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Braces 101 with Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics

March 23rd, 2011

If you ever sustain damage to your braces and need to call Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.

Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

Ask Dr. Rooney: Who benefits from Lingual Braces?

March 16th, 2011

Dr. Sean Rooney is pleased to offer our patients Lingual Braces. We wanted to discuss today a few of the unique benefits of this new orthodontic treatment. To begin, Lingual Braces are placed behind your teeth, rather than in a visible area. Because of this, no one will ever know that you are wearing braces! These unique type of braces are created using state-of-the-art technology and are entirely customized to the shape of your teeth. Hence, you can improve your smile efficiently and effectively in a discreet new way.

Who especially benefits from Lingual Braces?

• Athletes
• Models
• Actors
• Musicians, especially those who play wind instruments
• Adult professionals

For more information on Lingual Braces and treatment options at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, please give us a call today to schedule your consultation!

Access your account any time at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics

March 9th, 2011


At Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Mahopac.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? Through our Patient Login feature, which is located in the upper right hand corner of our website, you can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email!

Feel free to give our office a call if you have any questions about accessing your account online.

- Dr. Rooney and team

Ask Dr. Rooney: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

March 3rd, 2011

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work, says Dr. Sean Rooney. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final aligned position. The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Rooney is a certified Invisalign provider in Mahopac, NY. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, please give us a call.

American Association of Orthodontists World Federation of Orthodontists American Board of Orthodontists American Dental Association American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Academy of Sports Dentistry Invisalign Invisalign ClearCorrect Straight 2 You