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We hear this question a lot, and are thrilled that patients are eager to manage their treatment in the best manner possible so they may complete their orthodontic treatment on schedule.

During your initial consultation, we will map out a specific treatment for you and will try our hardest to give you a timeline of when we expect you to wrap up treatment.

Having said that, we know every patient is different. People have different biological responses to orthodontic treatment and some people's teeth may move faster than others.

Luckily, there are things you can do to ensure your treatment wraps up in a timely manner. By following these suggestions, you can avoid any setbacks during your treatment.

• Make sure to keep your adjustment appointments. Postponing or cancelling will delay treatment!
• Be sure to show up on time to your appointments. This will give us time to complete everything we planned to accomplish during your adjustment visit.
• When prescribed, make sure you are diligent about wearing rubber bands or other appliances.
• Avoid damage to your braces and teeth by wearing a mouth guard during sports activities.
• Make sure to brush and floss regularly! Gum disease or other dental work can delay orthodontic treatment.

If you remember to follow these guidelines, you'll be on your way to having the dazzling, healthy smile you've always wanted. As for us, we will do our part to move your orthodontic treatment along efficiently. If you have any questions about your treatment time, please give us a call or ask us during your next adjustment visit!

Everyone remembers their parents reminding them to drink milk on a daily basis to build strong bones in order to grow tall and strong. Getting enough dairy is critical for kids whose teeth are still growing. A child who consumes the recommended daily serving of dairy will develop healthy, strong teeth for the rest of his or her life.

Milk and other dairy products are excellent sources of calcium to help your child build bone tissue and maintain optimal dental health. Milk contains vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, and proteins. Magnesium works to promote calcium deposits in your child’s enamel, while phosphorus forms a small but important barrier against acidic foods that are known to cause caries, or cavities.

Experts at the Academy of General Dentistry warn that kids don’t receive enough calcium, stating only one in five children meets the minimum standards for calcium consumption. That is, two and a half cups of dairy per day. Children who are nine years old need almost twice as much calcium as younger kids and about the same amount as adult men and women. In addition to milk, eating yogurt or cheese is a great way your child can increase his or her dairy consumption.

Everyone remembers their parents reminding them to drink milk on a daily basis to build strong bones in order to grow tall and strong. Getting enough dairy is critical for kids whose teeth are still growing. A child who consumes the recommended daily serving of dairy will develop healthy, strong teeth for the rest of his or her life.

Milk and other dairy products are excellent sources of calcium to help your child build bone tissue and maintain optimal dental health. Milk contains vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, and proteins. Magnesium works to promote calcium deposits in your child’s enamel, while phosphorus forms a small but important barrier against acidic foods that are known to cause caries, or cavities.

Experts at the Academy of General Dentistry warn that kids don’t receive enough calcium, stating only one in five children meets the minimum standards for calcium consumption. That is, two and a half cups of dairy per day. Children who are nine years old need almost twice as much calcium as younger kids and about the same amount as adult men and women. In addition to milk, eating yogurt or cheese is a great way your child can increase his or her dairy consumption.

If your child is lactose intolerant or is allergic to milk, there are many products which contain the same amount of calcium that your child would receive from drinking a glass of milk. These include:

• Calcium-fortified soy milk
• Calcium-fortified orange juice
• Calcium-fortified breads and cereals
• Plant-based problem foods such as beans, broccoli or spinach
• Tofu

If your child does not get enough dairy–rich products, they run the risk of improper tooth development and other dental health problems. We strongly encourage you to monitor your child’s dairy consumption to ensure he or she grows healthy bones and teeth to last a lifetime.

If you have any questions about the role calcium plays in your child’s diet, please give us a call or ask us during your child’s next appointment!

If your child is lactose intolerant or is allergic to milk, there are many products which contain the same amount of calcium that your child would receive from drinking a glass of milk. These include:

• Calcium-fortified soy milk
• Calcium-fortified orange juice
• Calcium-fortified breads and cereals
• Plant-based problem foods such as beans, broccoli or spinach
• Tofu

If your child does not get enough dairy–rich products, they run the risk of improper tooth development and other dental health problems. We strongly encourage you to monitor your child’s dairy consumption to ensure he or she grows healthy bones and teeth to last a lifetime.

If you have any questions about the role calcium plays in your child’s diet, please give us a call or ask us during your child’s next appointment!

Tracy Paulet Interview:

1.    What were the initial thoughts that made you consider undergoing orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery?

My dentist and I had spoken many times about the constant breaking of composites because of my “under-bite”. One comment “Uggh, that bite” as he started to work on me during one appointment prompted me to ask about my possible options. “It’s expensive” he said. Never in my wildest dreams did I consider this treatment as solving so many issues.

2.     After discussing treatment with Dr. Rooney and the other doctors on your orthodontic and surgery team, what were your biggest surprises that a combination of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery could accomplish for you? 

My biggest surprise was the facts found that led to the curing of my extreme case of Sleep Apnea. This surprise find help answer several health issues. Not only re-aligning my jaw and straightening my teeth but my entire health had taken a turn for the extreme good!

3.     What was your pre-surgical experience with braces?

My treatment was almost 2 years of bi weekly adjustments before I was ready for surgery. I knew coming into this process that it was going to be a long term treatment. I put my faith and confidence into Dr. Rooney and his team and I never looked back even on the hardest days.

4.     What was your surgical experience and initial post-surgical experience (eight weeks after surgery)?

My surgery was long at 5 hours but there was a lot of work (correcting my under bite – moving both jaws) I was released from the hospital after 2 days. My recovery went well as I did not experience much bleeding afterwards and my swelling was normal. Thankfully all of my follow up visits went accordingly.

 5.     After removing your braces. How is your life different than before you started treatment?

My mouth is no longer “crooked” and I do not bite the insides of my cheeks. I find myself smiling even more (if that is possible) and my confidence level (if you can believe this) is even higher. I can’t believe what an incredible journey these three years have been. I waited for the day my braces came off to see and feel what it would be like…..and it is more than I expected. Totally life changing!

Age 50

Height 5’ 11”

Weight 245 lbs on my 1/28/2013 surgery date

Weight 215 lbs on 1/12/2014, my interview date

We hear this question all the time. Tooth movement is your body’s natural response to light pressure applied by braces over a period of time, on an average of two years. Traditional orthodontic treatment works when we attach braces and brackets onto your teeth; these brackets have small slots, and that is where we insert orthodontic wires when you first get your braces on, as well as your subsequent adjustment visits. These wires are held in place by small elastic ties that fit around the brackets. As time passes during your treatment, these wires apply pressure on your teeth, which sets in motion the movement of your teeth into their desired positions. Each of your teeth has a different size and shape, and so do the brackets. Each bracket is custom-made for the particular tooth on which it’s supposed to fit.

Not long ago, orthodontists had a single option—stainless steel wires–and that was about it. Today, however, we have a number of different high-tech wires at our disposal to move your teeth faster and more comfortably.

When you first get your braces, the first wire or two will typically be very flexible, but still strong enough to apply a constant force on your teeth. As your teeth straighten out over time, however, you will notice we will use progressively thicker and firmer wires to help move your teeth in place for an ideal bite.

Each time you visit our office for an adjustment, we will swap out the wires in order to keep putting the right amount of pressure on your teeth, which is why it’s so important for you to keep your adjustment visits during your treatment. Most adjustment appointments are scheduled four to eight weeks apart to give your teeth time to move at a steady pace and allow us to assess progress and ensure we keep your treatment plan on track.

As for rubber bands and elastics? Most of our patients will need to wear elastics or rubber bands at some point during their treatment. These elastics are typically placed from one or more of the upper braces to one or more of the lower braces, pulling on your teeth to move them in the direction they need to move in order to achieve an optimal bite and a beautiful smile.

If you have any questions about wires, brackets, or elastics, or have any general questions about your orthodontic treatment, please give us a call or ask us during your next adjustment visit!