Access your account—anywhere, any day, any time—at Piedmont Orthodontic

At Piedmont Orthodontic Associates, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Spartanburg.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

Give us a call if you have any questions about accessing your account!

-Dr. Ernest Gardner and our staff

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment at Piedmont Orthodontic Associates already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:
• An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
• A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
• A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontists). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner.

Give our office a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule and appointment.

-Dr. Ernest Gardner and team

The importance of retainers, from Piedmont Orthodontic Associates

If you recently completed treatment at Piedmont Orthodontic Associates, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Ernest Gardner will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Gardner is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. You can also find retainer instructions on our website.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Gardner, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

1 in 4 parents say their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That why Dr. Ernest Gardner and team at Piedmont Orthodontic Associates thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports.

Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Piedmont Orthodontic Associates. Stay safe and have fun!