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

Meet Dr. Carr

Office Tour

West Lafayette

Office Tour

Lafayette

Ultra Low-Dose 3D Scans

Itero Scanner

Technology

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

Blog

Invisalign® First for ChildrenAugust 15, 2023

Young patients are all smiles because, with Invisalign® First, they can remove the clear aligners to eat candy, popcorn, and bubble gum and never worry about poking wires or brackets. Invisalign® First lets kids continue to enjoy their favorite meals and keep active at the games they love – sports, Choir, or wrestling with their friends— because, with Invisalign® First, no timeouts are needed. Children at this age are eager to please adults and do very well wearing aligners.

Invisalign® First is an easy, comfortable option for children who might need that early, Phase 1 treatment. Dr. Carr is happy to speak with you and your pre-teen to determine if Invisalign® First aligners are the correct orthodontic treatment plan and lifestyle choice for your child with fewer visits and fewer emergency visits. Invisalign® First treatment typically lasts less than a year and is the same easy, comfortable experience as Invisalign® Teen and Invisalign® treatment for adults.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that every child see an orthodontist for an initial evaluation at the age of seven. This is because your child’s teeth and skeletal structure are continually changing and may require early intervention for correction. Not all 7- or 8-year-olds need orthodontic treatment, but there is a short list of reasons to have phase 1 orthodontic treatment:

Lack of space for future adult tooth eruption. If untreated this can lead to extraction (removal of teeth) or impaction (teeth don’t come in) of permanent teeth.
Bite problems that can affect the growth pattern of your child. If NOT treated early, treatment options may be limited in the future and lead to the need for possible orthognathic (jaw) surgery.
To correct oral habits such as thumb-sucking, dependence on pacifiers past age one, and tongue thrust habits that can lead to improper development of your child’s teeth, palate, and bite.
Airway issues can also be improved with Phase 1 treatment.
If necessary, we may recommend braces, Invisalign® First, or expansion to intercept any potential issues that could lead to greater problems in the future.
The goal of the 1st phase of treatment is to get “in and out” as quickly as possible so that there is a nice break in treatment to allow the child to continue to develop before they are ready for their 2nd phase of treatment. Having a 1st phase of treatment, if needed, typically cuts down on the length and cost of the 2nd phase of treatment.

Call our office to schedule your complimentary evaluation today.

Click here to learn more about Invisalign First for children and phase 1 treatment.

Should I trust my smile to “mail order“ aligners?August 1, 2022

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.

What sets us apart from the others orthodontic offices?May 20, 2022

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.

Braces or aligners or both? Hybrid orthodontic treatmentMarch 21, 2022

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.

How long will my treatment take?February 16, 2022

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.

Virtual Orthodontic ConsultationsJanuary 28, 2022

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!

Early Orthodontic TreatmentJuly 20, 2020

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.

Introducing our Restore program for simple aligner treatment using Invisalign Express.June 10, 2020

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

Dr. Carr is greater Lafayette’s only orthodontist who is a Platinum level Invisalign providerMarch 17, 2020

Dr. Guthrie Carr has been providing unmatched orthodontic treatment using SureSmile for over 6 years.February 7, 2020

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.

Tradition, Technology and Experience

Reviews

Welcome

Meet Dr. Carr

Office Tour

West Lafayette

Office Tour

Lafayette

Ultra Low-Dose 3D Scans

Itero Scanner

Technology

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

Blog

Who are virtual consultations suited for?

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

SureSmile® Braces are Next level 3D orthodontic treatment

What are SureSmile Braces?

How does it Work?

What are the Benefits of SureSmile?

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

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.

© Guthrie Carr Orthodontic Specialist - Accessibility

Online advantage by: ROOSTER GRIN MEDIA