Ask Dr. Chmura: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Marshall and Battle Creek Orthodontist Dr. Louis Chmura and our team 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 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, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Chmura can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Ask Dr. Chmura: Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Chmura will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Dr. Chmura receives award for Laser certification

Congrats to Dr. Chmura for becoming the very first orthodontist to earn Advanced Proficiency at the Academy of Laser Dentistry!

Imagining your life with Invisalign® at Chmura Orthodontics

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Dr. Chmura and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment in the Marshall or Battle Creek, MI areas.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit Chmura Orthodontics during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. We will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan. Call our Battle Creek or Marshall orthodontic offices today to learn more!

The advantage of SureSmile with Dr. Chmura

Does the thought of having braces bring you down? Dr. Chmura and team understands that one of the biggest concerns for orthodontic patients with braces is the length of their treatment.

But you’re in luck, because Dr. Louis Chmura specializes in SureSmile, high-tech braces that are revolutionizing the orthodontic industry. SureSmile, which combines digital 3-D imaging, has computer-aided treatment planning and customized archwires to straighten teeth about 40 percent faster than traditional braces. The SureSmile program calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more precision than traditional braces.

There are three steps. First, we identify the initial tooth position with the patented OraScanner, a wand with a tiny camera attached. The OraScanner creates a precise 3-D digital model of your mouth, which is then uploaded into software that lets us view your mouth and teeth from any angle. Next, the SureSmile system allows us to create your entire treatment plan prior to treatment, using special computer software to analyze the 3-D model of your mouth and develop a custom archwire treatment. Finally, SureSmile’s robotic technology bends Shape Memory Alloy archwires, which can “remember” your prescription.

Results

With SureSmile’s specially programmed archwires, your teeth move more directly into their intended positions. The result for our patients is shortened treatment time and a more comfortable experience in braces.

Once the braces are on it’s only a matter of time before they are taken off revealing beautiful, straight, healthy teeth. With traditional braces a patient is expected to schedule 18 to 20 office visits over two years. With SureSmile, patients average seven to 10 visits and can have their braces off within half the time!

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, please contact either our Marshall or Battle Creek offices today!

Win an iPad from Chmura Orthodontics!

We are excited to announce our next patient contest! We will be giving an iPad to one lucky winner, here's how you can win:

#1. post something on our facebook page(only 1 post per day)
#2. Post something on our blog or Yelp(only 1 post a per day)
#3. Write a review on our google maps page
#4. Do IT BIG!-Post us a testimonial video on Facebook or Youtube and you will receive 2 entries in the drawing!

*Send us an email at Teamchmuraorthodontics@yahoo.com to confirm your posts and we will check the email daily and put your entry in!

Good Luck from Team Chmura!

The importance of retainers, from Chmura Orthodontics

If you recently completed treatment at our office, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Chmura will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by our team is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Chmura, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

Access to your account, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

At Chmura Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Marshall and Battle Creek, MI.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our web site? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

New Photos on our Fan Page!

If you haven't already, be sure to head over to our Facebook page and check out all the fun photos we've posted, including our St. Patrick's Day Celebration and the 2010 SureSmile Conference. If you become a fan, you will get the latest updates and news from Dr. Chmura and the team!

Have a great weekend!

SureSmile on Good Morning America

Late last year, the SureSmile system was featured on Good Morning America. SureSmile is an orthodontic treatment offered by Dr. Louis Chmura that can drastically cut down on treatment time, giving you a straighter smile in less time!

You can watch the video right here on our blog, or check out any of our favorite orthodontics videos on our YouTube channel! More information about Suresmile can also be found on our web site, or by giving us a call at 269.781.4000!

-Louis Chmura, serving Battle Creek, Marshall MI and surrounding communities

Suresmile conference!

We had a great time at our 2010 conference. We have lots of new information on Suresmile!

Suresmile conference 2010~

Invisalign® Tips, from Chmura Orthodontics

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 Invisalign aligners, Dr. Chmura wants you to 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. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Chmura Orthodontics, give us a call!

SureSmile makes the rounds on ABC’s “The Doctors”

On a recent episode of ABC's "The Doctors," a doctor was interviewed in front of a live audience and demonstrated SureSmile technology and discussed treatment benefits for orthodontists and their patients. The doctor's 14-year-old patient, Nina, who had just completed SureSmile treatment, was part of the segment as well, and spoke positively about her SureSmile treatment experience.

SureSmile is a software program that facilitates the precise positioning of a patient’s teeth placement for orthodontic braces. Did you know Dr. Louis Chmura is the only SureSmile provider in the Marshall area? Give us a call at 269-558-4798 and ask about SureSmile!

Meet Our Orthodontist

Dr. Louis Chmura graduated from Michigan State University in 1978. After working for 3 years as an engineer, he became convinced he could better serve people in health care. Dr. Chmura completed his Master's degree in Orthodontics from the University of Michigan in 1987 and has had specialized training in biomechanics and aesthetics. His research project was selected for first place at the University of Michigan and he was selected to present his findings at the Association of Dental Research meeting at Denver University.

Prior to his office in Marshall, Dr. Chmura also practiced orthodontics in Virginia. He currently resides in Marshall with his wife, Penny, and two children, Claire and John. He enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends, and reading in his spare time.

Dr. Chmura is member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontics, the American Board of Orthodontics, the Academy of Laser Dentistry, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is actively involved in two local professional study groups and three national study groups. He has taken numerous continuing education courses in orthodontics, periodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. Each year he attends over 100 hours of continuing education, and in 2006 Dr. Chmura was invited to write a chapter on the innovative uses of a Diode laser in an orthodontic office. Also, Dr. Chmura has been invited to lecture nationally on "Uses of a Soft Tissue Laser in Orthodontics" and "Treatment Planning in an Era of Innovative Technology".