Closed for Christmas

Our offices are currently closed for the Christmas holiday!

We will return on Monday, December 28th.

We apologize for any inconvenience this my cause and thank you for understanding.

Happy Holidays!

Know Your Orthodontic Options

With the numerous options we now have to choose from in orthodontic treatment, several patients are confused about what types of orthodontic appliances they should get. All orthodontic appliances work similarly in the way they move teeth into proper alignment. But how we apply these forces can vary, as numerous innovations have become available in recent years. Some of the newer, less visible orthodontic appliances have been designed to blend more easily into an adult's personal and professional lifestyle.

Types of orthodontic appliances include:

Lingual Braces — These metal braces are bonded to the back of your teeth (tongue side) so that no one can see them. That is the plus side. On the minus side, they can be more difficult to get used to wearing, and are more expensive than traditional braces.

Clear Aligners — As an alternative to the fixed type of orthodontic appliances mentioned above, clear aligners are removable. They are actually a series of clear plastic “trays” that fit over your teeth exactly. Each tray is part of a series of trays that move your teeth a little bit at a time until they are in the proper position. Your trays are designed with the help of specialized computer software that generates a virtual model of your bite.

Clear Braces — Instead of highly noticeable metal brackets, you can have clear ones made of ceramic, plastic or a combination of both. They are hardly visible, except for the thin wire running through, but they are more susceptible to breakage than metal braces.

Traditional Metal Braces — This is probably what you think of when you picture someone wearing braces: small metal brackets bonded to the front of the teeth. A thin wire runs through the brackets and is attached on either end to metal bands that go around a back molar.

If you are still confused about which treatment option is the best decision for you, please contact Rhode Island Orthodontic Group for a consultation. We will provide you with a computer stimulation of the treatment options available to you during the consultation portion of your appointment, and answer all of those questions.

Oral Rules to Remember

Whatever your goal for 2016 may be, almost all resolutions are typically promises we make to ourselves as an act of self-improvement for the upcoming year.  For Rhode Island Orthodontic Group patients who are vowing to have a bright and healthy smile in 2016, we’ve gathered some basic rules to remember when caring for your smile.

Rule # 1 Do Your Part

It’s important to take exceptionally good care of your teeth throughout orthodontic treatment. You can keep your teeth and gums in the greatest condition by keeping them clean and making the extra effort to take a little more time on your dental hygiene routine. Remember, the best result from your orthodontic treatment is a result of a team effort among your orthodontist and yourself.

Rule #2 Avoid Plaque                 

Have you ever noticed a sticky, colorless film developing on your teeth? That’s called plaque.  Plaque is composed of bacteria, saliva, and food and can form on your teeth or around your braces. This can cause bad breath, cavities, or swollen gums. Also, plaque can leave permanent marks on your teeth, which no one ever wants. Be sure you avoid this by remembering the basics; brush & floss regularly.

Rule #3 Remember the Basics

We’ve all grown up being told to brush and floss after each meal from our parents and family dentists; well orthodontists follow the same rule when it comes to the basics.  Be sure you brush thoroughly after each meal.  Out on the town, or stuck in class? That’s no excuse! Rinse your mouth with water until you can brush. It’s as easy as that.

Many people have the brushing part down, but tend to leave flossing out of the equation. Be sure you floss at least once a day; we recommend every night before bed so you don’t feel rushed. Flossing may seem a little difficult with braces at first, so don’t forget to use a floss threader if needed.  Also, clean carefully along and under the gumlines. The more you floss, the more routine it will become.

Be sure you follow Rhode Island Orthodontics Group staffs directions on hygiene to avoid any future troubles that may arise. Let us know if you have any questions or difficulties at your next appointment, or give us a call at one of our several offices. 

Smile As You Walk Down The Aisle

With the holiday season in full effect many couples are taking the next step towards marriage, and giving a new meaning to the term merry and bright. There are several things that go into planning a wedding from the venue, to the dress, to the photos and bridal party. As some see weddings as an end to an era, weddings are really a celebration of new opportunities and new beginnings. A lot of people start new goals when they become engaged, starting a new workout regimen, changing hairstyles, or getting the brightest whitest and straightest smile they’ve always wanted. If you want to have your best smile on your big day in 2016, don’t panic about a metal smile or longevity because we have a program that can help you achieve just that.

Invisalign, approved by the FDA in 1998, has been a wonderful non-invasive alternative to classic braces for almost 20 years.  Not only has it changed smiles, but Invisalign has changed the look of classic braces using state-of-the art technology; no cement or metal used. Rhode Island Orthodontic Group utilizes the Invisalign system providing a series of BPA-free plastic trays that realign your teeth. Patients wear these trays for 20-22 hours a day, and two weeks at a time.  They’re easy to remove making it easy for brushing, eating, drinking, and oral care.  As the trays are clear, they appear to be invisible which makes it even better for those who may be self-conscious about getting braces in adulthood.

Patients can start to see results fast with Invisalign, usually within a couple of months after beginning a personalized treatment; and in most cases treatment is completed within 1 year.  This is a great treatment for those of you who are ready to say “I Do” in 2016.  Invisalign can produce results in weeks, and still give you a clear smile while taking engagement pictures and celebrating before you walk down the aisle.   

If you are ready to get your best smile in 2016 for your big day, give us a call and we can set up your first visit to get started.

Reasons To See An Orthodontist

Our orthodontic office is not your regular dental facility as we specialize in treatments that you cannot have done at your regular dentist. We help patients with teeth that are misaligned, have eating difficulties, and also treat patients for cosmetic reasons. Almost all age groups need to visit an orthodontist for one reason or another.

Below we at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group have listed the most common reasons each age group might have to visit an orthodontist.

Children

A lot of pediatricians refer children to orthodontists for a variety of reasons. The first and foremost reason is crooked teeth, leading to 'bad bites' or difficulty in chewing. However the age by which referred to an orthodontist is considered is usually after 7 years as the jaw is still developing and teeth are setting in accordingly.

Another reason is crooked or overlapping teeth, which can cause the child to be bullied in school, and thus lead to a lot of distress. This is when we start to consider what interventions should be taken and at what age.

Adults

Adults up to the age of 60 and sometimes even up to 70 years are treated by orthodontists. Here the presenting complaint may either be chronic misaligned teeth since childhood, or smaller issues like recurring mouth ulcers or gum diseases among others.

The most popular reason for most adults is cosmetic as many people wish for their teeth to be straightened, and the growing gaps to be lessened. Other reasons adults seek orthodontists is due to over-biting due to crowded teeth resulting in oral injuries, gingivitis and miscellaneous issues presented at times of adulthood.

Do you want to know more about getting started at the orthodontist? Make sure you visit us at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group as we have good reviews about our treatments and friendly staff.

Tips For Your Teeth On Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family to show our appreciation of all things we are thankful for. It's a day we focus on the importance of those we care about most, and let's admit it, we're there for the food too!  With only a few days left before we feast, Rhode Island Orthodontic Group wants to give you some teeth tips for Thanksgiving!

Tip #1

Avoid teeth staining foods - Did you know that cranberries and certain types of pies can stain your teeth? Try to limit yourself when eating foods with strong coloring to them.  These same colors will eventually end up on your teeth, so brushing after your meal is important to help avoid unwanted stains on your teeth. 

Tip #2

Drink plenty of water - Nibbling on food all day is a given when you celebrate Thanksgiving. This year, make sure you drink plenty of water between meals to help flush out bacteria that can come when constantly snacking.  Water can help flush out food particles that would otherwise lay stagnant on your teeth. 

Tip #3 

Just say NO to soda - With all the desserts and side dishes you will have to choose from, adding more sugar to the mix with soda is not a good idea.  Soda has sugars that are unkind to your teeth, and for those with braces those sugars can cause decay around your brackets.  We suggest drinking water and milk instead to spare your teeth stains and decay.

Try to keep these steps in mind before you feast this Turkey Day, and you can give thanks for more years of healthy teeth.  

#NOHM True or False brought to you by the AAO