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

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.

Orthodontic Treatment Basics

Check out this great video from the American Association of Orthodontists about the basics of orthodontic treatment. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a dentist and an orthodontist? Did you know orthodontic treatment works for all ages? Watch the video to learn more about what makes orthodontic treatment important!

Have a great weekend,

--The Magic Smiles Team of Portland, Beaverton and Scappoose

Why Is It So Important To Have Straight Teeth? Dr. Doleac explains

Some people wonder why we work so hard 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, give us a call at 503-200-2536 to set up a consultation. Dr. Doleac can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

What’s so special about an Orthodontist? Dr. Doleac Explains

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" At Magic Smiles we hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Doleac started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Doleac decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

--Dr. Doleac