What Is Dental Monitoring and How Does It Work?

/in /by

If you have ever been to the orthodontist, you know pretty much how everything works. Your orthodontist in Irmo, SC, will examine your teeth, make a treatment recommendation, and then customize a treatment that will best suit your needs and budget. But have you ever had an orthodontist say that you don’t need to come into their office? Probably not, until now!

Keep reading to learn more because who doesn’t want fewer dental visits?

What Is Dental Monitoring?

At Davis Orthodontics, we offer dental monitoring, which is included with your treatment. It can be used with traditional braces orInvisalign® clear aligners Irmo, SC. But what is dental monitoring?

The Scan Box is a dental monitoring device that enables us to monitor your progress between orthodontist visits. We will use the monitoring device and your smartphone’s communication tool to perform weekly scans of your teeth.

Why would we go to all that extra effort, you ask? Well, because through weekly monitoring, we can more carefully watch your treatment progress and coach you remotely when there is something that needs your attention.

What that means for you is fewer visits to our office to perform the exact same checks that can easily be done remotely via the monitoring device.

How Does Dental Monitoring Work?

So, you are probably wondering how the monitoring device and the process work, right?

Let’s take a look.

We send you an activation email from which you can download the dental monitoring app needed for the device to your smartphone. Take a scan of your smile according to your treatment monitoring schedule. And don’t worry that you might not get the scans just right because the Scan Box is designed to take the exact photos needed every time. And, the Scan Box dental monitoring device can be used to take your scans from anywhere. That means you don’t have to be in a predesignated spot to follow and complete your scheduled scans.

The scans will be sent to the orthodontist. Then, they will send you back a report. Once you receive that report, all you have to do is follow the orthodontist’s instructions.

What Does Using the Scan Box Dental Monitoring Device Mean for You?

You will use the Scan Box to take weekly scans of your teeth and send those scans to the orthodontist through the Dental Monitoring App. The orthodontist will monitor your treatment progress and will only contact you if there is something that needs your attention. If need be, you will be contacted through the app, which means you don’t have to schedule an in-office visit unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Are You Looking for an Orthodontist in Irmo, SC?

If you need to have your teeth straightened, please Contact Davis Orthodontics today to schedule a consultation and exam. We have cutting-edge technology and a comfortable, relaxing office where we will make you feel right at home. Our team of professionals strives to create strong relationships that will last a lifetime.

A Complete Guide to Braces: What to Expect on Your Orthodontic Journey

/in , /by

Why Choose Braces?

Braces are one of the most effective orthodontic treatments for correcting misaligned teeth, bite issues, and jaw alignment problems. They can improve not only the appearance of your smile but also your overall oral health by making it easier to clean between teeth and reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Types of Braces

  • Traditional Metal Braces – Made from high-quality stainless steel, these braces are highly effective and often the most affordable option.
  • Ceramic Braces – These function like metal braces but use clear or tooth-colored brackets for a more discreet appearance.
  • Lingual Braces – Placed on the back of the teeth, these braces are virtually invisible.
  • Clear Aligners – A popular alternative to traditional braces, clear aligners like Invisalign offer a removable and nearly invisible way to straighten teeth.

The Braces Process: What to Expect

  1. Initial Consultation – Your orthodontist will assess your teeth and discuss the best treatment options for you.
  2. Placement of Braces – Brackets are attached to your teeth, and archwires are placed to guide their movement over time.
  3. Adjustments & Check-Ups – Regular appointments (usually every 4-8 weeks) are necessary to ensure progress and make necessary adjustments.
  4. Oral Hygiene with Braces – Proper brushing, flossing, and avoiding certain foods (like sticky or hard snacks) will help maintain healthy teeth during treatment.
  5. Braces Removal & Retention – Once treatment is complete, your orthodontist will remove the braces and provide a retainer to keep your teeth in place.

How Long Will Treatment Take?

The length of time you’ll need to wear braces varies depending on your specific case. Most patients wear braces for 12-24 months, but some cases may take longer. The key to a successful treatment is following your orthodontist’s recommendations and maintaining good oral hygiene.

Start Your Journey to a Perfect Smile!

At Davis Orthodontics, we’re committed to providing top-notch orthodontic care tailored to your needs. If you’re ready to take the next step towards a confident, healthy smile, schedule a consultation with us today!

For more information or to book an appointment, visit Davis Orthodontics or give us a call!

Successful Treatment and Patient Care

/in , /by

Successful treatment and patient care at Davis Orthodontics doesn’t just mean straightening teeth. It’s built on open communication with our patients and their own ownership of their treatment.

Communication is key to our ability to provide the best possible care for you or your child. Sharing your concerns or asking questions about your treatment are always welcome. We are always happy and encourage our patients to speak to us about their treatment. Your teeth are just as important to us as they are to you.

It is also crucial to communicate with our team when something unexpected occurs. Letting us know allows us to better prepare and help you. For example, if you have a broken bracket, you can send a message through the dental monitoring app or call the office and speak to one of the “DO” crew so that we can add all the details such as tooth location and what occurred in your chart. This allows our team to schedule you promptly for the appropriate type of appointment, but it also prepares our clinical team so they can get you in and out of the office quickly.

If it’s a non-emergency, we can often extend your next appointment to allow for the extra time needed to make the repair. By communicating with us when issues arise, we can prevent you from falling behind in your treatment, discomfort, or inconveniences to your busy schedule.

Lastly, making it a priority to schedule and maintain appointments is vital to the success of your treatment. Orthodontic visits allow our team to monitor your progress as well as keep an eye out for things like changes in your bite, oral health, spacing, and tooth rotations just to name a few. Missing or consistently rescheduling orthodontic check-ups prevents us from making the adjustments or providing the care needed to keep your treatment moving on the originally proposed timeline. Therefore, missed or pushed out appointments can prolong your time to getting your desired results. Additionally, arriving late to your scheduled appointment often prevents our team from completing your full appointment to avoid delays and inconvenience for other timely patients.

We understand things come up and life throws curve balls, but by letting us know of delays, concerns, or questions we can do our very best to accommodate you. Together we can achieve your ideal smile.

Davis Orthodontics

National Dental Care Month

/in , , /by

Oral care plays an integral role in your aesthetic and physical health. At Davis Orthodontics, we invite you to read the importance of maintaining optimal dental health, a brief history of National Dental Care Month, and how you can observe the occasion.

DENTAL HYGIENE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Practicing good dental hygiene should begin during childhood and continue throughout your life. Children are less likely to experience problems like tooth decay and gum disease. However, oral care problems in children could contribute to potentially serious problems like oral infections, pain, and even nutrition deficiencies due to the inability to chew or digest foods properly. Dental care professionals recommend that children start receiving oral care as early as six months old and receive subsequent care at least once or twice per year.

Adults who fail to practice optimal oral hygiene stand at risk of developing serious oral care problems, lost teeth, and severe gum disease. Additionally, poor oral care in adults has been linked to potentially serious, even life-threatening illnesses like systemic infections, cardiovascular disease, certain kinds of head and neck cancers, and diabetes.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL DENTAL CARE MONTH

National Dental Care Month was founded by Dr. Tim Stirneman and Jim Wojdyla after the discovery that there were not enough national holidays that celebrate oral health. At the start of 2018, the National Day Calendar made it official to observe National Dental Care Month annually during the month of May.

OBSERVING THE OCCASION

The best way for you to observe this national holiday is to remember the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene and engaging in practices designed to help you achieve this aim. This includes:

Brushing And Flossing Regularly
Oral care experts recommend that you brush at least twice per day and floss at least once. Brushing should be executed for two to three minutes per session using wide, circular strokes to read every tooth. Floss should gently be placed between the teeth. Both of these activities remove lingering food products and help cleanse bacteria from the mouth.

Limit Sugar Intake
Sugar has a notorious reputation for damaging teeth. Therefore, the consumption of foods and beverages containing sugar should be reduced to avoid further damage.

Avoid Cigarette Smoking
The chemicals contained in cigarettes can stain teeth and damage the tooth enamel. Additionally, smoking weakens the body’s immune system, which can prove detrimental to the gums, especially following injuries and dental procedures.

Visit Oral Care Professional Routinely
Optimal oral health involves seeing your dental care provider at least once or twice per year. During these visits, oral care practitioners can provide professional cleanings, identify any underlying problems, and address issues before they require more aggressive treatment.

CONTACTING US

If you are looking for an experienced dental care professional, we encourage you to consider the experts at Davis Orthodontics. We pride ourselves in combining old-fashioned customer service practices with cutting-edge technology to offer you care that is second to none. For further information about our practice and the services we provide, contact our offices today.