Erika Venn, Author at Smile Studio Orthodontics

July 5, 2016October 6, 2021

Three Techniques An Orthodontist Can Use To Fix My Crooked Teeth

Dr. Leroy Venn of Atlanta Smile Studio works every day with patients who are looking to fix their crooked teeth (malocclusions) and other orthodontic issues. An orthodontist is a dentist that has received special education and training after graduating from dental school. They deal mainly with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of the malposition of teeth and jaws. The professionals of Atlanta Smile Studio near Mableton, GA can help you better understand the benefits of orthodontic treatment for crooked teeth.

Treatment Process

A typical consultation with the professional orthodontics practitioners at Atlanta Smile Studio may include:

An analysis and diagnosis of each patient’s unique needs and outcome expectations.

A report on the issues presented by the patient and a discussion with the doctor about treatment options.

A treatment plan designed to correct the problems presented and to provide for the ongoing oral health of the patient.

A strategy of treatment that is affordable, comfortable, and convenient to the patient while ensuring a maximal treatment outcome.

A preliminary schedule to start treatment.

Assessment

Dr. Leroy Venn will assess the current state of your teeth and diagnose if a patient can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Atlanta Smile Studio will perform a full medical and dental health history review, take X-rays of your teeth and jaw, do a clinical examination, and cast a plaster model of your teeth to determine the most effective treatment options in each case. Many orthodontists offer an initial consultation where these services will be provided free of charge.

Malocclusion Treatments

A malocclusion refers to crooked or misaligned teeth and is a flaw in the relationship between the bottom and top dental arches.Some examples of malocclusions include crossbite, overbite, underbite, open bite, reverse bite, asymmetrical teeth, and impacted teeth. Three orthodontic techniques doctors use to treat malocclusions include:

Fixed Appliances
Fixed appliances are used in cases of malocclusion where precision is key. Appliances that are regularly used are braces, fixed space maintainers, or specially made fixed appliances. Although patients usually can eat normally with these appliances, Dr. Leroy Venn advises patients near Mableton, GA to avoid some foods and drinks that may damage their appliance (candy, gum, soda).

Removable Appliances
Atlanta Smile Studio Orthodontists use, in some treatments, removable appliances like retainers, lip or cheek bumpers, splints, aligners (like Invisalign), palatal expanders and headgear. Removable appliances can be taken out of the patient’s mouth at any time, unlike fixed appliances. However, they should only be taken out when cleaning, eating, flossing, or if the doctor recommends that they be removed for activities like sports or playing an instrument.

Orthognathic Surgery
Also referred to as “corrective jaw surgery,” orthognathic surgery is used to correct conditions of the face and jaw; problems that cannot be easily treated with braces. These conditions may be related to other issues like sleep apnea, malocclusions, jaw- or teeth-growth problems, or issues in the structure or function of the jaw. This surgical process involves realigning the bones of the jaw and then keeping them held in place with plates or screws.

Dr. Leroy Venn and the team at Atlanta Smile Studio near Mableton, GA can answer any questions you might have about correcting your crooked teeth, brightening your smile, or for any orthodontic treatment you might be considering.

To find out how you can get the healthy, beautiful smile that you deserve, schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Leroy Venn and the team at Atlanta Smile Studio near Mableton, GA. Call: 770.892.3833

June 27, 2016September 30, 2019

I Know That Braces Can Hurt. Does Invisalign Hurt Too?

Dr. Leroy Venn and Atlanta Smile Studio are knowledgeable and experienced orthodontic professionals near Hiram, GA. They are sensitive to their patient’s lifestyle, needs, and treatment goals when undergoing treatment. A concern that patients express when considering orthodontic treatment is the amount of discomfort they may experience throughout the course of treatment. Different treatments have different pros and cons.

Braces Can Hurt.
Invisalign clear aligner trays are an effective and convenient alternative to traditional braces. Treatment with Invisalign can help the patient achieve the same results they would achieve with traditional braces, but without the discomfort of traditional braces with metal brackets and wires.

Will Invisalign Hurt Too?
Treatment with Invisalign involves graduating progressively through a series of trays over a period of time (the trays are switched out about every two weeks). Invisalign uses a lightweight and nearly invisible removable plastic tray to straighten teeth. The Invisalign trays gradually move your teeth into their new, optimal positions. Invisalign is made of a smooth, pliable thermoplastic material that fits snugly over the wearer’s teeth. Invisalign aligners exert a gentle pressure to move teeth into their new optimal position, and the adjustment period is brief. Invisalign is less likely to cause pain to the wearer than traditional braces.

How to Cope.
Over-the-counter pain relievers are often all that are needed to treat any discomfort experienced while being treated with Invisalign. Dr. Leroy Venn and Atlanta Smile Studio help their Invisalign patients relieve any uncomfortable feeling of pressure with Invisalign Aligner Chewies. These small cylinders of a pliable synthetic material are often distracting to and effective for the patient when they experience discomfort from the Invisalign trays. When chewed on, they can help relieve the sense of pressure and help to better fit the Invisalign tray around teeth.

Moving Forward.
Wearing a retainer after treatment with Invisalign is often indicated to keep the teeth from drifting back to their old positions. A retainer is the best insurance to maintaining a newly aligned, functional, and healthy set of teeth.

Invisalign has quickly become the most popular orthodontic treatment option at Atlanta Smile Studio. Treatment with Invisalign is more comfortable than treatment with traditional metal braces, and it goes almost completely unnoticed by others. Dr. Leroy Venn can help you achieve your dream smile with more comfort and more convenience than with traditional braces. To find out more about Invisalign or to schedule an appointment with the team at Atlanta Smile Studio near Hiram, GA, call Dr. Leroy Venn at: 770.892.3833

June 21, 2016September 30, 2019

Do Braces Hurt?

Orthodontic treatment with braces can hurt occasionally, but most often, the “hurt” reported by a patient is more of a “discomfort.” The best way to avoid and reduce any possible pain or discomfort that may be associated with braces is to keep a conscientious care schedule. Dr. Leroy Venn of Atlanta Smile Studio knows that a patient who is consistently experiencing pain or discomfort associated with their braces in Cobb County, GA should be examined for any problems with their orthodontic appliances.

Why do braces hurt?

The mouth is a very sensitive part of the body. Adding new brackets, wires, and other appliances to the teeth may cause an orthodontic patient some occasional pain or discomfort. But most people don’t understand or even care why they are in pain. Pain from orthodontic treatments with braces may be cause by a variety of factors:

Irritation inside the mouth: Your mouth will need a few days to adjust once your new braces have been fitted and your teeth and gums are interacting with your appliances for the first time. These new additions to your teeth require your mouth to get comfortable with their presence. However, once the two are comfortable, the irritation will ease over time.

Broken bracket: Your braces are constantly working. Because of this, there is always a possibility that something can break. Broken brackets should be expected, and they happen to almost everyone at least once during treatment. This can cause some pain and irritation because the broken bracket may poke at or tear the delicate surfaces in the mouth (especially if you have traditional metal braces). If this occurs, make an appointment with Dr. Leroy Venn and Atlanta Smile Studio as soon as possible to fix the problem and make sure no further problems or pain occurs.

Shifting of teeth: Braces shift your teeth to give you the healthy, picture-perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of. It’s important to know that the shifting of the teeth is what causes the most pain when it comes to braces. When your braces are tightened, they are working harder to align your teeth and essentially changing your teeth’s position in your mouth.

How do I keep my braces from hurting me?

To help you avoid minor pain or discomfort during your course of treatment with braces:

Avoid hard foods. Dr. Leroy Venn says that hard foods should be avoided, especially after an adjustment appointment. The extra effort to chew these foods may cause or exacerbate any discomfort the patient may already feel. When your braces hurt, stick to soft foods such as pasta, mashed potatoes, yogurt, bananas, etc.
Take over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed medication. When your teeth are hurting because of braces, Dr. Leroy Venn recommends taking an over-the-counter medicine that to lessen any pain. Medicines such as Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve can help ease the pain until your teeth and gums get used to their new positioning.

Braces may hurt, at least initially, because of how they work inside the mouth. The result of orthodontic treatment with braces, however, is a mouth of straight, functional, and healthy teeth and gums.

For more information about why braces hurt during treatment or to make an appointment with Dr. Leroy Venn and Atlanta Smile Studio in Cobb County, GA, call: 770.892.3833

June 13, 2016October 6, 2021

Dentist or Orthodontist? What’s the Difference?

Dr. Leroy Venn of Atlanta Smile Studio near Hiram, GA has some tips to help patients to distinguish between a dentist and an orthodontist. The difference between an orthodontist and a dentist is indistinguishable to some people. Something that many folks don’t know is that all orthodontists can be dentists, but not all dentists can be orthodontists. They are both certified oral health care professionals, both treat and maintain the health of your teeth and gums, and both have the education and experience to be called doctors. In these areas, they are pretty comparable. However, there are more differences than similarities.

What’s the difference?

All orthodontists require further schooling and more experience in their specialty (orthodontics) beyond their dental school training. A similar example would be if a medical doctor elects to take special training to become a surgeon. So, if a dentist has a patient with a dental malocclusion, they will refer them to an orthodontist for treatment.

What services do they provide?

Dentists typically deal problems like:

Gum Disease
Tooth Decay
Root Canals
Crowns
Bridges
Veneers
Tooth Whitening

An orthodontist is a dentist that specializes in the alignment of your teeth, and their services typically are employed to correct:

Underbite
Overbite
Crowded teeth
Misaligned teeth

Traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and other corrective treatments are methods an orthodontist might use to treat these issues.

What Kind of Care Do You Need?

Orthodontists help with crooked teeth, underbites and overbites, crossbites, spaces between teeth, overcrowded teeth, and the effective treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. An orthodontist should be consulted for other jaw issues as well. While your dentist may be qualified to offer their patients fillings, TMJ treatments, and other orthodontic care, putting your smile in the hands of a qualified professional orthodontist can help a patient to experience better treatment outcomes.

Any Questions?

Dr. Leroy Venn and the team at Atlanta Smile Studio can help answer any questions you might have about orthodontics near Hiram, GA. If you still have questions about the differences between dentistry and orthodontics, or to schedule an appointment, call: 770.892.3833!

June 7, 2016September 30, 2019

Six Of The Best Foods to Eat During Your Treatment with Braces (and eight you shouldn’t eat)

Many orthodontics patients with braces are unsure of what foods are restricted in their diets. Many also believe the list of foods to avoid is longer than it actually is. Dr. Leroy Venn of Atlanta Smile Studio shares some ideas about what foods are safely enjoyed and which foods are best to avoid eating while wearing braces or during orthodontic treatment in Powder Springs, GA.

It is true that during your treatment with braces there are limitations on what you can eat. But the time (and money) invested with braces is well worth coping with these limitations.The payoff is a perfectly straight, healthy, and attractive smile.

What foods can be enjoyed during your treatment?

There are many delicious food options that can be eaten while wearing braces in Powder Springs, GA including:

Bananas

Yogurt

Soup

Cheese

Pasta

Mashed Potatoes

Dr. Leroy Venn wants to make sure that every patient with braces eats healthy food and gets enough daily nutrients. Here are some meal ideas that are safe for patients who are wearing braces. Perhaps there is a family favorite among some of these delicious meal options:

Lasagna. Lasagna is a great dinner because it provides many food groups in one dish, is tasty, and is soft on your braces.
Grilled Chicken and Vegetables. While meat from a bone can cause damage to your braces, deboned meats like chicken breast can be eaten. Chicken pairs nicely with vegetables like broccoli.
Chicken Noodle Soup. Chicken noodle soup gives you many necessary nutrients because of the variety of ingredients that can be added. Soup is also a filling and tasty meal and will not damage your braces.

What foods should be avoided?

While wearing braces, the three types of food that should be avoided are hard, sticky, and chewy foods. These types of food should be avoided because they can get stuck in your braces easily and be difficult and sometimes painful to get out. Some food categories that should be avoided are:

Gum

Popcorn

Caramel

Pretzels

Raw vegetables

Steak

Hard candies

Some of these foods do not have to be completely avoided, however. Foods like vegetables, steak, and pretzels can be broken or cut up into smaller pieces and then eaten safely.

There are many foods which are nutritious, delicious, and are friendly to your braces. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leroy Venn and Atlanta Smile Studio in Powder Springs, GA, or for more information, please call: 770.892.3833

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Author: Erika Venn