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.

Dr. Doleac at West Point

Dr. Doleac was recently back at West Point with his wife, Marge, for an Advisory Board meeting of the Association of Graduates. While he was there, General Patton's statue, which had been in hiding since the new library, Jefferson Hall, was under construction, was just relocated to its present position with Patton's back to the library. That is appropriate as Patton, who graduated last in his class, probably never entered the library while a cadet. For that matter, neither did Dr. Doleac.



Dr. Doleac will be back at West Point in October for the annual National Conference on Ethics in America (NCEA) which is sponsored by his class (The Class of 1970). Please ask Dr. Doleac about West Point when you are in the office, especially if you have an interest in applying for admission. The time to open a file for admission is during your junior year of high school!

Magic Smiles Around The Web

If you've ever visited us at Magic Smiles, you already know that Dr. Doleac and the rest of the team love connecting with their patients. We love the ability to communicate with all of you online too! Besides our website and our blog, Dr. Doleac is on many other networks too!

• Share a video with us, or watch one of ours on Youtube

• Become a "fan" of Magic Smiles on Facebook

• View and comment on our photos on MySpace

• Write a review about your Magic Smiles experience on Yelp

See you around the web!

--Dr. Doleac

Summer Fun with Dr. Doleac!

Its summer here at Magic Smiles, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

-From Dr. Doleac

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

Dr. Doleac Asks: Are There Teeth Grinders in Your House?

Grind, grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, especially a night grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound. Other symptoms of teeth grinding (technically called “bruxism”) include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

People frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, so taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. Here are some things you can try to stop grinding:

• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Relax right before bedtime with a warm bath or shower
• Help your jaw learn to relax by quitting any chewing habits (pens, pencils, gum)
• When clenching or grinding happens during the day, place your tongue between your teeth to serve as a reminder to avoid the habit

If grinding goes untreated, it can lead to chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, make an appointment to see us by calling (503) 255-1694. Dr. Doleac can help determine the cause of the problem and possibly even prescribe a custom mouthpiece to help break the habit.

Is Invisalign® Really Customized for Each Patient? Dr. Phil Doleac

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.



Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Doleac is a Premier Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at 503-200-2536.