Dr. Robert W. Bigelow, DDS, is accomplished and experienced in dentistry. From his offices at Midtown Richmond Dentistry, he specializes in cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, and reconstructive dentistry. Patients in the Richmond, Virginia area can visit Midtown Richmond Dentistry for composite fillings, dental bonding, dental bridges, crowns, dentures, porcelain veneers, restoration of dental implants, and teeth whitening.
Dr. Bigelow graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BA in Psychology in 2005. He completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in 2009. After graduation, he completed his two-year general practice residency at the McGuire Woods Veterans Administration Hospital in 2011 before joining our practice in August 2012. What he loves most about the practice are his interactions with his wonderful patients and team members, and he is committed to ensuring that his patients' needs are met and resolved as quickly as possible. It is part of his commitment to his community.
Outside of his time with his patients, he is a part-time faculty member in the General Practice Department at the VCU School of Dentistry teaching in its pre-doctoral clinics. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Virginia Dental Association, and the Richmond Dental Society.
In his spare time, Dr. Bigelow enjoys playing golf and racquetball, sailing the bay, and collecting vinyl records. Additionally, he plays the piano, guitar, and trumpet, and is an active singing member of his church choir. He is also involved with the Lions Club and CrossOver clinic.
Beth, our Office Manager, has been an integral part of our practice for over 40 years, working with Dr. Grandis, Dr. Bowen, Dr. Rubinstein and now Dr. Bigelow. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University and completed a full course of study in the Dental Assisting program.
Following 14-years as a chair-side assistant, Beth brought her clinical experience into our front office. Her intimate knowledge of those who visit our practice, both as patients and as individuals, has made her a tireless advocate for patient care; and her broad experience in the intricacies of insurance reimbursement enables our patients to receive treatment with very little administrative hassle. All who visit or call our Richmond, VA office are familiar with her friendly persona and welcoming voice.
Beyond her professional work, Beth has been actively involved in volunteer community work, having held leadership roles in several charitable, educational and political organizations. She and her husband, Art, have two grown sons, Evan and Joshua and their beloved French Bulldog, Jerry.
Shirley first began working in dentistry 45 years ago and has been a member of our team for over 15 years. Shirley currently assists in both the front desk area and the clinical area and is our equipment expert. Shirley has two children, Kim and Shaun, and two grandchildren, Cullen and Sydney whom she loves to spend time with. Shirley has a love for animals and her love for people is apparent the moment you enter our office.
Lynda has been working in the dental field as a clinical and front desk assistant for over 25 years and she has been in the practice since 2004. Lynda is a perfectionist and has a passion for cosmetic dentistry. She has a true knack for selecting and matching tooth shades. Outside of the office, Lynda enjoys spending time with her three grown children, Justin, Alyssa and Ryan, and her husband Chris.
What a difference straight teeth can make! A great-looking smile can boost your self-confidence and have a positive impact on social and professional opportunities. Orthodontic treatment is the original smile makeover tool and you will be happy to know that you're never too old to take advantage of it. But it isn't all about looks: Properly aligned teeth help you to bite, chew and even speak more effectively. They are also easier to clean, which helps keep your mouth free of tooth decay and gum disease.
The amazing thing about orthodontics is that it harnesses the body's natural ability to remodel its own tissue. With the application of light, constant force, orthodontic appliances gently reshape bone and move teeth into better positions. Some examples of these appliances are traditional metal braces, inconspicuous clear or tooth-colored braces, and clear aligners, a relatively new option for adults and teens.
Orthodontic treatment can resolve a number of bite problems, which often become evident by around age 7. These include underbite, crossbite or excessive overbite, where upper and lower teeth don't close in the proper position; open bite, where a space remains between top and bottom teeth when the jaws are closed; and crowding or excessive spacing, where teeth are spaced too close together or too far apart.
To correct bite problems, teeth need to be moved but doing that isn't as hard as you might think! Teeth aren't fixed rigidly in their supporting bone; instead, they're held in place by a hammock-like structure called the periodontal ligament, which is very responsive to forces placed on the teeth. Orthodontic appliances move teeth by careful application of light, constant pressure. This force can be applied via metal wires that run through small brackets attached to the teeth (braces), or via the semi-rigid plastic of clear aligners.
Having orthodontic treatment in childhood is ideal in order to take advantage of a youngster's natural growth processes to help move the teeth into proper alignment. Like the rest of the body, the teeth and jaws are now changing rapidly. So at this time it's possible (for example) to create more room for teeth in a crowded mouth by using a palatal expander to rapidly widen the upper jaw. This phase of growth modification can shorten overall treatment time and ensure the best result if additional orthodontic appliances are needed.
But remember, healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so you've never missed the boat for orthodontic treatment. In fact, about one in five of today's orthodontic patients is an adult. Several new technological developments including tooth-colored ceramic braces, clear aligners and invisible lingual braces have made orthodontic appliances less evident, and enhanced the treatment experience for grown-ups. Before treatment, adults are carefully examined for signs of periodontal (gum) disease, which will be brought under control before treatment begins.
When you imagine someone wearing braces, you probably picture small metal brackets bonded to the front of the teeth, with a thin wire running through them. This time-tested style remains very popular but it's no longer the only option. Clear braces use brackets made of ceramic or plastic which, except for the slim archwire, are hardly visible. Lingual braces are just like traditional metal braces except they're bonded to the back of your teeth (the tongue side) so that no one can see them.
Removable clear aligners are an alternative to fixed orthodontic appliances. They consist of a series of clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth exactly; each one moves your teeth a little bit, until they are in the proper position. Whether fixed or removable, each type of appliance may have advantages or disadvantages in particular situations. After a complete examination, the best treatment options for you will be discussed.
Once your orthodontic treatment is completed, it's extremely important to wear a retainer as directed. That's because teeth naturally tend to drift back to their original locations which is the last thing you want after you've gone to the trouble of straightening them! Wearing a retainer holds your teeth in their new position long enough for new bone and ligament to re-form around them, and helps keep your gorgeous new smile looking good for a lifetime.
The Magic of Orthodontics Proper alignment of the teeth is basic to Smile Design. Their position dictates how they work together and affects the way you look and smile. Only orthodontic treatment can move teeth into the right position. Simply put, when things look right, they probably are right. Learn the basics of smile analysis and design and whether the magic of orthodontics will work for you... Read Article
Orthodontics for the Older Adult Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there's no such thing as too old for braces. In fact, nowadays about one out of every five orthodontic patients is an adult. Yet this figure represents only a small portion of adults who could actually benefit from orthodontic treatment... Read Article
Clear Aligners for Teenagers Teens who regard traditional braces as restrictive, confining, and obstructive to their lifestyles now have another choice for orthodontic treatment: clear aligners. This advanced dental technology, originally geared toward adults, has recently evolved to treat a greater variety of bite problems in younger people. These improved orthodontic appliances can help teens function normally during a difficult phase of life... Read Article