Thursday, September 17, 2009

Brian Burton knows braces not houses.

A local orthodontist, Burton, 34, doesn’t have much experience building a home.

But the orthodontist’s commitment to Mary White and her three daughters trumps any contribution Burton can give hanging drywall and installing electrical outlets at the house being built for the White family.

“I worked construction throughout college, but I was primarily responsible for sweeping floors,” Burton said. “I was the clean-up guy.”

Instead of actually donating materials toward construction of the house, Burton is helping with fundraising.

Burton has known the White family for several years. His family used to live near the Whites and he was assigned through his church to check on the Whites periodically.

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1. Orthodontists are appropriate only for the most challenging and complex orthodontic cases.
FICTION: Orthodontists recognize the difference between a simple case and a complex one. And when a case is challenging, orthodontists know what to do.

2. My family dentist says he can straighten my teeth.
FACT: However, an orthodontist has 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school and is a specialist at straightening teeth and insuring proper form and function. A dentist may see a handful of cases a year amid drilling and filling. An orthodontist only practices orthodontics and treats hundreds of patients.

3. Braces are for kids.
FICTION: One in five orthodontic patients is an adult.

4. If there was a giant, overhead magnet and someone flipped a switch, people wearing braces would fly out of their chairs and stick to the ceiling.
FICTION: Unlikely, as braces are made from non-magnetic materials.

5. Orthodontists charge more than general dentists for orthodontic treatment.
FACT: However, it’s not the same work. The value in seeing an orthodontist for treatment is that the orthodontist is an expert, highly experienced and understands form, function and a wonderful smile.

6. Braces are painful and take two years or more for the desired result.
FICTION: After the adjustment period, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, braces are comfortable. Some may be worn for months, not years.

7. Signals from braces link to the Internet to download songs onto an iPod.
FICTION: This is not possible! Not yet anyway!

8. Braces are ugly, call attention to themselves and would be embarrassing in business settings.
FICTION: Today’s braces may be nearly invisible, made from clear plastic, or unseen, mounted on the back (lingual) side of the teeth.

9. Orthodontists have a low profile.
FACT: Some may prefer to be low profile, but orthodontists give back to the community by offering free, discounted, services to patients in need.

10. Any dentist may join the American Association of Orthodontists
FICTION: Only orthodontists may become members of the American Association of Orthodontists.