Damon Clear Archives

My New Smile Thanks To Dr. Bruner Orthodontics & The Damon System

April 21, 2014 by Momstart 8 Comments

Writing about myself is the most difficult thing for me to write about which is why I’m just now getting around to writing about my new smile. I would rather talk about anyone or anything other than myself. So my journey about my braces was hard to share, not because I didn’t like it but because I felt like I was bragging and from looks, most people didn’t think I needed braces in the first place.

My first smile I had a gap. You can hardly see it in the photo but if you look at how my teeth lined up in the next photo you can see that I had more than just a gap.

I had a class three overbite and was originally told that I would have to have surgery to correct. Uh, no thanks I don’t need surgery for a new smile. But then I was approached by the Ormco and the Damon Clear virtually invisible, brackets about working with the Damon System. I thought it’s worth a try. And I’m glad I did it. So many people tell me how much they love my smile. Plus after being so diligent with the instructions Dr. Bruner gave me along with the nature of how the Damon System works I got them off four months early. I only wore the braces for 13 months.

Just look at my smile now

I love how my teeth line up and eating is much easier. I can bite through lettuce and that was something that I was never able to do with my front teeth before.

Here is an up close and personal shot with my two front teeth. LOVE IT.

Would I do it again if I could go back and have a do over. You bet. Bruner Orthodontics walked me through every step, held my hand answered any questions and made the whole process as smooth as possible. His staff is amazing and very friendly. They all even got to know my children really well which made things even better. They were always entertained with Wii station.

I highly recommend Bruner Orthodontics in Redmond WA and the Damon System.

$8,000 Smile Makeover Giveaway @MomStart

January 6, 2014 by Momstart 156 Comments

$8,000 Smile Makeover Giveaway @MomStart

I’m a Damon Diva, an ambassador sharing my experience with Damon Clear, virtually invisible braces that are part of Damon Smile. It’s been a year now and my smile has come a long way. Look at me! Yes, I still have braces and the bands are on today, but my smile has changed so much in a short period of time.

My gap is gone and my class three overbite is gone! Now, I’m in my finishing wire and have minor movements to complete with my top teeth. I LOVE MY SMILE NOW. Below are my photos from the halfway point. My gap was already gone and my bottom teeth are so straight. You can see how my top two teeth are jutting out a bit, but that’s what we’re working on now and I’m already happy with what’s changed in that top photo with my purple hair.

And look at the photo above compared to where I started.

Looking back I can see just how far I have come. I never realized how slanted my bottom teeth were. I do have more confidence, and can’t imagine how much more I’ll have when the braces are off. I also never realized how much of a conversation piece braces are. People love to talk about braces. I love to recommend Damon Smile.

I am really excited to announce that in partnership with Damon Smile and MomStart, I am giving away a SMILE MAKEOVER to one lucky reader! How is THAT for a fantastic way to bring in the New Year with a NEW YOU?

Prize: The grand prize consists of one (1) Damon System Smile Makeover, consisting of orthodontic consultation, treatment, records (x-rays, imaging), and related treatment and planning, up to a maximum of $8,000. Payment for treatment costs that exceed $8,000 will be winner’s responsibility. (giveaway is not transferable)

Few things to note, which are also in the rules you should read:

Winner must respond to prize notification and accept prize within three (3) days after the first notification attempt (contest ends on Jan. 10, 2014), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable to such potential winner, such potential winner may be disqualified and an alternate winner selected.

To Enter:

Please leave a comment telling me what you love about your smile and what you would love to have changed.

Please wait for Rafflecopter to load and good luck! Giveaway Ends January 10th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Third and Fourth Months with Damon Clear Braces

May 14, 2013 by Momstart 2 Comments

The Third and Fourth Months with Damon Clear Braces

I’m a Damon Diva and this is my experience with the Damon Clear, virtually invisible, brackets for the third and fourth months as part of the campaign working with the Damon System.

I feel like I never told you how the second month with the Damon System went and let me say that it was about the second month that I was able to start eating harder foods. Once I found out I was able to eat different things, I started trying all the foods I loved. I got to the point where I was pretty much able to eat all foods. I found crunchy veggies to be a challenge even cut up very finely, which is why I purchased a juicer. Meats that are overcooked, I can’t chew, but who wants to eat overcooked meat anyway?

The Third and Fourth months have been really uneventful. My teeth moved a lot in the first two months and then it wasn’t until the third month that I went in for another appointment. It was the adjustment appointment that most people have with conventional braces except I found out that they usually have those appointments every two to four weeks. I’m so glad my appointments are spread out further. My gap was gone at the end of two months, actually my gap was gone within the first month.

At the second appointment, the orthodontist changed the wire to a thicker wire and it happened so fast. They take out the wire, measure the new one, put it in and then clip the ends off. I wasn’t sore after the appointment, I was a little sore when it came to chewing and it took me a few days to eat everything I loved again but I was determined to eat. So I just did it. My teeth started moving again, I have a gap on the bottom right side which is what the orthodontist wants to happen on both sides, hopefully that will happen soon because I want to move along and get the final result as soon as possible. If it’s possible, I want them off by November of this year (my sister is getting married). I’ll be fine if I still have them on because my friends said that my smile looks amazing regardless of the braces.

Debunking the Myths of Wearing Braces

April 19, 2013 by Momstart 7 Comments

Debunking the Myths of Wearing Braces

The Myths of wearing braces:

· Braces are painful

Only at first are braces painful. I’m going to be honest and say that yeah, when you first have them put on it’s not until the next day that they ache and then eating is hard. I wasn’t able to eat regular foods for two months, but I think it really depends on your pain tolerance. A friend of mine said her son had braces a week after I did and he never took a break from real food. She was a little disappointed because she was hoping to save on the grocery bill for a few months not having her teenage boy eat her out of house and home for 18 months. After the two months I was eating everything except bread and all those foods that might break the brackets off, which is just really really hard crunchy stuff like chips, popcorn and nuts. So my mouth ached for two months, third month no. Then I had a new wire put in and then my mouth was sore for a day. Only a day!

· Braces are bulky, metal and not visually appealing

My braces, from the Damon System allow for my teeth to move along a wire because of how the bracket system is designed and they are not bulky in any way. My braces do not have to be adjusted, instead they change a wire at my appointments, going to larger wires. We also use rubber bands that are very thin and small and not noticeable. I have the Damon Clear, virtually invisible, brackets for my treatment on my top teeth, and now they have them available for the bottom teeth too. My friends said that they don’t even notice the top braces.

· You can’t eat anything with braces

Only for the first two month did I feel like I couldn’t eat anything. After the first two months I was eating regular foods. I tend to stay away from all the foods that were on the DO NOT EAT list. I’m also hesitant to eat crunchy veggies but I can eat them. I’ve been using my juicer instead. And there are lots of different foods you can eat even if you want to stay away from crunching. You can have oatmeal, yogurt, cereal, soup, potatoes, pasta and lots of other foods.

· People won’t take me seriously with braces

NOT TRUE AT ALL! Everyone that I have run into looks at my braces and says things like: I want braces so bad, or I had braces as a child, make sure you wear your retainer, I didn’t and now I need braces again. I’ve been asked to speak in front of people and do video campaigns on my blog. No one cares if I have braces in fact they are practically ecstatic for me because they know that I’m going to be very happy with the end result and I can’t wait for the end result.

I have not been passed up for a single campaign due to my braces.

If you’re interested in finding out more information or if the Damon System is right for you then use the Doctor Locator to find your nearest Damon System orthodontist and ask them how you may benefit from Damon Braces.

I’m a Damon Diva and am being compensated for my time and will be treated with the Damon System and sharing that experience with you.

A Way to Keep Your Smile Healthy

April 15, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

As a Damon Diva I receive compensation for posts, the the Damon Clear, virtually invisible, brackets for my treatment from the Damon System. It’s quite impressive having the invisible brackets on top because most people don’t even notice until they look really close. As I told you yesterday, this is Oral Care Awareness month and this is separate from the Damon System, but it’s another way you might want to take care of your already amazing smile.

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, virtually all adults—99 percent—believe a smile is an important social asset. With that statistic in mind, DenMat—the makers of LUMINEERS—announced the introduction of its inaugural National LUMIDay, a nationwide initiative dedicated to elevating consumer awareness around the importance of improving smiles and maintaining oral hygiene. National LUMIDay will take place on April 24, 2013.

Clinically proven, LUMINEERS are ultra-thin, highly translucent veneers that reshape and whiten teeth in just two office visits. More than 13,000 dentists nationwide use LUMINEERS, with more than a quarter of a million patients treated. Unlike painful procedures commonly associated with traditional veneers, such as shots and the drilling of sensitive tooth structure, LUMINEERS transform smiles through a seamless application process that keeps teeth intact, resulting in a more natural-looking smile.

“I offer my patients LUMINEERS to help them achieve the smiles they’ve always wanted, in a short amount of time,” said Dr. David Ouellet, dentist. “From whitening stains to correcting chipped or crooked teeth, the results I can produce with LUMINEERS are unparalleled. Additionally, for prospective patients hesitant about the process, the LUMINEERS experience offers a digital smile makeover that creates a set of before and after photos to virtually show what a person’s final smile will look like before undergoing the process.”

As part of its National LUMIDay celebration, LUMINEERS dentists are also educating patients on oral cancer detection and proper dental care in recognition of April’s Oral Cancer Awareness Month. For the fifth consecutive year, there has been an increase in the number of U.S. patients diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancer, and more than 8,000 fatal cases are expected to occur in 2013. Creating awareness of proactive oral screening exams and the symptoms to be mindful of contributes to earlier disease detection and helps to reverse unfavorable statistics.

To book an appointment with a LUMINEERS dentist on National LUMIDay, please visit www.lumineers.com.

New Braces Equals New Smile Equals New Habits this Year! Listerine Ultraclean Giveaway

January 25, 2013 by Momstart 47 Comments

Yes I’m working with Ormco and they are providing me with new braces which means I have to make sure I take care of my teeth. That means extra brushing between meals, flossing and just to go that extra mile I’m using mouth wash almost as often as I’m brushing my teeth. I really want to take care of my Damon Clear braces and Listerine is going to help.

LISTERINE® has several NEW products that can help!

NEW LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN™

The only leading mouthwash with an anti-tartar ingredient, and new EVERFRESH Technology for a dentist clean feeling that lasts up to 3x longer vs. brushing alone. Plus, it provides the superior plaque and gingivitis germ-killing benefits you’ve come to expect from original LISTERINE® Antiseptic.

LISTERINE® WHITENING® ORIGINAL GEL

Whitens teeth by removing surface stains and controls tartar to help prevent stains and provide a healthy looking white smile. It restores enamel and strengthens teeth, while also killing bad breath germs to freshen breath and provides fluoride to protect teeth from cavities.

LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN™

· Features unique EVERFRESH™ technology that provides a powerful “dentist clean” feeling up to 3X longer vs. brushing alone

· The only leading mouthwash that includes an anti-tartar ingredient proven to control tartar build-up

· Reaches 75 percent of the mouth that brushing alone misses and provides 24-hour protection against germs that cause plaque and gingivitis when used twice daily for 30 seconds during morning and nighttime oral care routines.

· Available in Cool Mint, Artic Mint, Fresh Citrus.

· LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN™ can be purchased at all food, drug and mass merchandise outlets starting at $3.89 for a 250 ml bottle

LISTERINE® WHITENING® ORIGINAL GEL

· Whitens teeth by removing surface stains and controls tartar to help prevent stains and provide a healthy looking white smile

· Restores enamel and strengthens teeth

· Kills bad breath germs to freshen breath

· Provides fluoride to protect teeth from cavities

· For maximum benefits, it should be used twice daily for 30 seconds during morning and nighttime oral care routines

· Available in Power Mint

· LISTERINE® WHITENING® Original Gel can be purchased at all food, drug and mass merchandise outlets starting at $4.49 for a 4.2 oz. tube

Maybe you don’t have braces like I do but taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums is still very important.

Did you know your mouth contains more germs than there are number of people on earth?

That’s right – and believe it or not, even if you brush twice a day, you’re likely missing millions of them! In fact, brushing alone misses 75% of your mouth, which is why it’s critical to floss regularly and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash twice a day, like LISTERINE® that that penetrates all over for that whole mouth clean!

Currently, more than 75% of American adults suffer from some form of periodontal (gum) disease and may not even know it. It’s time for everyone to make a change. Listerine is here to help you take the first step towards a healthier mouth in 2013.

Enter to Win:

Listerine Mouth Cleaning Products

To Enter:

Leave a comment here on MomStart telling us if you like mouthwash or now

Extra Entries:

Use the rafflecopter and leave us a way to verify your entry

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Samples received. This giveaway ends February 5th. Please see our giveaway rules

My First Orthodontic Appointment EVER

January 11, 2013 by Momstart 4 Comments

My First Orthodontic Appointment EVER

I recently visited the Orthodontist Dr. Matthew K. Bruner who comes highly recommended. At my appointment I was really impressed with his office—he was working on four different patients all at the same time. Considering I’ve never been to an orthodontist, I wouldn’t have any idea if this was normal or not, but it sure seems to raise efficiency.

At my appointment they took a lot of photos. They took a photo of my profile, my mouth open and my mouth closed. Then they took photos of my teeth. They put these mouth openers, they were placed on both sides and they took photos of all angles of my teeth with a camera much like mine. Then they used a machine that took a 180 degree x-ray of my teeth. This allowed them to look at my roots and overall health of my mouth and teeth. Damon System orthodontists are trained to take the whole patient into account: the shape of your face, your profile, what you will look like into your 40s, 50s… and beyond. The Damon System is based on a unique treatment philosophy that goes beyond straight teeth.

From this Dr. Bruner was able to determine that I have a Class 3 overbite and that many of my teeth do not line up. You can see on the photo which teeth aren’t lined up by the pen marks Dr. Bruner drew on teeth. The bottom of my chin is not quite lined up with the center of my eyes. That kind of correction could have been fixed if I had braces earlier in life but now my mouth is pretty much formed. They are however, going to try and move my jaw back with the Damon System. We did go over all options, I even asked about invisible liners and he said they wouldn’t solve the problems that I have. Liners can not move my teeth back to correct the class three overbite, or allow my teeth to adjust gradually over the next 18 months.

And I’m really excited that they will be using the Damon Clear, virtually invisible, brackets for my treatment. I’m a bit nervous about getting braces, excited for the outcome but really nervous. Going to the dentist has never been something that I enjoy. My bonding process has taken place, and I’m going to share that experience with you very soon.

I’m a Damon Diva and am being compensated for my time and will be treated with the Damon System and sharing that experience with you.

Contemplating Damon System Braces

November 28, 2012 by Momstart 12 Comments

Contemplating braces for the first time has me really inspecting my teeth. When I was a child, my dentist told me I had the straightest teeth he’s ever seen. My smile was amazing and I brushed my teeth all the time. Then I went to college and my wisdom teeth came in. I had major migraines and the wisdom teeth never came out because they were impacted. So, I had to have them pulled in order to feel better. Then there was too much space, and I think my tongue keeps growing because now I’ve found there isn’t enough room in my mouth for my tongue so it’s been pushing a gap into my two front teeth.

Between the gap and the slight crowding in the bottom of my teeth I think braces would be a good option, that and because I want to avoid jaw surgery. I told my current dentist of my dilemma and that was his answer, jaw surgery. No thanks, which is the main reason I’m excited to be working with the Damon System. I will be visiting a local orthodontist about getting fitted with the Damon System braces. I’m hoping that we will be able to use the Damon Clear. They are virtually invisible and have so many advantages over traditional braces and aligners. The Damon Clear offer the same fast, comfortable treatment as traditional Damon Braces, but with clear, “can’t even see” brackets! Likewise, I don’t have to worry about losing aligner trays or taking them out while eating—not that aligners would likely be a treatment fit for me as they typically are most effective for minor tooth movements not jaw surgery-like transformations. I’m looking forward to getting rid of the gap in my teeth and having more room in my mouth.

But before I start my treatment I visited the dentist for my bi-yearly checkup and found that I have some cavities I need to get rid of first. So on Wednesday I’m getting my cavities filled and then the next week I will have my first consultation for the Damon System.

If you’re interested in finding out more information or if the Damon system is right for you then use the Doctor Locator to find your nearest Damon orthodontist and ask them how you may benefit from the Damon System.

I’m a Damon Diva and am being compensated for my time and will be treated with the Damon System and sharing that experience with you.