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A glowing smile is a destination much sought after by our patients at Advanced Orthodontics, and luckily they don’t have to make the journey on their own. With the right travel plan and a talented orthodontist conducting, braces are the ticket to perfect teeth. Thinking of braces in terms of a train ride can help to explain how they work, lessen anxiety about how braces function, and illustrate the importance of staying on the right track.

The brackets of the braces are the equivalent of the cars of a train, and the track that they follow is the archwire. Once the brackets are placed on the teeth and the archwire is properly adjusted to create a path to great teeth, all that remains for our train is fuel to move in the right direction.Read More

Now that summer is over and everyone is back to school, Dr. Barton Soper at Advanced Orthodontics just wanted to take a minute to remind our patients to wear a mouth guard when playing fall sports, especially unorganized sports in your neighborhood.

A mouth guard protects not only teeth, but your lips and cheeks while wearing braces. A mouth guard is your best protection against serious sports injuries. The next time you’re in for a visit at Advanced Orthodontics we encourage you to ask us for a mouth guard! A mouth guard is your insurance policy to safeguard your long term dental health. Sports injuries can require major dental expense throughout your life. It only takes a second to pop one in to prevent loss or damage to teeth. Even though they may be uncomfortable to wear and tough to talk with, it is nothing compared to the discomfort you would experience in an accident… so make sure you play it safe. Read More

Have you ever given any thought to what it actually means to have a “perfect” smile? Most people when asked this question will conjure up mental images of models and Hollywood actors with dazzling teeth. However, there is an actual medical definition of the way the teeth are meant to fit together. The word “occlusion” refers to the alignment of the teeth and the way the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite). Ideally, all upper teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth, just like the top of a house sits over a basement. All teeth are lined up straight and spaced evenly. The upper teeth keep the cheeks and lips from being bitten and the lower teeth protect the tongue. Not all people are so lucky as to have this medically “perfect bite.” Read More

As dental professionals committed to the dental and medical health of patients in Bellevue WA, Dr. Barton Soper and the team at Advanced Orthodontics are supporting the Oral Cancer Foundation and actor Michael Douglas to increase consumer awareness regarding the increase in oral cancer apparent today. Early diagnosis can reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research, advocacy, and patient support activities.

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