“Am I Too Old for Braces?”

Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.
Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

·         Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease

·         Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw

·         A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.
As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.
If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

Emergency Care with Dr. Ruff

At Dr. Charles Ruff's office, we know orthodontic emergencies are never convenient nor timely. If you are a patient of record, Dr. Ruff and our team are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you after hours or over the weekend. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. If you have a orthodontic emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to learn how you may be able to solve the problem yourself, or, if you cannot, how to contact Dr. Ruff and team.

Common issues include:

*Broken Brace
*Broken Wires
*Tie has come off of a Brace
*Loose Expander
*Poking Wire Tie
*Sharpness Felt on the Tongue Side of a Brace
*Loss of a Separator
*Initial Soreness
*Wire Poking

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you visit our office.

Toothbrush Trivia with Dr. Charles Ruff!

People have been brushing their teeth for thousands of years! In fact, the first “toothbrush” was created around 3000BC! Ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed edge to rub against their teeth for cleaning.

The first toothbrush with bristles – similar to today’s toothbrushes – was invented in 1498 in China. Brushes were made out of bone or bamboo with bristles made from the hairs on the back of a hog’s neck.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the first nylon bristle toothbrush was introduced and people quickly became aware of practicing good oral hygiene.

Here are some other interesting facts about your toothbrush (and toothpaste):

• Most people are said to use blue toothbrushes over any other color
• The first toothpaste was used in 500 BC in China and India
• On average, children smile about 400 times per day
• Your toothbrush should be replaced every two months
• The first known toothpaste was used in 1780, Crest was introduced in the US in 1955 and Colgate in 1873

Meet Our Orthodontist

Dr. Charles Ruff is passionate about the art and profession of orthodontics. For many years he has dedicated his time and energy to studying orthodontics, and to providing his patients with the beautiful smiles and quality experiences they expect and deserve. Dr. Ruff enjoys working with patients of all ages. He looks forward to working with you, and he welcomes all of the challenges and rewards that come with being an orthodontist.

Dr. Ruff attended Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering cum laude. He was president of his fraternity, Omega Lambda Phi. He then attended Manhattan College on an Air Force ROTC full-ride scholarship. Dr. Ruff was elected as a junior to Tau Beta Pi, in the National Honorary Engineering Fraternity.

He started dating Rebecca Gass of Augusta, ME, while still a student at Manhattan College. She attended Long Island University - Brooklyn Center, and they were married on November 14, 1971.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1975, Dr. Ruff returned to the Boston area for dental school at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Ruff was then accepted into the orthodontic program at Tufts, where he was elected class president.

As soon as possible, Dr. Ruff moved back to Maine after dental school and opened his practice on 73 Pleasant Street, Waterville in August 1980. He practiced there for about 6 years before building his own facility designed strictly for optimal orthodontic care at 12 Park Street, where the office continues to be located. In 1995 Dr. Ruff was certified a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, at the time, one of only six ABO Diplomates in the state of Maine.

Starting this year, Dr. Ruff will also be serving as an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Orthodontics at his alma mater Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. All of this teaching means that Dr. Ruff usually spends each Friday in Boston.