Shirck Orthodontics Blog

And just like that, 2021 is out the door—bring on 2022! People have likely started asking you about your New Year’s Resolution, and if you haven’t come up with one yet, we’re happy to share a few ideas! For people with braces or Invisalign, a few small changes in the coming year can make a big difference for how their treatment goes, so here are 5 resolutions to consider.

Whenever you see your smile, whether it’s in a picture or the mirror, do you always notice your gums much more than your teeth? Do they actually overshadow your teeth or make them look short and stubby by comparison? This is a very common problem that is simply called a “gummy smile,” and it can often be resolved by orthodontics. How does this work? Read on to find out as well as learn about more treatment options!

Roughly 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one permanent tooth (excluding the wisdom teeth), and suffice it to say, a large portion of that number is adults. And, it’s probably a safe guess that many of them would like to have straighter teeth. Do you fall into this group? If so, orthodontics is still a viable option, and not only that, but it can provide a long list of benefits for both your appearance and health. Here are just a few ways orthodontics can help you if you’re missing a tooth.

There are multiple reasons why a child might be missing a permanent tooth, but it’s important to know that this does NOT disqualify them from getting braces. Even those with an incomplete smile can benefit from orthodontics—there just might be some extra steps. How does this work? There are three standard options for parents to consider, and the best one really depends on their child’s situation.

Invisalign came to the U.S. in 1999, and since then, it has completely changed the way people think about orthodontics. Before this, orthodontics was primarily considered to be a treatment for teenagers, and very few adults chose to get braces even if they really wanted straighter teeth. Now, approximately 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults, and this is largely thanks to Invisalign making it easier for older patients to get treatment. The world has changed a lot since 1999, and so has Invisalign! Keep reading to learn how it has evolved over the decades and see why it’s still one of the best options available for creating healthy, beautiful smiles.

Modern-day braces and clear aligners are absolute marvels of technology. They’re able to solve a wide array of orthodontic issues precisely and beautifully for patients of all ages, but they are not the only methods your orthodontist can use to give you or your child a perfectly straight smile. Another approach they can take involves the use of TADs. What is a TAD? How does it work? Will you or your child need one during your orthodontic treatment? To get the answers to these questions and more, keep reading!

Do you have an HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) through your employer or a private plan? If so, then you can use it to help pay for orthodontic treatment, even if you don’t have dedicated dental coverage! Whether you’re considering braces for your child or Invisalign for yourself, using an HSA/FSA can make getting a straighter and healthier smile much more affordable.

Every single child’s smile is unique, and because of this, no two orthodontic treatments are the same as well. They can range from being simple to complex, and if you’re a parent with a child who might need braces or Invisalign, you likely want to know where their treatment will be on this spectrum. While only their orthodontist can make this distinction, here are a few factors that can determine how complicated your child’s care will be.

As a parent, one of your biggest concerns is making sure your child is as healthy as possible. That’s why you closely watch their diet, make sure they get enough sleep, bother them to get up and go outside every day, and so on. While there is plenty you can do on your own, you aren’t by yourself in this mission. With a little help from your dental insurance, you can get your child personalized orthodontic treatment, which offers all sorts of short and long-term benefits for their health. Read on to learn how using your dental insurance to cover your child’s orthodontics can do much more than give them a beautiful smile.

Just like braces and Invisalign, it’s important for patients to keep their retainers clean so they don’t encounter dental problems like cavities and gum disease during their orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, taking care of them is relatively simple if you know the right steps, which is exactly what you’ll find below!