R. Scott Smith Orthodontics, bridging the gap between the myths and facts of braces

Trust us, we know there are lots of myths about orthodontics (and also orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, Drs. Smith and Raney think you should get the facts! 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 encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at R. Scott Smith Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call.

Ask Drs. Smith and Raney: Am I just too old for orthodontic treatment?

At R. Scott Smith Orthodontics, nobody - and we mean NOBODY - is "too old" for braces. As a matter of fact, our staff read an interesting statistic not too long ago: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Of course, braces help make your teeth strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason more adults are getting 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 and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Drs. Smith or Raney 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, Drs. Smith or Raney would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

"Hey, Dr. Smith! Who benefits from Invisalign®?

One of the greatest features about Invisalign treatment is that its clear aligners are customized for pretty much anyone's pearly whites. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment at R. Scott Smith Orthodontics, the first thing Dr. Smith will do is 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 pearly whites should look.

Next, Dr. Smith uses special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment all the way 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. The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Smith is an Elite Premier Certified Invisalign Provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at R. Scott Smith Orthodontics, please feel free to give us a call.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? In 1983, President Ronald Reagan encouraged Americans to incorporate more activity into their lives, and the reminder is even more significant today as kids are distracted more and more by television, social networking and video games. Kids living an active lifestyle can improve their health, productivity and overall well being, and best of all? It doesn’t have to take a lot of time!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these helpful public health guidelines for your information. The guidelines call for children and teenagers to exercise one hour every day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, dancing and jumping rope).

At R. Scott Smith Orthodontics, we always encourage our patients to exercise or participate in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of facial protection - there are plenty - when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, we recommend you check out this series of helpful articles about kids and exercise, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.org.

Happy Wednesday!

Ask Drs. Smith and Raney: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why our team at R. Scott Smith Orthodontics work tirelessly 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 with Drs. Smith or Raney 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! We are pleased to offer a variety of treatment options, including clear brackets, Invisalign, and Invisalign Teen, as well as traditional metal braces. Our practice works with patients of all ages and lifestyles to create one-of-a-kind smiles that last a lifetime.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Drs. Smith or Raney can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Meet Dr. Raney!

You had the pleasure of "meeting" Dr. Smith a couple of weeks back. Today, our staff thought we'd introduce you to Dr. Raney!

Dr. Raney is passionate about his work as an orthodontist. He has years of training and experience, and enjoys sharing his knowledge with his patients. Dr. Raney strives to maintain a professional office atmosphere, while creating a fun, comfortable, unique experience for each individual patient.

Dr. Raney completed his undergraduate studies at The Pennsylvania State University receiving his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in business. He continued his education at The University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine where he was near the top of his graduating class which ranked #1 in the nation among all dental schools based on national board scores. With orthodontics being a highly specialized and competitive field of dentistry, Dr. Raney was chosen to attend Nova Southeastern University in Florida where he received his orthodontic certificate. After years of hard work and training, Dr. Raney is able to provide you with the best and most advanced orthodontic care.

Dr. Raney is an active and upstanding member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Northeast Society of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Connecticut State Dental Association, as well as the Middlesex Dental Society where Dr. Raney recently served as vice president.
In 2007, Dr. Raney received the highest honor given to an orthodontist when he became board certified by The American Board of Orthodontics. Currently, only about 20% of all orthodontists are board certified.

Dr. Raney has earned many honors such as the Gustave Pearl Award which he was awarded for outstanding original research while in dental school. He also received a community service award for his volunteer help with the Connecticut Special Olympics. Dr. Raney is continuously trying to stay current on all the latest technology by attending multiple continuing education courses throughout the year.
Dr. Raney grew up in Durham, Connecticut and has a large family in the area. While not in the office, Dr. Raney enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, golf, and saltwater fishing.

A little bit about R. Scott Smith Orthodontics...

R. Scott Smith Orthodontics, serving Springfield, South Hadley and and Enfield, Connecticut, Drs. Scott Smith and Jason Raney provide our patients with well-rounded orthodontic care in a relaxed, comfortable setting. We are dedicated to making sure that you and your family receive the treatments and care that you deserve. Seeing your smile is the most important part of our day!

We are pleased to offer a variety of treatment options, including clear brackets, Invisalign, and Invisalign Teen, as well as traditional metal braces. Our staff at R. Scott Smith Orthodontics works with patients of all ages and lifestyles to create one-of-a-kind smiles that last a lifetime. If you've been thinking about getting that perfect smile, please contact one of our convenient practice locations to schedule a complimentary consultation. Drs. Smith and Raney look forward to working with you!