To some, orthodontics is a blend of science and art. An orthodontist is a dentist who has had an additional two to three years of schooling to learn how to apply the forces needed to safely move teeth and modify skeletal growth. It requires a certain amount of artistic ability to position the teeth so that they look their best and create a beautiful smile. Dr. James Crouse is a university trained, board certified orthodontist who has always had an interest in the arts.
Dr. James Crouse is a home-grown member of our community. Born and raised in Salisbury, he went to dental school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. After graduating magna cum laude, he joined the Air Force and did one year of general practice residency. He was then stationed in England where he also practiced general dentistry. The Air Force sponsored his orthodontic training at Emory University in Georgia after which he served an additional three years in Germany. He then returned to Salisbury where he has been practicing for the past 17 years.
Dr. Crouse’s office is a modern facility equipped with the very latest in orthodontic technology. Cutting-edge tools include a soft tissue laser which removes excess gum tissue and uncovers teeth that are slow to erupt, the use of which can help shorten treatment time considerably. The facility also utilizes a 3-D conebeam x-ray machine to precisely visualize impacted teeth; previous two-dimensional x-rays did not allow exact views of the position of the impacted teeth and made for imprecise work.
The office itself is a comfortable place for the staff, patients and their families. There is a play area for kids of all ages including a Nintendo Wii system. The treatment area is a bright open area that looks out on a garden with water features and several of the resident turtles for which the office has become well known.
Dr. Crouse is an Elite Premier provider for the Invisalign appliance which places him among the top 1 percent of providers in North America. He has treated over 300 patients with the Invisalign appliance, which used to be exclusively for adults with mild orthodontic problems. In fact, today most orthodontic problems can be treated with Invisalign if the patient desires. Crouse has also treated patients with “overbites," severe crowding and spacing with the Invisalign appliance.
There are several advantages to Invisalign over conventional braces. The most obvious one is their transparent appearance. In addition there are no dietary restrictions, and because they are removable, brushing and flossing routines don’t change. Treatment time and cost are also comparable to that of traditional braces.
Cooperation in wearing Invisalign aligners is critical to success. While many are very good at wearing the aligners properly, some are not, and age is surprisingly not the main factor in cooperation. “I have had 12-year-olds that have been terrific Invisalign patients and mature adults that have been absolutely terrible,” Crouse noted. "The bottom line is our patients have a choice between Invisalign, traditional braces with 'colors' or low friction braces such as the Damon appliance."
Dr. Crouse wants to achieve a beautiful healthy smile for all his patients in a way that minimally impacts their lives and lives of their parents. Orthodontic treatment is a major investment of time, money and impact on your day to day life. There are many forms of treatment. “I tell my patients that if you see three orthodontists you’ll probably leave with four different treatment plans," Crouse marveled. Treatment recommendations often depend on the doctor’s training level and experience. Dr. Crouse stays current with the latest treatment by reviewing several journals as well as completing many hours of continuing education each year. “I do my best to offer treatment that is in the person’s best interest,” he said. The doctor can discuss the pros and cons of different options and arrive at the best plan to satisfy the person’s desires.
Parents are encouraged to come back with their children during their appointments. Good communication is critical to treatment proceeding in a satisfactory manner. Crouse strives to keep the patients and parents informed on what he does at each appointment, including how things are going with cleanliness and other issues regarding cooperation. Orthodontic treatment is a team effort between the patient, the patient’s parents, their general dentist and their orthodontist.
Dr. James Crouse does his absolute best to respect his patients and parents' time by running strict office hours, understanding that people are busy with their jobs, school and other activities. Examples of his artistic ability are evident in his office, including the mosaic of his office logo that hangs at the front desk, but the beautiful smiles of his patients are the works of art he is most proud of.