A Consultation That Can Change Your Life

At Kemp Orthodontics, our number one goal is to give our patients beautiful, healthy smiles that will last a lifetime. Since one of the first things people notice about others is their smiles, the Kemp Orthodontics team is committed to helping all our neighbors in Middle Tennessee achieve those beautiful smiles they’ve always wanted. With the coming of summer, now is the perfect time to schedule your initial consultation at Kemp Orthodontics and see the positive change you can receive with orthodontic treatment.

Did you know orthodontic treatment is not just for cosmetic purposes?
Straight teeth aren’t just pretty, they’re healthy, too. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean, thereby reducing the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Having a good healthy bite alignment not only makes it easier to eat and speak but also will enhance your dental and overall health as well.

With locations in Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee, our practice’s top priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care. We utilize the latest technological advances in the industry, such as Clarity Advanced Braces and Invisalign, along with the latest in computer technology to ensure that you receive the most effective care possible. We recognize that every patient has different needs, so Dr. Kemp and Dr. Rice work to provide unique treatment plans for every patient’s needs. Whether you're an adult, adolescent, or child, our knowledgeable doctors and staff are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve. Give us a call at our convenient Brentwood or Franklin locations to schedule your consultation today!

Spring Is In The Air!

Spring is in the air! As the flower buds are peeking out and birds are starting to chirp, it's time to leave those thoughts of snow days behind. Spring can be a wonderful time to explore the outdoors, and the members of Kemp Orthodontics are all excited about the fun spring activities that call them outdoors. Spring is the time to get your family moving together and establish some healthy habits to get away from the electronic environment of the indoors. We have 5 fun ideas to get you in the mood for the loveliest season of the year.

1. Dust off the sports gear. Find a kick a ball, throw a Frisbee, shoot hoops, whatever sports activity that you and your family enjoy doing.

2. Get dirty in the yard. Mow the grass. Pull weeds. Till flower beds. Replant. Cut back. Find the fun in getting sweaty, and teach your kids how to manage the landscaping while you do it.

3. Explore the outdoors. Hike a trail and check out the plants budding out of the ground.

4. Go to a baseball game. The beginning baseball season is one of the annual markers that warm weather is just around the corner. If you don't have it in your budget for pricey pro tickets, look into local league games, college games, or even high school games to watch.

5. Make Something. Whether you're experimenting with a new recipe or creating a new craft, making something new will give your kids a sense of satisfaction.

After being cooped up all winter, everyone's ready for some fresh Spring air. We hope you will step into the warm weather with these suggestions of fun activities for the entire family. Post your Spring into Spring photos on our Kemp Orthodontics Facebook page to show how you are enjoying this beautiful Spring. Tag us by using #KempOrthodontics on social media, or click here to post your photos on our Facebook wall. And, of course, if one of your Spring motivations is to work on your beautiful smile, please give the Kemp Orthodontics team a call to schedule your consultation appointment at one of our convenient offices in Brentwood and Franklin.

Do You Know When To Schedule Your Next Appointment?

It's hard to believe that our Spring Break is just a month away, and the end of our current school year is coming up just as fast. At Kemp Orthodontics, we suggest that our patients make their future appointments at least two months ahead for their greatest scheduling convenience. For new patients, this news may come as a surprise. But summertime appointments are the perfect time to get your braces placed and get started on the path to your perfect smile. Now is the time to think about making your summer appointments at Kemp Orthodontics so you get your perfect spot.

Kemp Orthodontics Raises the Roofs for Friends of Franklin Parks

In 1986 when Dr. Kemp opened Kemp Orthodontics, Williamson County featured wide open farmland and large areas of green space. Many of those farms had been worked by the same families for over 100 years. Since our opening day in 1986, we have seen many of those farms come to serve a new purpose as they became the neighborhoods filled with the homes of the many new families who have come to make their homes in Williamson County. Dr. Kemp and Dr. Rice are excited to welcome new families and new neighborhoods to our county. However, we are also mindful of the need to set aside some of our farmland so that the new families of the future can catch a glimpse of the natural beauty of Williamson County. To that purpose, Kemp Orthodontics is a proud sponsor of one of the central fund-raising initiatives of the Friends of Franklin Parks.

On August 20, 2016, Kemp Orthodontics will serve as the Premier Sponsor for the annual “Raise the Roofs” afternoon at Harlinsdale Park near downtown Franklin. Harlinsdale was the former home of the Harlin family and was well known for its role in horse raising and horse-centered events. This year’s Raise the Roofs will feature many horse-centered events including a polo match. Food will be offered by many of Franklin’s best-loved restaurants, and there will be live music.

Join Kemp Orthodontics as we Raise the Roofs to preserve our parks and green space of beautiful Williamson County. Who knows – you might even see the Doctors in their work boots working in the horse barn!

Learn About Clarity Advanced At Kemp Orthodontics

At Kemp Orthodontics, Dr. Kemp wants to be sure his patients have beautiful smiles both during their treatment as well as after their treatment. To reach that goal, Dr. Kemp has chosen to treat his patients with the most aesthetic and technically advanced bracket on the market. Clarity Advanced Ceramic braces are the solution to those seeking clear brackets while undergoing orthodontic treatment.  These clear ceramic brackets blend with your smile as they match the color of your teeth. Most patients and their families prefer the look of Clarity Advanced Ceramic braces over traditional metal braces, and these braces are a popular treatment alternative offered at Kemp Orthodontics.

Who are Clarity Advanced Ceramic braces for?

Clarity Advanced brackets are a great choice for all Dr.Kemp’s patients, whether adults, teenagers, or children. These ceramic braces are practically invisible and provide just the perfect choice for all patients who are looking to improve their smiles while wanting to avoid the noticeable differences that metal braces may draw attention to their mouth. Many of our adult patients tell us that Clarity Advanced brackets give them a more professional look in comparison to metal braces.

Teenagers are drawn to Clarity Advanced brackets for this same aesthetic reason.  Many teenagers who feel insecure about their smiles don’t want the look of metal braces because they are self-conscious about their teeth.  Although traditional metal braces are effective, most teenagers choose Clarity Advanced brackets over metal braces a majority of the time if presented with the option.

Another interesting reason some patients choose Clarity Advanced brackets is that some of the younger crowd love the way colored elastics really show off against their pearly white teeth and brackets. At Kemp Orthodontics, we love to show our support of our local teams by helping them show their school colors with their elastics, and those colors really pop against the Clarity Advanced brackets.

Clarity Advanced Ceramic Braces are virtually unnoticeable, making them perfect for patients of all ages who are looking for the confidence and freedom to smile on any occasion. At Kemp Orthodontics, you can choose the clear alternative without any additional charges. For more information, please contact Kemp Orthodontics today and schedule a consultation. Click here to contact us online or call us at 615-790-7027.

Break the Habit

Babies are born with a reflex to suck any object placed in their mouth. This behavior helps during the first few months of establishing feeding, and disappears at around 4 months.

Thumb sucking however, is not reflexive, and is believed to be a self-soothing practice. There are usually no ill effects from thumb sucking in early childhood, and most children naturally give up the habit somewhere between 2-4 years of age. However, if thumb sucking continues past the age of around 7 when adult teeth are coming through there can be misalignment of front teeth, or possibly jaw problems.

It is important to be careful when breaking this habit.  Children often use this as an emotional crutch. Punishment and nagging is not the best approach. Do some research and be patient with your child when working on breaking the habit.

Orthodontics for Adults VS Orthodontics for Children and Teens

In a perfect world, all children would develop perfectly beautiful teeth aligned within perfectly beautiful smiles. However, we all recognize that this idea is just a wishful dream, which is why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic assessment around the age of seven. Obviously, children who show signs of misalignment of teeth or show a dysfunctional jaw or bite are strong candidates for interceptive orthodontic care. Both children and adults are inclined to develop teeth that rotate or become misaligned. Sadly, for many reasons, some children are not able to receive orthodontic treatment as children, and the aging process often makes these misalignments of teeth and jaw become more pronounced for them as they become adults. At Kemp Orthodontics over 40% of all our orthodontic patients are adults who, for many reasons, are ready to get the treatment they were unable to achieve as children.

The primary difference between treating adults and treating children involves working with natural growth patterns. With young children, orthodontic treatment is designed to work with the natural growth of the jawbone as these children physically develop. In adults, however, these bones have stopped growing, and the orthodontist must develop a treatment plan to augment the natural growth pattern. In addition to these growth patterns, other differences between orthodontic treatment for adults versus orthodontic treatment for children include:

1. Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) — Adults are more likely than children to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease.
2. Worn or missing teeth — As humans age, their teeth can become worn down and shift into different positions that can only be corrected with orthodontic care. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift and tilt, creating a bad bite and increasing the possibility of gum disease.
3. Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Some adults received orthodontic treatment as a child or teen but never completed their treatment. As adults, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.

Kemp Orthodontics recognizes that adults and children have different orthodontic needs that require a different level of attention and care. Everyone deserves a beautiful smile, regardless of age. Come on over and see how Dr. Kemp can transform your smile into that perfect smile you desire.

Egg-cellent Easter Candy for Braces

The Easter bunny is a few days away from making his debut and delivering some delicious treats. Aside from Halloween, Easter is a big holiday surrounded by tons of decorative candy, sure to make almost anyone tempted to indulge in more than the average serving. If you or your kids wear braces, you might want to inform the Easter bunny about a few Easter treats easy for patients with braces to consume.

Kemp Orthodontics has taken the time to make a basic list of Easter goodies for our patients. Keep reading to learn about some egg-cellent candy totally suitable for our patients with braces. The following Easter candy doesn’t just taste good but also doesn’t damage braces. Feel free to dig into these this year if you wear braces!

• Dark Chocolate: contains antioxidants that are great for your teeth and gums
• Peanut Butter Cups: these are soft and delicious and come in festive shapes and sizes. 
• Cadbury Eggs: these are an Easter must-have for most people, and they’re braces friendly.
• Peeps: this popular candy is soft enough for braces and not too sticky to damage them.

Other items Include: soft chocolate candy like Hershey’s kisses, milk chocolate rabbits, soft cookies, and decorated brownies.

Today’s braces are a big investment of time and finances. It’s important for you to be aware of what you, or your child, are eating this Easter to avoid damaging braces and dodge costly repairs.

Orthodontics for Adults

The first day of January often motivates adults to consider setting new goals for their new year. The last day of January often brings adults to reconsider how they are achieving those goals. For many adults, one of their goals is to seek out the best orthodontist who can give them the smile they’ve always desired. To help those adults who are considering orthodontic treatment in this new year, we at Kemp Orthodontics have collated some general ideas to help you as you think about how orthodontic treatment with Dr. Kemp can improve your health.

Many adults assume that orthodontic treatment is only about getting your crooked teeth straight. While straightening crooked teeth is a major factor for seeking orthodontic treatment, other important dental and skeletal issues may exist that require treatment by an orthodontist. Orthodontic treatment is about creating the best position for your teeth as well as improving the coordination of your mouth and jaws, and your orthodontist must complete several years of additional education and clinical residency after dental school to learn about these intricate balances and movements.

Why should adults get braces?

If you think braces are only for kids and teens, you’re wrong. Every day adults get braces to improve their oral health. Some of the top reasons adults should consider braces are --

1. Teeth can shift at any age, even if you wore braces or you didn’t need braces as a child.

2. Misaligned teeth can contribute to serious health problems for your teeth and mouth, like headaches, ear pain, and even stomach issues.

3. The braces that are available today at Kemp Orthodontics are not like the braces of the past. Dr. Kemp treats his patients using 3M’s Clarity Advanced brackets, an ultra aesthetic bracket, and special tooth-colored wires that create a system that is virtually unnoticeable. Additionally, Dr. Kemp’s system reduces treatment time, so you get a beautiful healthy smile in a shorter amount of time.

4. Maybe your parents couldn’t afford braces. Dr. Kemp offers several flexible options for you to pay for your braces, so don’t let the cost hold you back.

5. People are living longer and keeping their teeth for life. Getting braces, even if you are a senior adult, helps your entire mouth stay healthy by making your teeth easier to keep clean.

Are you ready to start to achieve your 2016 goal of a better and healthier smile? Contact Kemp Orthodontics today to setup your consultation and let us show you what braces options are right for you as an adult. It’s never too late to have a smile you love.

Patient Education - The Expander

The removable expander is designed to widen just the same as the fixed expander.  The expander should be worn as instructed by Dr. Kemp.  Your expander needs only to be worn at night time. To insure your expander stays clean please keep your expander clean by brushing with toothpaste. Never store your retainer in a car or hot sun as they will warp.  Pets love to eat them so keep them away from “Rover”.  Please bring your expander to your appointment so Dr. Kemp can make sure your expander is fitting properly.

Instructions for Expanding

• Hold the expander right side up (shape of a rainbow) then place the key in the slot/hole of screw.
• Turn the key one full turn upwards.
• The expander should be activated once a month in all three places unless told otherwise.
• Continue to turn the key as prescribed until Dr. Kemp advises you to stop.

Meet Montage

Our goal at Kemp Orthodontics has always been to provide our patients with the absolute best experience when they visit our office. We love to see our patients enjoy their time at our office and strive to provide a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.  As we continue to do work toward this goal, we also work hard to stay up to date with today’s latest technologies. One of our most recent high-tech additions to the office is our Montage touch screen display. Have you had the chance to use the Montage display yet? There are so many cool features that you can use next time you’re at Kemp Orthodontics!

Check out some of the fun features of Montage, our patient friendly touch screen display system.

Educational

Montage has several educational videos to teach you more about orthodontic topics.  You can learn useful information about treatments, appliance care, procedures, and more with the ScreenPlay orthodontic videos available.

Camera Booth

Montage has an interactive Camera Booth! Next time you’re in Kemp Orthodontics, click the camera button to activate the camera booth and take fun pictures that you can share on your favorite social media sites. 

Website, Facebook, & Reviews

On the Montage display screen, you can visit our website, Facebook timeline, and read some of our raving reviews.  Not only can you read our reviews, but on Montage you can actually post a review about your experience while you’re in the office.

Entertainment

Along with all of the other fun features mentioned, Montage also streams cable TV to the display. This feature allows you to catch up on some of your favorite shows while at our office.

Montage offers many more features, so next time you come in for an appointment be sure to use the Montage touch screen display and enjoy all it can do.  We want you to have fun with this display.  Be watching because our next contest will be centered around the camera booth on Montage. Stay connected with us online to find out more about the upcoming contest.  

Our Clear Approach

3M Clarity Advanced Bracket system is the best system in the market and we are so excited to be able to offer it to all our patients at no additional charge. At Kemp Orthodontics we are always looking for ways to improve your time in treatment. Why wouldn't you want to look your best?  I am sharing this link with you and I want to know what your thoughts are. 

Clarity Advance Video

Adult Orthodontics

Many people still think braces are for teens. However, at Kemp Orthodontics, about 35% of our patients are adults.  Adult patients are no longer satisfied with living with the problems of TMJ, with crowded and crooked teeth that make it hard to floss, or with the aesthetics of protruding teeth or misaligned jaws. They want to look better and want teeth that work better, too. As long as your teeth and supporting bone are in good shape, Dr. Kemp can give you that Beautiful Smile you always dreamed about having.  Listen to what Bettye Bates has to say about her orthodontic experience by clicking on her name it will  link you to the Kemp Orthodontic YouTube channel.

As long as your teeth and supporting bone are in good shape, Dr. Kemp can give you that Beautiful Smile you always dreamed about having.  The  need to preserve your teeth is one of the wisest choices you can make. Good dental health is a key component of your overall health, and orthodontics is a vital key to good dental health.

The Clear Approach

Braces are no longer just for teens.  According to the American Association of Orthodontist (AAO), for every 10 patients who go to the orthodontist, two of them are adults.  Research published in Psychology magazine by the Kelton Research suggests that having straight teeth helps in almost all aspects of life.  This research reveals that people with straight teeth were perceived to be more successful, to have a better social life, and to have a better personality.  Call our office today 615-790-7027 and for a complimentary examination.

At Kemp Orthodontics we have seen a 20% increase in adult patients since last year especially with the introduction of the  Clarity™ ADVANCED Ceramic Brackets.  These brackets are a revolutionary leap forward in orthodontic ceramic brackets. These advanced brackets offer the ultimate combination of aesthetics and performance.  If you would like to join these adults and find out about the benefits of a beautiful smile, call our office for a complimentary examination.