Dr. Kay O'Leary, breaking down myths about orthodontics

Our entire team at O'Leary Whitesides Orthodontics know there are plenty of few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment with Dr. Kay O'Leary, feel free to give us a call! We hope you enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend!

SureSmile works its magic on CNN! From Dr. O'Leary

Does the thought of having braces for two entire years bring you down? Our team at O'Leary Orthodontics understands that one of the biggest concerns for orthodontic patients with braces is the length of their treatment.

But you’re in luck, because Dr. Kay O'Leary specializes in SureSmile, high-tech braces that straighten teeth about 40 percent faster than traditional braces. SureSmile, which combines digital 3-D imaging, has computer-aided treatment planning and customized archwires. SureSmile calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more accuracy than regular braces.

This past week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta (of CNN fame) focused on SureSmile, which is becoming quite popular with a few of our patients. In the video, Dr. Gupta profiles a Maryland teenager named Jessica Thompson, who wasn't all that thrilled about traditional braces, and chose SureSmile as her treatment, just like many of our wonderful patients.

Dr. O'Leary and team encourage you to check out the above CNN video and let us know what you think! Have a terrific weekend!

"How Orthodontics Changed My Life" video contest at O'Leary Orthodontics!

Dr. O'Leary and our staff at O'Leary Orthodontics would like to point you to an exciting video contest that our friends at The American Association of Orthodontists are sponsoring. The contest - "How Orthodontics Changed My Life" - is all about you and your experience with braces at O'Leary Orthodontics. Tell the AAO your story about treatment at O'Leary Orthodontics and you may just win a $2,500 scholarship!

The deadline is June 1st.

The AAO's contest guidelines provide instructions to contestants on submitting their videos, which are to be submitted on DVDs or USB flash drives and accompanied by a signed release. By July 1st, the two winners will be announced. Finalists will be notified by phone or email before June 15 and winners will be notified by phone or email before July 1st.

Dr. O'Leary and our entire team encourage you to submit those videos! GOOD LUCK everybody!!

Access your account any time at O'Leary Orthodontocs!

At O'Leary Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it's through the innovative orthodontic treatments Dr. Kay O'Leary offers, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our web site? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started and have yourself a great weekend!

"Hey, Dr. O'Leary! What is malocclusion?"

Malocclusion, or what Dr. O'Leary calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of your teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and, yes, even your appearance.

If untreated, Dr. O'Leary will tell you malocclusion can lead to undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw. If overcrowding is causing the problem, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda orthodontist Dr. Kay O'Leary may need to have you get one or more teeth removed as part of treatment.

At O'Leary Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results from your orthodontic treatment. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Patient question for Dr. O'Leary: Is oral piercing worth it?

Dr. O'Leary and our team know that piercing, like tattooing, is one of today’s popular forms of “body art” and self-expression. If you’re thinking about getting a piercing – or if you already have one or more – there are definitely some health risks you should know about.

Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing. Just touching your mouth jewelry (tongue barbells and lip and cheek labrettes) can lead to infection. Many people who have piercings tend to regularly touch them – which is a perfect opportunity for bacteria from hands to enter piercing sites. Also, food particles that collect around piercing sites can lead to infection.

There's also a chance for pain and swelling. You see, your tongue – the most popular piercing site in the mouth – could swell large enough to close off your airway! Piercing also can cause uncontrollable bleeding or nerve damage. Damage to the tongue’s blood vessels can cause serious blood loss.

In addition, the hoop, ring, stud and barbell-shaped jewelry can hinder your ability to talk and eat. Some people also develop a habit of biting or playing with their piercings – which can lead to cracked, scratched teeth; gum damage and recession; and sensitive teeth. There may also be a need for restorations, such as crowns or fillings, and additional dental treatment due to piercings. Consider the potential pitfalls of piercing carefully before getting one. Keep in mind that it will be an added responsibility to your life, and will need regular upkeep. Make sure that you’re committed to the task of taking care of it for the full healing period and beyond.

If you have an oral piercing, pay special attention to it. Clean the piercing with antiseptic mouthwash after eating, and brush the jewelry when you brush your teeth. Of course, give us a call if you have any questions.

What puts you at ease at O'Leary Orthodontics?

Trust us when we say Dr. Kay O'Leary knows not everyone is always thrilled about visiting their orthodontist. But at O'Leary Orthodontics, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. Dr. O'Leary and our team offer excellent, quality orthodontic treatment in a caring and gentle environment. We provide a fun and enjoyable experience while creating your new smile.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about O'Leary Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff? Perhaps it's something about Dr. O'Leary

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

Dr. O'Leary, reminding you that April is National Facial Protection Month

With spring here, many children, teens and adults will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Dr. O'Leary and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact O'Leary orthodontics. Stay safe and HAVE FUN!

Ask Dr. O'Leary: Who benefits from braces?

Dr. O'Leary will tell you that braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore. In fact, our staff recently read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! What's more, did you know one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over the age of 21?

Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early. To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven.

If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road. If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile at O'Leary Orthodontics. Set up an appointment for a consultation with Dr. O'Leary and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

What are patients saying about O'Leary Orthodontics?

Dr. Kay O'Leary and our dedicated staff love getting reviews from our patients. And lately, O'Leary Orthodontics, serving Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Englewood, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Happy Tuesday!

"The way she communicates with the patient. She makes you feel really comfortable." ~ Wayne W.

"Well, since I have been going there for a LONG time now, I like how nice she is. I look forward to seeing everyone in their office." ~ Bettyann J.

"She takes time to make my daughter feel at ease,and the same goes for the rest of her staff." ~ Americo T.

"Dr. O has been wonderful to work with for 5 years! She came highly recommended from our good friend in Tampa, Dr. Bruce Scarola. She and her staff are great with kids/teens." ~ M/M Scott.

"Great personality. Dr O'Leary really shows how much she cares about the kids AND the parents. Dr. O'Leary and her staff have been very helpful and understanding." ~ Marianne Y.

SureSmile makes the rounds on ABC’s “The Doctors”

On a recent episode of ABC's "The Doctors," Dr. Thomas Lee of Oxnard, California, was interviewed in front of a live audience and demonstrated SureSmile technology and discussed treatment benefits for orthodontists and their patients. Dr. Lee's 14-year-old patient, Nina, who had just completed SureSmile treatment, was part of the segment as well, and spoke positively about her SureSmile treatment experience.

SureSmile is a software program that facilitates the precise positioning of a patient’s teeth placement for orthodontic braces. Did you know Dr. O'Leary is a certified SureSmile provider in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte? Give us a call and ask for more information about this exciting new technology!

At O'Leary Orthodontics, you have easy access to your account information

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?
Patients at our offices enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

What’s so special about an Orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. O'Leary started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. O'Leary decided she wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So she stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Invisalign® Tips, from Dr. O'Leary

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, we want you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at O'Leary Orthodontics, give us a call!

Meet Our Orthodontist

Dr. O'Leary is a specialist in orthodontics and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha Nebraska. She completed her specialty training in orthodontics during her residency at University of Florida in Gainesville where she continues to hold the position of clinical instructor. In addition to her training as a specialist, she has completed the rigorous further study and examinations required to become Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. She is among the small percentage of orthodontists in the United States to earn this degree of recognized excellence in her specialty.

In dental school, Dr. O'Leary was elected to the scholastic honor society for her outstanding academic performance. She was the first female class president in the history of Creighton's School of Dentistry. Dr. O'Leary's involvement in the dental profession, dental education and the community has been extensive since she began to practice in Charlotte County in 1990. She is active in numerous community activities and supports many patients' school and extracurricular functions.

She is active with the Charlotte County Dental Society and has served as its president. She is also involved with Jr. Leadership Charlotte and is a Leadership Charlotte alumnus. At the state level, she has served on the Florida Dental Association Council for dental education and worked as a Chairperson on "Project Select" to help bring talented young people into the fields of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assisting.

In attempting to bring educational opportunity to South West Florida, Dr. O'Leary chaired a task force to develop a school of dental hygiene at Edison College in Ft. Myers and served as first president of its advisory board.

Dr. O'Leary has two children, Lisamarie, who is an orthodontist practicing in Wenatchee, Washington and Jerry, a graduate of the University of Kansas who works for Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta, Georgia. Lisamarie graduated from the same dental school and orthodontic program as her mom, making them the first mother and daughter orthodontic team to graduate from each of these schools. Twice Dr. O'Leary has gone to the Dominican Republic with health care teams to bring care to the rural poor who have no dental care.

Dr. O'Leary enjoys golfing, boating and family activities. Much of her time is devoted to attending continuing education meetings and learning the most "state of the art" advances in orthodontics.