Many of us young and old love playing sports! Whether it is the exercise, the excitement, or a number of other reasons, there is something about a game that we cannot resist. If you are an adult athlete who has braces, or if you have a student-athlete who wears them, it is important to make sure that smile is protected while out there having great fun. Here at Bret Johnson Orthodontics, we often hear questions…

At Bret Johnson Orthodontics, we care about patient concerns. A frequent question we’re asked before orthodontic treatment is: “Should I have my wisdom teeth removed, so they don’t impact my professionally straightened smile?” Similarly, other patients who have completed their orthodontic treatment may notice their wisdom teeth starting to erupt, and they wonder if these new teeth are going to undo all the hard work they just endured to create their beautiful, healthy smile. Let’s…

If you’re considering braces, you may be wondering if this is something your dentist can do, or if you’ll need an orthodontist. Patients often question the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. In fact, some people mistakenly assume the two are interchangeable. While there are many similarities, there are also significant differences. When you’re looking into orthodontic treatment such as braces, it’s important to understand what orthodontists like Dr. Bret have to offer that…

Even though the world has seen some amazing advances in orthodontics in last decade, when faced with the news that they need braces, many patients react with dread. Sadly, traditional metal braces have a history of being awkward, restrictive, and less than aesthetically pleasing. While they are more comfortable and attractive than they’ve ever been, many teens and adults are still wary of them. If you are one of these patients, there’s great news for…

As children begin to lose their baby teeth, you may be curious about the right time to bring them to the orthodontist for their first visit. Thankfully, at Bret Johnson Orthodontics we have a wealth of experience with first-time visitors, especially children. We are happy to help parents through this sometimes confusing and stressful time. Making a Plan Getting an early orthodontic screen is one of the most important reasons for children to have their…

The day you finally get your braces off is a big day! You get to enjoy some foods you haven’t eaten in quite a while, and you will get to show off your beautiful new smile! While it can be exciting, you do need to remember that just because your braces have come off, your treatment isn’t completely finished quite yet.   It was commonly thought that once someone had his or her braces taken…

Like most new experiences in life, orthodontic treatment takes a little getting used to. Whether you’re investing in traditional metal braces, trying out Invisalign’s clear aligner system, or something in between, there’s a learning curve involved. It’s not unusual to be nervous about all the ins and outs of this journey towards straighter, healthier teeth, but there’s nothing to fear! When going over orthodontic options with patients here at Bret Johnson Orthodontics, one of the…

Most of us love the idea of having a healthy, straight smile, but aren’t especially fond of the time and treatment it can take to achieve it. Whether it’s six months or three years, the idea of being in braces for a while can sometimes be enough to scare patients off, no matter how many benefits orthodontic treatment may hold for them. For teens especially, wearing braces through such a significant time in their lives…

Have you ever wished for a window into your teen’s mind? Wouldn’t it be nice to know what’s going on in there from time to time? One thing you’d likely be reminded of is the extent to which your teen can feel self-conscious. Whether it’s worry over the clothes they wear or how crooked their teeth are, this time in their life can be tough on their self-esteem. When it comes to teeth, choosing braces…

As with any medical field, people tend to have a lot of questions about orthodontics. That’s how it should be–you should be curious about anything that has to do with your health and appearance. At Bret Johnson Orthodontics, we make patients’ understanding of the field a top priority. This being the case, we’ve put together a quick list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand what it is we do here. What is…