Thursday, August 26, 2021

Teeth Whitening After Braces

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

The feeling you have after getting your braces removed is the absolute best! It’s such a relief knowing that your orthodontic treatment is over, your teeth have moved into their proper alignment, and you finally have the smile you’ve always wanted.

Unfortunately, some people get their braces off and are disappointed by the color of their teeth. It’s very common for patients to want a whiter smile after the completion of their orthodontic treatment. From toothpaste to whitening trays…there are many options when it comes to whitening your teeth after your braces have been removed that can give you the bright and beautiful smile you’ve always wanted to show off.

Whitening toothpaste & mouthwash – Regular toothpaste is designed to help remove some surface stains as they clean teeth and improve the health of your mouth. Whitening toothpaste takes it a step further by adding more abrasive ingredients to scrub the surface of the teeth and help remove even more surface stains. Whitening toothpastes are the least expensive and most easily accessible option for brightening your smile. However, it can take several weeks to begin to see results. Using a whitening toothpaste can help with minor stains, but because they don’t change the actual color of your teeth; any results can be undone by continuing habits that contribute to stains on your teeth.

At-home whitening kits – At-home whitening kits like Crest Whitestrips are relatively effective and can help whiten your teeth after braces. At-home whitening kits are able remove stains from under the tooth surface with whitening gels, or bleaching agents, that contain an oxidizing agent in the form of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The whitening gel reacts with the internal aspect of your tooth, mixing with the discolored areas and breaking them apart, giving your teeth a noticeably whiter appearance.

Professional teeth whitening – If you have serious stains or white spots on your teeth after your braces have been removed, a professional whitening treatment from your general dentist is the best choice. With professional whitening, you’ll be able to quickly reverse years of staining in a single appointment.

If you or a member of your family has just completed orthodontic treatment and are looking for teeth whitening options in Mooresville or the surrounding areas, the team at Quest Johnson Orthodontics can help answer any questions you have about achieving a brighter, whiter smile after braces. Give our office a call today!   

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Your First Orthodontic Visit

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

At Quest Johnson Orthodontics, we are proud to offer affordable orthodontic treatment options with exceptional results to patients of all ages.

Your initial consultation is one of the most important appointments you’ll have at our office. Your first visit to our office is a time for us to get to know you and determine your main concerns. We will ease your fears by giving you as much information as needed to help you feel comfortable. Each member of our team is friendly and accessible, and we encourage our patients and parents to ask questions. We believe that patients will feel more comfortable if they know what to expect and are well informed of a procedure before it occurs. We try to avoid any unexpected surprises and let each patient know everything we are going to do, before we do it.

When you arrive at our Mooresville office, you’ll be welcomed and introduced to our treatment coordinator.  After we give you a quick tour of the office, we’ll look at your medical and dental histories and take a few digital photographs of your teeth, along with a panoramic X-ray if your dentist did not have a current one to send us. These photographs and X-ray are used to identify and discuss any orthodontic problems that are present.

After the photographs are taken, Drs. Quest and Johnson will perform a careful examination.  They will evaluate many things relating to your face, your smile, the fit of your teeth, and the amount of room for all of your teeth. This thorough exam helps Drs. Quest and Johnson determine what type of treatment would benefit you most. They will provide a complete clinical diagnosis, a written summary of the findings and a detailed plan that outlines your treatment, goals, and estimated fees.

Following your exam, Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson may recommend treatment. If treatment is needed, this could start right away, or they may suggest that you return for periodic checkups. The timing of orthodontic treatment will depend on the developmental stage of the teeth and jaws along with the severity of the problem.

Whether you’ll be beginning treatment now or later, this first orthodontic visit is the best time to ask any questions you have about the orthodontic process. Our treatment coordinator will go over the treatment choices available to you and help you understand what to expect during the different stages of your orthodontic care.

You only get one smile! Trust it to qualified orthodontic experts like Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson. If you haven’t already scheduled an initial consultation with us, call our office today and take the first step towards the smile you’ve always wanted!