If you think about it, the use of mouth-guards and the reasons for using them isn't that far removed from orthodontic technology and the principals at Garrett and Boyd Orthodontics we employ to create a beautiful and healthy smile for our patients!

Mouth-guards: Not Just a Good Idea but a GREAT One!

Working together as a team is needed to create a beautiful smile. We can’t do it ourselves without patient cooperation and we all work together to ensure a healthy final dental result to last a lifetime! So why should it be any different with the use of a mouth-guard?

The facts speak for themselves: Studies have shown that mouth-guards prevent well over 200,000 mouth or tooth injuries a year! Individuals are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth when not wearing a mouth-guard while engaged in contact sports or rigorous physical exercise. Why risk making yourself another statistic? After all the time and effort you go through straightening your teeth why risk damaging your teeth, resulting in unnecessary costly dental work and discomfort.

Easy to Avoid Injury

The crazy thing is… it's easy to avoid serious damage or injury to your teeth just by using a mouth-guard! Still not convinced? Check out some of this mouth-guard trivia:

- Losing one or more teeth due to lack of a mouth-guard is trauma enough for most individuals. But would you believe that over a lifetime you may spend as much as $10,000 or more per tooth to repair the damage. Do the math… it pays to wear a mouth-guard.

- Mouth-guards used to be used primarily for the sport of boxing but the benefits of wearing a mouth-guard has spread over to dozens of different contact sports including basketball, bicycling, ice hockey, and even volleyball. When in doubt, wear a mouth guard, even when playing unorganized contact sports with friends and family.

A Good Investment in Your Smile

The logic is seen in black and white. Protect your teeth and protect your smile by using a mouth-guard. Better yet contact us today to learn more about mouth-guards and discuss any other questions you may have regarding the protection of your mouth and teeth.

Dr. Boyd's Waterpark Experience

A few years ago, Schlitterbahn in San Marcos, Texas increased the size of their water park and installed the Biggest, Baddest Water Coaster known to man…The Master Blaster…an uphill water coaster. I stress the term UPHILL.

 My family made our trip on opening weekend, waited in line for 1.5 hours, and our excitement grew as our turn came. My son and daughter went first. Their two person boat rocketed up the Blaster hill and disappeared over the top amongst screams and thrills. While waiting in line, I must tell you I had observed some rather large people barely making it to the top of the hill but with thousands of gallons of water blasting their boat, over the top they went. Finally, it was my turn. As most of you know, I am not a small person and my beautiful wife is almost 5’10” tall. Heck, the truth is we are big people and the Blaster staff put both of us in the same boat. I told the young staff member there was no way we were going over the top of that hill. He told me not to worry, they had plenty of water. As we rocketed up the hill, a vibration started that shook us and the entire boat. My greatest fear had been realized, our boat came to a complete stop at the top of the hill and jammed sideways into the sidewall of the Blaster. My memory of the events following the abrupt stop are a little fuzzy but I do remember the embarrassment of having to be rescued from our boat by at least a dozen Blaster staff members as Texas’ Biggest Baddest water coaster had to be completely SHUT DOWN! Yes, they turned off ALL the Blaster water! As we were rescued, and made it down from the 3 story high, 1ft wide, netted cat walk, my wife and I were paraded back to the launching ramp and placed into individual boats. We were greeted with cheers from the waiting crowd. As the water came back on, we were finally rocketed over the top of the hill and into Schlitterbahn history.

At Garrett and Boyd Orthodontics we sometimes see patients that are missing teeth because they failed to develop due to a family hereditary condition. Other times, the “missing” tooth isn’t really missing at all; it’s hidden underneath bone and gum tissue because it’s blocked or impacted by other teeth. In either situation, space must be created or closed, depending upon circumstances, to improve the bite and aesthetics. If not, then other teeth will gradually drift into the spaces, creating a bite problem and misalign teeth. Luckily, both problems can be treated with orthodontics.

Orthodontics is a special field of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating irregularities of the teeth, gums, jaw, and face. For a person with teeth “missing” or “blocked out”, orthodontics can do wonders. Teeth can be moved into their proper position with braces, and in the case of missing teeth, replacements added to fill the space with an implant or bridge to improve aesthetics.

However, in some severe circumstances it may not be possible to bring a severely impacted tooth into position. Oral surgery may be indicated to remove the impacted tooth to prevent damage to adjacent teeth and also require an implant or bridge to correct the problem.

Next time you see a person with a gap in their smile; don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions. Now that you know what may be to blame, you can kindly direct them to contact our office for a complimentary consultation to find out how we can help them fill that space!

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Orthodontic Studies report 70 percent of the US population could benefit from having their teeth and jaws realigned with orthodontic treatment. Ancient ancestors had perfect teeth and bites, as evidenced by fossil records. Then, about 10,000 years ago, malocclusions (bad bites) seem to have become more prevalent. Why? Human growth patterns saw teeth and jaws fail to accommodate teeth and jaw development as different ethnic and genetic backgrounds began to live together and populate.

In many cases, a patient’s need for orthodontic treatment arises from inheriting teeth and jaws from one parent that do not fit properly into the teeth and jaw size inherited from the other parent. As a result, crowding or spacing of teeth may occur as well as over or underdeveloped upper and lower jaws that don’t fit together properly in a functional bite.

Over the centuries, these inconsistencies produced the need for orthodontic treatment and are more prevalent today than ever, especially in the United States. The US is the leader of the free world and a melting pot for many different nationalities, mixing genetic backgrounds from many countries throughout the world.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children be seen by the age of 8 for an orthodontic evaluation. Many adults, whose families couldn’t afford treatment as a child or didn’t want to wear braces, are now considering straightening their teeth to improve their appearance and long term dental health. Orthodontic treatment is quite common now among adults with many new treatment options available that are less visible such as Invisalign, the “braceless” alternative to straight teeth

Feel free to contact our office for a complimentary consultation. Dr. Fred Garrett and Dr. Rick Boyd will inform you whether you or your child could benefit from orthodontic treatment, best treatment recommendations available to correct the individual problem, how long treatment will take, and discuss payment options to work within your budget.

At Garrett and Boyd Orthodontics our goal is to help you create the smile you want and deserve for yourself or your child.

A few different men are generally credited as the “Fathers of Orthodontics.” One was Norman W. Kingsley, a dentist from New Jersey who wrote a “Treatise on Oral Deformities” in 1880 that laid the groundwork for much of what was to come. Another was J.N. Farrar, who was the first dentist to come up with the idea of somehow using force at timed intervals to move teeth. But the father of orthodontics deserving the credit is dentist Edward Angle, whose “Treatment of Malocclusion of the Teeth” was published in 1907 and made great strides in the field. In addition, Angle founded the School of Orthodontia in 1910 and went on to design several of the first orthodontic devices, such as the ribbon arch and the edgewise appliance.

Braces, in their most basic form, came into being in the 1920’s, when a New Orleans dentist named George Crozat invented the “Crozat Brace.” This device was made of wire soldered together, and could be taken out. The Crozat Brace was very popular for over 40 years, before being replaced in the 60’s by the “tin grin” metal bands that encircled each tooth and could not be removed. Eventually these metal bands were replaced by barely visible ceramic or metal brackets that attach to the fronts of the teeth. Also, space-age thermally activated wires replaced the old stainless steel arch wires.

The newest step forward is “Invisalign.” This “braceless” alternative to straight teeth is barely visible to the eye. They move teeth using a series of computer generated and removable aligners. With these advancements, patients don’t have to come into the office as often as they used to. Also, orthodontics appliances today are much more comfortable to wear, patients experience less discomfort, and treatment can be completed in a much shorter period of time. What’s more, adults account for about a quarter of all orthodontic patients today.

There is no need to be embarrassed if you are getting your teeth straightened no matter what the age; children, adolescent, teen, or adults later in life—you’re in good company! As you can see, much has changed in the world of orthodontics over the years. And at Garrett and Boyd Orthodontics, there’s never been a better time or easier way to have a beautiful grin! Call our office today to find out how we can help you achieve the new smile you deserve.

Underdeveloped growth or narrowing of the upper jaw is one of the major causes of crowding. If the upper jaw is too narrow, there is not enough room for all the permanent teeth to erupt, which results in crowding, crossbites, underbites, or an edge-to-edge bite. Different factors can lead to narrow upper jaw growth:
• Thumb sucking beyond the age of three or more
• Mouth breathing due to allergies or enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Tongue thrusting
• Family history

Although these problems may look harmless, they may have serious long-term consequences on aesthetics and both dental and physical health.
• Chewing of food is difficult and may cause digestive problems
• Speech may be affected resulting in emotional trauma
• Premature wearing of enamel on teeth requiring extensive dental care over a lifetime

Palatal expanders are often placed while a child is still growing. They are used to widen the upper jaw so that the upper teeth fit properly together out and over the lower teeth. The appliance is cemented in place on the upper teeth (usually molars) and patients and/or parents are taught how to advance the screw of the expander on a daily basis. The screw is expanded slowly to minimize discomfort. Once the palate is expanded to the correct width determined by your orthodontist, the patient is instructed to stop turning the screw. The appliance remains in place until the soft cartilage in the palate fills in. This entire process normally takes only 4 – 6 months, start to finish.

The appliance is then removed and a removable retainer is placed to maintain the expansion until most of the permanent teeth erupt. Palatal expanders will not prevent the need for braces when all the permanent teeth erupt, but often times will eliminate the need for extraction of permanent teeth to create space or invasive jaw surgery to correct the growth discrepancy after the jaws fully develop.

Early interceptive orthodontics by Dr. Rick Boyd or Dr. Fred Garrett using a palatal expander often makes the difference between a good orthodontic result and a great orthodontist when creating a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Please contact our office with any questions or to schedule a complimentary first examination to determine if your child would benefit from this type of treatment.

So you don't offend others with unsightly food caught on your braces, or to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, decalcification or discoloring of teeth and cavities, here are are five tooth brushing tips from Dr. Fred Garrett and Dr. Richard Boyd Jr. and our team for orthodontic patients to keep in mind while wearing braces:

1. There is more to brush than what you see. Most patients spend their time brushing the parts of their teeth and the braces they can see. However, it’s just as important to clean the inside areas of your teeth as well as the chewing surface of each tooth. Brush all surfaces inside, outside, along the top of the teeth and the gum line for best results. Watch this video on how to brush your teeth correctly with braces.
2. Make sure you spend enough time doing a good job. Did you know the ADA recommends you brush your teeth for approximately three minutes to do a good job… even if you aren’t wearing braces? At one point you may have received a three minute egg timer to time brushing from your dentist. It seems like the time will never end when watching the grains of salt flow to the bottom. Most popular songs today are approximately three minutes long. Listen to an ipod or radio while you are brushing instead of using a timer. If you start brushing at the beginning of a song… and stop when over… you can dance around for three minutes while brushing, without the time dragging.
3. Use dental floss often. Food is often trapped between teeth and flossing with braces is easier with a floss threader, especially when trying to thread the floss under your main wire. Watch this video on how to floss correctly. Dental floss threaders save time and are very easy to use once you get the hang of it. They are available in the toothbrush aisle in any grocery or drug store.
4. Be prepared. In order to brush after every meal you must be prepared. Always keep a toothbrush in your purse, backpack, or laptop case. The TOOB brush was designed with orthodontic patients in mind. It’s easy to use, you can refill it with your own toothpaste, and it travels anywhere.
5. Regular dental cleanings and checkups are still important. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. However, we recommend you visit your dentist regularly while wearing braces to eliminate any plaque you may have missed while brushing or using dental floss.

As unpleasant as it may be to think about, our mouths aren’t the cleanest places in the world. As food is eaten, the remnants left on teeth form a sticky substance known as plaque, which is full of bacteria. If you brush your teeth and flush regularly, most of this plaque is removed. (A quick word of caution about brushing: be gentle with your gums when you brush, because overly vigorous brushing can actually contribute to gum disease over time!) However, if you aren’t regular with your brushing and flossing, the plaque collects near the gum line and hardens into tartar, the next step on the road to gum disease. If your teeth are crooked or crowded, it may be too difficult to remove the plaque the way you should, and the tartar can develop in hard to reach places despite your best efforts. Regular dental cleanings are very important to remove any tartar that has built up for whatever reason, since brushing and flossing alone can’t take care of it.

If tartar is not dealt with, over a period of time the gums may actually pull away from the teeth. This movement creates a space called a periodontal pocket, which is seriously bad news. The extra room is a ready-made home for more plaque and tartar, which then becomes even more difficult to get rid of. At this point, if left untreated, your gums will become red and swollen, the telltale early signs of gum disease, also known as gingivitis. As gingivitis progresses, you can eventually suffer bone loss in your jaw. This, in turn, makes your teeth wobbly because they don’t have the support that they need to stay solidly in place. Eventually, they can even fall out, a fate no one wants.

Garrett and Boyd Orthodontics plays a special role in the prevention of gingivitis. Remember how crooked or crowded teeth can make the plaque and tartar difficult to get rid of? Orthodontics, which is a special branch of dentistry, can fix this problem. By straightening the teeth out and ensuring that they are spaced properly, brushing and flossing become more effective at removing plaque. This can be achieved through braces, retainers, and other corrective appliances according to each person’s individual need. If you have hard time fitting floss in between your teeth, you are probably a good candidate for orthodontics. Fortunately, healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there is no reason not to seek orthodontic treatment just because you’re an adult. In fact, about 1 in 4 orthodontic patients today are adults.

Dr. Fred Garrett and Dr. Richard Boyd Jr. and the Team at Garrett and Boyd Orthodontics are pleased to provide you with this helpful information and to offer you the finest state-of-the-art orthodontic care for you and your family. For more information, please visit our website or contact our office.

Almost everyone has at least a slight misalignment of the “midline” or center of our front teeth and our nose. For most people, it is so slight that it is barely noticeable. However, some people have a midline that does not appear to be halfway between the centers of the pupils of the eyes, affecting facial symmetry and overall appearance.

Another common problem with the upper front two teeth is called "diastema" or gap between teeth, as seen below on Madonna. This generally happens when there is an unequal relationship between the size of the teeth, which are too small, and the size of the jaw which is too big, resulting with a space between teeth. It can be very unattractive. If it is combined with a misaligned midline, it can be especially distracting to your appearance.

Tom Cruise opted for clear ceramic braces to help improve his appearance during treatment. He was not considered an Invisalign candidate, at the time, in 2002. However, in the past ten years there have been many improvements in the delivery of Invisalign treatment for patients looking to improve their appearance without wearing braces.

As one of Hollywood’s “beautiful people”, Cruise is constantly in the spotlight, and he made no effort to hide his braces during treatment. He was an inspiration to countless people considering orthodontic treatment who worry about how it would affect their jobs, social life, and appearance in the short term.

Concerned about your appearance when wearing braces to improve your smile? Contact Garrett and Boyd Orthodontics for a complimentary consultation to find out how we can help you determine the best orthodontic treatment options available to correct your problem. How would you feel about wearing braces? Leave your comments below. Would love to hear from you!