Month: December 2022

Skilled Orthodontists in Nexton on Caring for Your New Braces

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Michael Zetz - Orthodontist Service

When you come to Crescent Moon Orthodontics for braces, our skilled orthodontists in Nexton do everything possible to make the process as smooth and beneficial as we can. This includes detailed instructions on caring for your braces, oral hygiene, foods to avoid, and even eating tips to protect your oral hardware. Below, we share some tips for caring for your new braces.

Brush Regularly

Our orthodontic team at Crescent Moon Orthodontics recommend that patients with braces brush twice a day for two minutes each time. Choose fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. Remove any rubber bands or other removable accessories, then beginning at the top, use a gentle circular motion to move the brush across each tooth. Move the brush below the wires to get everything above and below. After completing all the top teeth, move to the bottom and repeat the process.

Floss & Mouthwash

Brushing alone cannot remove all the food and debris from between teeth, and brace hardware makes things even more difficult. Flossing and rinsing with mouthwash is now even more important. Floss with a threader or water pick to remove all debris from between the teeth. Rinsing can help remove loose particles for an extra clean treatment.

Check the Mirror

A visual inspection after each brushing is recommended to determine if anything is left between teeth. You should also inspect your braces for anything that appears to be out of place, such as wires that stick out our loose brackets. When you are satisfied with your oral care routine, reattach any rubber bands or other accessories.

Foods to Enjoy and Avoid

Certain foods can be bad for your braces and hardware, causing breaks and repeated trips to the orthodontist in Nexton for repairs. Choose to enjoy some of the following foods:

Cooked vegetables
Soft breads
Yogurt and milk
Soft fruits
Lean meats
Tofu
Soft nut butters, such as peanut butter

Foods to avoid include:

Popcorn
Hard or extremely crusty bread
Hard candy
Crunchy chips
Hard fruits
Whole nuts or seeds
Meat from a bone

Mealtime Tips

Even how you eat is important when it comes to protecting your braces. Cut food into smaller bites that are easily eaten from a fork or spoon and avoid taking bites directly from food. When your mouth is sore after adjustments, try eating soft, cold foods to ease discomfort.

Experienced Orthodontists in Nexton

The experienced orthodontists in Nexton at Crescent Moon Orthodontics are long-time specialists at orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile. If you need oral care for a straight and bright smile, contact us today to schedule an exam and consultation.

An Orthodontist in Summerville Explains the Stages of Braces

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Michael Zetz - Orthodontist Service

Visiting an orthodontist in Summerville for braces doesn’t need to be scary. Dr. Michael R. Zetz, Jr. at Crescent Moon Orthodontics is a renowned specialist in straightening smiles throughout the Low Country, with plenty of experience putting patients at ease. Here, he shares what you can expect when you come to our clinic for orthodontic treatment with braces.

Orthodontic Consultation

Dr. Zetz meets with every patient (and their parents if a minor) for a complete orthodontic consultation. During this meeting, you can expect a complete dental evaluation, including 3D imaging to obtain digital impressions of your teeth. From these scans, Dr. Zetz can evaluate the problems with your bite and smile and design a solution, which will be explained to you in detail.

As an experienced orthodontist in Summerville, Dr. Zetz knows the concerns most patients and parents have, and is quick to address these with transparency and compassion. He will discuss:

Treatment options and costs
Insurance benefits and claims
Treatment timeframes
Your questions

You can expect this initial consultation to last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

Placement of Brace Hardware

During this appointment, Dr. Zetz will place the brackets, wires, and other necessary hardware on the patient’s teeth. There are choices for color elastics for personalization, and we will discuss proper care of braces and oral hygiene practices to keep them clean. We will also send every patient home with tools and instructions for caring for their braces, and when to return for adjustments or if problems arise.

Adjustments

About every 4-6 weeks, Dr. Zetz will need to monitor how your teeth are moving and make adjustments to the hardware. Wires are tightened, elastics are changed, any problems are handled, and you are free to go until the next scheduled adjustment appointment. As time goes on, you may space appointments up to 8 weeks apart, as Dr. Zetz directs. You may also call and come in for any problems, such as loose or broken wires or brackets.

Removal of Braces

Also called the debonding stage, this is when the brace hardware is removed from your teeth. The straightening work has been achieved, and after removing the brackets and hardware, your teeth are polished and a net set of 3D images are obtained for a baseline. This will also be used to construct a custom retainer if this is required for further orthodontic therapy.

Wearing Your Retainer

In most cases, patients will be required to wear a custom retainer to maintain the progress made by wearing braces. Dr. Zetz will provide instructions on how and when to wear your retainer, as well as care and cleaning instructions. Future appointments will be set to monitor your progress and to make necessary adjustments to keep your smile straight.

Braces from an Orthodontist in Summerville

Wearing braces to straighten your smile is not a huge ordeal, but it does require a time commitment and discipline. Certain foods must be avoided and particular care must be taken to maintain oral hygiene. Your talented orthodontist in Summerville at Crescent Moon Orthodontics will do everything possible to make the process as smooth as possible, and you will be pleased with your results.

What Is Included in Treatment from an Orthodontist in Summerville?

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Michael Zetz - Summerville Orthodontist

Orthodontic treatment is an advanced form of dental care that focuses on aligning crooked, gapped, or misaligned teeth for a straight, better-functioning smile. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect when you schedule treatment from an orthodontist in Summerville at Crescent Moon Orthodontics.

Superior Technology

A premier aspect of your treatment from an orthodontist in Summerville at Crescent Moon Orthodontics is superior technology. We use state-of-the-art orthodontic therapies and technological tools to guarantee the smoothest and best orthodontic treatments possible for straightening your smile.

The advanced technology we use to produce highly efficient traditional braces and modern clear aligners includes:

Digital Imaging
Digital Modeling
3D Printing
Invisalign® Software and Technology
SureSmile® Aligner Manufacturing
Advanced Refinements for Pain Mediation

Modern Options

Crescent Moon Orthodontics offers only the very latest modern options in orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners and traditional braces. Dr. Zetz, our talented orthodontist in Summerville, will determine which options are the best fit to meet every patient’s needs.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

The Invisalign System is a series of clear overlay aligners that are custom designed and produced by computer technology using advanced 3D imaging. Each set of custom clear aligners gradually moves the teeth toward the predetermined goal of perfect alignment. Made from BPA-free plastic, the clear aligners are virtually invisible, making them a top choice for adults who wish to undergo orthodontic treatment without the stigma of visible braces. Crescent Moon Orthodontics is a Preferred Invisalign Provider in Charleston and Summerville.

Invisalign Teen

Invisalign® Teen is ideal for teens looking to enhance their smile, but are concerned about the appearance of traditional braces. Invisalign appeals to teens because they are easy to use, easily removable to allow eating all their favorite foods. Invisalign clear aligners for teens work the same way as for adults; teens receive a new set of custom clear aligners every few weeks that move their teeth closer to a predetermined straight smile.

SureSmile Clear Aligners

Similar to Invisalign, SureSmile clear aligners are also made from clear plastic, in this case Essix, to be nearly invisible. They are custom designed right in our office using 3D imaging and modeling and the specialized SureSmile software. These advanced clear aligners are another popular option for both adults and teens wanting discreet orthodontic treatment.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces are often a better choice for many patients, due to certain orthodontic problems or issues of cost. Many dental insurance plans do not cover clean aligners but will cover most if not all the cost of traditional braces. At Crescent Moon Orthodontics, we offer traditional metal braces with both clear and rhodium-coated options.

Recognized Expertise from a Skilled Orthodontist in Summerville

Dr. Michael R. Zetz, Jr. is our talented orthodontist in Summerville at Crescent Moon Orthodontics. Extensively educated at St. Louis University, Ohio State University, and the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Zetz and our skilled team of orthodontic specialists bring over 70 years of combined experience and recognized expertise to our patients.

Since 2003, the team at Crescent Moon Orthodontics have brought straight smiles to youth and adults throughout the Low Country of Charleston and Summerville, using the most advanced technology and techniques available in the industry. Contact us today for superior orthodontic care from a skilled orthodontist in Summerville.