SmileCare, Tampa, Fla, has launched a Web site to provide parents and teens in California, Nevada, and Texas with a one-stop resource for information on braces. The new site, SmileCareOrtho.com, features a teen-friendly "Get Connected" theme, and is designed to demystify the complex topic of orthodontics through videos, diagrams, photos, and text. Visitors can learn about indications for treatment, view treatment options, find a local orthodontist, read bios, request an appointment, and download coupons.

The site features diagrams that show why a patient might need braces, what appliances may be prescribed and why, and the availability of special offers and financing options. The site also incorporates a tool that lets prospective patients see their smile with their choice of colored bands. 

Patients in orthodontic treatment can consult the site for information on home care and guidance on handling bracket mishaps and emergencies.