Here at Shine Orthodontics, we know you’ve worked hard to get your braces off. Now the time is finally here! That is, chances are that if you’re reading this, you’re either nearly finished with this phase of your treatment, or you’ve recently had your braces removed. 

Congratulations! Getting your braces off is a big step. Of course, now you’ve entered a whole new phase of your treatment. That’s right! You’re not totally off the hook! 

We asked Dr. McGrogan to lay down some of the typical steps necessary in caring for your teeth after getting your braces off, plus to lay down tips for what to expect. Read on to learn more! 

Step 1 – How does removal work? 

Your braces fit snugly in place on your teeth for months and years at a time. Luckily, they were also designed to come off easily once the time was right. Dr. McGrogan will simply loosen the brackets to the point they can be removed, after which she’ll buff off the remaining adhesive.

Step 2 – Manage any discomfort. 

You shouldn’t have to worry about too much pain associated with the removal of your braces. However, a little discomfort is totally normal. Feel free to take a simple over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage any pain. 

Step 3 – Retainer, Retainer, Retainer! 

Seriously. It’s all about your retainer after getting your braces off. Studies show that many patients discontinue retainer use after the first few months and that this is far and away the most common cause of further orthodontic difficulties down the road. 

You’ve worked hard over months or even years to get the best smile possible! Dr. McGrogan wants you to keep that smile, so be sure and get comfortable with that retainer! 

Let’s talk a little bit about maintaining your new best friend.

Caring for your retainer 

Your retainer is essential for maintaining alignment, so be sure and keep it clean and well-protected. You’ll want to wear your retainer at least 22 hours a day for the first six months or so, and have a high-quality cleaning fluid for it to soak in when it’s out. 

Be sure and avoid leaving your retainer near any major heat sources, as these can cause it to warp its shape and become less effective. 

It goes without saying, but be sure to keep your retainer safe when out of use. You should also consider having a backup on hand, just in case. 

Step 4 – Keep that smile clean!

Now that you’re out of braces, it’s time to ensure that you keep up a great habit of brushing in the morning and at night, as well as after snacks. 

You’ve been diligent so far, and now that the goal of your ideal smile is closer than ever, make sure to brush often and properly: use soft bristles at a 45-degree angle for at least 2 minutes at a time. Be sure and brush the insides of your teeth – just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t just as crucial for a healthy mouth! 

A new brush is a happy brush. Make sure you’re swapping your brush out every three months or so to keep things moving in the right direction. 

Step 5 – Come back and see us! 

Dr. McGrogan is thrilled to have helped you to this stage of your orthodontic journey. Your braces are off! But don’t forget to keep up with a regular schedule of check-ups and cleanings. 

Let’s keep that smile gleaming! An initial cleaning after removal is a great way to go, as there is a certain degree of expected plaque buildup during your treatment. You’ll probably want to come back about once every six months too.

Step 6 – How about a glow-up? 

Some patients choose to have a whitening procedure after getting their braces off. That’s A-Ok, and it can be a great way to offset some of the natural discoloration that is bound to occur during the braces process. Certain spots are just unreachable with them on, and here at Shine Orthodontics, we know you want to look your best. 

Just remember, your teeth will be a little sensitive in the first week or two after debonding, and a professional whitening could aggravate that sensitivity, so it’s best to wait a little while.  

We can’t wait to see you again! 

Dr. McGrogan and the team here at Shine Orthodontics are so proud of you! It was a long road, and it should be smooth sailing from here on in. Dr. McGrogan got into the practice because she cares about the people around him and wants to help them unlock their full potential – and that means you. We’re proud to put smiles on the faces of our friends and neighbors here in Holly Springs. Give us a call today, and let’s keep working together to brighten that beautiful smile! 

Here at Shine Orthodontics, we know you may have wondered, What do rubber bands do for braces? After all, it’s 2022! Is it really necessary to fool with a bunch of moving parts like that? 

Well, It turns out that Orthodontists aren’t just using any old rubber bands! Dr. McGrogan is an orthodontic expert, and she gave us a whole bunch of interesting info on the purpose, type, and function of orthodontic elastics (as they’re more properly referred to!). You don’t have to make an appointment to see us at our stylish downtown Holly Springs location to learn more. Just read on! 

What is Orthodontic Elastic? 

Orthodontic elastic refers to all of the rubber utilized by Dr. McGrogan in conjunction with the brackets and wires of traditional metal or ceramic braces. These can be broken into two distinct classes: Ligatures and Interarch Bands. 

Both bands are essential to your or your child’s orthodontic treatment plan, and each has a particular role.

Ligatures – What are they? What do they do? 

Ligatures are the most common type of orthodontic elastics used. Ligatures are the bands that fit in the spaces of the bracket itself and are used to hold the archwire in place at a consistent pressure. In fact, if you or your child has braces, whether traditional metal brackets or ceramic, those braces use ligatures. 

Ligatures are installed by Dr. McGrogan during your appointment and don’t come off between visits. She’ll usually replace one or two per session as needed since they will be subject to wear and gradual loosening. She’ll perform the replacement with a unique tool known as a Mathieu Plier. A total removal and replacement of the ligatures will mark different phases of your treatment plan. 

One fun extra with ligatures is that they can be ordered in custom colors! Just let Dr. McGrogan know, and she can deck you out in your favorite sports team’s colors, or maybe red and green for the holidays! 

Interarch Bands – The Ons and Offs. 

Interarch bands are what you may think of when you think of rubber bands for braces. These are removable bands attached to the brackets via a series of exterior hooks that run from the upper to the lower jaw. 

Interarch bands aren’t always necessary. If you or your child suffers from an over or underbite, then interarch bands may be required to correct it. Dr. McGrogan will determine if they’re right for you based on a treatment plan developed with your best orthodontic outcomes in mind. 

Dr. McGrogan can set the position of the interarch bands at specific points, depending on the type of bite problem. They are designed to be removed by the patient and should be taken out to brush and floss and, depending on direction, to eat. 

These are an essential part of many treatment plans, and when used correctly, they can drastically reduce the time required to fix your or your child’s smile and bite! 

Don’t Stretch Yourself! Call Us Today! 

Now that you have the 411 on orthodontic elastics, call us today to schedule a free consultation! You’ll love our modern downtown office, and you can’t miss us since a portion of our clinic is lit up in our signature blue and yellow! 

We can’t wait to introduce you to your best-looking smile! Call now! 

Here at Shine Orthodontics, we know there’s no better feeling than finally getting those braces off! Congratulations!

Now that your braces are off, it’s important to remember to take great care of your smile in the follow-up period. There’s some important stuff going on at this time, and you’ll want to know everything you can to ensure your success. 

We asked Dr. McGrogan to sit down with us and talk about how to maintain your perfect smile after braces. So read on, and we’ll get right to it! 

Step 1 – Always Wear Your Retainer

The American Orthodontists Association maintains that the single-most-important determining factor in long-term orthodontic treatment outcomes is diligent use and maintenance of retainers. 

However, they also report that irregular retainer use becomes more common as time goes on, with up to 19% of patients reported not using their retainer after 2 years.  

You’ve worked hard over months or even years to get the best smile possible! Dr. McGrogan wants you to keep that smile, so be sure and get comfortable with that retainer! 

Let’s talk a little bit about maintaining your new best friend.

Caring for your retainer 

Your retainer is essential for maintaining alignment, so be sure and keep it clean and well-protected. You’ll want to wear your retainer at least 22 hours a day for the first six months or so, and have a high-quality cleaning fluid for soaking when it’s not in use. 

Be sure and avoid leaving your retainer near any significant heat sources, as these can cause it to warp its shape and become less effective. 

Be sure to keep your retainer safe when out of use. Dr. McGrogan can supply you with a back-up in case of emergencies.  

Step 2 – Practice solid dental hygiene.

Now that you’re out of braces, it’s time to ensure that you keep up a great habit of brushing in the morning and at night, as well as after snacks. 

One essential aspect of post-braces orthodontic success is maintaining a solid schedule of foundational oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing regularly. 

For brushing: use a soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle for at least 2 minutes. Be sure and brush the insides of your teeth. These areas are often overlooked and essential for good oral health. 

The American Dental Association recommends you replace your brush once every three months for best results. 

Step 3 – Maintain a regular schedule of appointments.

Dr. McGrogan is thrilled to have helped you to this stage of your orthodontic journey. Your braces are off! But don’t forget to keep up with a regular schedule of check-ups and cleanings. 

Let’s keep that smile gleaming! An initial cleaning after removal is a great way to go, as there is a certain degree of expected plaque buildup during your treatment. You’ll probably want to come back about once every six months too.

Step 4 – Whitening 

Some patients choose to have a whitening procedure after getting their braces off. This is a popular option, and it can be a great way to offset some of the natural discoloration that is bound to occur during the braces process. Certain spots are just unreachable with them on, and here at Shine Orthodontics, we know you want to look your best. 

Just remember, your teeth will be a little sensitive in the first week or two after debonding, and a professional whitening could aggravate that sensitivity, so it’s best to wait a little while.  

Make your follow-up appointment today! 

At Shine Orthodontics, we’re proud of you for not only having finished your primary course of orthodontic care but also you took the time to read up on how to keep things moving in the right direction. Great job! 

Your next step should be to give us a call and schedule a follow-up. We’re grateful to be able to serve our community in the Holly Springs area, and that means you!  

At Shine, we never put the bottom line ahead of the individual. We know you don’t either, and we know that you’ll love your follow-up care at Shine Orthodontics. Call now!  

Have you been wondering if you could fix your overbite with Invisalign? The odds are in your favor these days, and your simple smile correction can likely be obtained without anyone ever knowing you are in treatment, to begin with. Many patients find that the corrections they would need to get their smile to their desired alignment aren’t significant enough to utilize traditional braces. This thinking can prolong your dissatisfaction with your smile and wear on your self-confidence, or worse– wear down your teeth’s enamel. 

Overbite correction accounts for up to seventy percent of dental disorders requiring orthodontic treatment. Though most patients choose the traditional bracket-and-wire style braces for these corrections, Invisalign treatment from the skilled team at Shine Orthodontics can fix your overbite without braces. Let’s get into the basics first.

Do I have an overbite?

Having teeth that are ‘crooked’ or gaps in your smile are typically obvious reasons to look into orthodontic treatment. But, what about bite issues? How do you know if your teeth meet properly? For some patients, pain that gets worse, not better, and enamel wear make it obvious, but for less significant overbites, you may not realize that is the underlying issue. 

An excessive overbite, called a deep bite, can be vertical or horizontal. With a vertical overbite, your top teeth significantly overlap your bottom teeth, whereas, with a horizontal overbite, your top teeth stick out in front of your bottom teeth. While these seem to be similar enough, your specific bite solution is determined by your particular “dental” or tooth placement issues, “skeletal” issues relating to your jaw, or a combination of the two. During your initial consultation, our experienced team will take x-rays and unique 3d mapping photos of your teeth and jaws to determine if your smile is a good candidate for treatment with Invisalign clear aligners. 

Typically, most people should have a slight overbite, which is simply when your upper front teeth overlap with your lower front teeth. We say “should” because having this slight malocclusion, or abnormal teeth alignment, gives your teeth and jaws space to meet and rest when chewing, speaking, and sleeping without causing unnecessary stress and wear on your enamel, gums, and bone. In comparison, if the upper jaw sits in a position that excessively overlaps the bottom jaw, an overbite is present and can affect your smile and your oral health. 

How can Invisalign clear aligners from Shine Orthodontics fix my overbite?

As with any personalized treatment, your exact path to overbite correction will depend on your specific situation. Thankfully, Shine Orthodontics offers a variety of treatment options, and Spark clear aligners are one of the most utilized options for more than just their inconspicuous aesthetic. Our depth of experience ensures we can treat even more complex cases by combining treatment methods or using special attachments for efficiency. 

Getting started with clear aligner treatment at Shine Orthodontics is easy. We use our high-tech digital scanner to take 3D images of your teeth and avoid the usual messy impressions most providers use. These scans provide a more accurate image of your teeth. Based on Dr. McGrogan‘s diagnosis and treatment plan, Spark then creates a series of clear, removable aligners that move the teeth gradually into position. Once you get your aligners, it is up to you to make sure you wear them as directed so there are no delays in your smile creation. 

One of the most noted facts about clear aligners is seeing the changes in your smile quickly and clearly since there are no brackets and wires to hide it all while it happens. Due to the cutting-edge technology and the weekly to biweekly series of aligners that make minor adjustments, you will notice significant changes in your smile within about three months. You will have checkups about every six to eight weeks to get your new sets of aligners and let our team check the progress of your teeth. These are generally quick appointments since there are no wires to adjust or brackets to repair. 

Can I afford clear aligner treatment?

At Shine Orthodontics, we provide exceptional value for a reasonable price. While costs vary depending on the complexity of your smile needs, we also believe healthy teeth and a beautiful smile should be within reach for everyone in Holly Springs. Dr. McGrogan and our experienced team will talk through the cost of your treatment with you, and go over each of your payment plan options, so you can make the best choice for your smile and your budget. 

We offer a paid-in-full discount, a flexible, in-office payment plan, and additional payment options through third-party financing. You deserve high-quality treatment and a confident smile, and we never want finances to get in the way. In most cases, clear aligners can cost about the same as you would pay for orthodontic treatment with traditional braces. Often, insurance will even cover much of the cost as they would with that conventional treatment. Our team is always here to help you with insurance benefits, claims, and paperwork to ensure you get the best options for your coverage. 

Overbite treatment with Shine Orthodontics and Invisalign is clearly a great choice!

Most problems just need a solid plan from a trusted professional, and we deliver outstanding results with an unforgettable experience. Our greatest goal is to give you healthy, straight, beautiful smiles, and it all starts with a FREE consultation at our convenient Shine Orthodontics office in Holly Springs, NC! From the moment you contact our office to your final retainer check appointment, we want you to leave our office after every appointment, knowing you got the best possible care!

Dr. McGrogan stays at the leading edge of orthodontic treatments and advancements and exceeds the state-mandated continuing education requirements. You can be confident that you’re getting the best and most current treatments. When it comes to the smile of your dreams, you want an expert team like ours helping you– not aligners that come in the mail!

Do you ever wonder if getting adult braces can give you the confident smile you’ve always wanted? Well, it’s never too late to benefit from orthodontic treatment. In fact, adults make up about one in five of all of our Shine Orthodontics patients. We are proud to be a part of creating generations of stunning smiles by utilizing our thorough understanding of facial development and tooth movement and the latest orthodontic treatment and braces technology. 

Dr. Rita McGrogan takes pride in providing smile straightening options that give the results you truly want without inconveniencing or disrupting your lifestyle. Choose aesthetic options like ceramic braces and Invisalign clear aligners or conventional metal braces for faster and more efficient tooth movement and faster treatment times. Forget all the reasons you’ve been putting off your confident smile, and see why you should start your adult smile journey with Shine Orthodontics today. 

Personalized Smile Service

We know the process of going to an orthodontist for treatment can be a little overwhelming, so you’ve probably looked into those mail-order aligners you’ve seen advertised lately. Don’t jump on the bandwagon just yet, though, it could cost you more in the long run. Your teeth are quite stubborn, and without knowing what’s actually going on below the gum line, you could spend time and money not getting the correction you were looking for, or worse, you could end up with more problems that could’ve been avoided with a simple examination and proper imaging. 

At Shine Orthodontics, we ensure your treatment is as custom and personalized as possible. From the initial examination, where we inspect your mouth and take digital scans and X-rays, to professional supervision every step of the way, you can be sure that your treatment is exactly what your mouth needs with no surprises. Whether you utilize only clear aligners like Invisalign, bracket and wire metal braces, or a combination of our options, your confident smile is worth the visit. 

Treatment Options for your needs

Think you’ll have to change up your lifestyle to get the smile of your dreams? Think again. Limited treatment options are a thing of the past, and our modern techniques and treatments mean you can continue being you while getting the most comfortable and effective smile transformation at the same time. Check out our treatment options!

Conventional Metal Braces

Metal or traditional braces have been around for many decades and are the original powerhouses of orthodontic treatment. Thanks to technological advancements in orthodontics, today’s metal braces are smaller, lighter, and much more effective at significant adjustment needs than their bulky predecessors. 

Traditional metal braces work by attaching a metal bracket to the front sides of your teeth and securing those brackets together with an archwire. This archwire is held on by elastic ties that come in various colors for ultimate personalization. Every 6-8 weeks, your orthodontist adjusts the archwire to create slight but precise tooth movement for the desired outcome.

Clear Braces

Clear braces are a more aesthetic option than traditional metal braces. This ingenious option works just like metal braces, except this method swaps the metal brackets for clear or tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic brackets, making them virtually undetectable. Many teen patients have even found that bright-colored elastic ties can create an almost neon effect that really pops! Ceramic braces offer patients a discreet treatment option, but they can sometimes be slightly more fragile and more expensive than metal braces. Because of this, Dr. McGrogan typically recommends them for older teens and adult patients.

Invisalign

Clear aligners like Invisalign have gained popularity in the last decade as technology has made them more inconspicuous, efficient, and budget-friendly. Similar to the post-braces retainer trays they evolved from, Invisalign clear aligners fit comfortably over your teeth and make minor adjustments over time for patients needing simple corrections as well as for patients who have mild to moderate dental problems like misaligned teeth, large overbite, no jaw alignment problems, or those who have gaps in their front teeth- an open bite. With this anonymous treatment option, your smile is the only thing they’ll see. 

Aesthetics and the confidence of a perfect smile

Your smile depends significantly on your teeth, and a crooked smile or misaligned bite can leave you feeling less confident when you speak or smile. You may notice you shy away from personal conversations and avoid having your photo taken only to give a less-than-thrilled, lips-only grin when you can’t escape. Orthodontic treatment with one of our many braces options can help correct crooked teeth or spaces you’ve been self-conscious about for years. 

And, believe it or not, your teeth don’t stop moving as you become an adult. Teeth that were once straight and aligned in youth can and often do shift later in life. This movement, combined with normal wear from eating and such, can lead to jaw pain, trouble brushing, difficulty chewing, or abnormal wear on the surface of your teeth.

Improved overall health

Here at Shine Orthodontics, we believe that the essence of good health is helping people feel good about themselves. Orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth. Orthodontics builds self-esteem and self-confidence and will:

• Help prevent or improve periodontal problems
• Help prevent or reduce further bone loss
• Improve the function of your teeth

Braces are instrumental in correcting misaligned teeth and other dental issues that can lead to other common health problems like headaches, jaw pain, digestion issues, and even sleep apnea. They also require a little extra cleaning and care, which means your mouth will get better overall attention and maintenance. Having straight teeth can make this cleaning much less tricky as there will be less space for plaque and bacteria to build up, decreasing your chances of cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease. 

Shine Orthodontics proudly serves children, teens, and adults!

Let your confidence shine with a smile from Shine Orthodontics in Holly Springs, North Carolina! From the moment you contact our office to your final retainer check appointment, our goal at Shine Orthodontics is your complete satisfaction- no matter your age or smile needs. We want you to leave our office after every appointment knowing that you got the best possible care. 

With many years of experience in providing customized treatment plans for each individual patient, our talented team is ready to help your smile shine bright! Schedule your FREE consultation and examination today to get started on your way to a confident smile!

When you have an issue with your eyes, you go to an optometrist.

When you experience foot pain, you go to a podiatrist.

And when you have a problem with your mouth, you go to the dentist.

Right?

That is not always the case, and our Shine Orthodontics team wants to clarify some common misconceptions about orthodontic treatment to ensure all smiles in the Holly Springs, NC, area are aligned and healthy! By trusting your treatment to the Shine Orthodontics team, you give us the privilege of getting to know you and your family while we invite you to join ours, no matter your age or reason for turning to orthodontic treatment. 

Dentists and Orthodontists are interchangeable.

While that is the most common misconception about orthodontics, it simply isn’t true that your dentist and your orthodontist are interchangeable. While many dentists may offer orthodontic treatment like braces and aligners, this doesn’t mean they are specially trained in dentofacial movements like an orthodontist. 

Dentistry is a broad medical field that focuses on the health of the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. They treat a wide variety of oral health issues and diseases, including cavities, tooth decay, and gum diseases like gingivitis. Your relationship with your dentist is very important. Attending regular dental appointments for cleanings and examinations can help prevent and catch problems before they become harmful or costly. Many dentists will refer you to an orthodontist when your oral health care can benefit from alignment corrections for aesthetic or functional concerns. 

Dr. Rita McGrogan is an orthodontist, but she is a dentist first. To practice orthodontics, our doctor spent more than ten years in training- four years of undergraduate school, four years of dental school, and an extra two years of orthodontic residency. During this residency, students like Dr. McGrogan learn the skills needed to manage tooth movement and guide facial development. If you are looking for foundational oral health maintenance, trust your dentist. But, if you need specialized orthodontic care, you can trust that Dr. McGrogan stays at the leading edge of orthodontic treatments and advancements, exceeding the state-mandated continuing education requirements. You can be confident that you’re getting the best and most current treatment options.

Orthodontic treatment is just for kids.

The belief that creating a stunning smile with orthodontic treatment is just for kids may be the longest-running misconception out there. You’re never too old to benefit from a straight smile and an aligned bite. At Shine Orthodontics, adults make up about one in every five of our patients, and the reasons for choosing treatment vary for each. 

Aesthetics

Your self-esteem depends significantly on your teeth and jaws– a crooked smile or misaligned bite can leave you feeling less confident when all eyes are on you. It can cause some people to shy away from personal conversations and give a half-grin for photos instead of letting their true personality shine. Orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth; often, it’s life-changing.

Functionality

The space between your teeth, the position of your teeth in your gums, the alignment of your top and bottom teeth– these all need to be in an optimal position to ensure you can maintain your oral hygiene without much hassle, chew, and speak uninhibited, and breath properly when you sleep. Letting issues like these persist can lead to many other health concerns, but you don’t have to suffer through them forever. Orthodontics can restore your ability to live as you like, even if you’ve been through treatment in the past. 

Orthodontic treatment options are limited to just braces.

Limited treatment options are a misconception of times passed and should not be the reason you are avoiding your best smile. Dental technology is always improving, and you’ll always get the most comfortable and effective treatments at Shine Orthodontics. 

Invisalign

Clear aligners like Invisalign have gained popularity in the last decade as technology has made them more inconspicuous, efficient, and budget-friendly. Similar to the post-braces retainer trays they evolved from, Invisalign clear aligners fit comfortably over your teeth and make minor adjustments over time for patients needing simple corrections as well as for patients who have mild to moderate dental problems like misaligned teeth, large overbite, no jaw alignment problems, or those who have gaps in their front teeth- an open bite. With this anonymous treatment option, your smile is the only thing they’ll see. 

Invisalign for Teens

Here at Shine Orthodontics, we also offer Invisalign for Teens. This adolescent aligner option places an inconspicuous dot on the back of the aligners to help keep your teen accountable for their time wearing them. It also provides extra space for molars that have yet to erupt. 

Clear Braces

Clear braces are an up-and-coming option similar to conventional metal braces. This ingenious option works just like metal braces, except this method swaps the metal brackets for clear or tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic brackets, making them virtually undetectable. Many teen patients have even found that bright-colored elastic ties can create an almost neon effect that really pops!

Metal braces are known for their durability and strength. Ceramic braces are also tough, but they are made from a different, more fragile material that is more likely to chip or crack. Traditional braces are also better at tolerating pressure than newer ceramic ones.

Conventional Metal Braces

Metal or traditional braces have been around for many decades and are the original powerhouses of orthodontic treatment. Thanks to technological advancements in orthodontics, today’s metal braces are smaller, lighter, and much more effective at significant adjustment needs than their bulky predecessors. 

Traditional metal braces work by attaching a metal bracket to the front sides of your teeth and securing those brackets together with an archwire. This archwire is held on by elastic ties that come in various colors for ultimate personalization. Every 4-8 weeks, your orthodontist adjusts the archwire to create slight but precise tooth movement for the desired outcome. 

Don’t let misconceptions make you frown- Shine Orthodontics has the facts to make you smile!

Orthodontic treatment is an important decision, but it doesn’t have to be a confusing one.  Shine Orthodontics is your Holly Springs location for modern orthodontic treatment for all ages. We are committed to ensuring you have treatment options and understand how they can benefit your life, so there are no obstacles to seeing your best smile shine!

From the moment you contact our convenient Holly Springs office to your final retainer check appointment, our goal at Shine Orthodontics is your satisfaction! We offer the latest technology so you have a wide range of safe and gentle treatment options and get the custom care you deserve.

Now that we have cleared things up, what are you waiting for? Schedule your FREE consultation with our compassionate team of orthodontic experts today and start your smile journey!

Have you heard of a gummy smile? Whether you were lucky enough to grow into a perfectly straight smile or utilized the myriad of innovative orthodontic treatment options available to achieve that award-winning grin, if you have a gummy smile, you are likely very aware of it. Even the most perfect alignment can lose some aesthetic points when your gum-to-tooth ratio is unbalanced. So, what causes a gummy smile, and can it be fixed?

At Shine Orthodontics, we are proud to offer many different treatment options so you can get straighter teeth and a nicer-looking smile you can be proud to show off! Understanding the difference between treatment options is important to ensure your goal and your comfort during your treatment are aligned from the beginning. Let’s take a closer look at what causes a gummy smile and what our experienced team in Holly Springs, NC, can do to alleviate it. 

What is a “Gummy” smile?

The technical term for a gummy smile is ‘excessive gingival display,’ which basically means more gums are showing above your upper teeth, either across a few teeth or the whole upper smile, than is common in most healthy adults. This imbalance is typically harmless, but it can make your upper teeth or lip appear too small, making some people feel self-conscious. For other patients, a gummy smile can indicate a deeper problem concerning their oral health. Dr. McGrogan and her caring team believe that if you love your gummy smile, there is no reason to change your appearance. However, if your gums cause you to smile less than you’d like or you are concerned you may have something else going on with your smile, schedule some “chair time” with Dr. McGrogan to get a plan together and get smiling again!

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

There are many causes for excessive gingival display, which makes calling it a “gummy smile” a bit deceptive. Your gums, teeth, lips, and jaw are all contributing factors to how much of your gums show when you smile. Studies also show that women are twice as likely to have a gummy smile than men. Most of the credit for your gum appearance can be given to your genetics for each of those elements but sometimes, how we take care of our teeth can lead to an improper bite, inflammation, and wear, which can all lead to your mouth compensating with excess gums.

For patients who seem to have a good balance between tooth size and gum amounts, your gummy smile is most likely caused by a hyperactive upper lip. This over-activity happens when the muscles in the upper lip and under the nose are stronger and more reactive than they should be. The repeated overuse can make the gummy smile more and more noticeable over time. 

The most common cause of a gummy smile is simply too much gum tissue. When your teeth erupt from the jawline, the gums are stimulated to allow for growth and to create stability for the tooth. In some cases, the gum tissue can overgrow past the necessary point creating an unfavorable look that doesn’t affect the functionality of your teeth or jaws. With all of these possibilities for ending up with a gummy smile, what can be done to fix it?

Can a gummy smile be fixed?

In order to fix your gummy smile, Dr. McGrogan and her skilled team will need first to determine the underlying cause of your excessive gum or their exposure. The most common treatment options for a gummy smile are:

Scaling & Root Planing

For patients whose gum excess is caused by infected and inflamed gums, the best course of treatment is to start with a professional deep cleaning or scaling and root planing. This advanced process allows our ortho team to reach the deep pockets in the gums that are harboring bacteria to clear out the infection and help your gums heal. Once healed, the inflammation will also recede to reveal your appropriate tooth appearance. 

Gum Lift or Crown Lengthening

If your excess gums are just that- excess gum tissue covering the teeth, a basic gum lift and contouring can give you the best results for your smile. During this procedure, some of the gum tissue is removed, and the remaining tissue is restructured for the desired gum shape at the new gum line. This procedure is commonly performed with crown lengthening when there is an abundance of gum tissue due to the tooth not erupting fully. With crown lengthening, the bone at the base of the tooth is also altered to make the tooth appear longer.

Lip-Lowering Surgery or Botox

Ever had your ears lowered? Just as deceptive as referring to a haircut as ear-lowering, lip-lowering doesn’t actually involve lowering your lip. Instead, in lip-lowering surgery, a small portion of gum tissue under the upper lip is removed, and the top and bottom of this spot are stitched together to make the lip appear shorter. This “shorter” lip will not rise as high as it used to and will cover the gums more.

In comparison, some patients have found that a precise amount of Botox placed in the right spots in the gums of the upper lip can create the same effect without a permanent removal of the tissue. 

Orthodontic Appliances

If your gummy smile is caused by a bad bite, such as an overbite that causes your top front teeth to protrude, resulting in excessive gums, orthodontic appliances like Invisalign clear aligners or even metal or clear braces can help. When your teeth are correctly aligned, the gums will appear more balanced during functioning, like smiling, laughing, and talking.

Let Shine Orthodontics fix your gummy smile so you can really smile!

We know you might feel self-conscious about other parts of your appearance, but a gummy smile is not something you have to get used to! Schedule your free, no-pressure consultation so Dr. Rita McGrogan can go over your options so that together we can make the right decision for you and your mouth!

We take pride in creating bright smiles while making you smile! If you want outstanding results and an unforgettable experience, come visit your local orthodontist Dr. Rita McGrogan and her stellar Holly Springs team!

Cleaning pieces of food from around brackets, remembering to wear your clear aligners properly, and the many appointments for adjustments. These tasks might sound like distant memories of the time you took to align and adjust your perfect smile many years ago. However, many adults find themselves considering old routines to treat their orthodontic relapse in their current life. While we can’t change your past experiences with orthodontic treatment, our team at Shine Orthodontics has helped countless adult patients feel more confident, healthier, and happier using the latest and most innovative retreatment options that will have you smiling throughout the process. 

Your teeth can move your whole life. It doesn’t matter if they started perfectly straight or if you had previous orthodontic treatment to achieve that ideal alignment. They are shifting ever so slightly each day until one day they have adjusted enough to become noticeable, at least to you, change in your appearance. Whether it’s been a year or ten, orthodontic relapse is bound to happen. Dr. McGrogan will help you realign your smile and restore your confidence without sacrificing your time, money, or lifestyle. Keep reading to retreatment options from Shine Orthodontics and ways to prevent retreatment after your desired smile!

What is Orthodontic Relapse?

There’s no easy way to say it- teeth are stubborn. It’s not just the enameled-covered tooth that is adjusted when undergoing orthodontic treatment. The roots of the tooth are manipulated, the gums must be corrected, and even the jaw bones are often moved in specific ways to complete your ideal bite and smile alignment. Jaw correction and teeth straightening do not happen overnight; some patients require years to complete treatment based on the severity of their misalignment. It can be frustrating to find that your previously perfectly positioned teeth have shifted a few months or even years post-treatment. This movement is called orthodontic relapse and is what causes as many as one in five adults to seek out orthodontic treatment.

Causes of Orthodontic Relapses

Orthodontic treatment does as much as possible to permanently change your smile, but it simply can’t correct the ligaments that connect your teeth to your jaw bone. Often, these ligaments start pulling and moving teeth after your treatment is complete, causing them to shift back into pre-treatment positions. The following are the most common causes of orthodontic relapse:

Incomplete Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment requires commitment if you want to achieve the desired outcome. There may be changes in the teeth or gums that can directly affect the result of treatment, so it’s essential to show up to every appointment and not rush the process or your orthodontist. The most common reason for most relapse cases is incomplete treatment, including not wearing your retainers as directed. This step is still part of your personalized treatment plan from your orthodontist. 

Bruxism and Tooth Loss

Patients suffering from chronic tooth grinding, or bruxism, place a lot of stress on their teeth, and this continuous force and movement can lead to shifting to allow for the unnatural bite. Wearing your retainer or a mouthguard can mitigate many of the adjustments caused by grinding your teeth. 

Trauma, tooth decay, and gum disease like gingivitis can lead to tooth loss or teeth needing to be removed entirely. With the extra space in your gums, the surrounding teeth will begin to shift and lead to misalignment of the teeth and bite. The best way to avoid this type of relapse is simply to maintain good oral hygiene habits before, during, and after orthodontic treatment. 

Bad Habits and Noncompliance

Our compassionate team here at Shine Orthodontics knows how busy life can get and how easy it can be to forget to brush your teeth or overindulge in the things we know don’t benefit us. While not brushing your teeth one night before bed won’t cause your smile to suddenly misalign, getting into bad habits like not flossing regularly, eating hard sugary candies, smoking, and missing dental appointments can cause the damage that can lead to relapse and your need for retreatment. Poor oral health can also lead to gum problems that cause erosion of tooth enamel and even tooth loss, as previously discussed. 

Retreatment Options

While an orthodontic relapse may not be an emergency, consult your orthodontist soon after you notice the shifting or misalignment. Sometimes, our Shine Orthodontics team will monitor your teeth’s movement as you get back in the habit of wearing your retainer, and those teeth fall back in line. Some patients stop using their post-treatment retainer because their teeth have shifted just enough for their retainer to no longer fit. For these patients, we can prescribe new retainers with a basic scan of your teeth’ current position to get you back on track. Patients with severe shifting benefit best from often brief retreatment with one of the following standard options.

Metal Braces

Though they have been around the longest, they have come a long way over the decades. Todays’s metal braces are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than ever.

Clear Braces

Using the same technology as metal braces, clear braces swap the metal brackets for clear or tooth-colored ceramic, making them much less noticeable than their traditional counterparts. Some patients even like using colored elastics with clear braces to give them a neon glow that matches their personality.

Invisalign

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening your teeth. It uses a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you, much like your retainers from your previous orthodontic treatment. These aligners will gently move your teeth little by little, based on the exact movements Dr. McGrogan plans for you, without anyone knowing it’s happening. 

No matter your “Why,” – Ask Shine Orthodontics, “How?” for your Retreatment 

After all the hard work and dedication you’ve put into your smile over the years, you deserve to be able to let it shine for years to come! Don’t hide it; let Shine Orthodontics show you how easy it can be to realign your smile and confidence. Most patients find that retreatment times are often far quicker than anticipated, so schedule your FREE consultation with our expert team in Holly Springs, NC, today to get your retreatment started!

It’s official! Summer is finally here, which means warm weather, cool drinks, and lots of photos to remember the good times with friends and family. Between the vacations, staycations, and every selfie station in-between, there’s no way you won’t be smiling through all the good times summer brings! But with that smile can come some apprehension and anxiety that your teeth may not be as straight as you’d like them to be.

Each year around this same time, our office in Holly Springs, NC, begins to buzz with patients looking to get that supreme summer smile as quickly as possible. While we may not be able to make your smile perfect by the time that first photo opportunity that pops up, our skilled team at Shine Orthodontics has an innovative option, Invisalign, that will undoubtedly lead to big summer smiles.

Don’t let insecurity keep you from living your best life this summer. Check out how you can get your summer smile with Invisalign.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. They are virtually undetectable, so hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your smile during those summer selfie sessions. Combining advanced 3D technology with the century-old science of orthodontics, Dr. Rita McGrogan constructs a plan utilizing Invisalign aligners to move your teeth in small steps to the final position for your perfect smile.

Why choose Invisalign for your summer smile?

Like your summer bucket list, there are certainly plenty of options for orthodontic treatment available these days, and it can be challenging to be sure you’re making the right choice. Rest assured, the solution to getting your summer smile without sacrificing any of your summer fun lies in the benefits you’ll find with Invisalign treatment. 

Comfort and Appearance

Invisalign is much more comfortable than traditional metal bracket braces and can give you stunning results you can see unobstructed in real-time. Unlike metal braces, the smooth Invisalign aligners don’t have metal components that can irritate your mouth. They are made with clear acrylic that is custom-fitted from photos and x-rays your orthodontist took to create a 3D image of your mouth, making them practically invisible. If that’s not a reason to start smiling this summer, we don’t know what is.

Flexibility

Deciding which summer treat to eat shouldn’t come down to which foods you can or can’t eat during your orthodontic treatment. Thankfully, being a removable appliance, Invisalign is designed to be removed when you eat or drink anything more than water so go for the corn on the cob and the sugary treats. Just be sure to brush and floss your teeth well before putting your Invisalign clear aligners back in your mouth.  

The ability to remove your aligners certainly makes brushing and flossing an easier task than those pesky brackets and wires of conventional braces. Lookout bacteria; you can’t hide with Invisalign. Talk about summer lovin’!

Treatment time

The typical time can be between three and eighteen months, depending on your circumstances. While this doesn’t add up to perfectly straight teeth this summer, you will likely see a significant change rather quickly. The time it takes to perfect your smile is based on the complexity of your adjustments and your lifestyle and wearing habits. Following all of your orthodontist instructions will ensure you see your results the fastest.

Who can benefit from Invisalign?

Regardless of age or background, anyone can enjoy the benefits of Invisalign clear aligners. Invisalign may not be recommended for some complex alignment or bite issues or those with bridgework. Your orthodontist can advise you about what options are best for you. 

Invisalign for adults

Adults make up about 20 percent of all orthodontic treatment patients. This can be surprising, considering many adults skip orthodontic treatment because they worry that metal braces are too noticeable. Adults can go about their lives without feeling like anyone is paying extra attention to their teeth. And because your appointments only consist of checking your progress and not adjusting wires or fixing loose brackets, they will be fewer and faster so you can get back to enjoying your summer. 

Invisalign for Teens

While not much different from standard Invisalign for adults, Invisalign for Teens has a couple of added bonus features to make your teen’s orthodontic experience with Invisalign much more successful. Shine Orthodontics teen patients will have a unique compliance indicating dot applied to their back teeth by their orthodontist. This dot will change colors based on how often the aligners are worn to allow our team to help hold teens accountable for their part of their smile journey.

Because teens are still growing, their mouths and jaws are also still growing. To account for this growth during treatment, Invisalign for Teens adds eruption tabs to hold space for molars to grow in without disrupting any smile progress.

Is Invisalign affordable?

When it is time to budget for a vacation, the cost of orthodontic treatment shouldn’t keep you from that summer adventure of a lifetime. At Shine Orthodontics, we understand that every patient’s needs are different. Many factors determine the cost of Invisalign treatment. In most cases, the cost is comparable to traditional braces and covered by most dental insurance plans.

We also offer financing options to make Invisalign more affordable for your family. The Shine Orthodontics team is here to answer any questions regarding financing, payment plans, and insurance claims and help you get started on the path to the perfect smile.

Don’t let summer pass you by without seeing how Shine Orthodontics can help you smile!

Invisalign treatment is ideal for busy patients in Holly Springs and the surrounding areas because there are never any emergency appointments from broken wires or brackets. Fewer appointments and less “chair time” means more time for fun in the sun and plans in the sand. 

You should be able to participate in all that summer has to offer and have the confidence to show up and flash your biggest smile for all those Kodak moments you will encounter. Get in touch with our team of experts today to see how you can get your summer smile with Invisalign and Shine Orthodontics.