What is your New Year's Resolution?

The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2009 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2010? Do you have a new years resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from all of us at Scanlan Orthodontics!

Happy Holidays!

The holiday season is upon us, and as the team at TS Orthodontics reflects on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What’s your favorite part about
the holidays? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for the new year? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this
year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays, and don’t forget to stay away from too many of those sweets!

--Dr. Tim Scanlan

The Basics of Orthodontic Treatment

Check out this great video from the American Association of Orthodontists about the basics of orthodontic treatment. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a dentist and an orthodontist? Did you know orthodontic treatment works for all ages? Watch the video to learn more about what makes orthodontic treatment important!

Have a great weekend,

--Dr. Tim Scanlan

December is Here!

Dr. Scanlan and the team want to know: What are you up to in December?
December is here, and, believe it or not, we’re almost in full holiday mode! We want to know what are you doing in December? Any big holiday plans? Anything exciting 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 Thanksgiving!

Have a great rest of the week!

What do you love about Scanlan Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to TS Orthodontics our orthodontist and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Scanlan? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!

Thank you,
The team at TS Orthodontics

Scanlan Orthodontics in the News!

Earlier this morning, Dr. Scanlan was featured on the ABC 13 news describing the SureSmile system. Click the image above to check out this great video, and don't forget to share it with friends and post your comments!

Happy Thanksgiving, from all of us at Scanlan Orthodontics!

Why Is It So Important To Have Straight Teeth?

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at 828-633-4353 to set up a consultation. Dr. Scanlan can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Accelerating your orthodontic treatment with SureSmile, from Dr. Scanlan

We're well into November, but did you know October was National Orthodontic Health Month? There are millions of busy adults and teenagers who often object to the typical orthodontic treatment length of two years. But now, Dr. Scanlan is offering SureSmile, treatment that is 40% faster and technology that enables him to provide more efficient treatment. SureSmile is known to reduce the treatment time and number of discomfort episodes for patients needing braces.

Take a look at the video above. It's a great description of SureSmile and how this tool is transforming orthodontics as we know it today. Unlike conventional orthodontics, which uses a plaster model and 2-D imaging, SureSmile gives the orthodontist a detailed 3-D computer model of the patients’ teeth that can precisely plot individual tooth movement through the entire course of treatment – from start to finish.

“SureSmile technology is a perfect option for busy teens and adults who do not have time for frequent office visits or lengthy procedures,” Dr. Scanlan says. “With this system, my patients can now obtain the smiles they desire with less overall discomfort and shorter treatment times than before. SureSmile is the future of orthodontic care.”

For additional information about the SureSmile system, give us a call.

Bring Your Canned Food!

Scanlan Orthodontics is helping out the Steadfast House of Asheville, a women and children's shelter, by holding a canned food drive from November 2nd - 24th. Bring your canned food at your next appointment to our office at 131 McDowell St. Please call us at 828-633-4353 if you have any questions.

Thank you for contributing to this worthy cause!

--Scanlan Orthodontics

Boo!

It's almost Halloween, and we understand sour candy is a part of any Halloween celebration. But while sour candy can be delicious, they are arguably as unhealthy for your teeth as sweet candy. The reason is, sour candies tend to be very acidic, and are capable of burning your cheeks and gums while wearing down the enamel on your teeth.

In 2008, the Minnesota Dental Association released a study which suggested the amount of acid in sour candies may eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. We would like to remind you that if you should experience a craving for sour candies on Halloween or in the future, please:

1. Remember to rinse your mouth with water immediately after consuming candy, drink milk, or eat a couple pieces of cheese.

2. Do not brush immediately after consuming sour candy. The candy's acidic nature tends to soften tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth can mean abrading the enamel.

3. Limit the amount of sour candies that you consume on a daily basis. If you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.
If tooth erosion has already begun, ask us about ways to reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! All of us at Scanlan Orthodontics wish you a happy and safe Halloween!

Advanced Orthodontic Technology at Scanlan Orthodontics

When you visit our office, not only will you receive the same exceptional treatment and service we always offer, but you will have the chance to take advantage of our advanced orthodontic technologies, including SureSmile®. What could be better?

SureSmile® is the most sophisticated technology available to traditional orthodontic treatment. The advanced digital technology is what separates the SureSmile® System from conventional orthodontics. By utilizing customized arch wires, SureSmile® can deliver:

* Shorter Treatment Times

* Fewer Office Visits

* Less Overall Discomfort

How is this possible? With SureSmile® orthodontics, our assistants use a handheld oral scanner to capture 3-D images that allow Dr. Scanlan to build a precise 3-D computer model of your teeth. Treatment planning occurs on the computer where Dr. Scanlan maps out your entire treatment and designs ideal positions for your teeth. With this information, Dr. Scanlan determines the most efficient way to move your teeth to create the desired result. Your wires are then bent utilizing a robotic mechanism that creates the perfect movement to create your winning smile.

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – but in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in. Phase two often does involve braces and sometimes headgear.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit an orthodontist even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Scanlan please call 828-633-4353.

SureSmile in Action - State of The Art Orthodontics in Asheville, NC

Today we wanted to show the revolutionary technology of the SureSmile system in action! Check out exactly how exciting it is when the expertise and experience of Dr. Scanlan, meets the precision of a robot:



Did you know Dr. Scanlan was the first to introduce the SureSmile system to the Asheville community? Give us a call today at 828-254-4602 to learn more about this revolutionary treatment, which can decrease treatment time by as much as 40%!

Invisalign Tips

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invialign aligners, 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.

--Dr. Scanlan

What’s so special about an Orthodontist?

"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. Scanlan started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Scanlan 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.

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 here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Is Invisalign® Really Customized for Each Patient?

Yes, it is, 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 we 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. Scanlan 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, give us a call at
828-633-4353.

Welcome to the TS Orthodontics Blog!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by. Be sure to come back often for weekly updates on the latest news, events, and information at our office.

If you've ever visited us at TS Orthodontics, you already know that we love connecting with our patients, and with free WiFi in our office, we love staying connected online as well, so we thought we'd combine the two to connect with our patients through the internet!

Besides our web site and our blog, you can find us on many other social networks too and connect with our office:

* Share a favorite video with us, or watch one of ours on YouTube

* Find us on Facebook and become a Fan of our practice

* Become our friend and view and comment on our photos on MySpace

See you around the web!

--Dr. Scanlan