Braces, whether traditional or Damon System, can straighten your teeth, increase your confidence, correct bite and alignment issues, and address spacing or crowding problems. Every patient is different, but the average person wears braces for about two years. That’s two years of perfecting tricks, hacks and coming up with tips for new wearers. Anyone considering braces should know you don’t need to... read more »

Ask a an orthodontist for kids why they chose this specialty, and you’ll get a variety of responses. Any kind of dentist beyond a general dentist opts into extra years of schooling and training. This means delaying a full-time salary, making further sacrifices and sometimes delving so deeply into a subject that it becomes a part of you. Every dental niche attracts a... read more »

Sometimes bonded orthodontic retainers are needed to maintain the alignment of teeth. Retention is used when teeth are in good alignment, whether naturally or as the result of orthodontic treatment. After all, you want to keep the straight teeth you were naturally gifted or that you achieved through orthodontia. Teeth can and often will shift throughout your lifetime for a number of reasons,... read more »

Orthodontic treatment helps ensure the proper function of teeth to create healthy, beautiful smiles. Proper jaw alignment makes it easier for you to bite, chew, and speak. Teeth that are misaligned are harder to clean and can lead to abnormal wear of enamel which can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures. When the teeth and jaw are out of... read more »

In some cases, you may be able to choose between Invisalign or braces. In other instances, your orthodontist might make the call for you. You’re probably wondering if one’s better than the other, more affordable or more effective. The obvious benefits of Invisalign win over a lot of people early, but what’s most important is that you select an orthodontic treatment that will do the... read more »

If your child has orthodontics, whether it’s braces or Invisalign, the real horror story of Halloween might begin as soon as the first treat is secured. It doesn’t matter what age your children are (even if they’re in high school), Halloween is a candy free-for-all day. Sixteen-year-olds might not be going door to door for sweets, but they’re likely getting goodies from their friends, in... read more »

When your child gets braces, that’s just the beginning of a brand-new type of oral hygiene regimen. Even kids without braces need regular reminders about best brushing practices — but a child with braces might need a little extra support.   The most important thing parents can do is work with the orthodontist and make sure kids understand what can happen if... read more »

Would you date someone with braces — or do you have braces and are thinking of getting back into the game? Instead of asking, why, most people these days are asking, why not? The old cliché that braces get in the way of dating is like believing, “Boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses.” Both braces and glasses are... read more »

It’s shocking, but most orthodontists aren’t board certified. In fact, only 33 percent are — it’s not required to practice orthodontics. Being board certified, or re-certified, is optional. Always ask orthodontists if they are board certified, and you can quickly gauge just how committed they are to their practice. Getting board certification is the final step in a long and comprehensive... read more »

Most people have heard of Invisalign, the invisible way to straighten teeth with removable aligners, but do you know the history of this innovative orthodontic product? Align Technology, the creators of Invisalign, was founded in 1997 by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth in San Jose, California. The business currently has over 3,000 employees and an annual revenue of around $560 million. Created... read more »