Lower bonded 3-3 Retainers

Did you ever wonder how to care for your lower permanent retainer?

Here are 2 videos. The first is how to angle your toothbrush while brushing and the second is flossing a lower bonded 3-3 retainer.

Flossing: If you were to try and floss normally around your permanent retainer, your floss wouldn't reach all the way down to the gumline. To floss the retainer correctly you will need to place floss between teeth, loop the floss around the adjacent tooth and move floss back and forth down into the gumline. Repeat for all front lower teeth.
Brushing: Make sure you angle your toothbrush all the way around to the back of your front teeth, completely covering the area of the retainer as shown in the video.
It only takes an extra few moments in your normal routine to care for your permanent retainer. If you don't take the extra time,your dentist may decide to take your permanent retainer out. Plaque and tartar can build up very easily around your retainer and eventually cause tooth decay.
What if my permanent retainer gets loose? If your retainer is loose on one side, call us and come in ASAP! We can bond that side back on. If your retainer comes out completely, DO NOT throw it away! Put it in a baggie, bring it in and we can bond it back in. If you throw your retainer away, we will have to charge you to make a new one.

Katie – ortho assist

Me Fine Foundations "Hope for the Holidays 2011" at Vinson Orthodontics

Vinson Orthodontics is excited to announce that our Angel Trees are up at our offices. We invite you to visit our office and select an Angel Tag from our tree. All you will need to do is purchase the gift and return it to our office unwrapped. We will deliver the gifts to the ME Fine Foundation for distribution to the families and children the week of December 15th.

The Me Fine Foundation is a local non-profit agency assisting families with terminally or critically ill children at UNC and Duke Childrens Hospitals. They would greatly benefit from your help as the needs are growing substantially each year!!

Happy Holidays!

Vinson Orthodontics

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

Please call and schedule an appointment at Vinson Orthodontics and let us share our "flossophy" with you!

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. An early check-up may tell parents whether a problem is developing. If a problem is apparent, we can advise our parents whether it is better treated at a younger age, or at a later time when more permanent teeth are present. If no problem is apparent, the early check-up provides you with the peace of mind that there are no immediate treatment needs. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Dr. Vinson and/or schedule a new patient appointment which is free of charge.

Happy October!

Vinson Orthodontics

Me Fine Mud Run/ Timberjack Challenge October 1, 2011

We had such a great time at the Me Fine Foundation/ Timberjack Challenge on October 1st in Selma. It was a 5K course that covered over 40 acres of custom built obstacles placed in mud! Teams of 4 or more participated in this endurance exercise that tests team spirit and fitness.

Me Fine is a local non-profit organization that supports children and families at UNC and Duke Children's Hospitals.

Vinson Orthodontics loves to support our community in every way possible and would like to challenge each and every one of you to get involved. Your involvement can come in the form of personal time invested in students, schools, churches, non-profit organizations and so forth.

There are so many needs around each of us in our communites that we should all step up and support each other. For further pictures and fun, please check out our facebook page at www.vinsonorthodontics.com.

Good Luck and GET INVOLVED! DONATE YOUR TIME & EFFORTS and the personal rewards will be too numerous to note.

Have a great day!

Tammy- marketing coordinator

Vinson Orthodontics

Will I get "colors"?

Have you ever wondered if or when you will get "colors" on your braces? Well, if you don't already have braces (and will soon be getting them) you likely won't have "colors" at your first couple of visits.

It is likely, that at some point during your treatment you will get the "colors". With Damon Braces, the colors on the braces are generally used to close spaces in between the teeth. If you do not have spaces in your teeth, you may get colored rubber bands which will help your top and bottom teeth fit together! If you don't end up having either "colors" on your braces or "colored" elastics....don't worry....you will still end up with a beautiful smile!!!

Your Clinical Assistants @ Vinson Orthodontics

Will it hurt when I get my braces on?

This is a common question that we receive at Vinson Orthodontics and it is a fear for many people.

Has your brother , sister, mother, dad, cousin or friend told you mean stories about how braces hurt? What should you expect when you get your braces?

The actual day that you get braces on does not hurt. You will not get a shot and there shouldn't be anything that is painful! No worries...you just have to sit still for about an hour which might be the biggest pain of all!! :)

The day you get your braces will be more of an adjustment period. If we ask someone what it feels like, the most common answer is "weird"! Typically, if you get braces on in the morning you may become sore in the afternoon or the next morning but we will give you all the helpful hints to prevent and treat the soreness!! After a few days...you will be back to normal!!

We are looking forward to a fun day putting your braces on!!

Your Clincial Team @ Vinson Orthodontics

Referral Rewards Program at

Vinson Orthodontics

Did you know that you have extra opportunities to win $$$$ by referring patients to our office? It is easy...just refer your friends and family members to us for a new patient evaluation. Once they mention your name...you earn $ and/or rewards points! Please see our office for details and to pick up more referral rewards cards. There is a GRAND prize drawing once a year , too!

The confidence you place in us is greatly appreciated and we would be delighted to have your friends and family get to know us, too!!

Have a GREAT DAY!!

What is the deal with retainers?

If you recently completed treatment with Dr. Vinson, congratulations! You have a beautiful smile! Now that your braces have been removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide this stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in a desired position. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Vinson is your best insurance that your results will last for a lifetime. Here are things to remember when you receive your retainer:

1. wear full time until instructed otherwise
2. take retainers out when eating but ALWAYS put them in your retainer case
3. clean retainers thoroughly atleast once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste
4. remove retainers when swimming or during sports activities
5. keep your retainers up and away from pets (dogs love to chew them!)
6. if your retainers are lost or broken...contact us immediately

If you follow these instructions, you will enjoy your beautiful smile for a lifetime! To learn more about the retainers provided at Vinson Orthodontics, visit our retention page on our website http://www.vinsonorthodontics.com/Treatment/Retention.aspx.

Robin- orthodontic assistant at Vinson Orthodontics

Congratulations to our 2011 Vinson Orthodontics $500 Scholarship Winner: Jimmy A. Joyner Jr!!

Jimmy currently has an unweighted GPA of 3.1 on a 4.0 scale at Cary Academy. While currently taking a most demanding curriculum at Cary Academy, he continues to participate in many clubs and sports. He will be attending UNC-Asheville. Good Luck Jimmy!!

Be sure to read his essay "What is the greatest challenge your generation will face and what ideas do you have for dealing with it?" on our website page http://www.vinsonorthodontics.com/FunZone/VinsonOrthodonticsScholarshipProgram.aspx.

"Tribute to our Dads 2011"

http://video214.com/play/bx4jCD7sXofWjddS66OZcA/s/dark

Vinson Orthodontics would like to recognize all of our dads in our "Tribute to our Dads 2011" video. We appreciate your support and for allowing us to create beautiful smiles for your children! Please check it out....

Rubber bands...Did you ever wonder if you will get to wear rubber bands with your braces? Rubber bands can be worn several different ways and they come in different sizes, so don't copy or wear your friend's rubber bands.

The main purpose of them is to make sure your upper teeth and lower teeth fit together correctly. That is why when you do get rubberbands it is very important to wear them as instructed. Braces alone cannot fix your bite. Rubber bands may be started or stopped by Dr. Vinson at any time during treatment. Good cooperation with this ensures the best possible result when your braces come off!

Robin Pardue

Orthodontic Assistant at Vinson Orthodontics

Christmas in July Angel Tree at Vinson Orthodontics!

Me Fine Foundation's 7th Annual Christmas in July is currently in progress and Vinson Orthodontics has Angels Trees in our Smithfield and Clayton offices. The Me Fine Foundation was established to assist families with children in treatment for life-threatening diseases or conditions at Duke and UNC's Children's Hospitals.

Each year, Me Fine and our volunteers travel to both hospitals to deliver gifts and a little holiday cheer to the children during our annual Christmas in July event. Even Santa takes a break from his island vacation to make a personal stop at each room in the pediatric units. The kids decorate their rooms and doors in anticipation of this special day.

This year is the LARGEST event ever!!! Over 400 families will be included in the receiving of our gifts!

Me Fine needs your help. It is easy... just pick any tag from our Angel Tree and purchase the item. Return the unwrapped gift to either Smithfield Cinemas or Vinson Orthodontics by June 30, 2011. Me Fine will do the rest!

Thank you so much for supporting the Me Fine Foundation!

Facebook "Win with Vinson" Game

Attention all patients and parents! Please visit our facebook page...go to http://www.vinsonorthodontics.com/ and click our facebook icon. Select the "Win with Vinson" and follow the instructions to get an entry form to register to win one of THREE IPOD NANO's with an iWatch!! Once you get the entry form you can read how you can increase your chances of winning.

If you don't have a facebook account, please leave your name at our front desk and we will put your name on an entry forms.

Me Fine Foundation Mud Run/ Timberjack Challenge October 1, 2011

GOT MUD? Vinson Orthodontics is a proud supporter of the Me Fine Foundation. We will participate as a team in the Me Fine Foundation Mud Run on October 1st, 2011. This is NOT a typical road race. The course covers nearly 40 acres of custom built obstacles that will test strength, endurance, team spirit and fitness level..all in the mud!

We challenge YOU to get a few friends together and join us in this event. You can visit http://www.mefinemudrun.com/ to register!! Let us know if you register....respond to us on our facebook page at http://www.vinsonorthodontics.com/.

Happy Mother's Day 2011!!

We would like to thank all of our mothers and grandmothers at Vinson Orthodontics! You make it all possible...thank you for allowing us to create beautiful smiles for your children.

Please check out our Mother's Day Video 2011...you might find yourself in it!!!http://video214.com/play/3VCiKSJwRLMdW6qsP4dXAQ/s/dark

April is National Facial Protection Month This month several professional organizations(dental specialists) including The American Association of Orthodontists are recognizing April as "National Facial Protection Month". Their message is clear: avoid sports injuries by wearing protective equipment. It seems that the first step to facial protection is just putting on your gear. This is directed towards all active individuals including children, parents, weekend warriors and professional athletes. From skateboarding to rollerblading, baseball to volleyball, karate to gymnastics, downhill skiing to bicycling, all sports are contact sports. From face shields, to eye shields, dental specialists advocate wearing protective gear to save face. The top 10 ways to save face: 1. wear mouth guards for any contact sport 2.wear a helmet 3.wear protective eyewear 4. wear a face shield 5. be aware of family pets (each year roughly 44,000 people incur face injuries from dog bites) 6. buckle up with seatbelts and carseats 7. keep babies and toddlers safe 8. be alert...as a spectator, keep an eye out for foul baseballs, soaring hockey pucks, etc. 9. use common sense 10. to learn more visit www.braces.org, www.aaoms.org, www.aapd.org. Vinson Orthodontics provides all of our patients participating in these sports with mouthguards!! Please be sure to ask when you are in for your next appointment if you need one!!!

Vinson Orthodontics Scholarship Program 2011 The Vinson Orthodontics Scholarship Program awards an annual non-renewable $500 scholarship. Applicants must be current patients or have completed orthodontic treatment at Vinson Orthodontics. Applications will be accepted from present or previous patients planning to attend or attending an institution of higher learning for at least one year. If you are eligible and interested, please email us at scholarships@vinsonorthodontics.com to request information and an application. Deadline is June 10, 2011!!

Contest Game Winners

Congratulations to our "BRRR...it's been cold" patient contest winner Lissi M!! She will enjoy shopping online with those many extra rewards points! Congrats!

We would also like to congratulate our Lou Malnetti's Parent contest winner Carla T! She is the lucky winner of the gift certificate to Lou Malnati's. They have the best Chicago style pizza in the world!!

Don't forget to participate in our newest games when you come in for your next visit! We will be interested in "How you Dee Dr. V"!

Vinson Orthodontics Skating Party February 24, 2011

We would like to thank our many patients and family members who attended our patient and family appreciation event at InterSKATE in Clayton on February 24th! It was a fantastic evening of skating, pizza and lots of giveaways. Our prizes included ipods, itunes gift cards, movie passes and a $100 cash prize (congrats Eric)! We would like to congratulate our many patient winners! Our parent prize winner received a gift certificate to Spartans, a one of a kind bowling and dining experience in Raleigh! Please check out our facebook page for our photos. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

Vinson Orthodontics Patient and Family Appreciation Skating Party

Don't forget to join Dr. Vinson and our team at InterSKATE Skating Rink in Clayton on Thursday February 24th from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Join us for skating, pizza , prizes and lots of fun!!

Vinson Orthodontics $500 Referral Rewards Winner for 2010

Vinson Orthodontics would like to congratulate our 2010 Referral Rewards Drawing Winner : Robin R!!

The participation from our patients and families in our Referral Rewards Program for 2010 was truly fantastic! We do appreciate the confidence that you place in us. It would be our pleasure to have the opportunity to provide orthodontics services to your friends and family members.

We invite you to continue participating in our Referral Rewards Program in 2011. It is a great opportunity to earn additional rewards points and extra $$$. Please see our staff for details and to obtain additional Vinson Orthodontics Referral Rewards Program Cards.

Remember that everyone who participates will be entered into our $500 Referral Rewards Program in addition to earning points and $$$ along the way!!!

Vinson Orthodontics has a NEW WEBSITE!!

Check it out! We are excited to finally announce that our new website has been launched. Please visit our new website to see the wonderful changes including our new office video on the homepage!

click here to view www.vinsonorthodontics.com

Vinson Orthodontics "Celebration of 2010" Video



We are so excited to share our 2010 video with you! This video includes photos of patients, families and staff throughout 2010. Yes we did have fun, fun, fun! We would like to thank each of you for making it so wonderful! Please go to our website http://www.vinsonorthodontics/ and click on the you tube icon on the homepage. Please share with all of your friends!http://video214.com/play/KdUyRXzWk6G9Wy1pYxZ8yw/s/dark

2011 Patient & Family Appreciation Event at Vinson Orthodontics

You are invited to join Dr. Vinson and our team on thursday February 24th from 6:30-8:30pm at InterSKATE skating rink in Clayton NC! It will be a blast and your entire family can come.
There will be skating, pizza, giveaways and LOTS of fun!

Our New Patient Contest is "Brrr..it's been cold!"

Please participate each time you come into Vinson Orthodontics in our newest patient game "Brrr..it's been cold!" You could be the great rewards points winner!! See our office for details!