When Should I Bring My Child for a Consultation?

One of the most frequently asked questions is, "When should I bring my child in for treatment?" The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child be evaluated by an orthodontic specialist by age 7, when they have a mixture of adult and baby teeth.  

Children have more formidable bone structures than teenagers and adults, and as they grow, orthodontic appliances can help guide jaw growth, which may prevent the development of an overbite or under-bite, as well as tooth crowding due to space limitations. Orthodontic treatment is also helpful for guiding newly emerging adult teeth into a proper alignment, which is not only aesthetically advantageous, but also helpful in preventing tooth decay.

Bringing your 7-year-old child to Rampton and Defay Orthodontics for an evaluation allows us to detect possible problems with the jaw and teeth, while they are still easy to correct.  Early detection means treatment may be simplified and more cost effective than delayed treatment.  If we identify a problem, our Doctors and team will discuss possible corrective options and present a treatment schedule.

If your child is approaching his or her 7th birthday, or it has passed, it is time to make an appointment at Rampton and Defay Orthodontics.

Summer Time!

We are getting close to those dog days of summer and it is pretty toasty! We hope you are staying safe and cool whether you may be swimming, boating, playing in the sprinklers or celebrating with fireworks.

Although the heat is rising we have some cool, refreshing treats that also don't harm our braces. Popsicles, ice cold lemonade, fudgesicles, snowcones, ice cream just to name a few. They all just happen to be delicious, braces-friendly and you can find them sugar-free as well! Lucky us!

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has also provided an excellent recipe for Watermelon Sorbet:

Watermelon Sorbet

Ingredients
• ¾ cup water
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 2 to 3 cups watermelon, diced, no seeds or rind
Directions
In a small saucepan, heat the water, sugar, and lime juice on medium high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Chill this “syrup” at least 20 minutes. In the meantime, place the watermelon chunks in a food processor or blender and liquefy them. Add the chilled syrup to the watermelon puree and blend. Freeze sorbet in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve immediately.



Enjoy! Have a fun and safe summer!

-Rampton and Defay Orthodontics

WebMD Features Adult Ortho

About a month ago we posted about adult orthodontic treatment at Rampton and Defay Orthodontics. The word about the popularity of adult ortho is spreading. A feature article on adult orthodontic treatment had been published on WebMD, a widely recognized Web resource and online community offering consumers information on many health topics. The article, which examines why adults seek orthodontic treatment and options for treatment, includes quotes from Dr. Michael Rogers, 2011-12 American Association of Orthodontists President. It also features why adults are choosing orthodontics and different orthodontic options. Check it out!

View the Article, "Braces? At my Age?*

Why Is A Healthy Bite Important?

We all want a stunning smile, but few of us realize that straight teeth also means a healthy bite.  Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean, reducing the amount of plaque buildup and risk for gingivitis. The cleaner you keep your teeth, the longer they'll last.

Did you know that a healthy bite can also help improve health problems many of us face? If you recognize any of these signs in your child or yourself, it might be time to schedule a consolation with our orthodontists.

• Difficulty chewing or biting
• Mouth Breathing
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
• Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or are recessed
• Protruding teeth
• Speech difficulty
• Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
• Headaches resulting from maligned teeth
• Teeth meet in an abnormal way or don't meet at all
• Facial imbalance or asymmetry (features out of proportion to the rest of the face)
• Grinding or clenching of teeth
• Inability to comfortably close lips

At Rampton and Defay Orthodontics we want the very best for your health and your self esteem. That's why our team is focused on the very best results for the overall health and beauty of your smile. 

It's Never Too Late for a Beautiful, Healthy Smile

Adult Ortho is becoming more and more common.  The number of adults getting orthodontic treatment has increased 24 percent in the past decade.  Adults are letting us know that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids!  Some of the reasons our adult patients visit us are:

• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease

• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw

• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all our adult patients want a healthier mouth and more confident smile!  At Rampton and Defay Orthodontics, we understand that the needs of our adult patients differ from those of our younger patients. Our doctors and staff have worked with adults for years. We ensure that each patient is heard and treated with understanding and respect.

If you have been considering getting braces or Invisalign, we would love to see you for a free consultation. Our team understands you have a busy schedule. Call us and we will do our best to make an appointment that is convenient for you.   Now is a great time to invest in a terrific smile!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month!

At Rampton and Defay Orthodontics we understand the importance of feeling good about yourself.  May is Teenage Self-Esteem Month. Parents and adults are being asked to be positive role models, encourage positive self-esteem and instill confidence and security among teenagers.

A beautiful, healthy smile is one way to improve self-esteem and help teenagers build confidence. Parents, you can schedule a free consultation for your teen at Rampton and Defay Orthodontics.  Our team is dedicated to providing braces and Invisalign Teen in a friendly and fun environment. We love our teenage patients and enjoy interacting with them. We hope that we build their self-esteem as much as they help ours!

Dr. Rampton and Dr. Defay's favorite part of their job is interacting with their patients and revealing a stunning new smile.  Seeing a teenager's self-esteem sky-rocket when they see their new smile, is what we love.  So, come in and meet our team and learn about improving your teenager's smile an self-esteem.

Jackson Rocks the Rubix

Check out our patient Jackson "Rocking the Rubix" at his ortho appointment. Our patients have many talents, thanks for sharing yours with us Jackson!

Jackson Rocks the Rubix from Defay Ortho on Vimeo.