Rangewood Orthodontics Blog

The Damon System

2011-03-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

Dr. Watts and Dr. Paulus, at Rangewood Orthodontics, use the Damon System and only the Damon System. Many hours have been spent gaining experience and perfecting this system.

The Damon System is not just about revolutionary braces and wires, it's a whole new way of treating patients. Traditional treatment often requires removal of healthy teeth and/or the use of palatal expanders to make space. This approach is often uncomfortable, takes longer, and can leave a narrower arch and a flat profile. Damon smiles are full, natural 10-tooth smiles achieved with light biologically-sensible forces, and are specifically designed to improve the overall facial result of each patient.

Braces are the beginning, but the system makes the smile.

Doctors that use the Damon System combine three key components, which when used together, deliver faster treatment, fewer appointments, greater comfort, and consistent high-quality results:

Damon passive self-ligating braces that eliminate the need for elastic or metal "ties". With Damon tie-less braces you can experience treatment without tightening.
Light high-technology shape-memory wires that move teeth faster and require fewer adjustments.
A new clinically proven treatment approach that aligns your teeth and enhances your facial aesthetics—usually without extractions or rapid palatal expanders.

Traditional braces on the left are tied in with elastics, which cause friction and pressure, making treatment slower and less comfortable. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the wire, which allows teeth to move more freely, quickly and comfortably.

Damon braces are designed to be discreet, comfortable and easy to keep clean. Without the elastic ties which attract and collect plaque, Damon braces make dental hygiene easy during treatment. Plus the Damon System is available in clear brackets for those image conscious patients.

Give Kids A Smile®

2011-03-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

Each year on the first Friday in February, thousands of the nation's dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country.

Rangewood Orthodontics has educated over 900 children from 6 schools in the Colorado Springs and Monument area.

The ADA's Give Kids A Smile® program enhances the oral health of large numbers of needy children. Give Kids A Smile activities also highlight for policy makers the ongoing challenges that low-income families face in finding dental care. Find a program today!

What is a Board Certified Orthodontist?

2011-03-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an American Dental Association accredited graduate program in the specialty of orthodontics. A dentist who graduates from a specialty program becomes an orthodontic specialist who is eligible to become board certified through the voluntary examination process of The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). Involvement in the certification process is a demonstration of the orthodontist's pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence.

The certification process involves a thorough Written Examination covering all areas of information on which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful passage allows the orthodontist to present treated cases which will be evaluated by expert examiners of the Board during a Clinical Examination. Certification is now awarded for a time-limited period and the orthodontist must re-examine on a periodic basis to retain the board certified status.

Orthodontic specialists who are current Diplomates of The American Board of Orthodontics can be found at Find an ABO Diplomate.

Identifying a Diplomate of the ABO

Always verify the certifying board when an orthodontist does not provide this information. The ABO is the only certifying board recognized by the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association. An orthodontist certified by the ABO may use these logos:

Invisalign for Adults & Teens

2011-03-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

Rangewood Orthodontics provides Damon braces and Invisalign.

Choosing to straighten your teeth is a big decision that affects not only your appearance, but your lifestyle as well. As an adult, you may be looking to improve on your smile for business or social reasons. Or perhaps you're a teen or the parent of a teen hoping to make the best of an inevitable situation. Either way, Invisalign can provide a simple way to accomplish this.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you simply wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You simply pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete and you achieve the confident smile that you've always wanted. The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth.

® INVISALIGN.COM 2011

Orthodontic Diet Chart

2011-02-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

ORTHODONTIC DIET CHART

Foods that cannot be cleaned off the braces may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. Even though our braces and wires are metal, they are fragile and are usually damaged by eating the wrong foods, thus taking us longer to finish your treatment and sometimes leading to compromised results.

Absolutely No

Sticky Foods Caramels, salt water taffy, candy apples, gummy bears, toffee, licorice, Tootsie rolls, or anything sticky!

Hard Foods Hard candy, nuts, pretzels, pizza crust, popcorn, corn on the cob, ice(even to suck)

Any and all bulky foods (vegetables, subs, steak, chicken, etc) are cut into small pieces. Anything still hard, even in a small piece, should not be eaten.

DO NOT CHEW ON PENS, PENCILS OR FINGERNAILS!

Remember, too many broken appliances will hurt your treatment!

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO BRACE PROBLEMS

Problem Home Solution

Loose Bracket If band or bracket is still attached to wire, leave it in place. If it is uncomfortable, place wax on it, or if you think you can, unhook it from the wire. If it comes out completely, bring it to your next appointment.

Loose Wire Try to place the wire back in place either with your fingers or tweezers. If that is not possible, clip the wire with nail clippers right behind the last tooth with a brace on it. If any discomfort results from poking, place either wax or already chewed gum (only sugarless) on it.

Poking Wire Try to push the wire in with a spoon or eraser, or if not possible, Place wax or chewed gum on it as a cushion.

Brushing with Braces

2011-02-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

Let's face it, getting your kids excited about brushing and flossing isn't easy. But it's important that they learn to properly care for their teeth, especially if they're in braces. Proper brushing and flossing can help avert tooth discoloration when braces come off. Additionally, food particles that get stuck in braces can cause cavities if they're not brushed or flossed away. Get your kids cleaning like pros by using these simple tips from the AAO.

Make it a routine. The best way to get your kids brushing is to get them on a schedule. Form a habit by urging them to brush and floss their teeth at the same time every day. Stick to this schedule like glue, and your kids will never skip an appointment with their toothbrush or "forget" to floss again.

Try an egg timer. Brushing isn't labor intensive, but it can seem that way to your kids. Make sure they spend enough time on their teeth by investing in an egg timer. Set it for a few minutes and have them brush until it buzzes. Add a fun or quirky timer to the mix, and the minutes will fly by. We found a cute version online shaped like a LEGO mini-figure head (available on the LEGO Web site. His face even changes as the timer rotates!). Simpler versions are available just about anywhere, or you can try a sand timer from an old board game if you're in a pinch.

Brush together. Brushing with your kids lets you demonstrate good habits first hand. Plus, you're there to help if things get tricky (flossing can be hard for small children!). Make it a fun, family experience by playing a short song while you brush. It helps keep track of time, and you can experiment brushing to the rhythm of different songs.

Don't overdo the toothpaste. Minty toothpaste is fine for adults, but some flavors may be harsh on small children's taste buds. Go light on the amount of toothpaste your child is using (aim for an amount the size of a pea), or buy children's toothpaste, which tastes less intense.

Roam the oral health care aisle. A brush that's loved is more likely to get used, so let your child pick out his or her own special brush at the store. Fun colors, familiar characters and musical toothbrushes can all be found in the oral health care aisle. Additionally, some of these brushes are battery-operated, which may give kids a plaque-busting boost. You can also find a variety of tools to help with flossing, many designed specifically for those with braces. Ask your orthodontist or orthodontic staff for advice on hygiene helpers, too.

Damon Clear

2011-02-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

Rangewood Orthodontics provides Damon Clear – the passive self-ligating bracket whose beauty is more than skin deep. Damon Clear combines the look and comfort image-conscious patients demand with the strength and functionality discriminating clinicians need. Validated by multi-site in vivo studies and third-party university research, Damon Clear is more than meets the eye.

> Completely aesthetic passive self-ligation bracket with unparalleled design.

> Polycrystalline alumina (PCA) material is resistant to staining from coffee, mustard, red wine and other agents.

> Eliminates the need for elastomerics, which stain and collect bacteria during treatment.

> Advanced passive self-ligation technology with low ligation force, minimizing frictional resistance for more efficient tooth movement.

Problems to Watch for in Seven Year Olds

2011-01-31T12:09:00.000-08:00

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children have a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7.

The AAO does not advocate comprehensive orthodontic treatment at age 7. However, interceptive treatment may be appropriate in the kinds of problems shown here:

Malocclusions, like these illustrated, may benefit from early diagnosis and referral to an orthodontist specialist for a full evaluation.

Information provided by the American Association of Orthodontists.

Welcome!

2011-01-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Rangewood Orthodontics Blog!
Changing the face of orthodontics one smile at a time.

Thank you for visiting the blog of orthodontists Chad M. Watts and Brent C. Paulus of Rangewood Orthodontics. Drs. Watts, Paulus and their staff at Rangewood Orthodontics bring years of experience to the greater Colorado Springs area and strive to provide you with the most technologically advanced orthodontics available. We utilize the latest advances in the industry, such as all digital patient charts and radiographs, to the revolutionary new Damon Q and CLEAR braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign. Our doctor invests hundreds of hours every year to stay at the forefront of the profession to ensure that you receive the most effective care possible to meet your individual needs.

We recognize that every patient has different goals and desires, and we pride ourselves on individualizing every treatment plan to exceed your expectations. Whether you're an adult, teen or child, our knowledgeable doctors and staff are committed to helping you achieve your goals for your teeth and face as well as providing balance and harmony for a lifetime of beautiful, healthy smiles.