Dr. Ron Parsons

SmilesForever Orthodontics awarded “Best of Gwinnett” for 2020!

February 14th, 2021


At SmilesForever Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on providing patients in the Gwinnett area and surrounding communities with the absolute best in orthodontic care and services. Knowing our caring and specialized orthodontists and staff are doing our best to help improve the lives and oral health of our patients is extremely rewarding. Having our patients, associates and community actively showing their support through voting as a tangible acknowledgement is very appreciated too. That’s why we are so proud to announce that we have been named “Best of Gwinnett” in the field of Orthodontic Practices for 2020 by Gwinnett Magazine!

Being voted Best Orthodontic Practice in the largest county in the state of Georgia is quite special to us. 40 years ago, Dr. Ron Parsons and SmilesForever Orthodontics opened our doors and became part of the Gwinnett community. This year, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are proudly providing orthodontic excellence with four office locations. Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Wells, along with every one of our SmilesForever team are committed to helping create beautiful, confident smiles. We enthusiastically participate in extensive training and continuing education to treat our patients with the utmost skill, technology, care, and compassion. We simply love bringing smiles to Gwinnett!

What is the coveted “Best of Gwinnett” award?

“Best of Gwinnett” is an annual poll created by Gwinnett Magazine. The goal of the poll is to acknowledge and award the Gwinnett area’s best businesses in over 20 professional fields in a wide variety of categories. Nominees are submitted by people in the Gwinnett area in categories including Health and Medicine, Orthodontic Practices, Dental Health, Education, Food and Drink, and many more. The winners are determined by reader voting and the editorial staff at Gwinnett Magazine. Before winners are announced, the results are confirmed by the Better Business Bureau reports, ranking sites and voting pattern analysis reports to verify their legitimacy.

We are beyond honored and humbled!

This is the 12th consecutive year that we have been awarded and named “Best of Gwinnett”, which makes this honor all the more special. From our board certified orthodontists, Dr. Brad Gilbert and Dr. Adam Wells, to our front desk to our team of specialized orthodontic assistants, everyone here at SmilesForever is so touched and genuinely grateful to receive this honor once again. With this in mind, we would like to take a moment to thank everyone who helped in making this possible, including the incredible patients we treat and the entire staff at Gwinnett Magazine. Our commitment to upkeep our rigorous standards and compassionate patient and community care strengthens with your trust and confidence into 2021 and beyond!

TREAT Your Braces and Teeth Kindly This October!

October 21st, 2020

At SmilesForever Orthodontics we LOVE Halloween!! Did you also know that October is National Orthodontic Health Month? As Dr. Brad Gilbert and Dr. Adam Wells tell our patients - that's not just a coincidence!

Many of our patients and families are opting not to trick or treat door-to-door this Halloween but the candy bags in every store sure are tempting this time of year. Dr. Wells and Dr. Gilbert feel it's still very important to educate both our patients and their parents of the potential risks to braces and teeth with some of the "treat" choices out there. Each of our patients are given a list of foods to avoid while in orthodontic treatment and are encouraged to avoid these hard, crunchy, sticky and chewy items even once the braces have come off. Any food item that may harm braces and appliances may also pose that same risk to permanent teeth!

In addition to our "Foods to Avoid" list for patients, which can also be found on our webpage under the Life With Braces tab, our SmilesForever doctors and team have put together a braces-friendly Pinterest Board of Ghoulishly Delicious Treats recipes. We're teaming up with The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) again this year to recommend FIVE TIMELY TIPS to protect braces and orthodontic appliances, while also protecting teeth from decay.

  1. Avoid sticky foods
  2. Brush up after eating to avoid cavities
  3. Just say "BOO" to hard treats!
  4. Spooktacular News - if your diet allows sugar, you can still indulge in soft chocolates, M&M's and Reeces Peanut Butter Cups WITHOUT NUTS, Muskateer Bars, etc.
  5. Make a commitment to avoid hard, crunchy, sticky and chewy foods all year round to increase your rate of success for worry-free orthodontics and healthy teeth
Fun Ideas to Treat Your Neighborhood Children

Know of any neighbors with braces? Consider handing out alternative treats instead of candy snacks this year. Bracelets, spooky rings, toy cars, coloring books, etc., make an awesome surprise! If your neighborhood opts out of door-to-door trick or treating this year, an option may be a surprise toy bag or ice cream gift card left at the front door for the recipients. We heard of one local subdivision that will be posting pictures of their children dressed in costume on their mailboxes for a fun drive-by Halloween night!

Remember to make good choices for your braces and teeth during and after treatment. We wish you all a safe, happy and HEALTHY Halloween!

Alternate Spring Break Staycation Ideas

March 30th, 2020

While this is not a typical year, spring break is already upon us and many families have had to look toward alternate spring vacation plans. If you’re among those now planning a staycation, consider these alternative ideas from Dr. Brad Gilbert, Dr. Adam Wells and our SmilesForever staff to keep the family entertained safely.

Visiting Grammy and Granddad (Electronically, of course!)

Staying connected is so important when families can’t be together and a staycation allows ample time for sharing exciting news! Visiting with Grammy and Granddad over spring break is something both children and grandparents really look forward to. While traveling outside the home isn’t advised right now, video chats and phone calls certainly are!

  • Consider setting up an evening chat time throughout your staycation and the kids can share the fun they’ve been having or the adventures they’ll take next!
  • Have favorite recipes the family shares? Each family can cook the same meal and share pictures of their masterpiece!
Let’s Go Camping
  • Pitch a tent in the backyard and bring a sense of adventure. Make it as real as possible with traditional camping food like hot dogs or hamburgers and let’s not forget the s’mores! This is a great time to connect, tell stories and stargaze.
  • If rain is on the horizon, pitch your tent in the living room! Turn out the lights and tell stories around your fireplace or make a campfire out of flashlights or lanterns. Can you say finger puppet shadows? They're the BEST!
Science Camp

  • Original plans for a learning vacation can still be super fun at home! Simple outdoor scavenger hunts for a list of items to learn about are stimulating. On the list? Feathers, a maple leaf, butterfly, clouds, fruit…the list can be endless and offer a great learning opportunity on each item found!
  • Pinterest has loads of recipes for so many science projects like making bath bombs and gooey or glittery slime. A great FREE resource for at-home learning, including STEM crafts and everyday science experiments can be found online at Kiwico.com
Host a Family Film Festival
  • Popcorn and pillow time! Family vote for 2 movies will make it a double feature. This is a super fun way to cozy up with the whole family!
  • Feel up to a Film-fest challenge? Pair off and shoot some short videos and gather round to watch. You can even dress up & host your own Family Grammy’s!
Take a Culinary Vacation
  • Plan a day exploring the cuisine of another culture. Choose a recipe online and the whole family can work together to create a tasty meal.
  • Take your culinary adventure even further! Pick a few different countries and enjoy cuisines from around the world each night of your staycation!
Artists’ Retreat
  • Inspire creativity, gather craft items and art supplies and let your imagination run wild! Set up stations to keep organized while attempting different projects and a final station to display your finished works of art!
  • Google Arts & Culture offers online exhibits and virtual tours to some of the most well known museums and galleries around the world.
Picnic
  • Pack a delicious lunch or dinner and head out to the backyard for a sun drenched meal!
  • Raining or avoiding those pesky picnic ants? Don’t miss out on a family favorite-throw an old sheet or shower curtain down on the family room floor and picnic indoors!
Spa-cation
  • What family member DOESN’T love to be pampered? Robes required! Set up stations for nails and hair. Mix up a replenishing face mask. This can be relaxing but we’re betting this turns into tons of silly fun for the whole family, especially with Dad manning the “nail salon”!
  • Don’t forget the pets! Your furry friends have been cooped up too and are longing for a shampoo and puppy or kitty massage!

All of us at SmilesForever Orthodontics are looking forward to hearing about your awesome and adventurous staycations! We know you'll find loads to keep you busy and we wish each of you a relaxing, fun spring break. Stay well and we'll see you soon!

3 Ways to Prioritize Your Family’s Smiles This Year

January 16th, 2020

Prioritize your family's smiles this year with these three easy steps from the American Association of Orthodontists and SmilesForever Orthodontics.

1. Get your 7-year-old into an AAO orthodontist for his or her first checkup.

Don’t wait for a dentist’s referral. It might not come and orthodontists don’t require one. Dentists may not be evaluating the child’s bite, and by age 7, your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate if a problem exists or is developing. Most orthodontists take a panoramic x-ray and photos to evaluate any concerns or potential problems with permanent teeth getting ready to break through the surface – such as extra teeth, missing teeth or teeth coming into the wrong positions.

One of three things could result from the first appointment. 1) No treatment is expected to be necessary. 2) Treatment may be needed in the future, so the child will be followed periodically while the face and jaws continue to grow. 3) There is a problem that lends itself to early treatment, and you are in the right spot to get it started!

2. Retainers – if you have one, wear it.

Set a good example for your children and make retainers part of your oral hygiene routine. Whether you’re 10, 30 or 50, it’s important to continue wearing your retainer after treatment. You brush your teeth for a lifetime, and you should wear your retainer a lifetime. Changes to the position of your teeth occur naturally throughout your life, so help make sure teeth stay put after treatment.

If your retainer no longer fits, your teeth have likely shifted, which brings us to point three.

3. Get a closer look. Set up an orthodontics evaluation to see how your smile can benefit with treatment.

SmilesForever Orthodontics offers complimentary first-visit consultations. Whether you’ve never had orthodontic treatment, or you think you need a touch up on what’s been previously done, stop in and see how doctors Brad Gilbert and Adam Wells can help to improve your smile.

What are you waiting for? Give our team a call to schedule your visit today!

Trust an AAO orthodontist.

Both Dr. Adam Wells and Dr. Brad Gilbert are members of the American Association of Orthodontists, helping patients to achieve healthy, beautiful and confident smiles at any age. Orthodontists are experts in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics – properly aligned teeth and jaws – and possess the skills and experience to give you your best smile.

Adults and Invisalign®

March 28th, 2019

Are you an adult thinking you may be too old for braces? Have you always wanted straight teeth and a confident smile but have shied away from a mouth full of metal?

Is There A "Best" Age For Straightening Teeth?

You may be aware that the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommend an orthodontic evaluation beginning at age seven with the majority of straightening teeth during the teen years. Perhaps you have younger children or teenagers who are just getting braces or have been through their orthodontic treatment to result in their own beautiful, confident smiles.

Orthodontic treatment can be beneficial at ANY age. The AAO also states that one in four orthodontic patients are adults! Adult teeth are also able to be moved using braces or Invisalign®. Thinking braces and Invisalign® are only for children and teens shouldn’t be a deterrent to achieving the straight smile you have always wanted.

Why Choose Invisalign®?

While we offer clear porcelain brackets and tooth colored arch wires for our adult patients choosing a more discreet orthodontic process, we equally treat a large amount of adults with the Invisalign® straightening treatment option. Invisalign® clear aligner trays are made from a clear, comfortable, medical grade acrylic material that fit over the arch of your teeth, and are often undetectable. This means no bulky metal and no potentially uncomfortable comments from friends and acquaintances.

Another major advantage of Invisalign® for our adult patients is the fact that the trays are removable. Removable trays mean patients are able to brush and floss teeth as normal, maintaining their normal oral hygiene regimen throughout the entire straightening process. This also allows patients the flexibility to remove their aligners for eating as the recommended time to wear them is 22 hours per day.

Choosing An Invisalign® Provider

Adults often become confused on just who to choose as their Invisalign® provider as many dentists are now offering Invisalign® as a dental service. While it may seem easier to purchase Invisalign® through your dentist and not switch between dental and orthodontic practices, dentists often do not have extensive experience or broader understanding of orthodontic tooth movement compared to orthodontists as they have not gone through the extensive orthodontic schooling and training that orthodontists must acquire. At SmilesForever Orthodontics, we are confident that the extra years of study and experience Dr. Brad Gilbert and Dr. Adam Wells have achieved will provide a more comprehensive treatment for you. Our highly trained SmilesForever orthodontists and our orthodontic team understand the complexities of the mouth and have a thorough understanding of all orthodontic treatment, allowing us to offer the best treatment for your needs.

Is Invisalign® right for me?

Invisalign®, in part, relies on the compliance of the patient. As the aligners are removable for eating and cleaning, some patients find it hard to remember to wear them or choose only to wear them at certain times. While offering the flexibility of briefly removing them, leaving them off for extended periods of time will limit the effectiveness. As mentioned previously, it is very important to wear the aligners as instructed by the orthodontist, typically 22 hours per day to ensure optimal results.

No two mouths are the same and your mouth is uniquely yours. Invisalign® has helped thousands of patients around the world achieve the cosmetic results they were looking for. However, there are a few instances where the Invisalign® system may not achieve optimal results. For example, problems concerning bite, crowding or an over abundance of space, to name a few, may require treatment such as traditional braces. The best way to know whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign® aligners is to come in for your FREE orthodontic consultation with SmilesForever Orthodontics where Dr. Wells and Dr. Gilbert will help you to make the right decision for you.

Best of Gwinnett 2017 Voting Has Started!

July 17th, 2017

You can vote simply by clicking the button above!

We are sending out an enormous THANK YOU to all of our patients who have nominated SmilesForever Orthodontics for Best of Gwinnett 2017!

Your previous year's nominations and votes have placed us "Best" in the Best of Gwinnett County Orthodontic Practices category these past NINE years running! Our staff and orthodontists, Dr. Brad Gilbert, and Dr. Adam Wells take pride in the trust and confidence you continue to place in us to care for your families. Honestly, we don't take that lightly. Helping you to achieve beautiful, confident smiles is our utmost goal. That's why our SmilesForever doctors and staff continue to stay up-to-date on the latest and most beneficial orthodontic technologies each year.

It means the world to us that you have shown us just how much you truly appreciate our commitment to helping you achieve your BEST smiles, by nominating SmilesForever for BEST Orthodontic Practice in Gwinnett County, again this year!

We humbly ask you to cast your votes now for SmilesForever Orthodontics in the Orthodontic Practices category by clicking the button above and voting for us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January 4th, 2017

Happy 2017! Can you believe the New Year is already upon us?

It's common for people to make New Year's Resolutions at this time of year as a way to make improvements going forward. The new year is a great time to become a "new you" by adding positive changes to your normal routine.

OUR NUMBER ONE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

If you're like our staff at SmilesForever Orthodontics, you've already been busy writing up your lists of New Year's Resolutions aimed at improving your life, or the world around you. And like our staff, you may have started making yourself promises about organizing, healthy eating or exercising yourself to a new you, but have you considered improving your smile with orthodontic treatment? A new smile is an investment in the health of your teeth, gums and bones while aesthetically improving your best feature! Our orthodontists keep up with all advances in orthodontic treatment and technology, making orthodontic treatment more comfortable and progressing as quickly as your teeth will allow. With all of these advances, it's never been easier to achieve a new smile.

MANY BENEFITS OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Orthodontic treatment is a solution for many dental problems including crooked teeth, crowding and spaces between teeth. Crooked teeth and a bad bite often lead to bone loss, jaw joint pain, headaches and extra wear on tooth enamel. Braces can help to reduce these these risks. Properly aligned teeth are much easier to brush and floss which decreases risks of developing gum disease and tooth decay. Braces aren't just for kids anymore - teeth can be moved at any age. A beautiful, confident smile not only boosts self-esteem it will last a lifetime!

GIVE THE GIFT OF A SMILE

Giving the gift of a new smile will quickly become the best gift you've ever given - to yourself or to a loved one! Dr. Brad Gilbert and Dr. Adam Wells offer many orthodontic treatment options including traditional metal braces and clear braces with "invisible" arch wires. Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Wells are also Preferred Invisalign® Providers to give you an alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment. Straightening teeth with Invisalign® is a popular choice among our adult patients. Get ready to give the best gift of the New Year and call us today or click here to schedule your FREE consultation!

Best of Gwinnett
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