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!