SureSmile v. Invisalign

SureSmile® is one of the newest orthodontic treatments on the market.

Invisalign® is one of the mos popular ways to correct crooked teeth.

What is the difference?
SureSmile®
SureSmile® uses traditional brackets and wires, but instead of Dr. Tipton moving teeth by adjusting the wires by hand, he moves the teeth in a 3-D model on the computer and then, he sends the image to Dallas  where  directs the a robot  to form the wires that are more accurate than manually bending the wires.

Greater accuracy means a faster, more precise treatment time. SureSmile® can reduce treatment times by up to 40 percent. It means fewer office visits, less discomfort and a more perfect, precise smile.

Invisalign®
Invisalign® is a series of invisible aligners (or invisible braces) that are removable. These aligners help to gently reconfigure your smile – without the discomfort of traditional braces.

The invisible aligners can be removed to eat, drink, brush and floss and are worn for approximately two- three  weeks each, until they have straightened to a final position.

Which one is right for me?
SureSmile® is best for any kind of straightening or alignment of teeth. Because it uses the traditional brackets and wires system, it is suitable for complex cases, very irregular teeth, and bite adjustments. It can be used on children, teens and adults and offers a much shorter treatment time than standard braces. Dr. Tipton has more control of the teeth.

Invisalign® is recommended primarily for patients who have had braces before and want or need only minor adjustments to their teeth. Because the aligners cannot correct complex cases or bite problems, they are recommended primarily for adults who just need slight cosmetic modifications. Aligners do not correct the relationship of how the upper and lower teeth fit together.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and find out which solution is right for you, click here to send us an e-mail.

What it takes to become an orthodontist.

 An orthodontist is a dental specialist that has not only completed college and 4 years of dental school, but has also completed an additional 2 to 3 years residency program accredited by the ADA of advanced education in orthodontics. After receiving the additional years of training and education, an orthodontist has learned the skills that are required to treat the misalignment of teeth and facial development with braces, headgear, retainers and other methods. Only a dentist that has completed the additional years of training and education after dental school is an orthodontist.

Orthodontists do much more than simply put on braces; preparation for oral surgery, and treatment to keep the jaw joints healthy are a large part of an orthodontist’s duties. Becoming an orthodontist is a  rewarding career choice and it can make a difference in the way people feel about themselves for their entire lives.

Step 1

Earn a Bachelor’s degree. You generally must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree to enter dental school.

Step 2

Enroll in a dental college to attain your DDS (Doctor of Dental Science). This will take four years of studying biology, social sciences, and anatomy as they relate to dental health.

Step 3

Pass the Dental Admissions Test. This test certifies that you have the necessary skills to become a practicing dentist; no dentist is allowed to operate a practice without passing this exam.

Step 4

Enroll in a Science of Orthodontics course. This will take an additional two to three years. This course will begin teaching you the arts of your chosen profession.

Step 5

Start a practice.

Becoming an orthodontist is very challenging and takes hard work and dedication.

It is crucial to brush your teeth a minimum of 2 times a day. However, if you have braces you should be brushing after every meal. This is critical because braces tend to trap food particles and bacteria that can cause cavities if you don’t clean your teeth each time you eat.

You should brush your teeth between 3-4 minutes. Patients generally think they are brushing long enough, when, in fact, most people spend less than one minute brushing. It is generally better to brush 3 to 4 minutes twice a day instead of brushing quickly five or more times throughout the day. Here are the five steps to  brushing your teeth properly.

Step 1: Place the toothbrush beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle.

Step 2: Gently brush teeth only a small group of teeth at a time (in a circular or elliptical motion) until the entire mouth is covered.

Step 3: Brush the outside of the teeth, inside of the teeth, the chewing surfaces, and in between each tooth.

Step 4: Gently brush the tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

Step 5: Repeat steps 1 through 4 at least twice daily, especially after meals and snacks.

Some great ways to time your daily brushings is with a cooking timer, a little hourglass (you can get from your dentist), or singing some fun songs. Listed below are some songs you can sing about teeth while brushing.

To the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Brush, brush, brush your teeth

Gently round your gums.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Brushing can be fun!!

Brush, brush, brush your teeth

Brush them every day.

The front, the sides, the back, the top

To keep decay (or the bugs or germs) away!

Floss, floss, floss your teeth

Floss without delay.

You need to do this every day

To keep decay (or the bugs or germs) away!

To the tune of “Jingle Bells”  

I brush my teeth, I brush my teeth, morning noon and night.

I brush them, floss them, rinse them clean; I keep them nice and white.

I brush them once, I brush them twice; I brush them till they shine.

I always brush them round and round; those precious teeth of mine.

I eat good foods, I eat good foods, I give my teeth a treat.

I like to eat healthy foods like veggies, fruit, and meat.

If I eat sweets, if I eat sweets, I brush them right away

To keep my teeth shiny bright, and free from tooth decay.

To the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

If you’re happy and you know it give a smile                                                  

If you’re happy and you know it give a smile

If you’re happy and you know it then your face is going to show it

If you’re happy and you know it give a smile.

When my teeth are clean I know it ‘cause I SMILE

When my teeth are clean I know it ‘cause I SMILE

When my teeth are clean I know it and I’m not afraid to show it

When my teeth are clean I know it ‘cause I SMILE

To the tune of “Old MacDonald had a Farm”

All my friends have pretty smiles

Ee – i – ee – i – o. 

They brush their teeth to keep them bright,

Ee – i – ee – i – o.

With a wiggle-jiggle here,

And a wiggle-jiggle there,

Here a wiggle, there a jiggle,

Everywhere a wiggle-jiggle

Oh what fun to brush our teeth, 

Ee – i – ee – i - o.

Sing these songs a few times while brushing your teeth and you smile will stay fresh, clean and healthy.

What is SureSmile?

SureSmile is a huge advance in orthodontics. SureSmile has so many advantages and differences over other procedures:

o   Shortened treatment time – by up to 40%

o   Reduce the number of adjustments

o   Fewer office visits

• Less discomfort

SureSmile treatment is a 3-step process that uses digital imaging, a robotic arm, and an orthodontic eye to create a state-of-the-art orthodontic experience! With SureSmile, you can be in and out of braces FAST with many patients seeing top results in under a year as opposed to two-three years in braces! The following is from the SureSmile web site:

Three Steps to a SureSmile

Step 1: Digital imaging with the OraScanner creates a 3-D digital model of your mouth, showing the exact position of every tooth.

Step 2: Computer modeling with SureSmile Treatment Planning Software allows the orthodontist to manipulate the digital model of your teeth and create a plan for your ultimate smile.

Step 3: Robotic hands, guided by the SureSmile software, precision-bend Shape Memory Alloy archwires that work with your body heat to shorten treatment time.

Tipton Orthodontics is one of only four SureSmile providers in Arizona. It is the most cutting-edge treatment available in the world of braces today. 

We were given a great honor last week – our office was selected as the 2008 Best of Tempe in the Orthodontists category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).
Each year, the USBLA recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. They identify companies they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category.
The award is given to local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
We are happy to be presented with this award, in recognition of our efforts to enhance the positive image of our business through service to our customers and community.
We would love to hear your thoughts about Tipton Orthodontics.

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When your child has braces, it is necessary for you and your child to make time to maintain them. It is very important to brush and clean them whenever you eat, but also to be aware and careful of the food your child eats, because that can significantly affect the process and success of braces.
Below is a list of good foods that your child can eat. And below that, a list bad foods.

Good foods:
• Meatloaf or meatballs
• Tuna, chicken, or egg salad
• Lunch meat (plain, not in a sandwich — sandwiches can be too hard to bite)
• Soup
• Cheese slices
• Cooked eggs
• French toast, pancakes, waffles
• Soft cooked meat (pot roast, roasted chicken, etc)
• Baked or broiled fish
• Non-crusty bread without seeds or chunks
• Saltine crackers (they crumble on the roof of your mouth!)
• Cottage cheese
• Yogurt (custard-type is best; the less chunks the better — or just don’t eat the fruit chunks!)
• Cereal that gets soggy in milk
• Oatmeal or hot cereals
• Ice cream and cake (Why not treat yourself? But remember, no nuts!)
• Frozen cheese blintzes or potato pancakes

Bad foods:
• Ice….Definitely a NO!! It can damage braces
• Nuts
• Peanut brittle
• Soda pop
• Hard pizza crust
• Corn on the cob
• Ribs
• Doritos, corn chips, hard tacos, Cheetos, Fritos and anything similar to those foods.
• Popcorn
• Hard pretzels
• Hard rolls and bagels
• Raw carrots
• Bubble gum
• Carmel candy
• Beef jerky
• Suckers & Hard candy

A rule of thumb for braces is to not eat anything high in sugar, sticky, or hard. Something simple and easy to put together for your kids is a little dental kit. They can carry it to school and after school activities.

Your portable dental kit can contain: a travel or full-size toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, folding cup, dental floss, little spiral dental brush, dental wax, small mirror, packet of tissues, breath drops or spray and anything else you think could be useful. This little kit is very handy. Do we think a child will really use it every day? No. But at least it will be there for the day he or she eats a handful of Starbursts and can’t pry their mouth back open.

*Remember having braces is a good thing… sometimes it can get frustrating, but in the end it will be worth it!

Dr. Tipton’s patient, Pamela Waterman, a Phoenix-area engineer and author, is the author of The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (and Your Orthodontist) Will Love. Dr. Tipton has endorsed this book. We recommend you try it out!

There has been some speculation lately about a certain young celebrity’s teeth. Miss Miley Cyrus, a young woman I have heard of, but never met, has suddenly appeared with a brighter, straighter, and more stunning smile. Overnight she has emerged with what appears to be veneers and a thousand watt smile. This will, inevitably, lead thousands of teens to ask why they have to get braces, when pop idol Miss Cyrus bypassed them and went straight to perfect teeth.

Veneers and braces are very different applications. Veneers require filing down the natural tooth, a permanent change. Committing to veneers is an expensive and life long commitment. Typically, they cost more in the long run than braces. It takes several weeks to get used to them, and it can be very uncomfortable. But the result is a beautiful one, but a bit unnatural looking. Veneers can be spotted in many wearers. The teeth are so perfect and noticeable that they do not appear to be natural.
Braces do take longer, but provide a more natural result. New technology has emerged that make braces more comfortable, faster, less obtrusive, and more predictable.  Techniques like SureSmile®, which integrates digital imaging, computer modeling, robotic technology and high-tech materials to provide a more accurate treatment plan, mean significantly less time with braces than other orthodontic treatments, fewer appointments and less pain and discomfort. This is a major plus for teenagers (and adults) dreading years of braces.
Even if you have Miley Cyrus’ pocketbook and entourage to get you through the recovery, veneers will not be recommended for a teenager. Until the patient is certain that their teeth will not shift or move, veneers are not a good option. Even filed down with a veneer over it, the natural teeth will shift and move.
So why did Miley do it if it isn’t a wise choice? That’s up to her and her parents. I can’t answer that. But I can answer your questions about your specific situation. Contact my office to find out what your best options will be to a better smile.

Written by Beverly, the Treatment Coordinator at Tipton Orthodontics

WOW! What a great time Dr. Tipton, Irene, Whitney and I had at the SureSmile conference in Orlando! This was the perfect opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and be reminded of the ways we can fully utilize the latest technology available today. The team learned a great deal about how other practices are using SureSmile and what an amazing system SureSmile is. I think we were on brain overload a majority of the time.

This trip was more than just a learning experience though. I mean really, who could go to Walt Disney World Resorts without spending a little time at the Magic Kingdom? We spent the day riding all of the roller coasters (ask Dr. Tipton about Splash Mountain), watching the parades and of course… shopping.

At the conference, I was a bit surprised to learn that only 250 orthodontic practices in the United States use SureSmile and that Dr. Tipton is one of only four in Arizona using SureSmile! I feel like Tipton Orthodontics is on top of things, so that is good. Those patients using the SureSmile system really are getting their braces off so much sooner, some up to 40% sooner. We are very excited to see our patients happy with our services at Tipton Orthodontics and leaving with a FANTASTIC smile as well!

Oh, and don’t forget to ask Dr. Tipton about Splash Mountain

Well I just finished a live interview on Channel 12 TV. My daughters Olivia and Maddie were on with me as well. I am not going to lie, it was a frightening experience. I’m so glad that none of us passed out while on camera! But we got through it, and I think it went very well. A majority of the interview was centered around questions about the new SureSmile Technology. We will be posting the video soon.