5 Myths about Orthodontic Treatment

One of the goals at Kemp and Rice Orthodontics is for our patients to feel that their experiences at our office are remarkable, unique, and pleasurable. We find it so rewarding to be a positive factor in the lives of our patients as they gain confidence, self-esteem, and happiness by improving their smiles.

Every day potential patients ask us questions about what is true and what is false about orthodontic treatment. Here are 5 myths about orthodontic treatment that will help you understand what we do.

Myth #1. Anyone who provides braces or aligners is an orthodontist.
False! Only doctors who have taken the additional years of advanced training at an accredited residency can call themselves an orthodontic specialist. Dr. Kemp and Dr. Rice are both accredited orthodontists who not only achieved their dental degrees but also completed several years of specialized residency focused on orthodontics. Dr. Kemp has been practicing orthodontics in Franklin and Brentwood since 1986 when he completed his orthodontic residency at The University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences. Dr. Rice completed his orthodontic residency at one of the top orthodontic residency programs in the country at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry located in Dallas, Texas, where he spent three years as an orthodontic resident treating orthodontic patients to earn his Master of Science degree in Oral Biology and Certificate in Orthodontics.

Myth #2. Office visits are not necessary to get straight teeth.
The reality is that the health of your gums, teeth, and jaws cannot be monitored during treatment if you are never seen by a qualified orthodontist. Your treatment needs to be monitored by a trained orthodontist to ensure your orthodontic treatment is progressing on schedule toward your treatment goal.

Myth #3. Orthodontic treatment takes several years.
Orthodontic treatment requires carefully controlled movements of the teeth to ensure they are moving into proper positions. From simple cases (which may only take a few months to treat) to the most complex cases (which may take longer), an orthodontist has the training, experience, and skill to deliver an excellent result in the shortest amount of time. It all depends on your orthodontic needs to achieve your perfect smile.

Myth #4. Orthodontic treatment is purely cosmetic.
At Kemp and Rice Orthodontics, our mission is creating beautiful smiles. The most obvious result of orthodontic treatment is your smile. The other benefit of orthodontic treatment is to your teeth and jaws. When teeth, jaw, and lips are in their perfect positions, then movements like biting, chewing, and speaking are also improved.

Myth #5. Orthodontists only offer metal braces.
False! We offer a wide range of services that will best suit each patient according to that person’s orthodontic treatment needs, lifestyle, and long term goals. From Invisalign to Clarity Advanced Braces, which are made from ceramic material which blends with your teeth to make the braces virtually invisible, Kemp and Rice Orthodontics offers our patients a wide range of services. Learn more about each treatment option. 

Sources: https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/post/7-myths-about-orthodontic-treatment

Differences Between Clarity Advanced Braces & Invisalign

Clarity Advanced braces and Invisalign are two treatments with the same mission, to make orthodontic treatment more difficult to detect than traditional metal braces. Many patients of Kemp Orthodontics seek our help to straighten their smiles, but want to make a less noticeable statement while they commit to a healthier, straighter smile. Both Clarity Advanced Braces and Invisalign treatments can provide this solution for many patients.

While the two treatments have the same mission, there are stark differences between them.

Invisalign can be removed: Like traditional braces, ceramic braces can make brushing and flossing teeth more difficult, as well as eating. Invisalign can be easily removed for both of these necessities, keeping your mouth healthy throughout the entire treatment process.

Removable aligners do have their perks, however this does result in one downside of Invisalign, and it takes discipline. You must remove the aligner trays when you are eating or drinking. Other than that, as well as brushing and flossing, the aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours per day.

Invisalign is more transparent: One of the most favorite things about Invisalign is its virtual transparency. Most people don’t notice someone is wearing Invisalign until they are told.

While ceramic braces blend into the patient’s teeth, the brackets are more noticeable than Invisalign’s transparent retainer.

Adjustment time is different: For Invisalign, trays must be changed every two weeks, compared to four weeks for adjustments with ceramic braces.

Ceramic braces can treat more extensive cases: Invisalign has been developed to treat a wide variety of cases, provided they aren’t extremely severe. Here are the common cases that Invisalign can treat:

• Crowded (crooked) teeth 
• Gapped teeth 
• Overbite, underbite and open bite 

The only difference between metal and ceramic braces is the material used for the bonding brackets. Therefore, ceramic braces can treat many of the same cases, including more severe cases that Invisalign cannot handle. Here are some additional issues that clear braces can treat:

• Crossbites 
• Malocclusions 
• Very crooked teeth 
• Various other flaws of teeth and the jaw 

Straightening your teeth to improve your oral health and smile is a big step for many patients at Kemp Orthodontics. If you need help deciding whether Clarity Advanced Braces or Invisalign makes more sense for you or your child, consult Dr. Kemp or Dr. Rice at our Brentwood or Franklin locations. Give us a call to schedule a complimentary exam today, or click here to schedule online.

Top 10 Invisalign Tips

• Wear your aligners for a minimum of 2 weeks, before moving into the next aligner. 
• Sharp or rough edges can be smoothed with an emery board. 
• Change into your next aligner before going to bed so they settle in overnight. 
• Keep your aligners in their case while eating to avoid losing them. Keep the out of reach of any household pets, especially dogs! 
• If you need to, you can soak your Invisalign aligners in a mix of 50/50 white vinegar and cold water to brighten them. 
• Wear your aligners for at least 20 hours a day. 
• Always carry a toothbrush. 
• Only drink water when you're wearing your aligners. 
• Don't put your aligners in hot water. 
• Don't use toothpaste to clean your aligners. 

If you have any further questions about Invisalign please don’t hesitate to call us at our convenient Brentwood or Franklin practice.

Celebrate the Single Life with a New Smile

Did you know that beautiful teeth are the number one physical trait people look for in other people? In a recent poll of both men and women conducted by an online dating site, a beautiful smile outranks other traits such as trim bodies, a full head of hair, or specific eye colors as the most important physical attribute in a partner. If you are currently in the dating scene, keeping your smile healthy, bright, and straight proves to be more important than hitting the gym.

Are you interested in stepping up your smile? If you are currently looking to fix some misaligned teeth or discolorations, there are few strategies you can follow. Start now with these tips.

Problem: Discolored Teeth
You can whiten your smile with white strips. These easy-to-use strips are available at most local grocery stores and drugstores. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment with your general dentist for a professional tooth-whitening treatment.

Problem: Misaligned Teeth

When most people think of orthodontic treatment and full braces for correcting misaligned teeth, they may not be aware of the possibility of correcting some alignment problems using Invisalign. Invisalign aligner treatment can yield some amazing results. And with Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about brackets and rubber bands. Dr. Kemp works with Invisalign to use a series of clear, removable aligner trays to straighten your teeth. Also, with Invisalign treatment time is usually only about 12-18 months.

No matter what your exact orthodontic needs are, Dr. Kemp will be able to guide you down the path to a great smile with beautifully aligned teeth to help you look good and feel great.

Share the Kemp Orthodontics Love!

Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but we at Kemp Orthodontics remain committed to giving all our patients the care and comfort that make them feel special all year round. Our team strives each day to provide all our patients with the finest personal services and treatment as we combine our clinical expertise and the latest high technology with a warm, caring, and skilled staff.

Since we work hard each day to make our patients feel that their experience with our office is remarkable, we always appreciate the occasions when our patients take the time to tell us that they recognize the special level of care and treatment they receive at Kemp Orthodontics. Do you love being a patient at Kemp Orthodontics as much as we love having you as a patient? If you do, then would you take just a moment to let us hear about your experience by leaving a review.

Keep reading to see how you can leave a review.

Leave a Google Review

Leaving a review on Google is easy. Simply type “Kemp Orthodontics” in the Google search tab, and under the maps option click “write a review” to leave your comments and rate us. Google makes it a fast and easy process. It is so easy you can leave a review using your smartphone or tablet.

Leave a Facebook Review

Are you connected with Kemp Orthodontics on Facebook? LIKE our page and leave a review and rating. It’s easy, fast, and you can share it with all of your Facebook friends.

Leave a Montage Review

Do you like using our fun Montage board? Next time you’re in the office, leave a review or testimonial by clicking the review tab or by taking a picture and selecting the review option.

We appreciate all reviews and look forward to seeing the positive things you have to say about Kemp Orthodontics. As we often say, “We are the very best serving the very best.”

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.  

Alternative Approach: Invisalign

Invisalign clear aligners can be a great option for improving the look of your smile. At Kemp Orthodontics we have lots of experience using this technology to give our patients the straight, beautiful smile they've always wanted.

Some benefits of Invisalign treatment are

1. Invisalign aligners are clear and discrete, and they can be effective at moving your teeth into their ideal positions.


2. You don't need to change your eating habits because your aligners can be easily removed.


3. Invisalign aligners are made of comfortable, smooth plastic.


4. Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier.


5. Invisalign treatment is covered by most insurance providers just like traditional braces.

A straight smile makes you look great, but it also can help you keep your mouth healthy. When your teeth are correctly aligned, you decrease health issues that can be caused by an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties along with jaw problems and excessive wear on the tooth enamel.

Invisalign can be used by teens and adults, so whether you want to improve your own smile or need more information about orthodontic options, please contact our office to set up a complimentary orthodontic examination.