shirt that they like the best.  

IF we reach our goal of 1,000 by August 31st, 2013. The Staff member who's Tshirt got the most likes will win a Special Day at the Spa.  

For all of our new Facebook friends don't feel left out you will all be entered to win a special prize too.  IF we reach our Goal of 1,000 by Aug 31st, 2013.  You will win a Prize of an i-pad mini.

We want you to know that we are also making our Start and Removal photos Available to be viewed on Facebook too.  All that we ask is that the patients tell us they want to be on Facebook. 

You may also be able to play our office contests at home if you become our friend.  

If you would like a chance to receive deals at Century follow us on twitter. 

If you want to keep up on whats going on in the Orthodontic field please follow us on Twitter:

@centuryortho   #centuryortho    #Centurysmiles

Skate Party 2013

This Saturday 2-9-13

Century Orthodontics is hosting our annual SAKTE PARTY!

Please join us for Skating Pizza and Prizes.

We will have a FREE Tshirt for all of our patients and kids under 20 who join us for some SKATING!

Meet us at Skate Port Plaza in Manchester MO

from 4:30pm -6:30 pm 

What a great way to have fun with our Century Family and if you are a new patient to meet the doctors and staff.  

If you take photos on your phone or camera please tweet them to us or share them on instagram with #centurysmiles or #centuryortho or mention us at @centuryortho on twitter.

We love pictures from our patients please share them with us!!!

for more information you may like our Century Orthodontic Facebook page and become friends with our staff at Staff Century orthodontics also on Facebook

Here are photos of the Entry PRIZES

Movie Passes, i-tunes, ipad mini, ipod nano, candy, gift cards & More

Text Reminded Rubber Bands

We are in the first stages in beta testing a new way to get kids to wear their rubber bands.  Most teens, young adults and adults have their cell phones attached to their hip. Which means if their phone would remind them to put their rubber bands in they would not be able to say that they forgot them.

 Rubber bands are an important step in correcting your teeth's alignment.  To move teeth with rubber bands you need a slow continuous force.  When moving teeth with rubber bands it is the patient's responsibility to remember to put them in and wear them.  If a patient forgets to wear them it slows the process and can even double the time in braces.  When wearing elastic bands full time this means 20-23 hrs of the day with them in  the correct place.

The time that most patients forget them is after lunch until after dinner this means that the patient can lose anywhere from 1-6 hours of wear.  The best way to solve this problem is to have someone or something remind them that elastics wear is important and that they should have their bands in.

If you would like to help us test this new Rubber band reminder it is very simple all you have to do is text

@gotbands to (832) 900-4027. 

or if you would prefer email 

just email gotbands.mail.remind101.com

This will send you 3-4 text messages a day reminding you to put your bands in.  It can also tell you about upcoming events that are going on in out office and contests.

If you have any questions about this please email tara@centuryorthodontics.com

What Can I Eat with Braces?

Now that you have braces, what can you eat?

The first days in braces are more difficult to eat than normal.  We tell our patients that soft foods are easier to eat and chew than foods that are tough.  There will be a slight discomfort when you first get your braces on, so the action of chewing just makes it more painful.  Here are some GREAT IDEAS for the first three days in braces:
Breakfast foods

Scrambled Eggs

• Scrambled eggs                    
• Pancakes
• Oatmeal
• Cream of wheat
• Bananas
• Toast

Banana Recipe 

Lunch Foods

• Pudding
• Jello
• Spaghetti O's
• Ravioli's
• Cheese
• Grapes
• Brownies
• Hummus and Pita Bread
• Bananas, Sliced Apples, Raisins
• Breads 
• Soups

Dinner Foods

Veggie Soup

• Breakfast for Dinner
• Pastas
• Rice
• Hamburger Helper
• Soups
• Grilled Cheese
• Hamburgers & Fries
• Chili
• Cooked Veggies
• Softer Meats

Desserts & Snacks

• Pudding
• Jello
• Smoothies
• Milk Shakes 
• Ice Cream
• Brownies
• M&M's (Non-Frozen)
• Chocolate
• Popsicle
• Cinnamon rolls

The first days in braces are always the hardest.  At first some patients have a hard time eating their favorite foods.  We ask patients to chew softly and to remember that they have braces on before they aimlessly bite into anything.  To help keep the brackets on patients need to cut foods into smaller pieces about 1 inch squares.  This helps allow you to get the food to the back teeth so the patient is less likely to break brackets.  After the about 2-3 weeks patients find it easier and easier to eat more foods that they like.
We tell our patients that they can have anything that they want as long as it is not Sticky, Chewy, or Hard!  This means that there are quite a few foods our patients won't be allowed to eat while they are having fixed orthodontic care.

Are you on Pinterest? Here is a link to our Braces friendly foods board on Pinterest.

Things to AVOID:
          Sticky:

• Jolly Ranchers
• Taffys
• Caramel
• Bubble Gum

        Chewy:

• Airheads
• Now & Laters
• Skittles
• Starburst

        Hard:

• Uncut Apples and Fruit with hard centers
• Chicken Wings, Ribs and Meat with Bones  
• All of the above items need to be cut into pieces
• Pens, Pencils and fingernails should be kept out of your mouth and away from brackets
• Nuts, Hard Pretzels, Some Chips & other Crunchy foods
• Frozen candies in Ice Cream

Things that you didn't thing you could eat but CAN:

• You MAY chew SUGAR-FREE gum (We actually encourage it!)
• Popcorn (Try to limit popcorn to special occations due to the extra Oral Hygiene needed to remove from braces, teeth and gums)
• Chips ( You have to break them into smaller pieces)
• Soda (We ask that you limit soda to mealtimes and always rinse with water after consumption)

Here are just a few ideas to help get you started on the first few days in fixed orthodontic treatment.

Summer Time and Straight Teeth

Summer is one of the best times to get starting on teeth straightening.  This time of the year hours or more relaxed and flexible.  Patients are out of school which means you won't be missing school.  We have early morning and lunchtime hours so you won't miss camp or work.

We also have many patients starting invisalign.  They are really enjoying that we don't have to take impressions to make the invisalign anymore.  With our new I-tero scanner patients will have a 3-D model of their teeth in around 10 minutes.  Then those models are set directly to invisalign.  Doctors turn around time on invisalign has never been faster.  Don't have invisalign?  Make an appointment today!

Retention-  Remember to wear your retainer!  If you go for any length of time without wearing your retainer and it is not fitting properly please visit your orthodontist today!  The longer you go without a retainer that fits properly the more likely your teeth will move.  Patients get out of schedule without having daily schedule and vacations and camps and we understand but your teeth do not.  Make sure to bring your retainers with you on trips and make sure that you store them in a case and in a cool or room temperature environment.

Cleaning- Make sure that you clean your retainers when you clean your teeth and remember that we will clean your retainer anytime just call before you come in.

Remember to support Century Orthodontics by wearing your Century Orthodontic T-Shirt when you travel and to bring in or share a photo with us!

How to clean My RETAINERS

Cleaning traditional retainers is very easy. 

           When you are brushing your teeth, take your tooth brush and brush your retainer.  For a more “deep” clean you may use a denture cleaner or Retainer Brite.  This allows bubbles to clean particles away from your retainer.  Follow the instructions on the box.  If you have metal wires on your retainer, don’t leave your retainer in the cleaner for extended times because this can weaken the wires.

Cleaning Essix retainers or Invisalign type retainers can be very easy also. 

               Clean your aligner prior to each insertion.  First use a liquid soap to make a lather in your hand and place the aligner in hand.  Then scrub aligner with hands.  For a more accurate clean you may use a cue tip. We ask you to use a mild liquid soap. This liquid soap may be anti-bacterial if you wish.  Some patients prefer liquid soaps that are scented.  Do NOT use mouth wash.  The coloring can stain your aligners and make them more visible. Toothpaste can be abrasive to the plastic in your aligners. The scratches can collect bacteria causing discoloration and an odor.

“Oops I dropped my retainer in the trash!”

Going into the trash can be the worst scenario for a retainer.  Even if the retainer is found, many patients don’t want to put the retainer back in their mouth.  The best way to really clean your retainer is to brush it with an old toothbrush and get rid of any particles.  Then you can dip the retainer in peroxide or rubbing alcohol.

 If you want, you may bring it into us, and we will clean it for you.   

REMEMBER: if you lose your retainer or break it there may be a charge.

Smiles Change Lives (message from a Patient)

This is a letter from one of our Smiles Change Lives Patients.  (Smiles Change Lives is an affordable nonprofit orthodontic program)

Smiles Change Lives

When I saw smiles change lives I didn't think that a brand new smile could actually change a person's life, but I know now for a fact that it can.  Having braces for the past year and eight months has been a life changing experience for me.  I went from not wanting to ever smile or laugh to smiling and laughing all the time.  Sometimes people even ask, "Jasmine why are you smiling for no reason?"  I used to envy people with pretty smiles.  I've been waiting on this day for a long time and now that it is finally here I can't believe it.  I just want to thank everyone who is a part of the reason why I can smile and laugh without being afraid; having a new smile is a brand new beginning.

Thanks,
Jasmine

Clean teeth & Gums, What's the point?

Keeping your mouth healthy and clean is an important part of your overall health. When teeth are not being taken care of, they tend to build up plaque and tartar. This build up creates bacteria that causes irritation to the gums causing bleeding and a low grade infection. This infection is called gingivitis. People who have gingivitis are more likely to have heart problems, suffer a stroke, or heart attack. You are also more likely to have a hard time controlling blood sugar and blood pressure problems.

No More Goopey Mess

Invisalign Intraoral Scanner

Our goal at Century Orthodontics has always been to be the St. Louis Leader in Invisalign treatment. We were the first in the Missouri to use Invisalign and we have consistently been one of the top Invisalign providers in the country. That's why we are the first orthodontic office in St. Louis to acquire the iOC Invisalign intraoral scanner. The scanner will allow us to do away the gooey impressions that are normally used to created 3-D models of the teeth. While this machine costs as much as a nice new car, we feel that our patients are worth it!

The benefits of a 3-D dental scanner:

-no need to have impressions taken, leading to a much more comfortable experience and no gagging

-increased accuracy leading to better fitting appliances and thus better control of tooth movement

-elimination of rejected impressions and redo’s

-ability to see the 3-D image of your teeth immediately following the scan

-Ability to view Invisalign tooth animation in a few days vs. a few weeks, allowing us to start treatment 50% faster

The scans generally take between 15-20 minutes, which is comparable to the time required for a full set of impressions. Unlike other scanning systems, iOC is a laser and optical scanner, so there is also no concern about any radiation.

Our office has scheduled 3 days of hand-on training and will begin using the scanner for most Invisalign and Invisalign Teen patients shortly. We think this is going to really improve the overall Invisalign experience and look forward to helping you smile without braces!

What are Rubber Bands for Braces for?

Everyday at least one of our patients will ask, "Why am I wearing these rubber bands?" Patients wear rubber bands for many different reasons. Common reasons are to fix bite problems or to help guide the movement of teeth. Patients for the most part find that wearing their elastics is one of the most annoying parts of braces, but it is also one of the most important parts to getting the teeth straight and to having proper bite.

Why do I wear elastics? These elastics create a small but continuous amount of pressure on the teeth or jaws to move them into more desirable positions. If you wear your elastics as instructed, treatment will be completed more rapidly. When you are wearing your elastics full time, this means 24/7, taking them out only to eat and brush. We ask our patients to switch their elastics 3-4 times daily. Switching them ensures that the elastics will retain their strength, and the force will be steady. Your teeth will be sore when you start wearing your rubber bands, but the better you are with wearing them the sooner the soreness will go away. Just smile through the first few days, and your rubber bands will become easier and easier.

For patients wearing elastics the most difficult time of the day is right after lunch. Patients forget to put their rubbrt bands back in until after they get home from school or until after dinner. Forgetting will bring tooth movement to a halt and extend the amount of time in braces. It takes 10-12hrs for the teeth to start moving when wearing elastics.

Dr. Waxler tells patients their teeth are like semi-trucks. If two vehicles are on the highway and one is a sports car and the other is a semi-truck, they both can do the speed limit but when they have to come to a stop, it only takes the sports car a few seconds to accelerate back up to the 60 miles an hour. The semi-truck takes a lot longer to reach the speed limit. This is why those big trucks don't want to stop if they can avoid it.

Since your teeth are like semi-trucks, the only thing to keep them from stopping their movement is to wear your elastics as instructed. Teeth will stop moving if the elastics are out of the mouth for more then just eating and brushing. We tell our patients to put their elastics on their pinkie fingers when the bands are out of their mouths. When you are finished eating and brushing, you will look down and remember to put them back in

How long do I need to wear my retainers?

How long do I need to wear my retainers?

This is a question that is asked almost everyday in our office. The answer is an easy one, you need to wear them as long as you would like to keep your teeth straight. If you would like your teeth to be straight until you are 90 then wear your retainers until you are 90. We can only ensure that your teeth stay straight as long as you wear your retainers and they fit properly. Dr. Waxler always says "Our bodies are ever changing no matter how long you've held your teeth straight they can still move as you get older. Even people who had "perfect" teeth when they were young, often find their teeth moving slightly as they age."

So what good were braces?

The secret of a good orthodontic result is to put the teeth in the most stable position that is possible considering the person's facial structure and dental problems. After a few years in retainers, the tooth arrangement should be reasonably stable; although corrected dental and skeletal problems all have varying tendencies to "rebound". This is like people who always have to be on a diet or wear glasses to correct a problem, some teeth need to be retained forever.

If I decide not to wear my retainer...., should I still see my Orthodontist?

After approximately two years of retainer wear we enter into a post-retention period. We require appointments on a "as needed" basis. Unless you are told that your problem is particularly unstable, you may only need to wear your retainer 2-4 nights a week. If you lose, break or your retainer no longer fits please call our office to make an appointment so we can advise you on what options will fit your situation best. If you have graduated from our office there may be an office visit charge or a replacement fee.

What about my bonded (or glued in) retainer?

You may come back to see us anytime to have our office check your bonded retainer, but your regular dentist can evaluate this retainer for you at your dental check ups. If anything appears to be wrong please call us immediately to have it checked. If we need to remove this retainer we suggest getting a removable retainer to ensure that your teeth will stay straight. You may have this retainer removed at anytime and take an impression for a removable retainer to be made (at the current fee). This removable retainer will be asked to wear at night time for as long as you would like to hold those teeth straight.