Shirck Orthodontics Blog

Hello Shirck Orthodontics Family! Obviously, this is a unique time in all of our lives, and most especially for dental and orthodontic offices alike. Our goal is to minimize having patients enter our Powell office for the next three weeks (as is also recommended by the American Dental Association) to help do our part to “Flatten the Curve” of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We are still open to handle emergency appointments where patients are in pain and need to be made comfortable. However, many orthodontic emergencies in Powell can actually be handled at home by utilizing a few common items (floss, tweezers, a pencil eraser, and nail clippers). This blog will provide a short guide for our patients and parents so they can solve minor problems on their own while we wait for this pandemic to slow down and dental offices to reopen. (more…)

Dear Shirck Orthodontics Family,
As you know, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, our orthodontic office is currently closed. We sent out an instruction sheet about how to handle orthodontic emergencies, but there are other questions that we wanted to answer. Please read through these FAQs below to gain some comfort at this time. While our office is temporarily closed to all non-emergency appointments, it’s important that you all know we are still here to support you, answer your questions, and will certainly be here to continue your path to a beautiful smile once dental offices are allowed to open. Be safe, stay inside when possible, and we will all get through this together! (more…)

When you hear the phrase “orthodontic headgear,” what image comes to mind? Unless you had headgear yourself or knew someone who did growing up, your only reference likely comes from movies, in which case the appliance is always massive, unwieldy, and basically a joke. In reality, orthodontic headgear is still very much in use, and fortunately, it enables many patients to achieve a straight and attractive smile that they couldn’t get otherwise. What is the purpose of headgear? Is it common? Will your child need it? Your orthodontist in Powell answers all of these questions and more in today’s blog. (more…)

When most people hear the word “orthodontics,” their minds immediately think about teeth being straightened, and this is completely understandable. However, your orthodontist in Powell is able to accomplish much more than simply putting the teeth in the right positions. Using an appliance called a palatal expander, they can not only correct the alignment of the upper teeth, but address and prevent several other problems as well. What could a palatal expander do for your child’s smile? You can learn more about them by reading on below! (more…)

Living with braces can be quite the hassle if you don’t know what you’re doing, but thankfully, this short braces survival guide from your orthodontist in Powell will show you how to make your treatment quickly fly by without any bumps along the way. A few minor adjustments can make a huge difference on the road to a gorgeous smile, and below, you’ll find exactly what you need so you can go through your life without having to stress about you or your child’s braces. (more…)

The only thing worse than actually having bad breath yourself is being stuck with someone who does, and this is a dilemma many parents with children who have braces find themselves in. Braces often cause food particles and bacteria to become trapped within the mouth, which can quickly turn into a source for less than desirable odors. Thankfully, bad breath isn’t a guarantee with braces. Using a few simple tips from your orthodontist in Powell, your child will enjoy minty fresh breath all the way until their treatment ends and their newly straightened smile is revealed. (more…)

When a person finishes treatment with braces, they usually can’t wait to see their newly aligned smile. As they are getting their brackets and wires taken off, their anticipation grows, and it peaks as their orthodontist hands them a mirror. As you can imagine, the absolute last thing anyone wants to see is stained, yellow teeth, but this can happen quite often because braces make daily oral hygiene a little more complicated. Thankfully, “braces stain” is easily preventable! Below, your orthodontist in Powell shares 4 simple tips to keep you or your child’s teeth sparkling white while wearing braces so that big day is nothing but positive. (more…)

It’s a brand new year, which means you have a blank slate and plenty of time to achieve your goals ahead of you, whether they be personal, professional, or both! Many people are putting their new year’s resolutions into action, and a simple one you can start doing right now is smiling more! According to Psychology Today, smiling can do much more than simply make you look happy—it’s been proven to have numerous physical and mental health benefits as well! Below, your orthodontist in Powell shares 5 excellent reasons why you should be smiling throughout 2020. (more…)

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to recognize those people who matter most and say “Thank You” for all the richness they add to your life. At Shirck Orthodontics, your orthodontist in Powell has plenty of people to thank for making 2019 truly spectacular, and we’re going to highlight them all in today’s blog! We just love showing our appreciation, and if you’re reading this, you’re guaranteed to find a few kind words aimed directly at you. (more…)

When your teen got Invisalign, you were thrilled…initially. The idea of your child being able to straighten their teeth without having to deal with the appearance of metal braces sounded like a win-win for everyone, but unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as planned. Your teen, like many others, didn’t actually follow through and wear their aligners, so as a result, they still have some misalignment in their teeth. So, what should you do now? Have your child try Invisalign again, or get them metal braces to make sure it works? Fortunately, at Shirck Orthodontics, we have an ideal alternative: clear braces in Powell. This treatment combines the best parts of Invisalign and braces to deliver fantastic results and a smooth experience for both parent and child. (more…)