A Rewarding Experience at Wilmington Braces

It takes a lot to create a beautiful smile, but we are up to the challenge and we hope you are too! With good cooperation from both our fun staff and you, our awesome patient, a new smile is in your near future! With that comes our exciting new Patient Rewards Program! Our program is a way of showcasing all of your hard work and awarding you with fantastic rewards throughout your orthodontic treatment. Earning points is easy! Brushing your teeth, wearing your rubber bands and just showing up on time will help you rack up points quickly. Bring in your report card and get points for every A! It's as easy as that! You can redeem great prizes on our website for as low as 50 points! You'll find gift cards to some of your favorite local shops such as Fuzzy Peach and Port City Java, or other well known gift cards like Gamestop and Target! There's something for everyone. Be sure to like us on facebook and check in with the team for the latest information on contests and other point earning opportunities! Most importantly...have fun!

You can always check out your point total at www.wilmingtonbraces.com. Click on our Patient Rewards beach card icon and enter your 16-digit rewards number and 4-digit password to check your current points. If you haven't gotten your card yet, don't worry, you'll get it at your next visit. If you have any questions, talk with any of our team members!

Skate Party 2012

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween is quickly approaching! What will you dress up as this year? October is also Orthodontic Health Awareness month, so make sure you are brushing well after eating Halloween candy. Also, if you are in braces remember to stay away from the sticky, hard candies. Pair up with a sibling or a friend so you can trade for the candy you are allowed to have.

Skate Party 2011

We had so much fun celebrating our 10 year anniversary Ice Skating with all of our patients! Thanks to all of you who came out!!

What do you LOVE about Wilmington?

Dr. Warren Phillips, your Wilmington orthodontist, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our amazing patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Phillips and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Wilmington? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite getaway in North Carolina?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Wilmington, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods” in North Carolina.

If you need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call! Have a great week!

Orthodontic Emergency Care with Dr. Phillips

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment with Dr. Warren Phillips.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with Wilmington Braces.

The following solutions may help you relieve your discomfort:

Poking Wire: Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.

Loose Bracket or Band: If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.

Loose Wire: Using a tweezers, try to place your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax does not help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.

Loose Appliance: If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.

Headgear Does Not Fit: Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, headgear becomes more comfortable the more it's worn, so be sure you’re getting in the prescribed hours.

General Soreness: When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.

Remember, after alleviating your discomfort, it is still very important that you call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem.

You're Never Too Old to Treat Yourself to a New Smile!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Wilmington Braces!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Dr. Warren Phillips. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give Wilmington Braces a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.