Clearly Different

Typically when we think orthodontics, we think traditional metal braces. And while technology has made many advances in traditional braces…there more options for achieving the smile you have always dreamed of, and there's an option that is CLEARLY different

The Invisalign System straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It's virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you're straightening your teeth.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using custom-made aligners created for you and only you. These aligners are smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible. And wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Dr.Wilmot has planned out for you.

There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete.

More adults are seeking orthodontic treatment, and it's not hard to figure out why. Appliances that are barely noticeable have been developed to give adults more discreet choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. With the Invisalign System, you’ll achieve a great smile with little disruption in your daily life.

Check out these results from our patients

Did you know…
Only an orthodontist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign. Invisalign is not intended for children and is not appropriate for every adult. Only an orthodontist can determine if this treatment is an effective option for you. To see if Invisalign can help you achieve the smile you've always wanted, contact us to make an appointment today.

Be Kind To Your Braces

Braces are used as a treatment to bring out your best smile. And with that comes a lot of changes to your mouth including your daily oral hygiene activities and eating habits.

While you have braces you will want to avoid certain types of foods…basically anything sticky, chewy, hard and crunchy. Here’s a list of treats you will need to avoid during your braces treatment:

• Gum
• Hard Candy
• Sticky Candy
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Ice
• Taffy
• Hard Chips
• Carrots
• Apples
• Hard/Thick Bread
• Large/Hard Pretzels
• Corn on a cob

It is important to not consume these foods, because eating anything sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy can damage your braces which could make your treatment longer than expected.

We want you to have the best experience during your treatment. So…here’s a list of great foods you can enjoy while wearing braces.

• Dairy - pudding, soft cheeses
• Breads – sliced lunch bread, soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts, biscuits
• Grains – noodles, pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Meats/poultry - soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood - fish w/o bones, tuna, salmon, crab and crab cakes
• Vegetables - mashed potatoes, peas, yams, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits - applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats - ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, smoothies, Jell-O, cake
• Other – eggs, hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, beans and much more

Remember with braces, always be mindful of what you are eating, the wrong food can lead to a sooner than expected visit to our office.

Learning to Love Your New Smile

Every relationship takes work, even the relationship between you and your Braces.

You and your braces will become besties over the upcoming months.  There will be some bad days, but there will be good days too. And if you stick with it and work through those bad days, the good days will be that much better.

To prevent any ill feelings between you and your braces we recommend...

Avoiding sticky or hard foods. You don’t want to do anything that could cause your bestie harm. And even though it may seem like the best foods are the foods that are sticky and/or hard…sticky or hard foods can break a bracket or wire.

Chewing with your back teeth. Taking a large bite of food with your front teeth can leave your braces vulnerable to damage. Cut large foods into pieces and use your back teeth to chew.

Flossing. We know that it can be a pain to floss around your braces…your braces may even fight you on it.  But flossing is the best way to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. If you find flossing with braces difficult, don’t give up on it. There are tools that can help. Ask us about Floss Threaders. Floss Threaders definitely make flossing with braces much easier.

Smoothing things over. When you first get your braces, sore spots may develop on your cheeks. To protect your cheeks, place wax on the bracket or wire. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day is also very soothing to your gum and cheek tissues. Don’t worry…the soreness from your braces won’t last long, so try your best not to get mad at your braces. 

You and your braces will go through a lot together. When all is said and done, you’ll smile at yourself in the mirror one day, remembering your braces fondly and you'll know that the relationship was totally worth it.

To learn more about your braces to get more comfortable visit the Patient Education section of our website jjwilmot-ortho.com.

Healthy Teeth Make Smiles Beauitful

You just got your braces on and you have been keeping your regularly scheduled orthodontic appointments, so why oh why would you still need to visit your Dentist?

Orthodontists and dentists specialize in different things, but work as a team for you and your oral health. Dr. Wilmot is not in charge of cleaning your teeth or checking for cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. And because it is much more difficult to keep your mouth clean while appliances and wires are in place…you still need to see your dentist every six months. That means twice a year you should be attending scheduled dentist appointments.

Having braces provides additional nooks and crannies where food particles and bacteria can hide. Plaque and tartar can form around your brackets and bands which can lead to cavities. Having your teeth professionally cleaned can help ensure that plaque and tartar are removed.

Visiting your dentist regularly will also help protect your teeth from decalcification. Decalcification is a condition in which white spots form on your tooth surfaces and decalcification is irreversible.

So without regular dental examinations and necessary treatment, it is possible to end up with straight teeth and good bite, but with decayed teeth and unhealthy gums. And who wants that?

Remember…You can still get cavities when you are wearing braces so always brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to floss daily.

Please visit our Oral Hygiene page for more information on what it is you need to be doing to maintiain your healthy smile