At Arkle & Harris Orthodontics, we know image is everything. For many people, the thought of having metal brackets and wires attached to their teeth for two or more years may be more than enough to delay orthodontic treatment.

If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about metal wires and brackets getting in the way of your smile, Invisalign treatment at our office may be a great solution. Invisalign, which straightens teeth through a series of clear, custom-fit removable aligners, does so in a way that is discreet and hardly noticeable.

If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at our office, please give us a call to schedule a consultation.

Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

With the school year close to winding down for a lot of our patients at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics, we wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading is a vital step in brain development and literacy. And if you needed any more reason to read, May marks “Get Caught Reading Month.”

Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our team would be happy to provide a few. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas on what to read next!

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your book picks or your all-time favorite novels or literature on our Facebook page!

Arkle and Harris Orthodontics, serving Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas, strives to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?

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Thank you,

The team at Arkle and Harris Orthodontics

It is becoming more commonly known that children should have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 to determine whether early orthodontic treatment is needed.

But Dr. Thomas Arkle III and Dr. Christopher T. Harris of Arkle & Harris Orthodontics advise parents to beware of aggressive treatment recommendations too early, because going this route could exhaust your insurance benefits if your child needs additional treatment in the future.

This is an important topic that needs to be brought to light because unfortunately, there are some orthodontists who treat children too early and their teeth come out of alignment when they get older, says Charlotte orthodontist Dr. Arkle.

It is true that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, Dr. Arkle says. But quite frequently, no treatment is needed at this early age. However, when it’s recommended, many parents agree to it because they don’t realize that there is such a thing as getting braces for children too early.

Typically, because the orthodontist is viewed as the expert on the matter, parents don’t consider questioning the treatment plan, Dr. Harris adds.

Besides having the malocclusion relapse, payment for treatment a second time could result in more money out of your own pocket.

Orthodontic insurance is a convoluted beast, Dr. Harris says.

Some dental insurance covers no orthodontic treatment. Others cover up to 50 percent of the treatment cost and they have a maximum- usually it’s $1,500.

But then it’s exhausted for life, he says. So if your child needs treatment again, there’s no coverage.

Dr. Arkle and Dr. Harris have seen the consequences of early treatment in their practice when children have been treated too early by another orthodontist, only to have their teeth get out of alignment years down the road.

It’s a rude awakening for parents to learn they’ll have to pay out of pocket for all of the services the second time around, Dr. Arkle says.

So how can you avoid encountering this problem? Dr. Arkle and Dr. Harris have these three recommendations:

1. Get a second opinion.
If your 7- or 8-year-old is recommended to have braces on his/her teeth, get that recommendation confirmed by another orthodontist.

This is imperative if you as a parent are unsure of the treatment plan.

This is a trust relationship, Dr. Harris says. If the parent doesn’t believe or trust I have their child’s best interest at heart, it’s better to get a second opinion.

2. Learn about your orthodontist.
Research your orthodontist to get a better understanding of him/her and their background, experience and education.

3. Find a board certified provider.
Search for an orthodontic professional who is board certified through the American Board of Orthodontics. Only a small percentage of orthodontists achieve this status, and certification shows they have taken additional steps to have their treatments evaluated by peers to ensure their standards of treatment are of the highest quality.

We want to make sure parents understand that just because the AAO recommendation is for evaluation by age seven, it absolutely does not mean treatment is called for in every case, Dr. Arkle says.

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess bite patterns, jaw growth and poor oral habits that could result in the need for treatment later in life. There are some measures that can be taken early to correct bad habits such as thumb-sucking and mouth breathing. Early intervention can prevent the need for future orthodontic treatment in some cases, or result in the need for less extensive treatment in the future.

We just want parents to arm themselves with knowledge so that when recommendations are made, they can make informed decisions about their child’s treatment and they can get the most out of their insurance coverage, Dr. Harris says.

Did you know that February was National Dental Health Month? Even though February has passed, we wanted to make sure that you know it is always important to consider your dental health as a top priority. The most important part of achieving dental health is taking excellent care of your teeth by brushing and flossing, eating a nutritious diet and keeping up with regular dental check-ups.

At Arkle & Harris Orthodontics, we believe this is a very important message for our patients to hear. We also believe this message should extend to our community at large. That is why we initiated our annual Dental Health Outreach program. This program has been provided by our staff members for over 15 years to local schools and community groups. During a week in February, we close our office to patients so that we are able to perform this important community outreach. We spend this time traveling to local schools and providing an educational program about dental health for children. We supply them with take home material, and of course tooth brushes and floss!

In February 2012, we worked with Cannon School, First Assembly Christian School, Back Creek Christian Academy, Carolina International School, Lake Norman Charter, McKinney Care Academy and several Home School groups that meet at the Cannon YMCA.

Being an engaged partner in our community is a top priority at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics! Please contact us if you have a school or community group that is interested in participating next year!

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week!

At Arkle & Harris Orthodontics, we love giving back to our community and community organizations. One group that we have enjoyed working with is the Girl Scouts of America. Several evenings throughout the year, we host Girl Scout Troops and provide a program about orthodontics. We cover such topics as “What is orthodontics?” and “What about orthodontics as a career?” It is a fun-filled evening with hands on activities and plenty of time for questions and answers. We have received wonderful reviews from those that attend.

If your child is a member of a troop and you would like an opportunity to schedule an event with us, please contact our office!

If you have any questions about this contest, don't hesitate to give us a call at the office or ask us on Facebook. We can't wait to see your great photos!



Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III has prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. We will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful!

Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile.

We hope you were able to join all of us at Dave & Buster's in Concord Mills Mall for our 2012 Patient Appreciation Night. We had a spectacular showing of our many wonderful patients!

It was an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for letting us be a part of your endeavor to achieve the exceptional smile you deserve! I know that the bowling was a hit, but as many found out, real bowling is not as easy as Wii Bowling! The pool tables and video games were also open for challenges and entertainment. Patty, our resident MC kept the energy high as everyone that is a part of our orthodontic family had fun sharing a good time.

Of course, who could forget the big prizes for the night - an iPod Touch and an iPad2! Ashley and Shante hit the jackpot and will have a wonderful memento to remind them of the great time at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics. We look forward to great events like these and thank you for making them possible!

Be sure to check out the photos on our Facebook page and share your own pictures with us!

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon and would love for you to check it out!

You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout. When you Like us on Facebook, you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!

See you on Facebook!

We at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics definitely pride ourselves as an office that goes the extra mile to establish an environment of comfort and warmth. We offer complimentary WiFi in our reception room so families on the go can still maintain contact while at our office. Similarly, we offer complimentary Starbuck's coffee and a selection of hot drinks using our Keurig machine. The children can help themselves to a few games on our Wii and X-Box 360. With family friendly movies playing in our treatment area, it's hard not be feel comfortable and enjoy the visit at our office!

If you have any questions about our practice or would like to schedule a consultation, give us a call today!

Invisalign clear aligners can be a great option for improving the look of your smile. Arkle & Harris Orthodontics has lots of experience using this technology to give our patients the straight, beautiful smile they’ve always wanted. Plus, because it’s so convenient, Invisalign won’t interfere with your daily life.

• Invisalign aligners are clear, discrete and effective at moving your teeth into their ideal positions.
• You don’t need to change your eating habits, because your aligners can be easily removed.
• Invisalign aligners are made of comfortable, smooth plastic, so you don’t have to worry about taking care of metal brackets.
• Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier, reducing the risk of possible problems.
• Invisalign treatment is covered by most insurance providers, just like traditional braces.

A straight smile makes you look great, but it also can help you keep the rest of your mouth healthy. Correctly aligned teeth can decrease health issues that can be caused by an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems, and increased wear on the tooth enamel.

Give us a call to schedule your consultation!

There are several reasons why some people's teeth grow in crooked, overlapping, or twisted. Some people's mouths are too small for their teeth, which crowds the teeth and causes them to shift. In other cases, a person's upper and lower jaws aren't the same size or are malformed. Most often, crooked teeth are inherited traits just as the color of your eyes or hair. Other causes of crooked teeth are early loss of baby or adult teeth, undue pressure on the teeth and gums, misalignment of jaw after facial injury, or common oral health problems in children such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged use of a bottle or pacifier.

Having crooked teeth isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it can lead to serious health problems as well. Crooked teeth can:

• interfere with proper chewing
• make keeping teeth clean more of a challenge, increasing the risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis
• strain the teeth, jaws, and muscles, increasing the risk of breaking a tooth

There are several orthodontic procedures that can help correct crooked teeth, and at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics we have many services that we can customize to meet your needs. We want you to be proud to show off your smile!

Monday, Feb. 20 marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents' Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called "20-year curse," in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to get braces put on? Well, one of our patients wanted to show you how easy it is at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics. Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III make getting braces a comfortable and rewarding experience, and just look at how easy it is! Our patients are always amazed that getting braces put on is so easy and pain-free, not something to be anxious or worried about.

Have a question about getting braces put on? Give us a call at the office or ask us on Facebook!

Great question!

If you are brushing and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment with Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III, we think that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Arkle and Harris Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay because adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines, combined with regular dental visits, help keep tooth decay away.

If you have any questions, please be sure to ask Drs. Harris and Arkle or our team during your next adjustment appointment, or ask us on Facebook!

While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride – fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.
• Antiseptic – an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.
• Combination – a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.
• Prescription – for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.

There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:

• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)

If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask us at your next appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!

–- Arkle & Harris Orthodontics

At Arkle & Harris Orthodontics, we know image is everything. For many people, the thought of having metal brackets and wires attached to their teeth for two or more years may be more than enough to delay orthodontic treatment.

If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about metal wires and brackets getting in the way of your smile, Invisalign treatment at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics may be a great solution. Invisalign, which straightens teeth through a series of clear, custom-fit removable aligners, does so in a way that is discreet and hardly noticeable.

If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at our office, please give us a call to schedule a consultation with Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III.

Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III and our team know having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step—or two—as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re 14 or in your late forties. Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, doing it often can even help you live longer, according to previous studies!

If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile!

Don’t hide your smile any longer—give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s orthodontic consultation.

Many folks consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2012? Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health—we want to hear from you! After all, we know your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

—Your friends at Arkle and Harris Orthodontics

At Arkle & Harris Orthodontics, we know maintaining a healthy diet over the holiday season can prove a difficult task. After all, who can resist the tasty treats of Christmas? With grandma and everybody else offering you candy, chocolate logs or Christmas pudding, you just can’t say “I’ll pass” each time. But trouble lurks: every time you chow down on that chocolate or candy, the bacteria in your mouth have a feast on the sugar—at your expense. The sugar turns into acid, and the acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth and between your braces. Then, you start getting cavities.

Instead, try fudgy cocoa bites, marvelous molasses cookies, wonderful waffles or other braces-friendly recipes, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, and “The Braces Cookbook” by Pamela Waterman.

If you must indulge in chocolaty goodness this Christmas or holiday season, remember to brush your teeth after eating sugary treats. Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

Happy Holidays!

Some people wonder why Charlotte, NC orthodontists Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly-aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Drs. Harris and Arkle can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

At Arkle & Harris Orthodontics, we know orthodontic emergencies are never convenient nor timely. If you are a patient of record, Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III and our team are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you after hours or over the weekend. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. If you have a orthodontic emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to learn how you may be able to solve the problem yourself, or, if you cannot, how to contact Drs. Arkle and Harris and team.

Common issues include:

*Broken Brace
*Broken Wires
*Tie has come off of a Brace
*Loose Expander
*Poking Wire Tie
*Sharpness Felt on the Tongue Side of a Brace
*Loss of a Separator
*Initial Soreness
*Wire Poking

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you visit our office.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, our entire staff at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III and team, serving Charlotte, NC, deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment. We make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say!

Thank you so much for all of the kind words! Visit our YouTube channel for more great videos from our office. See you at your next appointment!

With fall sports close to wrapping up and winter sports right around the corner, many patients here at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics will once again pick up the ball, bring the cleats out of seasonal retirement and hit the fields for the return of sports action! During this time, however, Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle and our 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 fall and winter, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as basketball, wrestling and hockey
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! Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle and team will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office or ask us on Facebook. Stay safe!

Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. But... not to worry! There is a clear alternative to traditional braces! The team at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen™ gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile!

So how does Invisalign Teen work, you ask? Much in the same fashion as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.