Blog

Hearing that you or your child may need jaw surgery can feel overwhelming — and trying to sort through the different types of expanders (RPE, MARPE, MSE) can be just as confusing.  At Matsumoto Orthodontics in Wilmington, NC, Dr. Matsumoto offers several types of palatal expanders designed for different ages and stages of development —...

Congrats on your beautiful new smile! You’ve finished treatment, your smile looks amazing, and now the next phase begins.  Whether you’ve been wearing your retainer for a week, or months now, you’ll probably wonder at some point: “How long do I actually have to wear my retainers?”  “Are retainers really necessary?” “What happens if I...

It’s that time again! October isn’t just pumpkin spice season… It’s Orthodontic Health Month and National Bullying Prevention Month — two very important reasons to raise awareness. It’s the perfect time to celebrate the power of a healthy smile: one that improves your health, boosts your confidence, and encourages you to spread kindness to those...

It’s hard to believe 2025 is almost over! As the holidays approach, so does another deadline you can’t afford to miss: your FSA funds. If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), now’s the time to put those dollars to work — and what better investment than a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime? Most...

If you or your child has braces, you’ve probably heard about rubber bands (elastics). They’re an essential orthodontic appliance for many patients — and they’re not the same as the colorful ligatures that hold wires to brackets with traditional braces. Braces rubber bands help to move your teeth and correct problems with your bite. If...

Halloween 2025 is all about costumes, candy, and confidence — and your smile deserves to be part of the celebration! Whether you’re walking the neighborhood with your trick-or-treat bag, heading to a school party, or snapping photos before a big night out, your braces or Invisalign® don’t have to hold you back.  Before you dive...

If you’re waking up tired all the time, even after a full night’s sleep, it’s easy to blame stress, poor sleep habits, or just getting older. But what if the root cause runs deeper? For many adults, chronic fatigue is actually tied to something far more structural: the width of your palate. Let’s break down...

When most people hear the words “jaw surgery,” it can feel intimidating. The thought of a lengthy procedure, recovery time, and the invasive nature of surgery may leave you wondering if it really is the only option. The good news? There might be an alternative option out there for you! At Matsumoto Orthodontics & Periodontics,...