Orthodontic fun facts, from Dr. Adams

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Adams Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).

• The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Enter our Why Do I Love My Valentine Contest!

Who is your special someone? Valentines Day is a time to let someone special know how you feel, so at Adams Orthodontics we wanted to know - who is your Valentine and why? A family member, a friend, an Adams Orthodontics team member or is it a pet? Post your answer to our wall or comment on this post before Monday, February 6 to be entered to win! Rules: All entries eligible must be a patient of Dr. Adams either in continuation of care, or orthodontic treatment. People who are in the retention period of orthodontic treatment are eligible up until their 18 month retention has expired. Non eligible entries: non-patients of Dr. Adams or staff members, or staff family members in treatment with Dr. Adams.

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment at Adams Orthodontics? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Adams Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, and treat oral health problems early.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Ottawa, ON area!

Orthodontic fun facts, from Adams Orthodontics

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Adams Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Kids getting braces at a younger age

Dr. Adams will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Adams to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Thanks to Invisalign® with Adams Orthodontics, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too!

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Adams Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

At Adams Orthodontics, easy access to your account information

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple, convenient and great, doesn’t it?

Patients at Ottawa's Adams Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You may look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of our patients are saying about this helpful service:

"Confirmation of appointment times, account balance and as a 'nice to have' abiltiy to view photos and X-rays. Great." ~ Carol S.

"Viewing my daughters Xrays was very interesting and gave me more insight into her care." ~ Sara P.

"To have the pictures available just in a few seconds is awsome. Also I love that I can see my next appointment." ~ Nadine S.

"Other doctors should have this service because it is easier to get information and the contact between the office and the patient is consistent. Makes finding information much easier between visits as well." ~ Karen L.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call at 613-748-1252 if you have any questions about getting started!

Relax! Hollywood stars also struggle with crooked teeth!

Ottawa orthodontist Dr. Blair Adams know people often struggle with small imperfections. Making crooked teeth straight, stained teeth sparkling white and chipped teeth smooth is part of what Dr. Adams does as an orthodontist. The sense of renewed self confidence that comes to my patients after having some sort of reconstructive work is what makes my job worthwhile.

Consider Katherine Heigl, award-winning actress, and considered by many the Grace Kelly of our day. She describes struggling with crooked teeth her whole life until finally there came a point when she said "enough is enough!" She decided to do something to straighten her teeth.

Our staff at Adams Orthodontics think you will enjoy this clip. Please feel free to leave comments, and tell us what you think! Have you ever struggled with this same problem? Have you felt the relief of smiling to reveal a straight, bright smile after hiding crooked ones for so long? Contact us so we can hear your story, or share your story on our Facebook page!

Tell Adams Orthodontics: What should we blog about?

As summer rapidly approaches and our patients get ready to unwind, Dr. Blair Adams and team at Adams Orthodontics strive to continue writing about important topics related to orthodontics and your treatment at our office - and are busy planning out our summer blogging schedule.

To help us continue doing that through the course of the summer, however, we'd love your input: Today, we thought we’d step back a bit today and ask you, our readers: What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Adams for a while about your treatment? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

We look forward to getting your thoughts and hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Don't forget about those retainers, from Dr. Adams

If you've recently completed your treatment at Adams Orthodontics, our staff would like to take this time to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Adams will provide—or has provided you—with retainers.

Retainers are important because after braces are removed, teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization, and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes.

Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

Give us a call if you have any questions and again, congratulations on being braces-free!

Talking mouth guards with Dr. Blair Adams

Spring may be a time for sports, sun and fun, but it's also a time when you have to be careful if you play sports. At Adams Orthodontics, we know how important it is to protect your face and pearly whites while participating in sports activities. With spring around the corner, Dr. Blair Adams know the spring months bring an increase in outdoor activities—and a greater chance of damaging your precious pearly whites. Our dedicated team at Adams Orthodontics also know sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get injured while playing sports.

That’s why our team at Adams Orthodontics is doing its part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing contact sports. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.

And, ask us—Dr. Adams will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. The AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Adams is trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Adams Orthodontics.

The SureSmile® advantage at Adams Orthodontics

Does the thought of having braces bring you down? The team at Adams Orthodontics understands that one of the biggest concerns for orthodontic patients with braces is the length of their treatment.

But you’re in luck, because Dr. Blair Adams specializes in SureSmile, high-tech braces that are revolutionizing the orthodontic industry. SureSmile, which combines digital 3-D imaging, has computer-aided treatment planning and customized archwires to straighten teeth about 40 percent faster than traditional braces. The SureSmile program calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more precision than traditional braces.

There are three steps. First, Dr. Adams identifies the initial tooth position with the patented OraScanner, a wand with a tiny camera attached. The OraScanner creates a precise 3-D digital model of your mouth, which is then uploaded into software that lets Dr. Adams view your mouth and teeth from any angle. Next, the SureSmile system allows us to create your entire treatment plan prior to treatment, using special computer software to analyze the 3-D model of your mouth and develop a custom archwire treatment. Finally, SureSmile’s robotic technology bends Shape Memory Alloy archwires, which can “remember” your prescription.

Results

With SureSmile’s specially programmed archwires, your teeth move more directly into their intended positions. The result for our patients is shortened treatment time and a more comfortable experience in braces.

Once the braces are on it’s only a matter of time before they are taken off revealing beautiful, straight, healthy teeth. With traditional braces a patient is expected to schedule 18 to 20 office visits over two years. With SureSmile, patients average seven to 10 visits and can have their braces off within half the time!

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, and braces are on the horizon, please contact Adams Orthodontics today!

What are patients saying about Dr. Blair Adams and Adams Orthodontics?

Last week, we asked you, our wonderful patients, what you most liked about Adams Orthodontics. Well, we received some pretty great reviews, and thought we’d share a few with you today. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office! Dr. Blair Adams and our team love getting patient testimonials!

"The attention and care given from him and his great staff!" ~ Alia M.

"They always have a smile or something positive to say. I am also seeing great results!" ~ Joyce W.

"Very Modern, fun office that takes care of the patient and their family and I know that my daughter is getting the absolute best care that there is available." ~ Sara P.

"This whole office is full of friendly, helpful and responsive people who answer questions fully and promptly. Each member of the staff, from the receptionist to the orthodontist, gives you personalized attention in a totally professional yet relaxed atmosphere. It's a pleasure to come in for an appointment." ~ Eric B.

What do you love about Adams Orthodontics?

Some people wonder why Dr. Blair Adams and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! With an orthodontic treatment plan specifically tailored for you, you can be sure that the ending result will be a smile that’s good for your life. Dr. Adams and our talented staff work hard to bring you the latest orthodontic options including Invisalign® “invisible” braces and ceramic braces, as well as TMD treatment.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Adams can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment at Adams Orthodontics.

Talking orthodontics and social media with Dr. Blair Adams

At Adams Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it's through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site or our social networks. Dr. Adams and our entire staff know social media is a great tool, and that's why we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our Facebook fan page. For social media to work, conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social media is hugely popular these days, it is unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we’re taking a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Send us your thoughts or give us a call!

Ask Dr. Blair Adams: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

People wonder why Dr. Adams and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! With an orthodontic treatment plan specifically tailored for you, you can be confident that the ending result will be a smile that’s good for your life. Dr. Adams, and our talented staff work hard to bring you the latest orthodontic options including Invisalign® “invisible” braces and ceramic braces, as well as TMD treatment.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Adams can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment at Adams Orthodontics.