Guthrie Carr Orthodintic Specialist Accessibility Statement

Guthrie Carr Orthodintic Specialist is committed to facilitating the accessibility and usability of its website, carrortho.com, for everyone. Guthrie Carr Orthodintic Specialist aims to comply with all applicable standards, including the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 up to Level AA (WCAG 2.0 AA). Guthrie Carr Orthodintic Specialist is proud of the efforts that we have completed and that are in-progress to ensure that our website is accessible to everyone.

If you experience any difficulty in accessing any part of this website, please feel free to call us at 765-497-6453 and we will work with you to provide the information or service you seek through an alternate communication method that is accessible for you consistent with applicable law (for example, through telephone support).

NEW! VIRTUAL CONSULTATION

Tradition, Technology and Experience

Reviews

Dr. Carr and his staff are the best. I always looked forward to going to my appointments because it felt like I was going to see friends. They are all very thorough and precise when doing their jobs. They make sure to explain everything they are doing and they will always answer your questions if you have any. I would highly recommend Dr. Carr! - Sarah H.
When I moved to Indiana I had visited several orthodontists in my original home state and for some reason just didn't feelmok with their plans of treatment. 5 minutes in Dr. Carr’s office and I was so comfortable with the staff and him. The 3d x-rays showed so much stuff I didn’t know it was amazing I started my treatment 3 weeks ago and I can't say enough about the amazing staff and Dr. Carr himself. - Jessica S.
Absolutely love Dr. Carr and all of his staff! He is thorough, friendly, and always on time. The same can be said about all his lovely staff. My oldest son had braces and we were so pleased with his teeth and our experience with Dr. Carr that I decided to do Invisalign through him. One year later and my teeth look beautiful. One more son to get through braces and, of course, we will be back with Dr. Carr! - Beth H.
Dr. Carr is Amazing! Attentive and knowledgeable! I would Recommend Dr. Carr over any other Orthodontist in Lafayette. The staff are wonderful as well, they make you feel super comfortable and give you compliments on the small changes. Overall 10/10. - Stephanie B.
Our daughter used the SureSmile technique, and was done in 14 months instead of an estimated 2 years! We are impressed with the beautiful results. Even though she was an apprehensive patient, Dr. Carr and his staff were gentle, calm, and professional with her. By the end of the treatment, she no longer nervous about upcoming appointments. - Sarah W.

Welcome

Dr. Guthrie P. Carr is your trusted and experienced orthodontic specialist for braces in Greater Lafayette Indiana, offering outstanding customer service combined with over 25 years of experience. With a patient-focused approach, using advanced 3D technologies, we can customize treatment plans and provide our patients with an exceptional orthodontic experience and results.

The Carr family has over 100 years of continuous practice in Greater Lafayette. There’s a good chance that Dr. Carr, his father, uncle or grandfather has treated someone in your family. We take that tradition seriously in our relationships with our patients. We value the trust the community has placed in our family over the past 100 years.

Meet Dr. Carr

I love the creativity of problem-solving in orthodontics, and doing that within the wants and needs of our patients and their parents. Each patient has unique treatment goals, and it’s my job to find the solutions that will create a healthy smile for them, in an affordable, timely manner. When I see the changes we make for our patients, and how those changes positively affect their lives, I know we’ve done a good thing. In that, I find every day rewarding.

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Office Tour

West Lafayette

257 Sagamore Parkway West, Suite A
West Lafayette IN 47906

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Office Tour

Lafayette

4900 Old US 231
Lafayette, IN 47909

SureSmile Invisalign

Ultra Low-Dose 3D Scans

Itero Scanner

Technology

6 Reasons Your Neighbors Are Choosing Dr. Carr & His Team

Experience

With over 25 years of experience in orthodontics, Dr. Carr is actively engaged in continuing education to bring the most advanced techniques to his practice to benefit his patients.

Dr. Carr’s extensive experience is an important part of your treatment plan.

The Staff

All of the clinical staff are certified as Specialized Orthodontic Assistants by the American Association of Orthodontists. Their knowledge, skill and kind manor will make your treatment feel easy.

Our staff is fun and caring.

Technology

Through the use of technology, Dr. Carr can offer competitive prices, better results and shorter treatment times, which results in a better experience for the patient.

Get to the smile you want quickly, easily, and comfortably.

Treatment choice

We offer Invisalign, clear braces, or metal braces.

You can choose how you want to be treated.

Value

While many offices may charge as much or more for less advanced and precise orthodontic treatment, Dr. Carr will not compromise your care.

We accept most insurance plans to reduce your out of pocket expense.

Complimentary Consultation

We offer complimentary consultations for all new patients and their parents. This is an opportunity to learn more about us and your orthodontic needs.

With over 25 years of experience in orthodontics, Dr. Carr is actively engaged in continuing education to bring the most advanced techniques to his practice to benefit his patients.

All of the clinical staff are certified as Specialized Orthodontic Assistants by the American Association of Orthodontists. Their knowledge, skill and kind manor will make your treatment feel easy.

Through the use of technology, Dr. Carr can offer competitive prices, better results and shorter treatment times, which results in a better experience for the patient.

We offer Invisalign, clear braces, or metal braces.

While many offices may charge as much or more for less advanced and precise orthodontic treatment, Dr. Carr will not compromise your care.

We offer complimentary consultations for all new patients and their parents. This is an opportunity to learn more about us and your orthodontic needs.

Blog

Often the temptation of splashy “mail order” aligner commercials or even “special offers” from university alumni associations might entice you to try “mail order” aligners.

There are compelling reasons to trust your orthodontic care to a professional orthodontist who is experienced with Invisalign. A thorough in-person orthodontic exam along with the appropriate records to diagnose and plan your case are essential to a successful outcome. A recent survey of “mail order” aligner users and orthodontists is summarized in an article highlighting some of these differences: AAO SURVEY

If you had braces when you were younger, but stopped wearing your retainers and watched your teeth move, don’t worry we can help you.

If you thought you did not need orthodontics when you were younger, but now your teeth are no longer straight, we can help you.

We offer options tailored to your goals and the amount of change you need. Some treatments can be as short as 10 weeks, others may be more comprehensive. With the right plan we can make the changes you are seeking and restore your confidence in your smile.

As an orthodontist, I use Invisalign because they are the leaders in aligner technology that allows me to deliver on results for my patients.

If you are considering Invisalign or aligners, please give our office a call to schedule your in office consultation for Invisalign treatment.

We know many parents want to start their children’s orthodontic treatment in the summer.

That’s why we saved extra appointments this summer. You will not have to wait until fall to be seen in our office.

What sets us apart from the others orthodontic offices?

Our office environment: We offer the ideal mix of experience, and technology in a fun and caring environment. Our office has over 260 five-star ratings from satisfied patients in Google, Facebook, and Healthgrades. Dr. Carr is a local third-generation orthodontist serving greater Lafayette and we have earned the trust of our community over that time with many second and third-generation families in our practice.

Technology: Dr. Carr built a modern state-of-the-art office with the latest technology such as the low dose 3D scans to give him an accurate picture of your patient’s dental health and the digital iTero scanner which is faster and more accurate than traditional alginate impressions.

Treatment choices: Dr. Carr offers Invisalign for teens (yes they do well with it), and SureSmile with clear or metal braces for the most advanced and accurate technique in braces.

Shorter Treatment times: The national average for orthodontic treatment is 27 months, and Dr. Carr’s average is just 21 months. His experience and technology will get your patients their best smile six months sooner than most orthodontic offices.

Appointment Flexibility: We have many appointment choices available so you will be able to keep your treatment on time. Our patients do not need to wait four months to get their treatment started or finished, nor are we too busy to see our patients if they have an issue during treatment.

Payment plans: We accept most insurances including Delta Dental. We have an open choice enrollment policy that allows you to choose your own payment plan regarding down payment, length of payments, and monthly amount within certain guidelines.


If your dentist has recommended orthodontic treatment for you or your children, call us for your complimentary consultation.

Some patients want Invisalign but may have conditions that really need braces for a short period of time. If your dentist or another orthodontist has told you that you cannot have Invisalign that is when we use Hybrid treatment.

What is Hybrid treatment exactly? It is combining the use of clear aligners from Invisalign, with short durations of cosmetic clear braces to maximize esthetics and minimize the appearance of the braces. The clear braces are used in situations where they are more efficient than aligners.

Typically the clear braces are only needed for a few months at either the beginning of Invisalign treatment. Occasionally braces are only needed on a few teeth and can be hidden in the back of the mouth where it is likely not to be noticed at all by friends or colleagues. If brackets do need to be placed towards the front of your mouth we utilize the most esthetic braces available today: 3M clarity brackets.

By using this combo approach many adults and aesthetically driven adolescents will not need to compromise on either their final function or aesthetic results. Hybrid orthodontic treatment can provide the best possible functional and aesthetic smile outcomes without compromise.

A word about treatment times.

Patients starting orthodontic treatment want to know how long the treatment will be. It is a fair question that deserves a better answer than the most common answer.

The most common estimate of treatment length is about 24 months.

But that estimate varies widely depending on patient cooperation, individual response, and difficulty of treatment. Patients are understandably frustrated and disappointed when their treatment lasts longer than expected.

The average estimate in the United States is 24 months, the true length of treatment is 27 months! Three months longer than estimated!

Now the good news: with Dr. Carr’s experience and his use of technology like indirect bonding, SureSmile for braces, and Invisalign, Dr. Carr’s average treatment time is just 21 months! That is 6 months faster than the national average and three months sooner than the most common estimate.

If you are interested in using the most advanced technology to improve your results and shorten your treatment time up to 6 months less than regular treatment times, give our office a call for your complimentary evaluation.

Technology continues to evolve that allows Dr. Carr to evaluate, monitor and communicate with patients

Recently we implemented the amazing new Grin Scope technology.

Grin Scope allows Dr. Carr to visualize patient malocclusions and treatment progress remotely.

We now offer Virtual Consultations using the Grin Scope from the comfort of your own home, on your own time schedule for Dr. Carr to review.

This platform allows you to take your own scans from home. Dr. Carr can make an initial evaluation if treatment is indicated in your case without the need an in-office visit.

If treatment is indicated, an in-office appointment will be scheduled for us to take the needed records to finalize your diagnosis and treatment plan.

At this appointment, we will provide you with information about your diagnosis, treatment plan and the cost of treatment as well as additional explanations on the course of your treatment.

The value of the Grin Scope does not stop there! While in treatment you can continue to use the Grin Scope to take a short 1 minute scan of yourself or child every 2-3 weeks for Dr. Carr to review.

These scans are valuable for teens and children in treatment to monitor tooth brushing, oral hygiene, breakage of brace, and rubber band compliance.

Invisalign patients can also decrease the number of in-office visits by taking scans every two weeks during treatment.

Many busy adults and university students and teens can reduce the number and frequency of in-office visits to once every three months or more using the Grin Scope.

We have had several adults and graduate students that wanted to begin orthodontic treatment that knew they would be moving in a year.

These patients were able to finish their course of orthodontic treatment using remote monitoring and avoid having to transfer to another orthodontist.

Who are virtual consultations suited for?

Virtual consultations are suited for tech savvy individuals or families who have a smart phone with a good working camera. Users need to be able to download and install the app from an app store (Android or Apple) and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

There is a small technology fee for the Grin Scope which is $25(we can mail it to you or you can pick it up at the office).

Dr. Carr’s time and evaluation are complimentary (his gift to you). You pay for the grin scope and Dr. Carr pays the Grin platform subscription fees.

If you start orthodontic treatment in our office, we will credit the $25 toward your fee.

To start now, click the Virtual Consultation Link. After you fill out the request form our office will contact you to register you as a patient and collect your grin scope fee. After you open the grin scope app you will be prompted to answer a few short questions as well as to send some facial photos to compliment the scan of your teeth.

We look forward to helping you get the smile you’ve been wanting!

Timing is everything – even when it comes to your child’s orthodontic treatment. “Early” treatment, also called “interceptive” treatment, means treatment that is performed while some baby teeth are still present.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that your child’s first check-up with an orthodontist be performed when an orthodontic problem is first recognized, but no later than age 7. Why age 7? By then, your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate the developing teeth and the jaws, which in turn can provide a wealth of information. Dr. Guthrie Carr is trained to spot subtle problems even in young children. You may view photos of such problems here: Problems to Watch for in Growing Children.

There are generally three outcomes of an initial check-up:
  • No treatment is expected to be necessary.
  • Treatment may be needed in the future, so the child will be followed periodically while the face and jaws continue to grow.
  • There is a problem that lends itself to early treatment.

While there are many orthodontic problems that orthodontists agree are best treated after all permanent teeth have come in, early treatment can be in a patient’s best interests if their problem is one that could become more serious over time if left untreated. The goal of early treatment is to intercept the developing problem, eliminate the cause, guide the growth of facial and jaw bones, and provide adequate space for incoming permanent teeth. A patient may require a second course of treatment after all permanent teeth have come in to move those teeth into their best positions.

The kinds of problems orthodontists may recommend treating while a child still has some baby teeth include:
  • Narrow dental arches with airway restrictions
  • Underbites – when the lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth
  • Crossbites – when the jaw shifts to one side
  • Very crowded teeth
  • Excessively spaced teeth
  • Extra or missing teeth
  • Teeth that meet abnormally, or don’t meet at all
  • Thumb-, finger-, or pacifier- sucking that is affecting the teeth or jaw growth

Some of these orthodontic problems are inherited, while others may result from accidents, dental disease, or abnormal swallowing.

Early orthodontic treatment can take many forms. The orthodontist could prescribe a fixed or removable “appliance” – a device used to move teeth, change the position of the jaw, or hold teeth in place in order to bring about desirable changes. Sometimes no appliances are necessary. Rather, removal of some baby teeth may help the permanent teeth erupt better. The extractions will be timed to take best advantage of a patient’s growth and development.

Regardless of how treatment goals are reached, the bottom line is that some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated early. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult.

Dr. Guthrie Carr offers complimentary evaluations, No referral needed!

Now a word about the overuse of early treatment: Caveat Emptor Parents need to be aware than some orthodontic offices make it a practice for almost every patient to receive early orthodontic treatment. They often characterize this a “special kind of treatment”. They are “the only ones who can help you with this special treatment”. The most common example would be the over use of early expansion.

Early expansion is important for airway problems in young children, cross bites and severe crowding. It is probably not needed for mild to moderate crowding when the bite is correct. If you visit an office where every young patient “needs 7 millimeters of expansion”, or they threaten you that they will have to pull 4 permanent teeth in the future if you do not do this now, get a second opinion!

Also, another unfortunate occurrence is to over charge for the first phase of early treatment with a promise of a credit at the second phase. Early treatment should be less than half the cost of current full treatment. If you pay more than this at the start, you have already prepaid for the second phase and the office is holding your money. What if you move, or do not need a second phase, or want to go to another office after the first phase? The fee should be proportional to the treatment provided at the time it is delivered and not come with a future promise tied to a second phase of treatment.

If you had braces, but stopped your retainers and watched your teeth move, we can help you.

If you thought you did not need orthodontics, but now your teeth are not aligned, we can help you.

With up to 14 aligners over less than 6 months, we can make the changes you are seeking and restore your confidence in your smile.

Unlike mail order aligners, this treatment is orthodontist designed and supervised. Our treatment includes office visits and a second scan to improve your results from the first set of aligners with a second set of aligners.

When you finish, we will provide you with 4 sets of vivera retainers to make sure you won’t have those unwanted changes again.

Dr Guthrie Carr is greater Lafayette’s only Platinum level orthodontist certified by Invisalign.

To find out if you are a candidate for the restore program, contact our office for your complimentary evaluation.

Call 765.497.6453 or visit carrortho.com

SureSmile® Braces are Next level 3D orthodontic treatment

SureSmile orthodontic treatment takes the idea of custom orthodontic treatment to the next level with computer generated imagery and robotically-molded archwires. This technology represents the most precise treatment available today.

What are SureSmile Braces?

SureSmile is a cutting-edge 3D digital imaging and computer-aided prescription program that allows your orthodontist an unprecedented level of treatment accuracy and precision when deciding on your alignment and braces.

How does it Work?

Using both an Itero impression free scanner and your 3D radiograph, a dynamic 3D model of your teeth and bite is created, which gives your doctor a complete picture of how your teeth are aligned and how they fit together. This dynamic model is then used in conjunction with the SureSmile Treatment Planning software. This virtual simulation allows your doctor to interactively create the most effective treatment plan possible that suits your unique prescription. He can see your teeth, roots and bone as well as integrate your smile photo into the plan to design your smile. Additionally, your customized archwire is custom bent by a SureSmile robot, rather than being shaped by a doctor. The robot can heat the memory alloy in the archwire to shape the wire in first, second and third order movements and provide accuracy to 0.1mm—something regular orthodontists cannot do by hand.

What are the Benefits of SureSmile?

One of the major plusses is the accuracy with which your doctor can predict and plan for tooth movements. This anticipation and smoother movement results in faster treatment times (some sources have suggested that it can be up to 40% quicker). The quicker your braces come off, the quicker you have your perfect smile and return to your normal dental hygiene habits. This maximum control offered by the robotically-shaped, heat-molded alloy archwire also means that teeth are moved in the most direct path so that you can expect to spend less time in your orthodontist’s chair for adjustments. Fewer adjustments also means less discomfort over the course of the treatment.

Lastly, your smile will look fantastic thanks to the benefits of smile design!

Invisalign has become a popular option for many adults and teens today for many reasons. Invisalign may fit your lifestyle better than traditional braces. If you are involved in music, sports (teens) or public speaking (adults) this option may appeal to you.

Treatment is planned out in advance by the orthodontist allowing a smoother treatment experience with fewer appointments now often 10 or more weeks apart and often with shorter total treatment time. Digital 3D scans now replace old fashioned impressions to capture your bite. This removes a common source of anxiety among patients.

Questions to ask when choosing an Invisalign provider:

Are they an orthodontist? Orthodontists are dentists with 2 or more additional years of university training. There is a reason for the specialty. Trust your smile to a specialist for the best results. Your orthodontist will work with your dentist to coordinate your treatment.

What is their experience? If your dentist or orthodontist “dabbles” in Invisalign, you may not get the most from your treatment. Check the provider's tier level on the find an Invisalign provider page. Bronze, silver and Gold level providers submit these cases with a lower frequency than Platinum level providers and above. There are a lot of nuances to this treatment protocol (they are not just clear braces), your provider's experience is an important part of your experience.

Do they use the iTero element 2 scanner? This digital scanner allows your orthodontist to submit your scan digitally. It is more accurate than impressions and faster. Beyond the initial scan, this scanner allows us to do 3D simulations at your initial consultation to help you see what your smile might look like after treatment. This scanner also allows future comparisons to your plan for progress assessments and it also will show us your occlusion (bite) for a better assessment. Knowledge is power and this scanner is the gateway to knowledge regarding your case.

Do they include refinements in the treatment plan and cost? Refinements are when the first course of aligners are completed, a new scan is taken and resubmitted for additional treatment planning and aligners. You rarely get 100% of the first Invisalign plan and this step is a critical quality control step. This is the opportunity to go from better to great! It is also the time for the patient to offer their input into their treatment progress. Many offices do not offer refinements or they charge additional for this service.

Dr. Guthrie Carr is greater Lafayette’s and the Purdue area’s only Platinum level orthodontist offering Invisalign. Dr. Carr uses the iTero element 2 scanner to offer his patients the best experience including refinements in your case.

Getting the smile you’ve been wanting has never been easier! If you are considering orthodontic treatment for you or your children give our office a call to schedule your complimentary evaluation.

Contact

West Lafayette

  • 257 Sagamore Parkway West, Suite A
    West Lafayette IN 47906
     
  • 765-497-6453
     
  • Mondays - Wednesdays
    8am-12pm & 1pm-4:45pm

    Thursdays
    8am-12pm & 1pm-4:30pm

Request an In Person Consultation with Dr. Carr

We want to make it easy for you to get the smile you’ve been wanting.

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