The Rad Orthodontics Blog

“Am I Too Old for Braces?”

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:51:29 +0000

Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

“What Should I Expect During My Initial Consultation?”

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:10:38 +0000

Great question! When you first come in for your initial consultation we will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.
Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. We will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help us when examining your diagnostic records).
At your second appointment, we will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that we can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.
If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand the doctor’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment.

Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, from Rad Orthodontics

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 01 May 2012 09:00:29 +0000

At Rad Orthodontics, we know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a consultation with Drs. Mehdy and David Rad. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood?

We invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation or ask us on Facebook!

“Hey, Dr. Rad! Any truth to those rumors about braces?”

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:52 +0000

Trust us when we say Dr. Mehdy Rad and team know there are many, many myths about orthodontics flying around these days. You’ve probably heard about a few of them, but before you buy into those myths, we think think you should get the facts! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight (no pun intended). Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Rad Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

At Rad Orthodontics, access to your patient account 24/7

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:30 +0000

Did you know patients at Rad Orthodontics in both our College Park and Potomac locations enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week? It’s true! Through our website, you can look up your appointment times and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders with Dr. Rad through email or text messages!

You may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the “Patient Login” button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Have a great rest of the week!

Spring is here! Does Dr. Rad have your current contact info?

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:00:07 +0000

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week, from all of us at Rad Orthodontics.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:02:18 +0000

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

Patient question: “Why do I need a braces adjustment so often?”

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:33:20 +0000

When you have braces, your wires will need to be replaced with new ones regularly. It is the slow, steady pressure placed on your teeth that move them into their desired positions, so these adjustments are a vital aspect of your treatment. We have set out a specific treatment plan to achieve your optimal results, and keeping up with your appointments will allow your treatment to be completed in the predicted amount of time.

Scheduling your adjustments sooner than planned may result in more pain and discomfort, because your teeth haven’t been allowed to settle into their new positions properly. Skipping appointments or scheduling them farther apart will result in a much longer treatment time. Visiting our office regularly will also allow us to answer any questions you may have, check for damaged appliances, and monitor your progress.

You and rubber bands, from Dr. Rad

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:00:24 +0000

Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Dr. Rad has prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. Dr. Rad will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful!

Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile.

Play it safe this spring, from Rad Orthodontics

mynetworks0486@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:38:07 +0000

Spring is almost upon us, and our staff at Rad Orthodontics wants you, our valued young patients, to stay safe on the field. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, say children up to 14 years old account for 80 percent of all sports-related emergency room visits. Here are five tips to save face while having fun this spring.

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities, says Dr. Rad. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our team at Rad Orthodontics. Stay safe!