It’s easy to understand that braces can cause a patient’s teeth to change—that’s often the entire point of the treatment! What isn’t talked about as often is how orthodontic care affects the gums. Swollen gums are fairly common for people with braces. This can be temporary, or it can sometimes be permanent. After their braces come off, many patients choose... read more »
About 10 million Americans are currently dealing with a TMJ disorder, which can include unpleasant symptoms like chronic jaw pain, teeth grinding, headaches/migraines, and even lockjaw. There are many non-invasive ways to treat this condition, but one that isn’t discussed often is Invisalign. While it’s well known that the clear aligners can greatly enhance the appearance of the smile, for... read more »
It’s easy to think that Invisalign is all about aesthetics. The treatment is designed to be much more image-friendly than braces, and it’s ideal for making cosmetic changes to the alignment of the teeth to create a stunning smile. But fortunately for patients with malocclusion (a crooked bite), Invisalign is often a viable solution as well. How does this work?... read more »
As a parent, you never have a problem spotting your child, even if they are in a crowd or are running around a playground filled with other kids. In your eyes, they stick out for all sorts of wonderful reasons. While a unique personality is always a good thing, it’s not so positive when a single tooth sticks out in... read more »
While the COVID pandemic certainly isn’t over, no matter how you look at it, it’s certainly winding down here in the US. New cases are down, vaccinations are easily available, restaurants and businesses are opening up, and people are generally starting to get back to what used to be normal. However, one thing that definitely isn’t going away for a... read more »
It’s no secret that childhood orthodontic treatment can be quite costly, but many parents believe they have figured out a way to help their child get the care they need while also protecting their budget—instead of putting braces on all of the teeth, why not just apply them to one row? Let the orthodontist pick whichever arch needs more help,... read more »
Even though Invisalign allows people to straighten their teeth discreetly and comfortably, patients still want the treatment to go as fast as possible so they can finish and show off their new smiles! This is completely understandable, but there are a few obstacles that can pop up along the way and cause annoying delays. Thankfully, we’re going to cover them... read more »
Ever since clear aligners were introduced as a viable alternative to metal braces, they have appealed to patients of all ages. For children, they are perfect for the era of social media and can help someone maintain their self-confidence while at school. And for adults, aligners allow them to enhance their smiles without their friends and coworkers noticing their treatment.... read more »
There is a term that is often used in our office, though you’ll never hear a team member at Shirck Orthodontics say it: “buck teeth.” Our patients and parents use it to refer to upper front teeth that obviously stick out, somewhat similar to a beaver. In addition to aesthetic concerns, buck teeth can also cause all sorts of oral... read more »
For decades, if a person needed to straighten their teeth, the only way was with traditional metal braces. Now, however, there are more options than ever, allowing people to achieve their ideal smiles without having to wear noticeable brackets and wires. In today’s blog, a Westerville orthodontist discusses some of the most popular ways to fix crooked teeth that do... read more »
