Braces 101 with Red Deer Orthodontics

Should you need to call Red Deer Orthodontics, in case you sustain any damage to your braces, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.


Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

--Everyone at Red Deer Orthodontics

What are patients saying about Red Deer Orthodontics?

Dr. Cram and his team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Red Deer Orthodontics, serving Red Deer, AB, and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today!

"Dr. Bob and his team have made our experience very pleasant and stress free." ~Carey

"I have just started my treatment, however, so far he seems to be honest and very knowledgeable. I'm very excited to have straight teeth and my service so far has been very fast and friendly! Thanks so much!" ~Teresa

"I love the atmosphere in his office. It is obvious that leadership he provides to his staff is strong by the way people do their jobs, get along with each other and care for their patients." ~Wayne

"I like the way Dr. Cram gets on my daughter's level and explains things so that she can understand as well. All the staff are warm and friendly and we also like Dr. Cram's cartoon voices." ~Taralee

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. Cram and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

A great braces-friendly fall recipe! From Dr. Cram

Fall is here, and sometimes we here at Red Deer Orthodontics crave a hot delicious meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) dish that we would like to share with you today.






Pasta Pomodorini

Ingredients:

• ¾ pound spaghetti or spaghetti
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• ¼ cup sliced garlic
• ½ teaspoon finely minced Calabrian chilies, or 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 pint small cherry tomatoes, stems removed, crushed between your thumb and forefinger
• Sea salt, preferably gray salt
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, each torn into 2 or 3 pieces
• Wedge of Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta. While the pasta cooks, heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the garlic and cook until the slivers are golden brown and crisp, then add the chilies and cook for about 30 seconds. Raise the heat to high and add the tomatoes. Simmer briskly to soften the tomatoes and thicken the juices, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. When the pasta is al dente, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Return the pasta to the warm pot off the heat. Add the sauce and the basil and mix well. Add some of the reserved cooking water if the pasta seems dry. Transfer to a warmed serving bowl and grate Parmesan over the top to taste. Drizzle with a little more olive oil. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy this great fall dish and have a great week!

--From Dr. Cram and staff

What do you love about Red Deer Orthodontics?

Red Deer Orthodontics, serving Red Deer, AB and surrounding areas, loves to hear your feedback about how Dr. Cram and our team are doing! We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Cram's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

There are many ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

You may write a review here.

Thank you!

Celebrities with braces on the silver screen

Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? He was 40 years old at time when he filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Cram.

In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of famous faces with braces. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give Red Deer Orthodontics a call in Red Deer, AB. We look forward to hearing from you!

Tell Dr. Cram and team: What's on your reading list this summer?

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago, we asked you, our great patients and readers, about your summer plans.

With summer finally here, some of us at Red Deer Orthodontics have been thinking increasingly about the importance of reading. Our staff and Dr. Robert Cram know it’s easier to go play ball or kick back and spend some quality time in front of the television, but reading during the summer is a key step in being prepared for classes in the fall (or work), as well as maintaining your skill level! In fact, a new study has found that the number of books at home might predict children's future.

Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff would be happy to provide a few titles. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading lists that we came across this morning, thanks to Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Happy reading everyone!

Share your summer plans with Dr. Cram!

We can't believe it's already June. As the school year comes to a close for a lot of Dr. Cram's patients, the days get longer and the temperatures begin to climb in Alberta, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or cool off under the shade with a iced beverage. For a lot of our patients, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape every-day life for a couple of weeks. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and other duties.

What about you?

What are your plans for summer? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a vacation or family reunion planned? We want to see when and how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re going somewhere exotic, tell Red Deer Orthodontics about it! If you're going camping, awesome! Even if you're staying at home, that can be fun as well.

Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along!