Everyone knows the main purpose of braces. They help you obtain that attractive smile and self-image you want. A beautiful smile is worth its weight in gold, and our orthodontists are here to help all of southern Nevada.

Braces are also useful for treating all sorts of oral health issues.

Braces can alleviate physical pain and prevent problems that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, chewing and digestive difficulties, speech impairments, tooth loss, and other dental injuries. Braces can be an integral treatment option for any of these concerns.

You have many options to choose from for braces in Las Vegas. Braces are an extremely beneficial and effective corrective action for a beautiful smile and overall health.  Our orthodontists know the ins and outs of orthodontic care, and are happy to help the entire Las Vegas community who may be experiencing any of these problems.

With or without braces, your food choices can have a huge effect on the state of your teeth. For example, eating a lot of sugary foods and drinks can cause cavities. With braces this becomes a bigger challenge. Teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay when wearing braces because the teeth is not as easy to clean. There are also certain types of food like hard and sticky foods that should be avoided so as not to damage your orthodontic appliance. You can continue to enjoy most foods however as long as they are soft and/or cut into bite-size pieces for your convenient and easy chewing.

Braces can make regular teeth cleaning difficult. It’s reason to be more vigilant in your brushing and flossing habits. Most orthodontists recommend brushing after every meal or snack and may recommend the use of an interdental brush for better access to the spaces in between the teeth and between braces wires.  Mouthwash can also help. Oral irrigators can also be used when possible. After braces are taken off, some patients continue treatment with retainers which should also be cleaned regularly when brushing teeth and soaked in denture cleansers for disinfecting.

Finally, always follow schedules for your orthodontist visit. Dental appliances may be tightened or changed depending on the type you use. They can also help in making sure braces are cleaned and in good condition.

If you follow these steps, you can ensure a successful and hassle-free orthodontic treatment. You can then show off a beautiful smile. You deserve it.

While orthodontics is most beneficial to young patients for early care and intervention, more and more adults are now seeking treatment. Aesthetics is always the prime motivation. After all, when people look good, they feel good too. The different options on the type of braces now available have likely increased the number of patients pursuing orthodontic treatment. Aside from metal braces which can be used traditionally in front of the teeth or on the backside for cosmetic reasons there are also ceramic options. Another choice is using Invisalign which is an invisible set of retainers that are more visually appealing although they may not be applicable for all patients.

Basic treatments can be similar at various locations, but the success can greatly depend on the choice of the orthodontist. In Las Vegas, orthodontists Douglas Simister and Robert Leaver are well-known for working on the best orthodontic treatment in the area. They have provided many satisfied patients a new smile, better self-confidence, and introducing them to a new life. Of course, having braces or Invisalign is not always easy.  It takes some dedication and there are times patients experience slight pain, especially with newly adjusted braces. Patients need also to learn new habits with braces on, but the discomfort is minimal compared to the benefits of an incredible smile.

Every patient’s case can be unique, but at Simister and Leaver there is a consistency everybody can expect.  That is excellent patient care and the best results possible.  With high quality services at affordable rates, it’s no wonder patients referred for orthodontics in Las Vegas turn to Simister and Leaver.

If you are considering braces or have a child in need of orthodontic care, visit Simister Ortho today to get started on your way to a perfect smile and a great future. Simister Orthodontics is located at 4306 S Easter Ave.,  Las Vegas, NV 89119. You can also visit www.drsimisterortho.com for more information.

Wonderful Latter-day Saints have responded in incredible numbers to be part of the Utah Hospital Task Force on its emergency mission to Haiti. A group of 150 extraordinary volunteer LDS physicians, nurses, EMTs, builders, engineers, and construction professionals traveled by charter aircraft to Haiti on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 for a 21-day mission to help the people of Haiti. They are traveling as the Utah Hospital Task Force. All expenses are being covered by donations.

These volunteers come from many states and Canada, all are LDS, and many speak French or Creole, languages desperately needed by USAID in the recovery efforts since the devasting earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.

The primary objective of this mission is to get the Healing Hands of Haiti medical center back in operation to save lives. The secondary objective is to assist as directed by USAID on-ground coordinators to save lives.

How Can You Help?

There are more good people wishing to go than there are plane seats, but everyone can help. Our most immediate need is to finish raising the funds to pay for the aircraft and logistics support, which in the crisis environment is quite expensive. Though only a few can go, each of us can help by making a donation, and by asking friends and family and employers and neighbors to contribute any amount.

Donations should be given to Healing Hands for Haiti, which is a non-profit tax deductible donation. Donations may be made electronically at http://www.healinghandsforhaiti.org/ with the important designation “Utah Hospital Task Force”. You will see the donate button right as you come to the site.

If you would like to send your checks, donations may be mailed to:

Healing Hands for Haiti International Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 521800
Salt Lake City, Utah 84152-1800
Be sure to designate “Utah Hospital Task Force.”

Follow Dr. Doug, an Orthodontist in Las Vegas, in this relief effort

To follow the progress of the mission and see Dr. Doug’s photos from Haiti, visit his blog…click here to view blog

Resources for Orthodontic Care
Simister And Leaver Orthodontics

Dr. Simister and Dr. Leaver advise that you eat softer foods for the first week after you get your braces. After that, you can eat most of the good things you eat now. However, you should not eat hard, sticky, gooey or crunchy foods while wearing braces, as this could pull or knock the braces off your teeth. Examples of foods that should be off-limits are:

• Jolly Ranchers
• Lifesavers
• Starbursts
• caramels

• tortilla chips
• hard taco shells
• jerky
• corn on the cob

• popcorn
• meats on the bone
• pizza crusts
• French bread crusts

Hard fruits and vegetables need to be cut into small, bite-size pieces. Pens, pencils and other foreign objects need to be kept out of the mouth. Avoiding these hazards will help you to accomplish your treatment goals right on schedule.

Occasionally throughout treatment, you might experience some discomfort. For relief, you may use pain relievers that you would normally take if you were experiencing a headache, or rinse your mouth with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of warm water to help relieve discomfort in your mouth.

Dr. Simister encourages all of his patients to follow these guidelines for maximum oral health and comfortable orthodontic treatment. Always remember to brush your braces and teeth thoroughly after every meal and snack.

Remember that even a small snack can cause stains or discoloration of your teeth if food particles are not properly removed from your braces after eating. If you are unable to brush your teeth, try rinsing your mouth with water to loosen food that might otherwise remain trapped in your braces. Be sure to maintain a regular dental cleaning schedule with your family dentist to ensure optimum oral hygiene and prevention of cavities. Your dental health and hygiene is part of the key to successful orthodontic treatment.

Many patients prefer using Invisalign for several reasons. First off, Invisalign solves most patients’, especially adults’ concern over the aesthetic factor of most orthodontic appliances. These custom made trays are made of clear plastic which makes them virtually invisible. Other people will hardly notice a patient is in treatment until it is completed. They are also comfortable and convenient to use. Aligners are merely inserted onto the teeth and worn for most of the day. They are removed when eating and brushing allowing patients to enjoy food unrestricted process is simple, relying mostly on a patient’s diligence in wearing them and sticking to the plan. (This includes wearing the aligners for 20-22 hours per day throughout the treatment period,having tooth colored attachments bonded to some teeth in order to aid with tooth movement. Changing into graduating into sets of trays and periodic checkups with the orthodontics) and promises great results.

To get started on an Invisalign treatment, individuals must consult with an Invisalign provider. Dr. Simister is a Las Vegas Invisalign orthodontist and can duplicate a patients’ teeth to come up with a custom treatment plan. The plan is then submitted to Align Technology where a 3D representation of the patients treatment is created and the series of aligners are made. When it is done, the set is sent back to Dr. Simister where a patients can pick it up and be advised on how it is best used. Each new aligner/ retainer in the set should be used according to the doctor’s prescription to ensure effectiveness of the treatment.

Passion for good dental health and aesthetics doesn’t have to be difficult . Consult with Dr. Simister if this can be an option for you.