DDS Greg Morris

In South Georgia, one Invisalign provider stands above the rest: Dr. Morris. His commitment to providing top-quality dental care is unparalleled in our region. Patients rave about his compassionate and knowledgeable approach, and it's no wonder that he's earned a reputation as one of the best providers in the state.

That's why we are excited to share with you that Dr. Morris was recently named the #1 Dental Monitoring Provider in Georgia!

Dental Monitoring is an additional layer of care we provide to our Invisalign patients that goes home with them and into their everyday lives. We use the Dental Monitoring app to help our patients maintain their aligners and track their progress in real-time. It's simple and easy to use, and in our area, it's only available through Hester and Morris Orthodontics.

Dr. Morris has been using Dental Monitoring to help his patients achieve greater smile success since 2020, when many providers struggled to stay open and could not see their patients. We saw the benefits of Dental Monitoring for our patients and have worked to integrate it into how we treat our Invisalign patients.

Dental Monitoring has been an excellent tool to help keep our patients on track with their Invisalign compliance and to let patients and parents know how they're doing. It does not replace the need for check-ins here in the office, but it has been an enormous help in our efforts to keep our patients from having fewer inconvenient appointments and more successful outcomes.

We are proud to be able to offer Dental Monitoring to our patients. And we're incredibly proud of Dr. Morris for his commitment to his patients and to providing the best orthodontic care possible. We are always looking for ways to improve our patient care and patient outcomes, and we're proud to be able to be the top DM provider in Georgia!

It’s the start of another year!

A new year is a beautiful time to change your life or start something new that you’ve been putting off.

You may, like many people, be considering goals and resolutions for the new year. For some, this can include changes in their smile, and they look to their local dentist or orthodontist in Valdosta to help give them a smile they’ve always wanted.

The new year is a great time to start the journey to a new and improved smile!

Here are three reasons why we think starting orthodontics in the new year is a great way to improve your smile:

1. Improving your smile is a surefire way to boost your confidence!

It’s a fact that many Americans feel self-conscious about their smiles. What you think about your smile and teeth can affect your overall self-confidence.

But you can let go of those inhibitions and boost your confidence when you begin orthodontic treatment. Invisalign or dental braces are both options that work to align your teeth, creating a more even, pleasing-looking smile; we believe when you feel good about yourself, it reflects in how you present yourself. 

This is the greatest goal for us as orthodontists! We love to see your confidence rise and your smile become the beautiful result you always wanted.

2. Starting in the new year gives you an easy timetable to follow for your braces or Invisalign treatment.

It just makes sense to start treatment at the beginning of the new year.

Not only are most people more energized at the beginning of a new year to start on their goals and resolutions, but it can also be an easy way to determine how long your treatment time could take.

Average orthodontic treatment in our Valdosta. Georgia office is 12 months to 24 months. Every patient is different. Dr. Hester and Dr. Morris create a personalized treatment plan for you based on your unique needs and smile goals. This determines your overall treatment time.

Beginning your smile journey at the start of a new calendar year can often help you better idealize when you might complete your treatment, as well as help you remember when you started treatment.

3. The sooner you begin, the closer you are to the smile you’ve always wanted! 

Now is always the best time to begin orthodontic treatment, and at the start of a new year, why would you want to procrastinate or put it off?

 Many people are looking at their budgets and planning financially for the year in January, so go ahead and include planning for braces or your Invisalign treatment.

At Hester Morris Orthodontics, our treatment coordinating team works with each and every patient to help them achieve their smile goals by offering flexible payment options that can fit almost every budget.

Additionally, the initial consult is always at no cost to you. This is because we believe it’s essential for every patient to get the complete picture of how their smile could be improved with braces or Invisalign, and this information will help you make the best decision for your smile!

By planning to start now, you are practicing good self-care instead of putting yourself on the back burner!

Are you looking to start braces or Invisalign in 2023? You can make an appointment in our Valdosta, Georgia office by clicking on the link here or calling us at 229-245-1800.

Happy new year! May this coming year bring you fulfillment and be full of smiles!

Getting Braces As An Adult???

Braces for adults. For many, those two things don’t seem to go together. Maybe you had braces as a teenager and forgot to wear your retainer, causing your teeth to shift. Even if you’ve never had orthodontic treatment, many adults realize they can benefit from it.

Read on if you’re thinking about getting braces or possibly Invisalign is right for you.

1. You’re not too old for braces or Invisalign.

Let us assure you that having Invisalign or braces is not just kid stuff! In fact, at Hester & Morris Orthodontics, we even have patients that are in their 70s.

In fact, as we age, our teeth tend to shift, and one of the biggest reasons we see adults in our practice is not necessarily for straight teeth but more often due to the change in how their teeth fit together. When your bite is not right, this can cause headaches and TMJ symptoms. We may not be able to relieve your stress from a hectic job, but aligning your teeth can surely relieve some of the stress you put on your teeth and jaws.

2. Treatment for adults is not as long as you might think!

More than ever, our treatment options offer ease of wear and the convenience of low treatment times. Over the years of increased technology, orthodontists have learned how to shift the teeth faster with significantly less discomfort. And because of additions like our iTero digital scanner, doctors Hester and Morris can treatment plan your smile from every angle. The results of this mean you spend less time in braces or Invisalign.

3. Adult braces don’t necessarily mean braces.

We have multiple treatment options at Hester Morris Orthodontics, including those for our adults. In addition to regular metal braces, we offer ceramic braces for a more disguised look and offer Invisalign treatment. Invisalign is a great option because it moves your teeth like traditional braces however, because they involve a series of clear removable plastic aligners, they go very well with a busy adult lifestyle.

4. You won’t spend all your time in an orthodontist's chair.

Long gone are the days when patients came once a month to see the orthodontist and have their braces tightened. With our advanced treatment methods and the latest technology, we can give you a great smile more quickly and comfortably. You’ll have fewer appointments with us; we even offer virtual options to help along the Invisalign process.

5. Having orthodontic treatment as an adult doesn't have to mean being extremely expensive.

The Hester and Morris team strives to make orthodontic treatment affordable for our patients. We accept dental insurance, which can greatly reduce your cost out-of-pocket. Many dental plans will cover orthodontics for adults. In addition to insurance, we offer in-house financing that can be flexible to help fill your monthly budgetary needs. We will happily review this information with you at your initial complimentary consultation with our office.

If you’re considering a small makeover or just a tuneup with Invisalign or braces, give us a call or email us to schedule a free consultation. Dr. Hester and Dr. Morris look forward to helping you decide which treatment option is right for you.

5 Tips for Not Losing Your Retainer

Retainers are what you receive at the end of your treatment with braces or Invisalign. Think of them as extra insurance that keeps your smile straight and looking beautiful!

Unfortunately, keeping up with your retainer tends to be an issue with many of our patients. Here are some tips on how not to lose your retainer:

1. Start with good habits. Wear your retainer every night! if you’re already in the habit of wearing it consistently, you will be much less likely not to know where your retainer is.

2. Only keep your retainer in your case or your mouth. Never lay it on a bedside table or the bathroom counter because it’s very likely to be overlooked and accidentally thrown away or lost.

3. If you have a dog, keep your retainer case out of reach! It is proven that dogs are attracted to retainers, and the old excuse of my dog eating my retainer happens. Reduce their temptation by keeping your retainer case and its contents out of reach of your favorite fluffy friend.

4. If you travel, use a backup case! Sometimes when patients travel or live in multiple residences having a backup retainer case is very helpful. That way, it can never be forgotten or lost, tempting you to wrap your retainer in a napkin or leave it on the bedside table.

5. Routine, routine, routine! There is no better way to stay consistent with habits than having a routine. This is so true even when it comes to your nightly home care, including wearing your retainer! Set a timer nightly of when you want to put your retainer in to help you remember until it is automatic.

Do you have any tips for wearing your retainer consistently!? Let us know in the comments!

October is national orthodontic health month! It’s a special time of year when we spend more time educating our patients and the community about the wonderful benefits of a beautiful smile, straight teeth, and perfectly aligned jaws. 

The benefits of orthodontics are not just cosmetic. Straight teeth are much easier to clean and floss, resulting in fewer cavities and healthy gums. Jaw issues can be corrected or even prevented by orthodontic care. And as we age, our teeth tend to shift, so proper alignment of your teeth can help prevent enamel wear over time.

The idea of having well-aligned teeth is not new. As far back as the ancient Egyptians and ancient Roman times, there has been an interest in shifting teeth into new positions.

In the 1700s and 1800s, horseshoe shape devices and wires were used to help move teeth into better alignment. In the early 1900s, dentists began rapping different materials such as wood, ivory, or even gold and would wrap them with bands that would help press the teeth into position.

Using stainless steel wires, the braces we are more familiar with today gained popularity in the 1970s.

Invisible braces and aligners started to become popular in the late 1990s, as well as clear retainers to help hold teeth properly in place after completing orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontists are dentists who, in addition to their dental school training, complete extra years of schooling, specifically in moving teeth and aligning jaws.

The average number of years that an orthodontist attends school is 11.

This extra education time gives them the knowledge and expertise to properly move teeth through bone and create pleasing and well-aligned smiles.

Dr. Wayne Hester and Dr. James Gregory Morris started their careers in south Georgia as dentists and then returned for further training to become orthodontists.

Dr. Hester has treated patients in south Georgia with braces for over 30 years. And Dr. Morris is South Georgia’s number one Invisalign specialist.

Both doctors have the education and experience necessary to give patients the best smile possible. Combining advanced techniques with individualized treatment plans, the doctors ensure each person achieves the beautifully healthy, confident smile they deserve!

Check out our other blog posts and social media during October for more tips and information about national orthodontic health.

The decision to start orthodontic treatment with Invisalign is an exciting one!

However, before you google where the closest Invisalign provider is to your home, you should be aware of an essential piece of information.

To ensure you get the best smile possible, you have to choose the right provider, but you’ll find that you can get Invisalign from both dental and orthodontic providers. So which will provide better smile results?

South Georgia's #1 Orthodontic provider is ready to help you understand and find the perfect fit!

When looking into Invisalign treatment, one of the most important factors is who has the best tools for the job.

While both dentists and orthodontists work with teeth, the technology you would find in their respective offices would be pretty different because dentists offer a wider range of services than an orthodontist.

To offer general or cosmetic dental services, dentists need many tools and equipment to create crowns, veneers, fillings, and more. When it comes to an orthodontic office, the focus is on a select few services, such as braces or Invisalign, so you’ll only find the technology necessary to provide the best results for those treatment options.

X-rays and digital scans are essential to dental and orthodontic care.

Dentists use them to spot problems, chart progress, and plan treatments. Orthodontists use them to assess the positioning of teeth and jaws so they can plan orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic offices will often have technology designed to ensure that treatment creates the perfect smile, such as the iTero digital impression system, which creates a detailed 3D image of your smile so the orthodontist can plan the ideal path for your teeth to move.

Who Has More Training And Experience With Invisalign?

Regarding training and education, it is important to know that every orthodontist is a dentist, but every dentist is not an orthodontist.

This is because becoming an orthodontist requires one to complete dental school and then undergo years of additional education and training specializing in the field of orthodontics, including practice and courses dedicated specifically to Invisalign.

An orthodontist is a medical professional specializing in diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligning teeth or jaws. They use a variety of techniques and methods to help patients achieve a straighter smile, including the use of Invisalign clear aligners.

Dentists who have only taken a single training course to become certified Invisalign providers will not be able to compare to orthodontists in terms of experience.

Dr. Morris has been a long-time Invisalign provider and is in the Top 1% of providers in the United States! His years of Invisalign experience and patient success make him the highest-qualified provider in our area.

Which provider offers a better price for Invisalign?

When it comes to price, this can vary on a practice-to-practice basis.

Compared to the price we offer here at Hester & Morris Orthodontics, the orthodontic office down the street can be completely different, and the same can be said about dental practices.

However, dentists sometimes offer Invisalign treatment at a lower price than an orthodontist, typically incentivizing a patient to choose them over an orthodontist who has more specialized experience and could provide better results.

At the end of the day, which is the “better” price is really up to you, but just remember that your new smile is something that will be with you for the rest of your life. To save money, you could go with your local dentist or choose an expert like Dr. Morris to get the best results.

Should You Choose A Dentist Or Orthodontist For Invisalign?

If you want your new smile to be as perfect as possible, the quality of care you would get from an orthodontist is second to none. However, if you want to save some money or it's more convenient for you to go to the dentist you already see for other dental work, then maybe Invisalign from your dentist is right for you.

The best choice for you depends on what you’re looking to get out of your Invisalign treatment, so once you have those figured out, the decision should be easy.

Get Invisalign With South Georgia's #1 Invisalign Provider!

At Hester & Morris Orthodontics, we want to help you get started on your journey to the perfect smile as soon as possible. Contact us today to schedule your appointment in our Valdosta, GA office, or use our online appointment request form.

We can’t wait to hear from you and help you achieve the smile of your dreams! If you have any questions about Invisalign care or the difference between choosing a dentist or orthodontist for your treatment, just reach out to us, and a member of our fantastic team will be able to provide you with the answers and information that you need.

The ALMOST-RIGHT person vs. the DEFINITELY-RIGHT person…

If you had a puppy that needed grooming, would you take it to a hair salon? 

Of course not!

 You'd take your prized pooch to the groomers, an expert in caring for your pet's hair.

The same is true for your child and their smile. 

Orthodontists are dental specialists who are experts in the movement of teeth and jaws and are trained to give your child the best smile, making them the definitely-right person for orthodontic needs.

Both Dr. Hester and Morris have had over 11 years of orthodontic schooling and are experts in the care of teeth and jaws. In addition, both have a passion for orthodontics and are dedicated to providing the best orthodontic care for patients.

 With over 55 years of combined orthodontic experience, Dr. Hester and Dr. Morris are truly South Georgia’s best orthodontists!

Our team is always ready to answer any questions you may have about orthodontic care for you or your child. Contact us today to schedule your consultation. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

Trust your child's smile to a definitely-right person… an orthodontist!

Have you seen our newly revamped website???

Our Hester & Morris Team has been hard at work to keep up-to-date with the latest technology in the office AND online!

Here are a few fun features we hope that you will check out!

• New Invisalign Content!!! Including videos about life with wearing your aligners, and a whole section devoted to younger patient needs with Invisalign First.
• Smile Transformations that will wow you!
• Meet The Team -- We had a lot of fun showing off our personalities!
• Our Home Page has a lot of fun and interactive features now, too! Be sure to scroll all the way down!
• And of course, the Blog!

The docs got new photos, too! We think they look pretty great! Do you know which one is Dr. Hester and which one is Dr. Morris? You'd be surprised how often we get asked that;)

Sending us an email, requesting an appointment, or recommending us to a friend is easier than ever before. You'll also find all the patient forms available here.

We are excited about more ways for us to connect with our patients! What is your favorite feature of the new site? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Hello! Thanks for checking in with us on the blog!

Our goal is to provide information about our office and the treatments we offer. We will occasionally throw in posts containing tips and hacks for treatment success as well as fun stuff from the life of the H&M doctors and team.

Here's a little about us:

With a long-standing presence in our community for nearly 30 years, Hester and Morris Orthodontics have established a reputation for creating beautiful smiles and making things fun! Dr. Wayne Hester and Dr. Greg Morris, along with their team pride themselves in their work, knowing it’s more than “just braces” rather, they are helping their patients achieve a greater sense of self-confidence. The desire to see patients “Live Life Smiling” goes beyond great patient care, but also into many areas of the community. And one of the most rewarding areas that the team gives back is through being a Community Partner in Education. As partners with both local school systems, as well as with schools in surrounding counties, Hester and Morris Orthodontics passionately invest their time and resources into seeing students succeed.

Be sure to stay up to date with going on in the office by following us on our social media platforms. You can find us on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Youtube
• Pinterest
• And even TikTok!!

We hope that you will also check back here often during your Invisalign aligner or braces treatment and stay connected with us! We would love to hear from you, too!

You’ve probably noticed that people who have great smiles often seem to be happier than those who don’t. But what you might not realize is that orthodontics can do even more than that – it can improve your life in ways you might not even realize. For example, orthodontics can improve your self-confidence, which can have a positive impact on your relationships and your career. It can also improve your oral health, which has far-reaching health implications.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of orthodontics, though, is that it makes getting that beautiful smile much easier than it used to be. Invisalign is one of the most common forms of orthodontics, and it uses clear plastic aligners to help you straighten your teeth without any metal wires or brackets. Invisalign is a great option for people who want to get straight teeth but don’t want to wear metal braces every day. It’s also a great option for keeping your oral health in great condition because patients take aligners in and out for brushing and flossing. Parents of children also are choosing Invisalign because it means fewer trips to the orthodontist and no need for emergency visits, like so many of our patients with braces.
Our practice is fortunate to have one of the leading Invisalign providers in the state of Georgia, Dr. Greg Morris! In fact, Dr. Morris is the most experienced orthodontist in all of South Georgia when it comes to treating kids, teens, and adults with Invisalign. Of course, whether Invisalign or braces are recommended for you or your child, you can be assured that they will receive the highest quality of care with the most dedicated team. We look forward to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams!