Space Age Technology Speeds up Treatment and Makes Braces More Comfortable

May 2nd, 2013

Space age technology helps make better braces for teethJust like technology has advanced our lives in so many ways, technology too has improved tremendously the design, shape and function of today’s modern braces.

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The Shocking Truth About Your Smile

March 29th, 2013

Young man afraid to smileAre you afraid to smile because of crooked teeth, missing teeth or yellowed and discolored teeth?

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My Child Has An Overbite

January 25th, 2013

The term “overbite” is used in Orthodontics to describe  a bite problem where the upper teeth protrude out over the lower  teeth.  The lower teeth can be totally hidden by the upper teeth, or the lower teeth may be significantly behind.  Generally upper teeth should be over the lower teeth about  1-2 mm and the lower teeth should be 80-90% visible.  That is the ideal relationship of the front teeth. Read the rest of this entry »

Invisalign Attachments: Why Are They Needed?

December 12th, 2012

Invisalign Clear Aligners and how they're used with Invisalign attachmentsInvisalign™ is a proprietary appliance that allows patients to have their teeth straightened and bad bites corrected using a series of removable, clear aligners.  These clear (plastic) aligners are changed about every 2 weeks and gradually move teeth into a position that has been treatment planned by an Orthodontist trained in using Invisalign.

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An Easy Way to Improve Your Health…Just Smile

November 21st, 2012

Health benefits of smilingResearch indicates that just by simply smiling you will bring significant changes to your physical and emotional health as well as your bank account.

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Consumer Awareness Guide to Choosing An Orthodontist

October 23rd, 2012

Consumer guide to choosing an orthodontistChoosing an Orthodontist for you and your family is one of life’s biggest decisions.  Your smile and overall dental health will be improved forever if you take the time to research and learn more about orthodontics and its lifetime benefits for you and your family.

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The Ultimate Orthodontic Dilemma: To extract teeth or not

September 21st, 2012

Tooth Extraction Dilemma and early orthodontic treatmentFor more than 75 years, doctors have debated the issue of extracting permanent teeth in orthodontic treatment.  Today, the profession is still somewhat divided.  There are those who believe teeth should never be removed and those who extract in a majority of cases.  Most orthodontists, however, fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

In our opinion, the question of utmost diagnostic importance is this:

Can the goals of excellent function, esthetics and stability be achieved without removing permanent teeth? Read the rest of this entry »

How Important is Sleep to Your Child’s Health?

August 15th, 2012

Sleep deprivation in children, sleep apnea in childrenI know you are thinking, what does orthodontics have to do with sleep?

We hope to educate our parents and patients about overall health and how it relates to growth and development of your teeth and jaws.

There is mounting evidence that indicates that sleep has beneficial effects on learning, memory, attention, emotional regulation and academic success.  Conversely, fatigue and insufficient sleep can negatively affect academic performance and attention which are all necessary for success in school and at work. Read the rest of this entry »

The Choices in Braces Today

June 23rd, 2012

Types of Braces - Invisalign vs bracesAs a practicing Orthodontist for over 26 years, there have been many changes in the types of braces available to help patient achieve their goals of healthy and beautiful smiles.

When I graduated from my Orthodontic Specialty residency, the only braces that were available for patient were metal ones that used silver ties to hold the wire in place. Within a year of my graduation, clear braces became available as well as braces that had different color ties to hold the wires.  Braces that went behind the teeth also became available around this time. The year was 1986.

Let’s fast forward to 2012. Read the rest of this entry »

Why Do I Have to Wear Retainers Forever?

May 25th, 2012

Vivera Retainers after Invisalign or bracesThis is a question we get asked often, so we thought it would be good to educate everyone on why retainers are so important.

Whether you had metal braces, clear braces or removable Invisalign aligners, you will need to wear retainers. At first you may be required to wear them 12-22 hours per day. This recommendation is based on many factors including the severity of your initial problem, your age, and whether Read the rest of this entry »