Patient question: "I'm 42 years old - am I too old for braces?"

Of course not!

In fact, our staff at Richard Boyd Orthodontics recently read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! It's true that 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 teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Treatment with Columbia orthodontist Dr. Richard Boyd can be successful at any age, and we know that you adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Boyd would love to have you visit for a complimentary consultation! Please give us a call to set one up!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Sleep disorders and treatment options in Columbia, from Richard Boyd Orthodontics

Columbia orthodontist Dr. Richard Boyd knows sleep disorders are fairly common, with some 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder. Some of these progress to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms of sleep apnea, and as the condition worsens it can lead to airway blockage, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.

The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, give us a call and our team at Richard Boyd Orthodontics can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist here in Columbia.

* Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
* Loud snoring at night
* Waking up at night short of breath
* Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
* Headaches upon waking in the morning
* Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
* Extreme drowsiness throughout the day

And dads? We hope you enjoy the rest of Father's Day weekend!

Dr. Boyd wants to know: what's on your reading list this summer?

With summer only a week away, some of us at Columbia's Richard Boyd Orthodontics have been thinking increasingly about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easier to go play ball with friends or kick back and watch television, but reading during the summer is a vital step in you being prepared for classes in the fall, as well as maintaining your skill level.

What's on YOUR summer reading list? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff (and Dr. Boyd) would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian here in Columbia for some ideas or check out various summer reading lists that we came across today.

Happy reading!

The Damon® System at Richard Boyd Orthodontics: What's the advantage?

Probably the biggest advantage of Damon braces over traditional brackets is the amount of time and effort involved. Dr. Richard Boyd can often cut months off of the total treatment time for our wonderful patients using the Damon System, and less visits to our office are necessary to make adjustments.

In addition, the Damon System brackets are:

• Cleaner: Damon brackets don’t have the elastic of traditional brackets, and are less prone to all the plaque buildup that your dentist warns you about!
• Discreet: Damon braces are smaller and have fewer parts than traditional brackets, making them less noticeable and more comfortable.
• No tightening: With the Damon system, Richard Boyd Orthodontics can position your teeth and avoid frequent adjustments. This also reduces the need for complicated tooth extractions or surgery.

If you have been thinking about an orthodontic procedure, come see Dr. Boyd and our team for an assessment to see if the Damon System is right for you!