Read Our Blog About Orthodontia in Richmond, Virginia, and the Tri-City Area

If you have ever wondered when orthodontics got its start, look back to the 1920s. It was then that George Crozat, a New Orleans dentist, invented the “Crozat brace.” This was a removable, soldered wire device that patients could put in and take out of their mouths. It would be 40 years before this popular…

While kids today use their braces to make a fashion statement with brightly colored elastics and the like, adult patients might adopt a more subtle approach. Orthodontists have made braces more appealing to adults by utilizing clear brackets and lingual brackets that fit to the inside surface of the teeth.

Many orthodontic braces patients find that the biggest challenge they face involves keeping their teeth clean. Braces inhibit regular methods of flossing, as well as create ledges and crevices where plaque may collect. Thus, patients must be particularly diligent about brushing thoroughly after every meal. Another alternative to braces is Invisalign. With Invisalign, it is…

Recognizing an orthodontic problem at an early age does not always result in early treatment. Treatment is initiated on the basis of selecting the optimum time to treat any particular problem. Some problems are best addressed during adolescence. On the other hand, there are problems that lend themselves to early intervention, known as Interceptive Treatment.…

One of the first things people notice when they meet other people is their smile. Because a nice smile is such a welcome social gesture, it would be a shame not to show a nice smile because of orthodontic problems. Unfortunately, many people are reluctant to reveal their smiles because they are embarrassed by their…

When the teeth and Jaws do not fit and work together properly, it is called “malocclusion” or “bad bite”. Malocclusions may be inherited, as characterized by crowding or poorly spaced teeth. The problems are caused by a difference in the size of the teeth and Jaws or differing facial patterns of the parents. Malocclusions may…

Sometimes malocclusions develop only on one side due to an asymmetry of the teeth or jaws. This may result when some teeth on one side are lost or if they never grew in. Although rare, the problem can result from uneven growth of the facial bones. Curiously, it may also occur as a result of…

FOR CHILDREN: Ideally, it is best for children to see an orthodontist by age 7 in order to determine if orthodontic treatment is required. This is widely considered the best time for patients to begin treatment and/or treatment planning. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually erupted by that time and crossbites, crowding, and…

Have you always wanted a better smile? Straightening your teeth seems to be as simple as 1-2-3 from what you see online. You’ve seen TV commercials, Facebook and Instagram ads for different companies who promise straight teeth with a low price and easy monthly payments. It seems so easy, what could go wrong?