Dr. Paul Gates and team want to know: what's on your reading list this summer?

Two weeks ago, you might recall, we asked you, our amazing patients, about your summer 2010 plans.

With summer finally here, some of us at Round Rock Orthodontics have been thinking more and more... and more ... about the importance of reading during the summer. We know it’s easier for today's teens to go play ball or kick back and watch TV, but orthodontist Dr. Paul Gates and team will tell you reading during the summer is a vital step in being prepared for school, as well as maintaining your overall skill level.

If you're out of ideas for summer reads, we invite you to ask us for suggestions, and our staff would be more than happy to provide a few titles for you. You may also ask a local librarian here in Round Rock or surrounding communities for some ideas or check out various summer reading lists that we came across this week, courtesy of Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Happy reading! Let us know if you have any suggestions as the summer rolls along!

What are patients saying about Dr. Gates & Round Rock Orthodontics?

Round Rock Orthodontics, serving serving Round Rock and surrounding communities here in central Texas, deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment. We make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say!

"He was very informative about the orthodontic plans with Nicholas. He was also interested in talking to Nick, 10 yr old, about his summer. I think this made Nick feel comfortable on his first visit" ~ Margie N.

"Everyone was so delightful as well as the Dentist....what a breath of fresh air..." ~ Susan C.

"He is straight forward - open communication, friendly and efficient staff." ~ Regina S.

"Dr. Gates was personable. During my first visit, I noticed he had braces and thought that was cool. Additionally, he discussed the benefit of braces and how much Dentistry has progressed. Also, I absolutely loved WILL!!! He was great, as was the rest of the staff. Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable." ~ Kimberley T.

"The appointment times were convenient. The office was very warm and inviting, albeit very busy :) Dr. Gates is very knowledgeable and easy to talk with. My son was a little anxious about getting started, but Dr. Gates answered his questions." ~ Michelle C.

Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

Round Rock Orthodontics want to know: What are your summer plans?

As the school year comes to an abrupt end for a lot of our patients at Round Rock Orthodontics, the days get longer and the Texas sun begins to heat up, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or cool off under the shade with a beverage (non-sugary, of course).

For most of our patients, summer brings with it a chance to get away from it all and escape everyday life, if only for a week or two. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and studying.

How about you?

What are your summer plans? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a reunion planned? Our staff (and Dr. Paul Gates) would be interested in how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re going somewhere exotic, fantastic! If you're going camping, we'd like to hear about it! Even if you're staying at home here in Round Rock, let us know!

Please feel free to share your summer plans and adventures with Dr. Gates and staff on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along!

Dr. Gates and team, supporting National Smile Month

According to our friends at the American Dental Association, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, which is why it's important for us at Round Rock Orthodontics to support National Smile Month this June.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health during your treatment so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful clip showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss every day to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your dentist regularly (usually every six months apart) in addition to seeing Dr. Paul Gates.

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at 512-244-2644. Have a great rest of the week!!

Write a review of Round Rock Orthodontics!

Dr. Paul Gates and our talented staff are committed to providing extraordinary orthodontic care. We feature state-of-the-art treatment options in a warm and caring environment. Whether you've visited Round Rock Orthodontics for weeks or months, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our practice is faring during your treatment! There are lots of 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 listing and post a review there. Or, you may review us on Yelp if you'd like. After all, reviews help Dr. Gates and team create more beautiful smiles in Round Rock, Hutto, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Taylor and surrounding communities!

You may write a review here. Thanks in advance and enjoy the rest of your weekend! We look forward to reading your reviews!

At Round Rock Orthodontics, what puts you at ease?

Dr. Gates and our staff are totally aware that not everyone is always excited about visiting their orthodontist. But we want you to know that we at Round Rock Orthodontics strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each of your visits. We’d like to know: What is it about our practice that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Gates?

Let us know by posting here, on our Facebook page or by giving us a call at 512-244-2644!

We look forward to your thoughts!

We're moving!

Dr. Paul Gates and our team at Round Rock Orthodontics are proud to announce we will be in our new office as of tomorrow! We're very excited about the move because it means we will offer more space. Semi-private bays sure will be nice, and our new location will be easier to get in and out of during before and after school hours.

Please make note of our new address and contact information, effective immediately:

Round Rock Orthodontics
Dr. Paul A. Gates, D.D.S.
503 E. Palm Valley ste. 200
Round Rock, Tx 78664
Office: 512-244-2644
Fax: 512-218-1788
Email: info@roundrockorthodontics.com

The new office is off Highway 79 behind First State Bank (in Heritage Circle). If you have any questions about how our move might affect you or your child, or if you have a question about your treatment, please give us a call!

At Round Rock Orthodontics, 24/7 access to your account

Access to your account any time, any place. Sounds perfect and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Round Rock Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through our website, you may look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of Dr. Gates' patients are saying about this innovative service:

"I had forgotten when my next appointment was and Ortho Sesame helped me with that." ~ John L.

"New to the system, but will enjoy paying online!" ~ Donald E.

"Everything is available at moments notice. I like being able get email updates and being able to verify appoints online. I also like being able to see all our financial information first hand." ~ Pam P.

"It is convenient to see the status of upcoming appts, recent payments made, etc." ~ Jana R.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

What's so special about an orthodontist, anyway?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Gates started out in dental school, just like a regular dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Gates decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Dr. Gates began practicing as an orthodontist in 1999 and opened the Round Rock office in 2002. He believes orthodontic treatment made a profound difference in his life and enjoys seeing it change the lives of his patients.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert in Dr. Gates to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Round Rock Orthodontics want to know: Do you know where your retainers are?

If you've recently completed your treatment at Round Rock Orthodontics, our staff would like to take this time to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Gates will provide—or has provided you—with retainers.

Retainers are important because after braces are removed, teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization, and 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. Gates is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

Here are some helpful retainer tips:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

Give us a call at 512-244-2644 nif you have any questions and again, congratulations on being braces-free!

- The Round Rock Orthodontics team

Hey, Dr. Gates! How does Invisalign work?

You've probably wondered exactly how Invisalign technology works on your teeth. This helpful video, courtesy of our friends at Invisalign, shows the process of these clear aligners that move your teeth just as well as traditional braces.

For more information on Invisalign, or if you have questions about your Invisalign treatment with Dr. Gates, please give us a call. We hope you have a terrific weekend!

Breaking down the myths and facts of orthodontics with Dr. Gates

You can trust us when we say Dr. Paul Gates knows there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, Dr. Gates and our team think you should get the facts! Recently, we came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We definitely encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Round Rock Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call at 512-244-2644.

Cardiodontics: The Heart Mouth Connection --- Round Rock Orthodontics

If you have been told you have gum disease (also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis), you're not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease! Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth. Recently, our team at Round Rock Orthodontics read an article in Parade Magazine that reported a study that indicated an association between gum disease and heart disease. We encourage you to check out the article for tips on how to improve your overall oral health. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we'll answer any concerns you may have!

Ask Dr. Gates: Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

The short answer is: of course not.

Recently, our staff here at Round Rock Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Gates can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Gates would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call at (512) 244-2644 to set one up!

A great braces-friendly spring recipe! From Round Rock Orthodontics

Winter is almost over, and the weather is finally starting to get warmer. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) spring dish that is sure to delight. Dr. Gates and team want you to remember a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment here at Round Rock Orthodontics.

Soy Simmered Chicken Wraps
Ingredients:
• 3 boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 large onions, chunked
• Small flour tortillas (pkg. of ten) wheat or white
• (optional: 10-16 oz. of cooked chopped broccoli)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup water
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 2 Tablespoons peach or apricot jam
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

In a slow cooker, or a large pan on the stove, layer the onions and the chicken breast. Allow at least three hours in the slow cooker on medium, or at least one hour on the stove—the longer the better, but you don’t have to do anything to it while it cooks. Spoon out the chicken onto a cutting board, and with a knife and fork, shred the chicken as finely as you’d like. In a small saucepan, stir all sauce ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture starts bubbling, then let it simmer for five minutes on low heat to thicken. In a serving bowl, stir sauce and onion into chicken; if you’d like, add cooked chopped broccoli. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great spring dish and have a great rest of the week!

What are patients saying about Round Rock Orthodontics?

Round Rock Orthodontics, serving Round Rock and surrounding communities in Travis and Williamson Counties, deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment. We make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say!

"He is easy to talk to and seems to be really down to earth. He made my son feel very comfortable and that is very important to me." ~ Arnetris W.

"Dr. Gates takes time to explain what needs to be done and why. He communicates with my family dentist about my case. Dr. Gates takes time out to call me to see how I am doing or to further explain my treatment." ~ Carla F.

"Not pushy and works with you to get the best results." ~ Adam K.

"The professionalism of the office - everyone is extremely friendly, it is very clean, and we've never had to wait for our appointment!" ~ Larry W.

"He is straight-forward - open communication, friendly and efficient staff." ~ Regina S.

"Friendly, professional doctor and staff. Comfortable atmosphere. Kept updated about sons' progress after every appointment. Immediate response to questions." ~ David T.

Ask Dr. Gates: Who really benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Paul Gates will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. In as little as eighteen months, you could have a brilliant, straight new smile! Visit Dr. Gates for a consultation, and learn how timing of treatment, the right procedures, and the right orthodontist, can restore your or your child's smile. We happily treat patients of all ages, and understand the special benefits of beginning orthodontics in the early teen years.

As for adults, we recently read an interesting fact: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! In fact, one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Call us today for your initial consultation and learn why Dr. Gates is the trusted family orthodontist giving Round Rock, Texas, and surrounding areas something to truly smile about!

Mouth guards, orthodontics and sports with Dr. Paul Gates

We're not too far from springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Paul Gates for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball and soccer. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Gates is trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Round Rock Orthodontics. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Gates will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Round Rock Orthodontics.

Round Rock Orthodontics are moving!

Dr. Gates and our team at Round Rock Orthodontics are proud to announce we're moving this April! Our anticipated move date is April 24th. (You may look at our new office design board in our reception area!). We are very excited about the move because it will offer more space. Semi-private bays will be nice for privacy and our new location will be easier to get in and out of during before and after school hours.

The new address will be:

503 E. Palm Valley Blvd.
Round Rock, Tx. 78664

The new office is off Highway 79 behind First State Bank (the street is Heritage Circle). If you have any questions about how the move might affect you or your child, or if you have a question about your treatment, please give us a call!

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ at Round Rock Orthodontics

We've blogged about the advantage of Invisalign treatment with Dr. Gates in the past, and today thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen™ gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile! Dr. Gates and our team at Round Rock Orthodontics know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens.

You're probably wondering: How does Invisalign Teen work? Much in the same fashion as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please give us a call and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Tell Dr. Gates: What do you love about Round Rock?

Round Rock Orthodontics, located in Round Rock, and serving Austin and surrounding communities in Travis and Williamson Counties, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our great patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Gates and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Round Rock or Austin? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite Texas getaway? Do you love the nice weather we get year-round?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Round Rock or Austin, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, we might post your response on our social networks!

Happy Tuesday!

Regular checkups are important, says Dr. Gates

Is your child brushing his/her teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for your child to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day (and of course coming in to see Dr. Gates and our team). If your child will be visiting the dentist for the first time, it’s important to bring them in after their first tooth comes through, and no later than their first birthday. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

If you have any questions about your treatment here at Round Rock Orthodontics, please feel free to give us a call!

Dr. Gates has a few Invisalign® tips!

A couple of weeks ago we blogged about the advantage of Invisalign treatment at Round Rock Orthodontics. Today, we thought we'd share a few helpful Invisalign tips with you.

When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Gates wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Round Rock Orthodontics, don't hesitate to give us a call!

Round Rock Orthodontics want to know: What are you up to in January?

The New Year is here, and, believe it or not, we’re only a couple of months away from spring! Dr. Gates and our team at Round Rock Orthodontics want to know: What are you doing in January? Any big winter break plans? Anything exciting going on in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call our office and ask how! We also hope you all had a happy and safe holiday season!

Have a great rest of the week, from the team at Round Rock Orthodontics!

Ask Dr. Gates: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, says Dr. Gates, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next Dr. Gates and our team use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Gates is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at Round Rock Orthodontics, please give us a call. Happy Tuesday!