Smile - It's the Second Best Thing You Can Do With Your Lips

Orthodontists implement restoration, repair, and teeth whitening procedures to enhance smiles. Dental enhancement options are also available at typical clinics, such as crowns or veneers.

During the examination, the orthodontist will discuss your individual needs. Then, a proper treatment option will be recommended according to your budget. A smile is the best thing you can do with your lips, so contact an orthodontist today to review your options.

Give Your Smile a Simple Treatment

A teeth whitening procedure is the simplest cosmetic option. This treatment removes stains that are caused by beverage and food. However, if a patient has discolored teeth because of medications, the whitening procedure will be less effective. In this situation, crowns, veneers, or a masking treatment is a better solution.

Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth can be repaired with a restoration treatment. If a tooth is severely cracked, the orthodontist will use composite materials to reshape the surfaces. Patients can achieve a brighter smile by replacing any old fillings with new filling materials. Porcelain veneers can improve a chipped tooth too, but they produce the best results when a patient has:

• Spaced teeth

• Minor defects

• Slightly damaged teeth

Weakened Tooth

A porcelain crown covers a tooth completely and provides efficient protection against impacts. Because the crown is made with natural materials, users always feel confident when they smile.

Denture Options

Complete denture are designed for people who are missing some permanent teeth. This appliance sticks to the roof of the mouth.Partial dentures are ideal for individuals who have a gap between their teeth. These dentures have two components that attach to the remaining teeth in the mouth.

To gather information about smile quotes for procedures that improve smiles, visit Beecroft Orthodontics.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Smile - It's the Second Best Thing You Can Do With Your Lips

Cover That Plain Wall With A Smile

Every plain wall deserves a piece of work, so why not cover it with a smile? - Shawn Luka

Peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh made one of the most powerful smile quotes that has ever been spoken. He said, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”

The philosophy behind these insightful words have been reflected by brilliant psychologists and researchers in the world. They understood that something as simple as a smile can completely transform the way that a person views the world as well as the way the world views a person. Everyone knows that smiles are contagious. An attractive smile can make an average looking individual seem gorgeous. When we smile, we improve our own mood, and we have the power to impact the mood of those around us. Smiling can even increase a person’s life span.

When a person smiles, their brain releases neuropeptides, and these battle stress. Neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins are also released when a person smiles. This relaxes their body, lowers their heart rate, lowers their blood pressure, and just makes them feel better. Smiling causes the body to release endorphins, which minimize pain.

Smiles have been proven to be contagious by a study that was done in Sweden. People were shown a bunch of photographs of smiling individuals, and then they were told to frown. A good portion of the test subjects unconsciously smiled instead of frowning. All of these things underscore why it is so important to start the day with a smile.

Having a Smile That You Are Proud of

If a person has a beautiful smile, they are more likely to show their smile off to the world. Orthodontists work with patients to help them correct problems with their smile that may make them reluctant to show it off. They may use braces, Invisalign, veneers, caps, crowns, and whiteners to help a person improve their smile. If you are interested in having a smile that you will be happy to show to everyone, contact Beecroft Orthodontics today and schedule a consultation.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

When Do I Get My Braces Off?

Why Does the Orthodontist Need to X-Ray?

Orthodontics FAQ

One of the most frequently asked questions by our patients here at Beecroft Orthodontics before receiving their King George Orthodontic treatment is, “why does the orthodontist need to x-ray”?

The answer is actually quite simple. When it comes to creating an individualized orthodontic treatment plan, x-rays have proven to be one of the most valuable diagnostic tools available in the world today. Not only do they aid in identifying any concealed alignment or structural issues in the patient’s jaws and teeth, they also help determine possible tooth growth, direction and movement, which gives an insight into the connection between the tooth and its impinging structures. Without this powerful tool, it would be much more difficult, if not impossible, to catch certain diseases and damage that wouldn’t otherwise be visible to the naked eye.

Usually, these radiographs (x-rays) are taken both before and after treatment. Pre-treatment x-rays are taken for a more accurate assessment of what needs to be done prior to receiving treatment, and post-treatment x-rays are to see if the treatment created the desired results. While some think post-treatment x-rays are unnecessary, an orthodontist uses these x-rays to ensure bones are developing properly and that proper teeth alignment has occurred. This is done in large part to avoid any related dental issues that may arise as a result of the treatment plan.

Who Needs X-Rays?

There is no specific qualifier for this, and they are certainly not only for new patients. Certain factors, however, such as age and current oral health, along with the patient’s risk for disease and whether or not the patient presently shows any symptoms of oral disease, all contribute when determining if an x-ray is necessary. Your orthodontist will examine your teeth and then calculate all of these factors before deciding how to proceed with your personalized treatment plan.

Children sometimes require more x-rays than adults because their teeth and jaws are still forming, so changes occur more frequently. Children are also more inclined to develop tooth decay as a result of the changes that happen during these younger years, so x-rays are given as a precaution in hopes to prevent any future issues.

For new patients, x-rays are needed in order for the orthodontist to have initial knowledge regarding your current oral health and also to compare against any future issues. Established patients may receive further x-rays as a means to detect any new cavities, to determine gum health and also to evaluate the growth and development of their teeth.

Can You Still Get Braces if You Have Fillings?

Which Type of X-Ray Do I need?

There are several different types of x-rays, but two of the most common include:

• Panoramic (OPG) – this type of x-ray is used to determine the position of any teeth that have yet to break the surface (usually in small children), as well as to identify the bone's health surrounding the teeth, plus sinuses of the jaw joints, etc.

• Cephalometric views – this type of x-ray helps when determining growth calculations (again, used commonly in children) and also to gauge any changes that the treatment might have caused.

In addition to the two types listed above, there are a couple other x-rays that are frequently used when creating more complicated treatment plans. They include:

• Post treatment OPG’s and lateral cephalograms – these are used when conducting a patient's returning wisdom teeth assessment to conclude final outcome of the treatment.

• TMJ radiographs – this type of x-ray is useful in evaluating 2-D structures of a patient’s temporomandibular joints. These x-rays offer profile views of the patient’s skull and soft tissues, thereby helping the orthodontist to understand the relationship between the patient’s teeth, the connection between the jaws and the skull, and also the correspondence between the soft tissues and the jaws and the teeth.

• Cone-beam x-rays – used when a more thorough analysis of TMJ-related issues is needed.

As you can see, there are several types of x-rays, and because each one has its own role in identifying oral concerns, a patient can expect to have one or several types of x-rays taken during any single office visit. Three or more x-rays in one visit is not uncommon.

Are X-Rays Safe?

Another common question heard by orthodontists is “are x-rays safe to use”? In short, yes. While x-rays do expose patients to small, controlled amounts of radiation, there are extensive safety guidelines and procedures in place to ensure that maximum safety is achieved. Because the state authorities monitor the use of these machines so carefully, there is no reason to be hesitant about using these instruments. In addition to observation of the actual equipment, other precautions are in place for maximum safety potential. The rooms that house the equipment are closely watched, and the staff in charge of operating the equipment is taken through extensive training to ensure all safety procedures are carried out.

Typically, while receiving an x-ray, the patient will also wear a lead apron to limit the amount of exposure to the abdomen and a leaded thyroid collar prevents high amounts of exposure to the thyroid. The leaded apron and thyroid collar are especially used on women of child-bearing age, pregnant women and children. So as you can see, extra measures and guidelines ensure the staff and patients’ exposure time is “As Low As Reasonably Achievable,” otherwise known as the ALARA Principle.

Choosing the Right Orthodontist

Our orthodontics experts in Fredericksburg and Stafford, Virginia understand your hesitations regarding x-rays and we are here to answer any inquiry and address any concern you may still have. We encourage you to visit our office so you can check out our state-of-the-art equipment for yourself. We will make it our goal to make your visit as smooth as possible. Give us a call and let us assist you in setting up the appropriate orthodontic treatment plan for you!

Why Does the Orthodontist Need to X-Ray?