Dr. Buddy is an experienced and board certified orthodontist serving the Columbia, SC community. An Alexandria, Louisiana native, he received his dentistry and orthodontic training from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry and his specialization in pediatric dentistry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.
As a specialist in general dentistry, pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, Dr. Buddy is equipped to craft radiant smiles for patients of all ages. He loves getting to know his patients and witnessing first-hand how a beautiful smile can transform ones self-esteem and confidence.
Our team is here to fulfill your personal wishes and orthodontic needs. See how their warm, fun personalities and the focus on clinical excellence will help both children and adults truly enjoy their orthodontic experience. Our team of professional, attentive team members will ensure a safe, fun, and successful visit to keep your mind at ease. Give us the opportunity to meet with you, and you will discover what many people in Columbia already know: Midlands Orthodontics is here to make you smile!
Your experience at our practice extends beyond orthodontic treatment. We make sure that each and every patient is comfortable, informed, healthy, and happy throughout their time at Midlands Orthodontics. Your smile is just as unique as you are! Thats why each and every treatment is personalized and customized. We are not some factory line where you will ever feel like a number in our office. Dr. Buddy and our team take pride in treating each patient and their orthodontic needs on an individualized basis, considering personal goals and timing issues in conjunction with the array of orthodontic treatment options. We seek to create a unique orthodontic experience that provides you with both a straight and healthy smile with the attention you deserve.
Our practice couldnt be more grateful for the love and support that our community has shown us over the years. Thats why we do our part to give back to those who have given us so much. At Midlands Orthodontics, our goal is to make our community part of our family. Our care is centered around you, and we want you to have fantastic experiences that lead to a perfect, healthy smile. Thats why our team goes out of their way to keep you smiling throughout every step of the process. Our unique combination of longtime experience, highly qualified and caring team members, and dedication to our local community makes us the perfect choice for you. We are committed to supporting local people and organizations in appreciation for their support of us.
Be it braces or Invisalign, orthodontics treatment is only part of the experience at Midlands Orthodontics. We take great measures to make sure all of our patients feel comfortable, welcome, healthy, happy, and informed throughout their time with us. Dr. Buddy and our team will make you look forward to coming into our practice. We pride ourselves on providing compassionate, high-quality care from your first visit. While you are in treatment we will treat you like family. When you are finished with your orthodontic treatment, youll have your best smile but you will miss coming to see us.
A mouth full of straight, healthy teeth can have a positive impact on many facets of your life. Your smile is typically the first thing others notice about you, so having confidence in your grin will boost your self-confidence in social and professional settings. It is not just about great orthodontic treatment. Its about giving you the freedom to lead with your smile.
At Midlands Orthodontics, it is our mission to work carefully and closely with you to ensure you receive the best orthodontic treatment possible. We firmly believe each of our patients deserves the opportunity to live life smiling. Aside from helping you look your best, a straight smile is also beneficial from a practical standpoint. Properly aligned teeth help you to bite, chew and speak more effectively. In addition, straight teeth are easier to care for, which helps to keep your mouth free of bacteria that can cause tooth decay and lead to other serious diseases.
Millions of people around the world wear braces to correct their teeth. Teeth that are crooked can be difficult to clean and may lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Teeth that are not straight can also cause problems with biting and chewing. Orthodontic braces can correct these problems and improve the overall appearance of your smile. Braces also often improve speech problems. Orthodontic braces are used to correct a wide variety of dental problems, such as crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites. They can also be used to correct minor jaw problems.
Invisalign is a series of clear braces that are designed to gradually straighten teeth. With Invisalign, patients no longer need bands, brackets, wire, braces or porcelain veneers to fix crooked teeth or gaps in the mouth. The aligners are made of smooth, comfortable and nearly invisible plastic that fits over the teeth. Each set of aligners will be worn for about two weeks before being replaced with a new one so you can continue to progress towards your desired smile.
Teeth arent set rigidly in the jawbone instead, theyre held in place by a network of fibers called the periodontal ligaments. After teeth have been moved, it takes several months for the periodontal ligament to adjust to the new position. So if you want to keep that new smile and not waste all the time, effort, and money it took to get it its essential to wear your retainer as directed.
Here at Midlands Orthodontics, we believe everyone deserves the most efficient, effective and comfortable orthodontic treatment possible. Thats why were excited to offer our patients LightForce braces! For years, orthodontists have been using mass-produced braces with a general design that was used for every patient. LightForce is the worlds only provider of 3D printed braces, one hundred percent customized for your smile.
Dental braces and other orthodontic appliances are essential for the successful completion of anyones orthodontic treatment. Depending on your particular circumstance, Dr. Buddy may also recommend devices called functional appliances to help correct more serious bite problems. Functional appliances are designed to harness natural forces (such as those produced by muscular activity and jaw growth) to bring the bite into better alignment. Examples of functional appliances include the TAD expander, jaw and palatal expanders, the Herbst appliance and CS-2000 springs.
At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little getting used to. It is common to experience a bit of soreness when appliances are first put on, or some minor aches as teeth begin moving into new positions. Genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare. If you think you may have an emergency, however, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem. Is it an urgent situation that requires immediate attention or a minor problem that you can temporarily take care of yourself until you can come into the office?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first check-up with an orthodontist as soon as an orthodontic problem is detected and no later than age 7 even if there does not seem to be any problems. At this age children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. There are some specific orthodontic problems that require early intervention and correction. The goal is to intercept problems early before they become more serious. Not all children need early orthodontic treatment, but only an orthodontist can tell you for sure.