Beaverton Orthodontics

How to handle after-hours orthodontic discomfort!

2011-10-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

Parents, it's your turn to have straight teeth!

2011-03-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed more and more adults choosing orthodontic treatment here at Beaverton Orthodontics? We are proud when parents choose orthodontics for themselves once they've seen what a positive affect straight teeth has had on their children!

Adults have many reasons to finally get their teeth straightened! Bite correction, preparation for other dental work like implants, and improving gum health are biggies. Some had braces as teens and they have noticed a little shifting of teeth over the years. Many adults tell us that their smile has always made them self-conscious, and that they have always wanted straight teeth. We also frequently hear parents saying, "Now it's my turn" after their children have finished ortho treatment with us!

Did you know there are many choices for adults who want straight teeth? For minor crowding or spacing, clear removable aligners may be the solution. For a comprehensive result, of course we offer high tech self-ligating and clear braces for our adult patients as well!

Adults who are interested in straight teeth and a beautiful smile should call the office for a no-cost examination appointment. If you have had children in treatment, we will be delighted to offer you a courtesy discount, which increases with the number of family members who have had treatment here.

And if you have questions about what it's like having ortho treatment as an adult, just ask our staff! Many of us had braces as adults, here with Dr. B!

Beaverton Orthodontics Team has FUN!

2010-11-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what we like to do when we're not creating beautiful smiles? Check out our office photo album!

We went to Waikiki in October for the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists conference...

Some of us went on a 6:00 am fun run along the beach! The rest of us were sleeping, thank-you-very-much!

Some of us learned to windsurf (and we have bruises to prove it!),

and some of us actually found time to attend classes!

***

Our summer team-building event was paddling the mighty waters of the Willamette...

It was a bit overcast, but we all had a great time!

Kelley learned how to flip her kayak...

and afterwards, we enjoyed cool refreshments!

***

Sometimes, we like to enjoy friendly rivalries...

***

and every year, we revel at our holiday party! Cheers everyone!

Early Warning Signs

2010-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's pretty easy to tell if a teen or adult needs orthodontic treatment: they have crooked teeth! But, how can a parent tell if their young child might benefit from early orthodontic treatment, even before all the permanent teeth are in?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child come in for an orthodontic exam if you see any of these signs at age seven:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty in chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Tooth crowding
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, jut forward, or stay too far back
7. Speech problems (lisp, tongue thrust)
8. Lower front teeth bite the roof of the mouth
9. "Buck teeth"
10. Upper and lower teeth don't meet correctly
11. Face looks uneven
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

At Beaverton Orthodontics, PC all exams are complementary! And so are any follow up exams or recall visits. Since every child's dental development is unique, so are their orthodontic needs. Dr. Black can often help with early, or "Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment" to correct jaw or bite problems before the permanent teeth all come in.

So call us for an exam to see what can be done to intercept future bite issues!

Are you or your child scheduled to get braces? Read this first!

2010-07-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

If you bleach your teeth on a regular basis, please STOP at least 1 week before you are scheduled to get your braces in order for optimal success.

If your child is scheduled for a fluoride treatment before getting braces, PLEASE do so at least 3 days BEFORE the braces appointment! Braces don't stick as well to fluoride-hard teeth!

If you have any questions about caring for your teeth during braces, please ask us!

Kayaking the Willamette

2010-06-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

Dr. Black and the team at Beaverton Orthodontics played hookey the other day and learned how to kayak the mighty Willamette! Click on each photo to enlarge it.

"Hey, this is easier than I thought it would be!"

Some people play air guitar...Dr. B plays "air paddle!"

"Look! I think I see a bald eagle!"

"Are we there yet?"

Finally, out on the pure, crystal clean waters of the Willamette!

Umm, where do you think you're going Mike?

What on earth is Kelley doing?

"Yup, I definitely see the Willamette river monster down here!"

This was fun!

Nothing like some ice-cold Willamette river water to end the day!

Win a $2500 college scholarship!

2010-05-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

Our sources at the American Association of Orthodontists (www.braces.org) tell us that students who had braces and are now in retention have until July 15, 2010 to enter this special video contest.

All you have to do is create a 2 minute (or shorter) video telling the judges how orthodontics changed your life. You may win a $2500 scholarship!

So, go to their website and download the entry form. What have you got to lose? Good luck everyone!

How do braces move teeth?

2010-05-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

You've probably wondered how braces actually move teeth, right? Well, in order to move teeth and achieve a stable result, three things are needed:

1. Bone, root, and gum health
2. Constant, gentle pressure
3. Patience, because this takes time!

We take special orthodontic x-rays to determine root and bone health, and I conduct a health history and exam to evaluate your gum health.

In order to align crooked teeth with braces, metal or clear ceramic brackets are glued onto the fronts of the teeth. An upper and lower wire (archwire) is then placed in a special slot in each bracket and held in place by either colored ties or a special gate in the bracket.

(click here for a cool demo)

During treatment I remove your wires and make small bends in them. When they are replaced in the brackets, they provide slight pressure on specific teeth and supporting ligaments in front of the tooth dissolve as tooth moves forward, while the ligaments on the back side stretch as the tooth moves away from them.

Where the ligaments have stretched, new bone fills in the space and provides support for the tooth in its new position. This takes time!

VOMIT and other ACIDS cause dental problems!

2010-03-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

FIRST, a question: How many times a day do you brush your teeth?

If you said twice (before bed and when you wake up), BAD ANSWER!

Sure, it is a nice idea to brush the sticky white plaque off your teeth in the morning...it looks gross and your breath is stinky.

Before bed brushing is also a nice idea, especially if the last time you brushed was probably when you woke up that morning!

Imagine all the nasty food, bacteria, plaque and stinky stuff that is sitting around in your mouth by bedtime! Yeeech.

BUT...in order to truly prevent tooth decay and gum disease, the correct answer to the question "How often do you brush your teeth?" is...

"I BRUSH MY TEETH AFTER I EAT AND DRINK."

Yes, this means you carry a travel-sized toothbrush or a proxy brush with you. It means you duck into the restroom briefly after lunch to quickly give your teeth a good rinse with water and a quick brushing. It means you don't bathe your teeth in ACIDS.

What???

Sugars in foods and drinks combine with bacteria in your mouth and form ACIDS. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that ACIDS are terribly destructive, and they will ROT YOUR TEETH if they are not neutralized with water or removed from your mouth by brushing!

So rinse with water and brush your teeth after you eat/drink SWEET, SOUR, STARCHY, AND STICKY things!

If it's SWEET, there is sugar, high fructose corn syrup, honey, or fruit in the ingredients. These are all sugars that will become ACIDS in your mouth.

If it's SOUR, there are ACIDS in the ingredients.

STARCHY foods (bread, tortillas, crackers) when mixed with saliva, become sugars, which become ACIDS.

If it is STICKY, food will stay pasted against your teeth, and the SUGARS will turn to ACID.

For all you ORTHODONTIC patients out there...BRACES and other fixed appliances make food STICK to your teeth! Be sure to rinse and brush after every meal or snack.

Finally, a more serious issue...VOMIT. If you are bulimic, you need to see your doctor right away because you are damaging many parts of your body, including your teeth. Stomach acids leave typical erosion patterns on bulimic's teeth. Your dentist may ask you about your barfing habits if s/he notices some of these dental patterns.

So, how many acid exposures do YOU get during a typical day?

Do you suck cough drops, Altoids, Jolly Ranchers, etc?
Do you eat dried fruits or sticky candy?
How about bread, pizza, or tortillas?
Do you drink juice?
Do you drink Sprite, 7-up, or other lemon/lime or acidic soft drinks? Even sugar-free sodas are dangerous if they have acid in their ingredient list.
Do you drink Gatorade or other sports drinks?
Do you constantly sip on soft drinks throughout the day?

So do yourself a favor and limit your sugar and acid exposure. When you do eat and drink, be sure to rinse and brush!

And now can you correctly answer the question, "How many times a day do you brush your teeth?"

Tell a Friend!

2010-03-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever told someone about a great movie you saw or a wonderful restaurant you visited? It's a good feeling when you pass on something that you really like to people you care about. At Beaverton Orthodontics, we want you to feel the same way about telling your family, friends, and colleagues about the kind of treatment you receive at our office!

We are humbled and grateful for the trust you place in us when you refer someone special to us. We want to be able to properly thank you for that!

But, the only way we can know that you've referred a patient is for you to tell us! Here's how you can tell us about your referrals:

1. Fill out the Patient Referral Form on our website!

2. Make sure your referral writes your name as the person who referred them on their Health History Form.

3. Grab a couple Patient Referral Cards the next time you are in the office. Put your name on them, and hand them to your friends. When they bring them in to their exam, we will know it was you who referred them!

Mouthguards take a bite out of tooth injuries!

2010-02-22T08:15:00.000-08:00

Here at Beaverton Orthodontics, PC we just completed our customized mouthguards program for local kids participating in Beaverton Youth Lacrosse this year! As a service to our community, we are pleased to donate our time and materials to this worthy cause.

Mouthguards worn during sporting activities minimize lip and tooth injuries, plain and simple! Here at Beaverton Orthodontics, we suggest you wear a custom mouthguard, especially if you have braces on your teeth.

There are several different types of sports mouthguards:

1. Stock mouth protectors are pre-formed, inexpensive, and can be purchased at sporting goods stores. They can't be customized or fitted, they provide the least amount of protection, and they are the least comfortable to wear. These are definitely not recommended by orthodontists!

2. Boil-and-form mouthguards are made of a thermoplastic material and can also be bought at sporting goods stores. They are easy to make at home by heating them in boiling water and then forming them to your teeth by finger and tongue pressure. They are a little more comfortable than stock mouthguards, but they are definitely not as durable. They don't fit so well over braces.

3. Custom mouthguards are only made by your Orthodontist or Dentist from a dental impression which is then poured up in stone to make a model of your teeth. Mouthguard material is then formed around the model in a lab to create your mouthguard. Custom mouthguards work best, are the most comfortable, and the most durable of the 3 types of mouthguards. If you have braces on your teeth, this is the only type of mouthguard that Dr. Black recommends.

If you are a current patient of Beaverton Orthodontics, PC we will make 1 custom mouthguard per 12 month period for you for free! We want you to keep your beautiful smile for a lifetime!

Is it really that important to have straight teeth?

2010-02-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that people with crooked teeth are embarrassed to show their teeth when they smile?
They are justifiably self-conscious about their smiles because crooked teeth cast shadows on neighboring teeth, creating a dark and unclean-looking smile.

Here at Dr. Black's Beaverton Orthodontics, we see over and over again that children and adults who have had their teeth straightened are more confident about their smiles than before they had ortho treatment. In some patients, we see their personalities blossom once their braces are off! It is so gratifying to know that we've made a difference in how our patients feel about themselves!

BUT...there is also a health reason why it is important to have straight teeth! Crooked teeth that overlap each other are just harder to keep clean than nicely aligned teeth. Crooked teeth trap stains more easily than straight teeth. Sticky plaque stays embedded between the crooked teeth and leads to tooth decay. Crooked teeth can be nearly impossible to floss as well, so there is more tendency toward gum disease in people with crooked teeth.

Here at Beaverton Orthodontics, we are delighted to give people beautiful, healthy smiles that last a lifetime! The self-confidence and improved tooth and gum health that comes with straight teeth is a joy for us and our patients! If you are wondering if your smile can benefit from orthodontic treatment, please visit our website or call us for an appointment!

What is the best age for a child's first orthodontic exam?

2010-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first ortho exam around the age of seven! What does Dr. Black think?

Dr. Black prefers to first evaluate children around age 7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and to determine the best timing of treatment. With kids this age, Dr. Black focuses on how the back teeth fit together and how the front teeth overlap, since this often predicts future jaw growth problems or dental crowding.

For these very young children, Dr. Black recommends ortho treatment only if there are significant long-term benefits to your child from doing so, and Dr. Black takes into account your child's emotional readiness for early treatment. He may decide to monitor your child, at no charge, until a later date if he feels this wouldn't compromise the result and would make the experience easier for your child.

If your child's first permanent molars and incisors are in, and you or your dentist have questions about how the bite is developing, please give our office a call, and we can schedule a complementary initial examination at your convenience!

Dr. Steven Black's Beaverton Orthodontics, PC
503-524-0524

Top 7 myths about braces

2009-12-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

Everyone working in my office has had braces, including myself! Some of us had orthodontic treatment as children, and some as adults. So, I thought I'd share our expert, first-hand knowledge about braces and dispel some myths that may be floating around...

Myth Number 1: If I don't feel pain, the braces aren't working.
This is so false! Modern braces don't have to hurt to work. Some adults who had braces 25 or 30 years ago remember not-too-fondly the headache of how bands had to be tapped around each tooth and how stiff wires were twisted to hold in the archwire at each visit. Thankfully, modern braces are totally different: we don't use bands around each tooth and our wires are very thin and flexible. This continuous low force and low friction makes for happier patients, healthier teeth and gums, and faster treatment. Woo hoo!

Myth number 2: Wires need to be adjusted or changed at every visit.
Not entirely true! You will have your wires changed as your teeth begin moving and the orthodontic goals move from bite correction, to alignment to detailing. But, there are several stages in treatment where you will keep your wire for several visits, and I reactivate or adjust it to accomplish a specific goal (like rotating a tooth or closing space). In my office, I use high-tech wires made of metals that have a "memory." This allows for longer intervals between visits and therefore less discomfort throughout treatment!

Myth number 3: The only way to get straight teeth is with braces.
What? Who told you that?! For years, orthodontists have observed that teeth can be guided in to position using removable appliances, not just braces. These appliances go by different names, depending on the company who markets them.

In my office, you must be a good candidate for "invisible aligners," and that includes my satisfaction with the result. If I feel your result will be unstable or it is not up to my personal standards, I will not recommend them! But, if your teeth aren't so crowded as to be completely blocked out by other teeth, or the way your molars fit together ("your bite") is OK, you may be a candidate for aligners. The only way to know if removable orthodontic treatment is right for you is to call for an exam!

Myth number 4: I'm too old to have braces!
With the new, low-force and low-friction braces, nearly anyone with good bone and gum health can be a candidate for braces. Everyone's orthodontic goals are different, and many adults have limited orthodontic treatment in conjunction with other dental treatment, such as dental implants. Also, many adults have always wanted a beautiful smile, yet never had braces as children. Parents see how easy it is for their kids to go through ortho treatment, and many will get braces themselves as a result. It is a pleasure for me to be able to help you feel better about your smile, at any age!

Myth number 5: If you tighten my braces more, my teeth will move faster, and I'll get my braces off sooner.
So, so false! You may think that tighter adjustments and more force will move your teeth faster, but there is risk of damaging the roots of the teeth, the surrounding bone, and the gums. And, you won't even get done faster! Your body places a limit on how quickly it will allow your teeth to move. Just realize that it took many, many years for your teeth to become crooked and stay crooked. It will take some time for them to become straight and stay straight! Which brings me to...

Myth number 6: Having my teeth straightened with braces will keep them straight forever!
Believe it or not, getting your teeth straight is the easy part. Keeping them straight is the challenge! Teeth are held in place by elastic-like fibers...some of the fibers are stretched when the teeth are in their new position, and some of the fibers are compressed when the teeth are in their new position. Your body will want to unstretch and uncompress those fibers, which can result in your teeth moving in an undesirable fashion, unless you and I work hard to overcome this tendency.

On my part, I can "overcorrect" your tooth movement slightly, thereby allowing for some controlled settling once your braces are off. I also might keep your braces on for a little while after my last finishing adjustments, as opposed to immediately removing your braces the moment your teeth look straight. This might be frustrating for you, but when you know why I may wait a month or two before debonding, you'll agree that it is worth the wait.

I also give you retainers, which are to "retain" the new position of your teeth. Here's where the teamwork comes in! You must agree to wear your retainers as prescribed! It's not forever, don't worry. But your teeth will definitely shift if you don't wear them as prescribed.

Even with an outstanding orthodontic result and perfect retainer wear, there is no guarantee your teeth will stay straight! Remember, aging is a natural process, and all over our bodies we see changes as we age; your facial structure, teeth, and gums included. So, we can expect natural settling. However, with retainer wear and good overall and dental health, orthodontic treatment can bring a lifelong result!

Myth number 7: My wisdom teeth are making my other teeth crooked.
This is actually not true! Research shows a couple of things: first, the natural tendency of teeth in general is to drift forward and thus become more crowded as we age. Second, this forward drifting is seen in people who don't have wisdom teeth as well as people who do have wisdom teeth. So, the current thought is that wisdom teeth do not directly make other teeth crooked.

That said though, many people don't have room in their mouth for their wisdom teeth, so this extra set of teeth doesn't properly erupt and thus become impacted. This brings in a whole host of other issues, including the possibility of infection, damage to neighboring teeth and bone, or discomfort. Many people opt to have their wisdom teeth removed, and your orthodontist is a great resource for helping determine the appropriate timing of this.

December Contest Answers!

2009-12-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

Welcome visitors from Dr. Black's office!

Because you've found our beautiful new website with this blog link, we want to congratulate you and give you some ANSWERS to this month's contest!

Dr. Black's cat has extra toes!
Tara has a squirrel!
Janie's pet is Frankie!

This contest ends December 14, 2009.

November contest!

2009-11-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

The photo is taken from a tram halfway up a nearly 11,000 foot peak! Note the road and the train tracks far below! The local language is called Romanche, and the Romanche name of this place means "little she-devil."

Where in the world is this gorgeous place? Post your guess in the comments section of this blog!

October is a scary time for your Orthodontist!

2009-10-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

We want you to have a safe and fun Halloween, so be sure to go trick-or-treating in a group, take a flashlight, and for younger kids have your parents to join you.

But have you thought about keeping your teeth safe also? You already brush your teeth and braces after eating, but pay special attention to brushing during Halloween when you may eat lots of sugary candies. Any sugars that are left on your teeth can rot them, especially around your braces.

Halloween candy can also BREAK your braces and cause your orthodontic treatment to extend longer than either you or Dr. Black wants! Be sure to avoid HARD, CRUNCHY, and STICKY foods. These are all enemies of braces!

Some suggestions for Halloween treats that won't break your braces are:

apple slices dipped in yogurt
chocolate (no nuts!)
candy corn
peanut butter cups
M and M's

Just be sure to remember to brush those teeth and braces after you eat all that yummy candy!

And, don't forget: if you have braces or other fixed orthodontic appliances...

"Hard and crunchy,
Sticky and sweet.
These are foods
you should not eat!"

Happy Halloween from Dr. Black and team!

September Contest!

2009-09-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have been in the office have seen the large photo canvas gallery on the clinic wall. This month's contest is for you to guess what one of the photos is! Submit your entry as a comment to this blog. Good luck!

Does it hurt to get braces?

2009-09-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

I get this question all the time. I know first-hand that it does not hurt to get braces placed, adjusted, or removed.

Like many of you, I had always wanted straight teeth but didn't have braces as a child. So, when I was in my Orthodontic residency, I was determined to place my own braces, do my own orthodontic adjustments, and remove my braces when my teeth were straight! Because of this experience, I know how much of an adjustment is enough to move the teeth the desired amount, but not too much to cause pain.

So how do I get those braces on your teeth? With a special dental glue. That's right, no hammers or saws or needles are used in placing braces! So, there is no pain when you get your braces placed.

How do I make the adjustments that move your teeth? In my office, I use high-tech wires that are very floppy at room temperature. But, when they are placed in the slots of the brackets, the warmth of your mouth causes the wires to become stiffer. The teeth gradually become aligned. This is not an overnight change! Orthodontic tooth movement often takes months or years to be completed, so you don't feel your teeth moving, but you may occasionally feel tenderness or a "tooth headache."

Please tune in to my future blog entries to learn how I remove the braces from your teeth (hint: it doesn't hurt either)!

In the mean time, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please share!

Thanks for reading,

---Dr. Black