January 25th, 2011
If you recently completed treatment at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Rooney will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Rooney is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.
To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Rooney, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!
January 19th, 2011
"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist that serves the greater Mahopac NY area, Dr. Rooney started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Rooney decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.
Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).
Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?
January 13th, 2011
We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.
Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!
Here’s why:
• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!
What can you do about it?
Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Rooney or visit the article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.
Good luck!
Your friends at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics
January 4th, 2011
Sleep disorders are fairly common, with around 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder, and some of these progressing to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems.
Those under the age of 4 (large tonsils) and those between the ages of 55 to 59 are the most susceptible to sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms, and as it worsens it can lead to full airway blockage while you sleep, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.
Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that if left untreated can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. It can also take a toll on your overall energy level, as sleep apnea causes an ongoing state of fatigue.
There are several different approaches to sleep apnea treatment, including:
• Surgery to the jaws or airway tissue to open the airway. This is typically only used in the most severe cases.
• Continuous airway pressure therapy which involves a mask and machine (CPAP machine) to keep your throat muscles and tissue open while sleeping
• Oral appliance therapy, a less intrusive method involving a customized oral device that positions your jaw in a favorable position to keep your airway open while you sleep.
If you suspect that you may suffer from a sleep disorder or sleep apnea, give Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics a call and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist.
-- Dr. Rooney and Team
If you recently completed treatment at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Rooney will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Rooney is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.
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