Erika Venn, Author at Smile Studio Orthodontics

January 17, 2017October 6, 2021

Adults Can Get Braces, Too!

Today, adults braces make up the treatment for about half of all orthodontic patients in the United States. It is never too late for an adult to attain a healthier mouth, straighter teeth, and a perfect smile. Dr. Leroy Venn and the team at Atlanta Smile Studio near Hiram, GA are experts in adult orthodontic treatment.

There is a general misconception that braces are worn only by children and teenagers. But, orthodontic treatments with braces have evolved considerably in recent years. Braces have become more lightweight and easier to install and remove. At Atlanta Smile Studio, people are choosing orthodontic treatments with adult braces more and more frequently.

Why Adult Braces?

Misaligned or crooked teeth (malocclusions) affect our appearance and our self-esteem, and poor dental and oral health care can be a contributing cause to a number of adult-related health care concerns.

Improperly aligned teeth can cause problems chewing food, which may lead to gastrointestinal complications. Misaligned teeth and crossbites can trap food and increase the likelihood of plaque buildup. These conditions increase the chances of an adult patient developing gum disease and other more serious health-related complications (tooth decay, toothaches, earaches, and headaches). A crooked-toothed smile may also cause problems with public speaking, cause self-image concerns, and even prevent professional growth and advancement.

Dr. Leroy Venn understands the reasons why an adult near Hiram, GA may need to wear braces, and he helps each patient attain their treatment-outcome goals with sensitivity and compassion.

What are the Different Types of Adult Braces?

The Atlanta Smile Studio team offers a wide range of orthodontic treatment options currently available for adults. These the main types of braces:

Traditional Metal Braces: These are made of high-quality stainless steel, and many orthodontists feel that they are the most effective devices for straightening teeth, especially in cases where there may be severe misalignment. They often produce the desired treatment outcomes faster than any other type of braces.
Gold Braces: Looking for something different than the typical silver braces? Gold braces are similar to your traditional metal braces. They are made of stainless steel but are coated in gold.
Clear Ceramic Braces: Clear ceramic braces for adults are fitted to the front of the teeth and match the color of the individual’s teeth. Many people who want their braces to be less conspicuous, for aesthetic or professional reasons prefer clear ceramic braces.
Lingual or Concealed Braces: Lingual braces have brackets that keep them in place and are affixed to the back of the teeth. These braces are not outwardly visible.
Invisalign a.k.a clear aligners: Clear, easily removed plastic tray aligners that are ideal for adult patients with mild teeth-spacing issues. The aligners are able to be removed while eating, when brushing teeth, and when flossing. This is a healthy and hygienic choice for adults considering braces near Hiram, GA. These braces with Invisalign are almost invisible and are preferred by people who feel self-conscious about appearing in public with braces on.

At Atlanta Smile Studio, Invisalign treatment is quickly gaining popularity and often a top choice for our adult patients.

If you have misaligned or crooked teeth, or just want to improve your smile, adult braces may be the right choice for you. Remember, there is no age limit for treatment for an existing orthodontic problem. The only way to find out what adult orthodontic treatment procedure is right for you is by scheduling a free consultation with Atlanta Smile Studio near Hiram, GA. Call Dr. Leroy Venn today at: 770-892-3833

January 10, 2017September 30, 2019

Three Techniques An Orthodontist Can Use To Fix Crooked Teeth

Dr. Leroy Venn of Smile Studio Orthodontics in Fulton County, GA 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 Smile Studio Orthodontics in Fulton County, 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 Smile Studio Orthodontics 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. Smile Studio Orthodontics 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 in Fulton County, GA to avoid some foods and drinks that may damage their appliance (candy, gum, soda).

Removable Appliances

Smile Studio Orthodontics 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 Smile Studio Orthodontics in Fulton County, 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 Smile Studio Orthodontics in Fulton County, GA. Call: 770-892-3833

January 3, 2017October 6, 2021

Does Treatment with Invisalign Hurt?

Dr. Leroy Venn and the team at Smile Studio Orthodontics are knowledgeable and experienced orthodontic professionals in Fulton County, NJ. They are sensitive to their patient’s lifestyles, needs, and treatment goals when undergoing orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. 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 Cause Discomfort.

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 Treatment with Invisalign Hurt?

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 Smile Studio Orthodontics 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 Smile Studio Orthodontics. 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 Smile Studio Orthodontics in Fulton County, GA, call Dr. Leroy Venn at: 770-892-3833

December 28, 2016October 6, 2021

Besides Braces, What is “Orthodontics”?

Dr. Leroy Venn and the team at Smile Studio Orthodontics near Stockbridge, GA offer their patients a variety of orthodontic treatment approaches, including braces, that help ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.

When someone mentions orthodontics or an orthodontist, people’s minds often race to images of a mouth full of traditional metal braces. But, orthodontists today can offer their patients more than just traditional braces. Advances in technology, specifically in the field of the alignment of teeth or the repositioning of the jaws, have given orthodontists many treatment options and approaches to fix these common problems.

Yes, Orthodontics Includes Braces

One of the main treatment approaches orthodontists use to align and straighten teeth are traditional metal braces. Traditional braces are comprised of brackets, wires, and bands that straighten your teeth and which are continually tightened over a prescribed amount of time. Dr. Leroy Venn also offer patients near Stockbridge, GA treatment with light-colored ceramic braces (for patients who do not want their braces to be noticeable) and even fun clear-colored bands for his youngest patients. Braces can also be indicated for patients with overbites, underbites, or overcrowded or gapped teeth. Braces are used by many patients to achieve a perfect-picture smile.

Space Maintainers

When baby teeth are lost earlier than normal, space fillers are used so that the neighboring teeth do not grow into the space meant for the adult tooth to grow into. These space maintainers are used to keep the gap open until more childhood teeth fall out and the adult teeth begin to grow in. Fixed space maintainers work with a band that is attached to one tooth and a wire that is extended across the gap to the tooth on the other side to stretch and keep the gap open.

Aligners

Like braces, aligners help to straighten and align teeth, and they are indicated in treating common problems like:

underbites
overbites
open bites
cross bites
crowded teeth

Aligners like Invisalign are clear plastic trays that fit around your teeth and apply consistent pressure to straighten your teeth and contribute to your perfect smile.

Jaw Repositioning Appliances

Jaw repositioning appliances, sometimes called splints, are used to adjust either the upper or the lower jaw so that the whole jaw structure performs more naturally. Most often, this appliance is prescribed for patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Lip and Cheek Bumpers

Sometimes, patient’s lips and cheeks can put pressure on their teeth and cause pain or discomfort. Dr. Leroy Venn recommends lip and cheek bumpers for these patients to help keep the lips and cheeks away from the teeth and thus reduce or eliminate the pressure, pain, or discomfort that the patient is experiencing.

Palatal Expander

A palatal expander is used to widen the curve of the upper jaw. It is a plastic tray which fits on the roof of the mouth and helps to better align the bones and joints in the mouth.

Removable Retainers

After orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign, using a retainer to keep the teeth from shifting back to their original positions is often indicated. Retainers are a plate that is placed on the roof of the mouth; a wire runs across the outside of the front teeth. Retainers may also be constructed as a plastic aligner. More often than not, these aligners are worn during the night.

Headgear

Headgear, usually, is a strap placed around the back of the head which is attached to a metal wire in the front of the mouth. Orthodontists prescribe headgear for patients who need to slow the growth of their jaw and to make sure that the patient’s teeth are in the right place and fit nicely within the jaw.

The pros at Smile Studio Orthodontics wants to make sure you receive the perfect orthodontic treatment with braces near Stockbridge, GA, and finding the most appropriate plan of orthodontic treatment is the first step. Orthodontists today offer a lot more treatment options than just traditional metal braces. The professional team at Smile Studio Orthodontics prescribe treatment plans for a variety of oral health care-related issues, including the alignment of teeth and the repositioning the jaw. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Leroy Venn and Smile Studio Orthodontics, please call: 770-892-3833

December 21, 2016April 2, 2019

Make Your Invisalign Treatment Quick and Easy

Invisalign patients of Dr. Leroy Venn enjoy a more comfortable and convenient orthodontic treatment near Hiram, GA. The Invisalign treatment system of plastic aligners are effective at providing the wearer with a straighter smile while being much less noticeable in the mouth. Invisalign offers benefits that traditional braces can’t offer; they are removable by the wearer. This is a critical reason why many Smile Studio Orthodontics patients have chosen Invisalign for themselves.

Although Invisalign treatment is one of the most advanced orthodontic treatments available today, patients are reminded that their teeth and the aligners need regular attention during treatment. To get the best results from treatment with Invisalign, Dr. Leroy Venn recommends patients:

Keep Invisalign in a safe place: Invisalign aligners are compact and clear, and some patients find them easy to misplace. Always keep the Invisalign clear aligner trays in a case or safely tucked in a plastic bag within your pocket, purse, or bag. Do not wrap them in a napkin when taking them out to eat. Many patients end up accidentally tossing the napkin out in the trash! If you have pets at home, make sure too that your aligners are always high up and out of reach of probing paws. The plastic material may be appealing to them as a chew toy.
Remove Invisalign to eat and drink: One of the great benefits of Invisalign is that they are removable. Dr. Leroy Venn says to take advantage of this! Always take your Invisalign trays out when you’re eating or drinking. Leaving them in may lead to staining of the trays or other damage, such as distortion of shape due to hot food or drinks. Plus, removing them makes eating much easier.
Clean your Invisalign properly and thoroughly: To keep your Invisalign working well for your smile and for your oral health, be sure that you are always cleaning them correctly and completely. Invisalign trays should be cleaned at least twice a day, preferably after meals. Dr. Leroy Venn recommends that patients use a small toothbrush to softly brush the insides of the aligners with just a tiny drop of toothpaste. Some patients use denture cleaner as a soak for their Invisalign aligners. (Simply fill a cup with warm water, put the tablet in, and let the aligners soak.) Smile Studio Orthodontics says both methods will keep your Invisalign looking clean, feeling fresh, and working effectively.
Wear Invisalign as directed: The most important aspect of Invisalign treatment is to use the system properly. Always follow the exact instructions from Smile Studio Orthodontics. Likely, this means never leaving the Invisalign trays out of your mouth for extended periods of time, and always being aware of updating the set of trays when the 2-3 week time period has elapsed. Patients should remember that the longer the Invisalign clear aligner trays are out of a patient’s mouth, they are not working to correct their orthodontic issue. This will extend the treatment time for the wearer.

Invisalign treatment is designed to be comfortable and convenient, and by following some easy instructions, patients can ensure their successful treatment outcome. If you have any questions about the Invisalign clear aligner system and how to care for it, contact Dr. Leroy Venn and the team at Smile Studio Orthodontics near Hiram, GA at: 770-892-3833

CONTACT US
TODAY FOR YOUR
CONSULTATION

Author: Erika Venn

Adults Can Get Braces, Too!

Why Adult Braces?

What are the Different Types of Adult Braces?

Three Techniques An Orthodontist Can Use To Fix Crooked Teeth

Treatment Process