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!