When it comes to your smile, picking the right professional makes all the difference. You might be curious about the distinctions between a board-certified orthodontist, a non-certified orthodontist, and a dentist who offers braces. Let’s dive into what sets these professionals apart and why board certification is so important.

The Journey to Becoming an Orthodontist

First, let's break down the educational paths these experts take. Every orthodontist begins as a dentist, completing dental school to earn their DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) degree. After that, those who want to specialize in orthodontics spend an extra two to three years in a rig...

Why Candy and Braces Don’t Mix

Initial Assessment

We often get asked, "Why age 7?" when it comes to a child's first orthodontic visit. It's a great question and one that we're excited to address. As a leading orthodontist, Dr. Jolley agrees with the experts at the American Association of Orthodontics, and believes in the importance of early orthodontic intervention to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child. Learn why age 7 is the ideal time to schedule that first orthodontic appointment – and maybe for braces.

Early Detection Leads to Early Intervention

By the age of 7, your child's mouth has typically developed enough permanent teeth for our orthodontic team to evaluate their dental health comprehensively. This early asses...

Are you embarking on your orthodontic journey with braces? Congratulations! At Jolley Orthodontics, our Smile Team is dedicated to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. Proper oral hygiene is essential when you have braces, as it ensures that your teeth remain healthy and your treatment progresses smoothly. In this blog, Dr. Jolley will provide you with valuable tips and techniques for brushing and flossing with braces so you can maintain your oral health with confidence.

Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools at hand. You'll need a soft-bristle toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and possibly an orthodontic floss threader. If you pref...

Welcome to the world of orthodontics with Dr. Cameron Jolley at Jolley Orthodontics! We've put together five fun facts about orthodontics that might just surprise you. So, get ready to dive into this fascinating realm and explore the exciting process of straightening teeth.

1. Crooked Teeth: An Age-Old Story

Did you know that people have had crooked teeth since the days of our ancient ancestors? Even Egyptian mummies have been found with metal bands around their teeth, while Greek philosopher Hippocrates mentioned "irregularities" in teeth around 400 BCE. Fast forward to 1728, French dentist Pierre Fauchard wrote about orthodontic appliances in his groundbreaking book on dentistry, The Surg...

If you’re new to braces or scheduled to get traditional metal braces soon, chances are you’re thinking about what foods you’ll be able to eat. Good news! There are tons of brace-friendly foods that you can enjoy throughout your treatment. It’s true that there are some foods that you’ll need to avoid. However, the list of what you CAN eat is a lot, lot longer than what you can’t.

Foods to Avoid

Unfortunately, there are some foods that can cause your braces damage. Broken wires or brackets can delay treatment time, meaning you will have your braces on longer than planned. Damaging your braces may also physically hurt. That’s why we want to warn patien...

Did you know that there is more behind a straight smile than just the appearance? It is common to think that patients want straight teeth just for the look of a beautiful smile. However, straight teeth can help your overall health as well! Although orthodontics is often considered cosmetic, there are many situations where it can be medically neccesary to avoid serious medical concerns.

Straight Teeth are Easier to Keep Clean

One of the biggest reasons to have orthodontic treatment is because straight teeth are usually healthier teeth. When teeth are crowded or crooked, there are more opportunities for bacteria to build up and places for plaque to hide or be missed when brushing and flossing. ...

Reasons for Adult Braces