Happy New Year from Magic Smiles!

The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from Dr. Doleac & Team!

Happy Holidays from Magic Smiles!

To celebrate the holiday season, next week Dr. Doleac and team will be dressing up for our holiday spirit week. We encourage patients to dress up as well for their appointments, and all participants will receive extra reward tokens! In addition, if you haven’t yet, be sure to “like” our Facebook page and stay tuned for all the fun photos that we will be posting!

All of us at Magic Smiles wish you and your family a happy holiday season.

What's the best part about getting your braces off?

This patient describes what she likes best now that she has her braces off. She couldn't decide between all the compliments she gets on her straight smile, the foods she is now able to eat, and the confidence she now has. What is your orthodontics story? Share one with us at Magic Smiles, or help us create one with you! Call any of our three Portland-area offices today for a complimentary consultation!

Civil War Week

In case you didn't get a chance to come in this past week, we were having our Civil War theme week. We can't wait for this weekend's face off between #1 ranked Oregon and Oregon State. Check all the photos on our Facebook page, and Goooooo Ducks!!!

Civil War Spirit Week at Magic Smiles

Are you a Oregon State beavers or University of Oregon ducks fan?

In celebration of the upcoming Civil War game, Dr. Doleac would like to invite all of our patients to participate in Spirit Week at Magic Smiles. We are offering patients 3 extra tokens for wearing their team colors proudly! Show off your Oregon State or University of Oregon spirit at your appointment the week of November 29th through October 3rd, and let our office know what team you’re supporting in the Civil War!

As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about Spirit Week or your next appointment at our office.

Happy Thanksgiving, from Dr. Doleac & team

Dr. Doleac and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to send them along or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

Ask Dr. Doleac: Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Doleac 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!

Staying connected with Magic Smiles

At Magic Smiles, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

What do you enjoy most about fall?

It’s fall here at Magic Smiles, a time when all across the country, the leaves begin to change colors, the air becomes crisp, and families begin to make plans for Thanksgiving.

Today we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, "How are you spending your time this fall?" Our team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment within the Portland area. We are interested in learning about what makes your community “yours.”

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call!

A few Halloween safety tips

Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of October’s sweet and spooky holiday, Halloween, Magic Smiles would like to remind all of our patients to be safe while celebrating with friends and family. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips for a ghoulishly good time.

A few Halloween safety guidelines:
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment. If you happen to damage your braces, please give our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone.

We wish you all a happy, safe, and spooky Halloween!

October Marks the National Orthodontic Health Month!

October symbolizes the transition into the Fall season and of course, Halloween! For our team, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and orthodontic patients around the country, October also marks the National Orthodontic Health Month. This month is a great time to remind patients of the importance of strong oral hygiene and a braces-friendly diet, especially since many of the sticky and sweet Halloween treats can be harmful to braces and other orthodontic appliances.

Candy remains a huge part of Halloween for tens of millions of American kids each year. The National Confectioners Association says 93 percent of children in the United States go trick-or-treating, and estimates candy sales will be higher this year than ever. Candy is not all bad in moderation, but can lead to big problems in excess! It can lead to tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth, and delayed orthodontic treatment time due to broken or loose appliances and braces. Get the facts about Halloween candy and orthodontics by asking us! You can also learn more on the AAO’s National Orthodontic Health Month website. We also appreciate your help in spreading the word!

Deband Days at Magic Smiles

Getting your braces off is an exciting time, and we want to help you celebrate! Check out a few of our the most recent braces-off photos on our Facebook page. We hope you enjoy!

Summer Photo Contest Winners

Throughout this past summer, we asked patients to snap photos of themselves on vacation, while holding Dr. Doleac's face on a stick. Winning entries received gift cards. We chose our winners based on creativity, furthest distance, and use of video. Pictured above is Dr. Doleac, but be sure to check out some of the entries and all of our winners on our Facebook page!

Thanks to Invisalign®, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too!

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Magic Smiles can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

What’s so bad about nail biting?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Magic Smiles found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.

Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Doleac or visit the article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.
Good luck!

All the cool kids do it!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Doleac, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Magic Smiles for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Celebrities get braces, too!

Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Doleac!

In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of famous faces with braces. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give Magic Smiles a call!

The importance of retainers, from Magic Smiles

If you recently completed treatment at Magic Smiles, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Doleac will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always 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 at our Portland, Beaverton or Scappoose offices, please give us a call!

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your dentist every six months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Portland and Beaverton areas!

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics, from Magic Smiles

Trust us when we say Dr. Doleac and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light 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 Magic Smiles in Portland, Beaverton and Scappoose, feel free to give us a call.

Dr. Doleac, supporting Moms for Mouth Guards

Hey, Moms! Have you signed the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge?

Here at Magic Smiles, we care about your pearly whites, and we want to help keep you protected from sports injuries that can be damaging to your beautiful smile. As a way of ensuring that children are using proper facial protection equipment, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontics have introduced the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge.

Dr. Doleac will tell you that mouth guards are vital to protecting your teeth from sports related injuries while participating in sports, such as football, soccer, baseball, hockey and basketball, just to name a few. The Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge is a way for moms nationwide to make a commitment to protecting their children’s smile from facial injuries.

We’ve discussed the importance of using facial protection in the past. Today, we thought we’d invite moms to take action by visiting the Moms for Mouth Guards website and taking the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge.
Have a safe week everyone!

Age 7 is the magic number for an orthodontic check-up

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Doleac for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Doleac to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Magic Smiles to schedule an appointment.

Ask Dr. Doleac: What can Invisalign do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Magic Smiles than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible. Besides straightening your teeth, did you know that Invisalign can improve your oral health? Here’s how Invisalign can help improve your health, while shaping your beautiful smile:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque, and gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Doleac the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page or give us a call! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

What’s on your summer reading list?

With summer in full swing, some of us at Magic Smiles wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading during the summer, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development and warding off the dreaded “summer slide”—and it's fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff (and Dr. Doleac) would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Summer Adventures with Dr. Doleac

Don't forget about our Summer Adventures with Dr. Doleac game! We have Dr. Doleac's head on a stick for you to take on your next vacation! Strike a pose or shoot a video with Dr. Doleac and yourself and email the photo or video to braces@magic-smiles.com. All photos and videos excluding your name will be posted online. Entry deadline is 9-7-2010, Can't wait to see them!

Happy Fourth of July, from Dr. Doleac & Team

This upcoming Sunday - which happens to be Independence Day, of course - Dr. Doleac and our staff will celebrate our nation's 234th birthday. For most folks, the Fourth of July is a chance to celebrate and commemorate America's Declaration of Independence. It's also a time for every American to pay homage to all our soldiers, past, present and future - who lost their lives in battle - and the brave servicemen- and women who place themselves in harm's way every day so that we may continue enjoy our freedoms.

Today, we thought we'd ask: what are your Fourth of July weekend plans? Are you heading to a barbecue? A picnic? Hitting the open road with family? Having fun in the sun?

Whatever you might be doing over Independence Day weekend, our entire staff hope you have a great week and a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend! Feel free to post your Independence Day photos on our Facebook page!

Meet Dr. Doleac

I started my orthodontic career as a military orthodontist in Germany, Texas, and Alaska. My military service began when I earned my bachelor degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. While on active duty in the US Army, I attended the University of Texas Dental School in San Antonio. I then earned my Orthodontic Degree from the University of Missouri in Kansas City in 1981. After nine years as a military orthodontist, I brought my family to Portland to start my private practice.

My wife, Marge, and I have four children. Our oldest son, Jason, works for Boston Scientific and just moved to Salt Lake City with his wife, Meredith, and their three children, Kendal, Carter, and Addison. Michael, our second son, lives in Park City, Utah. He and his wife, Shannon, have 2 sons, Taylor and Boston. Michael is pursuing a masters in Physics and intends to teach either high school or college Physics. Kenny, our third son, followed in my footsteps and graduated from West Point. After 2 tours in Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, he is planning on leaving the Army and pursuing an MBA. Our daughter, Suzanne, graduated from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, with degrees in Biology and French. She just received her acceptance into Oregon Health Science University Medical School, where she begins in the fall.

I enjoy getting together with my kids and grandkids, especially at our cabin in eastern Washington. I like to golf, fish, snow ski, work out, and watch basketball, especially March Madness and the NBA playoffs. I am fascinated by computers and how technological advances are changing orthodontics. I also love to read historical fiction.

Ask Dr. Doleac: Am I too old for braces?

Recently, our staff at Magic Smiles read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult 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 Dr. Doleac can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. Check out the video above of one of our adult patients explaining how she achieved her beautiful new smile here at Magic Smiles!



If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up at our Portland, Beaverton, or Scappoose offices!

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. The Magic Smiles team has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos lived to the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! A great new smile is just a call away to Dr. Doleac & the Magic Smiles team of Portland, Beaverton and Scappoose.

Smile--June is National Smile Month!

It's June already! Where does the time go?

Dr. Doleac and the Magic Smiles team are excited to tell you June marks National Smile Month, a great time to remind our patients to brush, floss, practice good nutrition at home (and over the summer) to avoid cavities and gum disease, among other dental health issues.

After all, there's more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Here are a few easy steps you can improve your oral health at home:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your general dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of the tips here, we encourage you to give either of our Portland, Beaverton, or Scappoose offices a call ! We hope you had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

Adult Orthodontic Treatment in Beaverton, OR - A Patient Testimonial

In this brief video, one of our patients describes the smile she has been waiting her entire life for, and how Dr. Doleac and the Magic Smiles team helped her obtain it!

Dr. Phil Doleac is an orthodontist serving adults, children and teens with quality orthodontic care in the Portland, Beaverton, and Scappoose areas. We have three conveniently located offices, and provide orthodontic treatment with traditional braces, Damon self-ligating braces, and even Invisalign invisible braces! Visit our web site for more information!

Enter the AAO Video Scholarship Contest!

We have some exciting news to share with all of our patients this Thursday. The American Association of Orthodontists, which Dr. Doleac is a member of, is offering a $2,500 academic scholarship to two lucky winners of their "How Orthodontics Changed My Life" video contest.

All patients at Magic Smiles 18 years of age or younger are eligible to enter, and entries are due by June 1st! You can learn more about the contest on the AAO's web site, but here are a few subjects to think about while making your video:

• What were you like before you had orthodontic treatment? How have you changed?
• How proud are you of your new smile?
• When did you notice changes in yourself? What kinds of changes have you noticed?
• What does your new smile mean to you?
• What would you say to others whose smiles make them self-conscious?

This is a great opportunity and we encourage you to enter. GOOD LUCK!

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 in this day and age, as kids everywhere 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 public health guidelines for your convenience. The guidelines call for children and teens to exercise for at least one hour each 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 Magic Smiles, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of facial protection 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.

The Braces Cookbook: Kid Tested, Orthodontist Approved

The wisdom of the ages tells us that necessity is the mother of invention. Brenda Waterman, age thirteen, offers new proof of this proverb. When getting braces mandated cutting a list of foods out of her diet – including her much-loved treat of caramel apples – she devised a work-around recipe that let her indulge her craving. This clever replacement for caramel apples was the inspiration for The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (And Your Orthodontist) Will Love, which Brenda created along with her mom, Pam Waterman.

Anyone with braces knows that it's important to avoid sticky foods, crunchy foods, hard foods, chewy foods, and so on. It's easy to look at the list and think, "What can I eat?" The Watermans' new book tackles that question with creative and thorough answers in the form of 50 braces-friendly recipes, plus additional tips and advice – enough to reassure any doubter.

Neatly divided into chapters such as Definitely Deserved Desserts and Be-Nice-To-Me Beverages, The Braces Cookbook offers a broad assortment of recipes from main courses and sides to breakfasts and snacks. An all-around guide, the book also offers suggestions for packing lunches, preparing quick meals, and handling parties and restaurants, where the food selection isn't under your control. There's even a section of tips for dealing with the soreness that can arise in teeth and gums when braces are adjusted.

Purchase The Braces Cookbook for your kitchen, and pick up an extra copy or two – they make great gifts!

Mouth guards and sports injuries, with Dr. Doleac

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s already springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Doleac for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Magic Smiles at either of our convenient orthodontic offices in Portland, Beaverton, and Scappoose. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Doleac will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Magic Smiles.

Ask Magic Smiles: What can I expect during my consultation?

When you first come in for your initial, complimentary consultation, Dr. Doleac will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.

Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. We will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help us when examining your diagnostic records).

At your second appointment, we will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that we can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment at Magic Smiles. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.

If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand Dr. Doleac’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment.

Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Doleac

April, also known as National Facial Protection Month, is upon us, and for Dr. Doleac and our Beaverton, Portland and Scappoose orthodontic teams at Magic Smiles, that only means one thing: it’s once again time to remind our dear patients to protect their faces and pearly whites. Above is a helpful video from our friends at the AAO about staying safe on the ball field this spring.

According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year. By simply wearing a properly fitted mouth guard or other form of protection, you can greatly reduce your chances of traumatic facial injuries.
We hope the above video helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of the tips offered in the video, please contact us! And remember to have fun and stay safe!

What is malocclusion? Dr. Doleac Explains

Malocclusion, or what we call “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, treatment at Magic Smiles may be necessary to correct the issue.

We will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Magic Smiles, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

March Madness Spirit Day at Magic Smiles

Thank you to everyone that helped us celebrate March madness by wearing your sports apparel, we had fun, and hoped you did too! Check out our Facebook page, where we have posted all the photos from the event.

Have a happy spring break!

-The Magic Smiles Team

This March, what are you up to?

It’s almost springtime, and believe it or not, the sun is warming up and soon the smell of freshly-cut grass will be wafting from a baseball field nearby. Dr. Doleac and team thought this would be a good time to ask: What are your plans for March?

Are you ready for spring? Are you participating in school sports this year? Do you have exciting plans? We’d love to know them all!

You may share your stories or plans with our team here, on our Facebook fan page or by giving us a call!

P.S. While you’re on our Facebook page, become a fan of Magic Smiles!

What puts you at ease at Magic Smiles?

Dr. Doleac and team understand some patients may have some apprehension toward visiting the orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

When should you call Dr. Doleac?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Magic Smiles. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth


Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible!
Hope this helps,

-Dr. Doleac

Spirit Days at Magic Smiles

Thank you everyone who participated in our Hat Spirit Days for the week of February 8-12! Head over to our Facebook Fan Page to check out all the fun photos, and to find your photo with Dr. Doleac and your crazy hats!

If you missed our Hat Spirit Days, we will be having our next spirit week from March 15th - 18th. The theme will be March Madness, so be sure to wear your sports themed clothing to earn extra tokens!

--Dr. Doleac, Magic Smiles

Orthodontic fun facts, from Dr. Doleac

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Magic Smiles thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

24/7 Access To Your Account On Our Web Site

At Magic Smiles, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative Invisalign and Damon System treatments that we offer, our high tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Portland, Beaverton and Scappoose.

Did you know that patients at Magic Smiles have access to their account, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 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 can sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button at the top of the page. Please call us at 503-200-2536 if you have any questions!

Top Ten Tips for Keeping Your Braces Clean

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide.

Hope this helps!

--Dr. Doleac

Great Patient Reviews for Dr. Doleac & His Orthodontic Team

We love seeing all of the kind words that our patients have said about Dr. Doleac and the Magic Smiles team. We wanted to share a few with you. If you'd like to write a review for Dr. Doleac, head to our Google local listing and share your comments!

What I like best about my orthodontist is his great attitude that he has every time I go to my appointment. He explains out everything related to my treatment and answers all questions I have. The service is EXCELLENT and they are all nice people and very professional. I am very happy about that!!! ~ Fidel F.

VERY Friendly, bright, cheery and kid oriented! ~ Byron M.

He is very nice and seems very patient. Also the girls that help are nice too and my son really liked all of them on his first visit. Made him very comfortable and not nervous at all. Thanks! ~ Austin Z.

I enjoy that he always seems very aware of what is going on during my appointment. I never feel left out of the loop and he always keeps things moving at a quick pace during the appointment and also keeps things moving quickly in the long run with my braces. ~ Brad B.

The Damon System: Fast, Comfortable, Effective

Here at Magic Smiles, we offer the Damon System, a revolutionary new braces system that can give you better results in less time!

Am I right for the Damon System?

Dr. Doleac will evaluate your eligibility for the Damon System, and the procedure can be performed for children and adults alike!

What makes Damon braces better?

Probably the biggest advantage of Damon braces over traditional brackets is the amount of time and effort involved. Dr. Doleac can often cut months off of the total treatment time for patients using the Damon System, and typically less visits to our office are necessary to make adjustments.
In addition, the Damon System brackets are:

• Cleaner- Damon brackets don’t have the elastic of traditional brackets, and are less prone to all the plaque buildup that your dentist warns you about!
• Discreet- Damon braces are smaller and have fewer parts than traditional brackets, making them less noticeable and more comfortable.
• No tightening- With the Damon system, we can position your teeth and avoid frequent adjustments. This also reduces the need for complicated tooth extractions or surgery.
If you have been thinking about an orthodontic procedure, come see us for an assessment to see if the Damon System is right for you!