Dr. David Boldish has been providing great smiles to patients ranging from ages 7 to 60 years old through orthodontic treatment.

He has been awarded a Fellow in Orthodontics by the International Association for Orthodontics, an achievement very few general dentists attain.

Not only are straight teeth attractive, but they also contribute to good oral health.  Children and teenagers need braces to reposition teeth into a proper bite as well as to correct wide spaces and crowded, mialigned teeth.  For the same reasons, many adults also benefit from braces.  One in five orthodontic patients is an adult.  Savvy patients know that they are never too old to enjoy the benefits of straight teeth.

For years, Dr. Boldish has been helping, children, teenagers and adults enjoy the great benefits of orthodontic treatment.  Call us to schedule an orthodontic evaluation for you or a family member.

To read more about orthodontics:

• Orthodontic Treatment -- How early?
• The First Steps in Getting Braces
• Foods and Orthodontics
• Dental Care with Braces

Orthodontic Treatment - How early?

My Child doesn't have all permanent teeth yet. Should we wait for them to appear to make an appointment?

No. Potential problems from habits such as thumb-sucking, or genetric issues such as crowding, underbite, or overbite can be treated prior to all permanent teeth erupting.  An interceptive approach allows us to begin treatment to gently expand and reshape a young person's smile.

The First Steps in Getting Braces

Prospective orthodontic patients usually have many questions. Here are a few commonly asked questions.

• I'm interested in getting braces. What kind of appointment should I make?

Make an orthodontic consultation appointment. At this appointment, the doctor will evaluate your mouth and determine whether orthodontic treatment can be beneficial.  At this time fees and financial options are addressed.  If you decide to proceed, an orthodontic records appointment is necessary.

The orthodontic records appointment includes:

Digital panoramic-ray and cephalometric ( an x-ray of you head and jaw) x-impressions of your teeth, from which dental models are fabricated, photographs of your teeth, smile and face.

After evaluating your specific case, the doctor will provide you with your orthodontic treatment plan.

I've decided to go ahead with the treatment plan the doctor and I discussed.  What's next?

Make an appointment for spacers. Spacers are small plastic circles that are inserted between molars before braces are placed.  Spacers act to gently move teeth to create a space so that orthodontic bands can be placed around molars.  After approximatley on week, braces can be placed.

Dental Care While Wearing Braces

It is especially important to keep teeth cavity free while wearing bands, brackets, wires and elastics.  All of this hardware can cause food particles to become trapped behind the wire and become areas of cavity causing bacteria.  Gums can swell and bleed easily, making cleaning and brushing uncomfortable. Every effort must be made to keep your teeth meticulously clean.

Do I need to change my eating habits with braces?

Yes, now is the time to start carrying a tooth brush in your backpack, purse or briefcase to always have one available at school, work or while away from home for any reason.  Try to brush thoroughly within ten minutes of eating a meal or snacking.

We strongly recommend using a water oral hygiene device that effectively removes any food particles that may be left behing after brushing.

Can I have my teeth cleaned with braces?

Certainly!  It is extremely important to schedule regular dental exams every six months to make sure that your teeth and gums remain healthy..