Archive for category: BRO News

New Years is behind us and the 4th of July is still months away, but for some lucky folk, the very best holiday is fast approaching! For our patients with Invisalign, we wanted to provide them with a few tips to make their Valentine’s Day extra special this year!

If you read our holiday post, you’ll know that this is a running series on the BRO blog.

Whether you’re chowing down on chocolate or indulging in a five-course meal with wines paired for each new plate, you’ll want to take extra special care of your Invisalign this week. It’ll certainly pay off later when you have a lustrous smile that you’ll be proud to share with all of your loved ones.

Just like any aspect of the Invisalign process, preparation and diligence is necessary for success. You may be tempted to disregard your aligners on account of it being a holiday, but fortunately we’ve collected a list of helpful suggestions to ease your experience and keep your teeth looking great.

1) Prep for Valentine’s Day

No matter your Valentine’s Day plans, our orthodontists recommend that you prepare for an Invisalign “cheat day.”  How do you do this? Prepare for a long night off by being especially compliant to your prescribed treatment plan in the days leading up to Valentines day.

We also recommend bringing your Invisalign tray box and a toothbrush along on Wednesday一you never know when the need to snack will attack!

2) Be Mindful of What You Eat

When you finally sit down to dinner or drinks, you’ll likely be ravenous and totally caught up in the excitement of the moment. That being said, our orthodontists recommend limiting dark liquids and problematic foods to one meal (a romantic dinner).

via GIPHY

To get the best results, you should have your Invisalign aligners for 22 hours per day. So if you think your  Valentine’s Day meal will last for more than 3 hours, plan accordingly. Otherwise, stick to clear liquids and hydrate a lot!

3) Don’t forget to smile

Here at Blue Ridge Orthodontics, our mission is to help each patient achieve the smile of their dreams. So our next Valentine’s Day tip is to urge you NOT to be self-conscious about your smile on Wednesday. Enjoy the time you have with your loved one and let your smile show!

Invisalign is so unique because it doesn’t hinder your daily life. As your pouring your heart out to the special person in your life, don’t forget to show off your smile! You’ve earned it.

4) Enjoy the candy then brush it away!

Chocolate and Valentine’s go together like hugs and kisses…enjoy yourself, but be sure to brush your teeth vigorously before popping your Invisalign back in!

If you’re worried about what foods will and won’t be harmful to your Invisalign, here are a list of problem items best to avoid:

• Sticky candies, like caramel or toffee
• Hard pretzels
• Crostini, or dishes like bruschetta
• Coffee, tea, and wine (as much as possible)
• Gum

Hopefully, after reading these tips, you’re no longer stressed about what to do with your Invisalign come February 14th. If you heed this advice, you can have a fun-filled celebration AND a beautiful smile for years to come!

Hello, hello from BRO!

Can you believe it’s already November? It’s hard to believe this year is 5/6ths over– and what a year it’s been!

Today we just wanted to chat about the recent changes here at Blue Ridge Orthodontics and express a heartfelt thank-you for everyone’s support during two big transitions: our new office in Asheville AND our new website. With thanksgiving right around the corner, this felt like an especially good time to let you all know how much we appreciate your continued support, and keep you in the loop of course.

We hope you’re loving the new office as much as we are! We couldn’t believe the outpouring of love about the new BRO spa. Thank you! We know it’s a bit of an unconventional idea to get a mani/pedi while your favorite patient has his or her appointment, but we’re glad you’re digging our efforts to think outside the box!

(Just don’t go *digging* in your garden with those fresh nails… Okay maybe that was funnier in our head than on the page!)

via GIPHY

In all seriousness, we are so excited that all the hard work and dedication the BROmies poured into our move is paying off in the form of patient happiness. Call us cheese-y (pun intended), but we love to see you all smile!

As you can tell if you’re reading this, we also completely revamped our website to make it more fresh, modern, and user-friendly. Your straightened smile isn’t the only thing we want to make easy on the eyes!

Around the same time we introduced our site, we also rolled out our first-ever custom designed BRO infographic. If you’re a new patient or considering becoming one, this infographic is a great resource. It gives a quick and streamlined comparison of the three ways we straighten teeth:

• Braces (both traditional and more unconventional options)
• Invisalign (we’re one of the top 1% of providers in the U.S.)
• BRO Impressions (you won’t find this ANYWHERE else)

Many of you have mentioned how much you love the new office and website, and we are so happy to hear that.

Straightening smiles in Western North Carolina may be what we do best, but we always love when the experience is just as amazing as the final result. Certain things may be new around here, but the quality at Blue Ridge Orthodontics remains timeless.

We are proud to be Board Certified and in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in America. No matter what changes we make, holding ourselves to the highest standards will remain a constant. With patients as awesome as ours, you better believe we’re staying awesome too!

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. We also love connecting with you via Facebook and on Instagram. Wishing everyone a fun fall day!

Welcome to the new BRO!

Do you mean the new website or the new office?

Why both, of course!

Even though we’ve revamped our website and have moved to an incredible new office, we’re proud to say the core values encompassed by Blue Ridge Orthodontics will always stay the same.

In our commitment to provide the best orthodontic treatment in Western North Carolina, we created this infographic that answers many of the most common questions that our patients in Asheville have.

If you love our infographic, please share it! (use the embed code below)

Share this Image On Your Site

</p><br /><br /><br /> <p><strong>Please include attribution to Blueridgeorthodontics.com with this graphic.</strong></p><br /><br /><br /> <p><a href=’https://www.blueridgeorthodontics.com/asheville-orthodontics-infographic/’><img src=’https://www.blueridgeorthodontics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/orthodontic-treatment-asheville-branded-infographic-1397×1500.png’ alt=’Infographic showing orthodontic treatment options at Blue Ridge Orthodontics’ width=’959′ border=’0′ /></a></p><br /><br /><br /> <p>

Our orthodontic infographic compares braces, Invisalign, and BRO Impressions side-by-side. These are the three ways we straighten teeth and correct malocclusions, and we want to help you pick the one that’s best for you.

What is the Cost?

Here at Blue Ridge Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on providing traditional Invisalign at the same price we charge for traditional braces. We want you to pick based on your comfort and preferences– not your wallet!

As you can see on our infographic, option 1 (Braces) and option 2 (Invisalign) have the same length blue bar, indicating their matching price points. This unique practice ensures that our valued patients can afford the subtlety of Invisalign if that is their preference.

Option 3 (BRO Impressions) is significantly less expensive than the other two.

How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?

Another common question is, “How long will it take to straighten my smile?”

The amount of time you will spend in braces, Invisalign, or impressions varies from person to person. However, here is the general time frame breakdown:

1. Metal Braces – The average amount of time a person with moderate to severe orthodontic issues spends wearing metal braces is 24 months, or two years.
2. Invisalign – The average amount of time a person with moderate to severe orthodontic issues spends wearing Invisalign is 18 months, or a year and a half.
3. BRO Impressions – The average amount of time a person with mild to moderate orthodontic issues spends using/wearing BRO Impressions is 12 months, or a year.

Number of Emergency Appointments

“Oh no, I broke a bracket!”

Don’t worry, these things happen from time to time. At Blue Ridge Orthodontics, we actually provide you with Dr. Roberts’ cell phone number at the beginning of your treatment. If a bracket pops off, you’re experiencing discomfort, or anything else requires our attention, you’ll be able to reach out easily.

The highest amount of orthodontic emergencies we’ve ever had from one patient was five, and when you think of the fact that braces last for 2 years on average, that’s not so bad.

That being said, the number of Invisalign and BRO Impressions emergencies is zero!

Does My Insurance Cover It?

Did you know that all three awesome methods of straightening teeth are covered by insurance?

via GIPHY

Fixing crooked teeth or a malocclusion isn’t just a cosmetic choice; it’s an improvement to your oral health! That is why insurance covers braces, Invisalign, and Impressions.

If you have any questions about your specific dental insurance coverage, please give us a call at 828-585-6045.

How Many Orthodontic Visits Are Required?

Treatment is slightly different for each of the three orthodontic options. When it comes to braces, about one third of the treatment takes place here at BRO and two thirds at home. For Invisalign, about one fourth of the treatment takes place at our office and the other three fourths at home. Impressions are mostly done at home with only a small sliver of the “time pie” dedicated the BRO office.

Remember, BRO Impressions are for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. This is why they require less office appointments, less total time, and less financial resources. Whether they’re an option for you is something we can discuss during your free consultation!

Improving your dental health and achieving the confident smile of your dreams is exciting! We hope our Braces, Invisalign, and Impressions infographic helped inform you of your three main options. Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to request more information!

Most people take braces at face value (or should we say “teeth” value?!). You find a great orthodontist, you come in for an appointment and get the braces put on. While you’re re-learning how to brush and what foods you can eat, have you ever stopped to think about the history of braces? Who was the first to try out this radical type of treatment?

While we all understand how effective braces are now, they didn’t just pop up out of nowhere. In fact, their history of braces is deeper than the roots of your molars and more colorful than your orthodontist’s array of rubber band options!

Wait… Ancient Cultures Had Braces?

The Egyptians

The desire for straighter teeth can be traced all the way back to Ancient Egypt. Some mummified remains were found with metal and catgut wrapped around their teeth in an attempt to straighten them. Yikes! We can’t imagine that procedure being very pleasant.

The Etruscans

This ancient group of Italians lived between 770 and 270 BC. They seemed to value straight teeth in the same way the Ancient Egyptians did– for women, that is. During burial, some Etruscan women were sent to rest with a glamorous mouthguard-like contraption made of 24k gold!

The Romans

The Ancient Romans prided themselves on being at the forefront of everything. Shockingly, Roman tombs have been uncovered containing bodies with “braces” that are quite similar to the ones we use today. The Romans’ braces were made of gold wire fitted along the teeth.

Another thing that’s similar to modern orthodontic practice is that the Ancient Romans realized treatment needed to start at a young age. Physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus (14 BC- 50 AD) recommended that children’s parents or caregivers use a finger to put daily pressure on the child’s growing adult teeth, in order to encourage them to come in straight.

Celsus’s teachings weren’t the only ancient documents that encouraged straight teeth and depicted crooked teeth as negative. Corpus Hippocraticum by Hippocrates claimed that people with crowded teeth or irregular palate arches are “molested by headaches and otorrhea [ear discharge]” as a result of their affliction.

From Rome to Italy to Egypt, ancient cultures saw straight teeth as a desirable attribute and dental problems as, well, problematic.

Who’s the Father of Modern Dentistry?

You may have already heard of Pierre Fauchard, the 18th-century French physician sometimes known as the “Father of Modern Dentistry.” He was pivotal in the evolution of braces; in fact, he developed numerous practices for straightening teeth:

• Filing down teeth that jutted too far past their neighbors
• Using a set of metal forceps called a “pelican” to make space between crowded teeth
• Expanding a patient’s dental arch with metallic band called a “bandeau”

The last of these three items is by far the most important, as the bandeau is considered by most people to be the first real orthodontic appliance.

A Straighter “Angle”

By the time the 20th century started to unfold, America’s very own Edward Angle made waves with his then state-of-the-art orthodontic treatments. Angle, considered an innovator in the field of “tooth regulation,” was awarded patents for a whopping 37 tools for treating malocclusions.

The two most noteworthy were:

1. The E-Arch, a metallic arch expander
2. The Edgewise Appliance, a metal bracket somewhat resembling today’s braces

These two parts, at times in combination with some of the additional 35 inventions, were sold and distributed to other orthodontists as the “Angle system.”

Headgear was used a lot in the mid-20th century. Think the real-life version of the exaggerated headgear caricatures you may have seen before in comedies. At the time, this was the only way they knew how to correct an issue like an underbite, overbite, or crossbite. Pretty rough compared to today’s discreet options such as Invisalign.

Receiving orthodontic work in the early to mid 1900’s often meant braces made of real gold, platinum, or silver. Though this may sound cool, it was a fairly short-lived trend. Eventually orthodontists moved away from the expensive bling and instead utilized less fabulous options like:

• Brass
• Copper
• Ivory
• Wood
• Zinc

Yes, wood! As uncomfortable as that sounds, luckily all of these methods were steps on the path to…

Today’s Orthodonture

We may be biased, but today’s braces are amazing! Brace-seekers can opt for the traditional route, or go with braces’ more subtle sister.

Of course, braces had to jump through one more hoops before they finally got the credit they deserved.

Pop Culture

Let’s take a quick rewind to the 1970s. Braces had become extremely popular, so their appearance in pop culture did too. Unfortunately, movies and TV shows didn’t exactly present them in the best light. Any of you adults thinking about getting braces feel hesitant about this life-improving decision?

It may be because you’re subconsciously pulling up memories from that episode of The Brady Bunch during which Marcia cried her heart out about how she hated her braces. Perhaps you’re channeling Sixteen Candles, which depicts braces as a hindrance for the simplest things, such as drinking out of a water fountain.

via GIPHY

The 90s, on the other hand, ushered in a little more acceptance for rocking a tin grin. By that point they were so common it was hard to realistically present them as nerdy or geeky. People also started to realize that if a celebrity starring in any given show or movie had straight teeth, there was a good chance they owed them to braces!

In the late 90s, the tin grin received some positive PR when Gwen Stefani rocked braces just as hard as she rocked her vocals. She even told Harper’s Bazaar that they were a treat to herself. She had always vowed braces would be her first big purchase as soon as she made some money–and they were. Talk about a statement!

Dangerous DIYs

These days, some people have sadly take their positivity over braces to a dangerous point. DIY braces are extremely trendy in numerous Asian countries, and they can be incredibly harmful. Not only can they lead to gingivitis and tooth decay, but they can even be fatal in the most extreme cases. Two teenagers from Thailand actually died from faux braces, leading the country to institute a nationwide ban.

It is heartbreaking to hear news like this, and we certainly hope the trend doesn’t spread to the United States. If you love the idea of having braces, but don’t think you can afford them, please don’t try any DIY kits or fashion braces. They are harmful and not at all effective. Instead, we encourage you to make a consultation appointment with us and research what your insurance may cover. Often, braces are more doable than people think!

Conclusion

From the Ancient Egyptians’ catgut-and-metal contraptions to the state-of-the art orthodontics of today, braces have certainly had a journey!

We hope that you will consider making Blue Ridge Orthodontics here in beautiful Asheville, NC your home for your own orthodontic journey. It promises to be far shorter and far less crazy than the things we’ve described in this blog post!

In fact, we don’t mean to brag, but you’d be in some of the best hands out there. Not only do we pride ourselves in being an Elite Preferred Provider of Invisalign (the highest ranking), we are also a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and five time winner of the WNC Parent Family Choice Award. If you’d like more information, call us today at (828) 585-6045, email us at info@blueridgeorthodontics.com, or check out our Facebook page. We hope to talk to you soon!

When you think “braces,” do you automatically picture a thirteen-year-old in his or her awkward phase?

If you do, then it might be time to refresh that word-association, because more adults are getting braces than ever before! In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics reports that about one in five orthodontic patients is an adult.

While it’s never too late to attain the smile of your dreams, you may have some reservations about wearing braces as an adult. If that’s the case, then this comprehensive guide to living with braces is a must-read!

Keep the Goal in Mind

Every part of your daily life has a reason behind it, even tasks you don’t necessarily enjoy. You’ll pull through a bad day at the office, because it still produces a paycheck. Even a gym trip you dreaded making (but made anyway!) helps keep you fit and healthy. Loading the dishwasher may not be the time of your life, but you probably don’t consider it too big of an intrusion, either.

Braces are the same, in that they’re also a means to an end. In fact, they’re a means to multiple ends, including:

• A correct occlusion (or bite)
• Improved speech and chewing
• Healthier teeth
• Lessened risk of future cavities
• A straight, beautiful smile
• Bonus results like increased confidence!

Speaking of bonus results, one woman who got braces at age 49 even reported “less pronounced nose-to-mouth lines.” Braces didn’t make her look like a teen, but they DID make her look younger!

Em-Brace Your New Look!

Of course, wearing braces begrudgingly and counting down the days until they’re off is arguably not the optimal way of doing things.

In the same way that you can genuinely love your job or hitting the gym, you can rock your braces with confidence!

First of all, a ton of people might not even notice the little bit of tin in your grin. Most people tend to think about their own bodies, faces, outfits, etc., far more than other people’s. If you feel like everyone is staring at your braces, this is likely inaccurate. The psychological phenomenon of “spotlight effect” is simply coming into play, which means it feels like people are observing you far more closely than they actually are.

Furthermore, more people than you realize can probably relate to having braces. Some may have had the experience when they were younger, but they have still been in your shoes. Others may have had adult braces too. Perhaps the forty-year-old ahead of you in line at the grocery store got his braces off last year!

Still others might be considering getting braces themselves. They’ll likely feel inspired and encouraged by seeing yours. Even people who have never had braces and don’t plan on getting them will probably see your decision as confident and proactive – and they’re right!

When you have braces as an adult, it’s best to live every day as if you already have the Julia Roberts smile you’re working for. Remember, you’re in control of setting the mood surrounding your braces. When you love your smile, everyone else will follow suit.

Care for Your Braces

When it comes to caring for your teeth while wearing braces, there are pros and cons to having braces as adult – but more of the former than the latter.

Some potential pros include:

• You’re older and more responsible.
• Braces are your choice rather than your parents’ choice.
• You have a better understanding of cause and effect.
• You want to maximize your financial investment.

One con to look out for is:

• Since you’re older, your non-braces brushing habits have been ingrained for more years. Unlike a tween or teen who is undergoing constant changes, you might need to be more intentional when adjusting to your new routine.

We don’t want to scare you off, but braces do require some extra work. Flossing takes longer, you have to brush more precisely, and you have to be careful when eating certain foods.

If you’re considering getting braces as an adult here in Asheville, NC, Dr. Roberts and our amazing team will give you the scoop on your new dental care routine. Some great tips include:

• Keep a spare toothbrush in your purse, car, or office desk.
• Avoid biting into food or tearing with your teeth.
  • Hard foods like apples and carrots should be cut up.
  • Food usually eaten with the hands (like pizza) may now require a knife and fork.
• Take the extra time your braces require.
  • Don’t substitute thoroughness for harsh brushing, as this is bad for your gums.
  • Floss every day, even though it takes some time.

For all the reasons we named in the “pros” list, we know you’ll do great! And, of course, we’re always here to give you added tips or answer any questions.

Know Your Options

We hope that you’re feeling a lot better about living with braces as an adult!

But if the idea of traditional metal braces still seems unpleasant, know that you have options. Blue Ridge Orthodontics in Asheville happens to be recognized as among the top 1% of Invisalign providers in North America for the second consecutive year.

If you’ve been told in the past that you aren’t a viable candidate for Invisalign, don’t hesitate to check with us. Because of our extensive experience, it’s possible you’re a candidate for Invisalign at BRO even if other orthodontic practices have told you they can’t do it. Our expertise makes all the difference! The only way to know for sure is to schedule a free consultation.

Conclusion

Living with braces as an adult may be intimidating to some, but that’s okay! Any physical change, even if it’s temporary, can be foreign or downright scary. But when you keep your reasons in mind, rock your smile with confidence, care for your braces, and consider all your options, the experience will be so easy you probably won’t even remember why you were worried.

If you’re thinking of joining the 1.5 million adult orthodontics patients in the U.S. and Canada, it might just be one of the best decisions of your life!