Are you new to the world of braces?

Are you new to the world of braces? If you answered yes, this blog is for you.  We have noticed that several of our new patients are curious about their treatment and the appliances we use to help them achieve the smile of their dreams. For that reason, we've decided to share the definitions of the appliances, or parts, that make up braces.

Check out these 6 parts of braces and learn more about how they create perfect smiles.

Bands
Bands are a ring of metal that fit around the molars and sometimes premolars. The bands are selected from a range of sizes in order to find the tightest-fitting band. The bands are sealed in position using dental cement that contains fluoride to prevent any decalcification during treatment.

Brackets
The brackets hold the archwire against each tooth. The archwire fits into a slot in the bracket. Brackets may be attached directly to each tooth or to a band.

Archwire
The main wires, or archwires, are shaped specifically to fit around the arch into the bracket slots. Teeth move from the pressure that is applied by the braces. That pressure comes from the archwire, which guides the direction of the movement.

Elastics
An elastic is the tiny rubber ring that ties the archwire into the bracket.

Hooks
Hooks are small attachments on the brackets used to attach elastics (rubber bands).

Coil Spring
The coil spring fits between brackets and over the archwire.

Rhode Island Orthodontic Group is a unique practice offering its patients 7 convenient locations throughout the West Bay area. If you have any further questions regarding your braces, please contact us today!

It Pays To Share A Smile

Do you know about our referral program?  At #RiOrtho when you refer a friend, you will receive $100 off your account when they begin treatment!  We have had such great referrals we decided it is time to start rewarding you for being so kind to us!

If you have someone in mind, just print out the card below and have your friend or family member turn it in at their first appointment. When they begin treatment, we will take off $100 from your account with us! It's easy, free, and saves you money!

Learn More About Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery treats and corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the jaws and the teeth. Often, these abnormalities cause difficulty associated with chewing, talking, sleeping and other routine activities. Orthognathic surgery corrects these problems and, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, will improve the overall appearance of the facial profile.

Using the latest in digital imaging technology, we will demonstrate the overall functional and aesthetic benefits of orthognathic surgery. Computerized treatment planning minimizes treatment times, recovery periods and the overall efficacy of your surgery. State-of-the-art materials, such as titanium plates and miniature screws, provide stability, strength and predictability to your treatment. These advances in technology, procedures and equipment reduce post-surgical recovery time, thus allowing patients to return to their normal routines soon after the surgery.

Orthognathic surgery may be unnecessary if orthodontic treatment can correct the problem. With the latest advances in orthodontics, this is sometimes the case. #RiOrtho will determine if orthognathic surgery is the correct treatment option for you.

It's National Chocolate Cake Day!

Today we can all rejoice because it’s National Chocolate Cake Day. If you’re typically not the type to get excited over random food holidays, today might be a little different because really, who doesn’t love chocolate cake? The smooth creamy dark frosting drizzled over a fluffy, moist rich chocolate cake is appealing to almost every taste bud; and we’re not resisting this dessert today here at #RiOrtho! If you happen to be a fan of chocolate cake, and want to celebrate by baking your own tonight, check out these delicious recipes we found to give your cake a little flare.

Keep reading for your new favorite chocolate cake recipes:

One Bowl Chocolate Cake 

This cake needs no introduction, as it’s been around forever. If you’ve never made it, you’re in for a treat.

Click here for the recipe.


Nutella Chocolate Cake

Do you love chocolate? Do you love nutella? Do you love cake?

If you answered “YES” to all 3 questions above, Nutella Chocolate Cake is for you!

Click here for the recipe.

Don’t miss out on your chance to celebrate chocolate cake, try out one of these recipes tonight! Do you have a yummy recipe to share? Post it below or post it on our Facebook wall!

#DStrong

Hundreds of people gathered together on Misquamicut State Beach last weekend to show support for local Rhode Island boy Dorian Murray.  Dorian is fighting a rare pediatric cancer that is spreading toward his brain, making his treatment ineffective.  To support Dorian, the community learned that his last wish is to become famous.

With the support of the community, Dorian has bee so delighted to have reached thousands and told WBZ-TV last Friday his "newfound name is 'very, very cool." Rhode Island Orthodontic Group recently decided to participate by add a #DStrong shout out post to boost awareness for Dorian.

#DStrong

Check out this video of the 2500-person giant message of love for Dorian Murray, our famous boy from Westerly, RI!

For updates on Dorian, LIKE his facebook page.

Foods to Avoid During Orthodontic Treatment

For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

• Gum (sugar-free or regular)
• Licorice
• Sugar Daddies
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls
• Caramels
• Starburst

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:

• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
• French bread crust/rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
• Bagels
• Chips
• Jolly Ranchers
• Pizza crust
• Uncooked carrots (unless cut)

Minimize Sugary Foods like:

• Cake
• Ice Cream
• Cookies
• Pie
• Candy
• Only Once a Day:
• Soda
• Sweetened tea
• Gatorade
• Kool-Aid
• Drinks with sugar

It's important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.

Learn about TMJ

The "Temporomandibular Joint," more commonly referred to as the "jaw joint," assists in the basic opening and closing movements of the jaw. Unfortunately, this joint is a common area for recurring pain. Although conventional wisdom suggests that "popping" sounds in the jaw indicates a TMJ dysfunction, this is not always true. Many times, your jaw is functioning properly even if a "popping" sound is present when chewing or talking.

We offer a TMJ exam that evaluates the joint tissue in the "hinge" of the jaw. Possible problems include swelling, deterioration of the joint tissue or damaged joint tissue (which cushions the jaw bones during the opening and closing movement of the mouth). Common pain relievers and cold compresses can provide temporary relief for most cases of TMJ.

For more serious cases of TMJ, we will recommend alternate treatments. Often, we will suggest using a mouth guard to relieve teeth grinding. In some cases, we will instruct you to use orthodontic appliances or retainers to alleviate discomfort or redirect positioning of the TMJ joint. For the most severe cases of TMJ, we may recommend certain invasive procedures.

Contact Rhode Island Orthodontic Group today for more information or to schedule an appointment.