This post originally appeared in the Albany Times Union.
Do you cover your mouth when you laugh? Do you avoid smiling in photographs because you’re embarrassed about the way you look? Do you avoid smiling most of the time?
Anyone who has misaligned teeth knows the deep psychological and social impact it can have. You feel unattractive, which damages your self-esteem. Some people even avoid parties and other social events because they’re self-conscious about the way they look.
With orthodontic treatment, it’s possible to turn this situation around. And despite common assumptions, it’s not a lengthy process. And it’s more affordable than you think.
No matter your age, here’s how you can have a perfectly straight set of pearly whites that you can show off for a lifetime.
The metal mouth myth
You don’t have to get a mouthful of metal brackets to straighten your teeth. This misconception often keeps people from pursuing the beautiful smile they want.
Technology has improved dramatically over the years, allowing for faster, more efficient treatment and a wider range of braces. During your first orthodontic visit, the doctor will ask about your goals, your concerns, and your lifestyle. From there, he can recommend an appliance that best suits your needs.
If you decide to go the traditional route, know that metal braces have become sleeker and more comfortable. Orthodontists also have the option of using clear ceramic braces and products such as Invisalign.
If you’ve had braces or other dental work in the past, you may remember the orthodontist packing your mouth full of goop to get an impression of your mouth and bite. Today, orthodontists use digital scanners to get an accurate impression. No more goop!
Adirondack Orthodontics, for example, uses iTero Scanners to take 3D images of your teeth and bite. The technology provides improved diagnostic information and eliminates molds (e.g., goop). The procedure more comfortable and you and your dentist can see your teeth in 3D.
Perfect smile options
What’s the best time to correct your smile? As early as possible.
Even if your child still has baby teeth, she can still start treatment for a perfect smile. Not all children need early treatment, but an orthodontist can determine whether your child’s dental environment is developing normally.
If your child does need treatment, it can begin as early as age six or seven. At this age, the jaw is still growing, which makes it easier to address issues such as crowding.
Two of the most important issues to address early are crossbites (tooth or teeth point inward) and protruding front teeth. Crossbites can cause jawbones to grow unevenly while protruding front teeth risk fracture or injury.
An orthodontist can correct these and other issues relatively easily with the following treatments:
- Dental modification – to regain lost space from premature tooth loss or maintain space from premature baby tooth loss.
- Elimination of habits – tongue thrusting and thumb-sucking, for example.
- Skeletal modification – crossbite correction, underbite correction, and excessive overjet correction.
Comprehensive Treatment
Teenagers and adults can receive comprehensive treatment, which often means some type of braces. Metal braces are the most common type of braces because they correct a wide range of issues, including:
- Over/underbites
- Crooked teeth
- Improperly aligned teeth
- Gapped teeth
During the installation procedure, an orthodontist applies brackets to your teeth’s surface. Metal wires connect the brackets. Over time, continuous pressure from the tightened wires moves teeth into position.
The metal braces of today are smaller and lighter than before. Teens can even get colored ties to suit their fun personality.
Clear braces work much like metal braces. Instead of metal brackets, however, the orthodontist uses clear porcelain or ceramic.
Adults and teens alike appreciate the discrete nature of clear braces. They’re not invisible, but they’re less obvious than metal.
Clear aligners have become a popular perfect-smile option for teens and adults alike. Invisalign is the most common and recognized brand, currently treating more than 2.5 million patients worldwide.
Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a sequence of clear retainer-like aligners that fit over the teeth. Over time, the appliances move teeth to their optimal positions.
You need to wear the aligner 22 hours a day, taking them out only for meals and to brush your teeth. Teen aligners have blue compliance indicators to make sure they’re wearing them enough.
Like regular braces, you’ll schedule checkups every six to eight weeks. The average treatment time is only one year.
How Adirondack Orthodontics can help
Ready to start smiling again? Visit Adirondack Orthodontics, with offices in Albany, Clifton Park, East Greenbush, Glens Falls, and Latham, New York.
Adirondack Orthodontics offers a wide range of treatment options for kids, teens, and adults. Led by Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn, Adirondack Orthodontics combines advanced technology with friendly service to create healthy smiles daily.
Flu Season Meets Coronavirus (COVID-19):
Here’s How Adirondack Orthodontics is Keeping You Safe
Last Updated on 10/22/20
The fall foliage is dazzling, the mums and pumpkins are cheerful, and the cider donuts are delicious. Autumn is a wonderful time of year in the Capital Region, and we hope you and your family are enjoying all it has to offer.
At the same time, we know that winter is right around the corner, and with it comes colder temperatures, ice and snow, and cold and flu season. This year, as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presses on, it is more important than ever to protect ourselves from the spread of contagious illness.
At Adirondack Orthodontics, we want to reassure you that the health and safety of our patients and families, as well as our staff and their families, is always our highest priority. As you know, we have taken significant steps to provide a safe environment for care and treatment. Now, with the combination of COVID and flu season, we are reinforcing and strengthening our commitment to doing everything possible to keep you safe:
- Members of our professional team, including both administrative and clinical staff, are receiving flu vaccinations. We highly recommend and encourage all patients and families to get flu shots, as well.
- We have purchased and installed upgraded air purification systems in each of our offices to ensure the air is continuously filtered and cleaned throughout the day.
- We continue to screen all patients as they arrive at the office for treatment, and to ask that any patient experiencing symptoms call to reschedule their appointment.
- With the arrival of flu season, we are doing even more to minimize the traffic in our offices. This includes scheduling additional time between appointments, and asking parents/guardians to help us by checking their children in and then waiting in the car until treatment is completed. Our goal is to keep the waiting room as empty as possible at all times.
As a reminder, we have not, and will not, institute or increase any patient fees to cover costs associated with enhanced COVID-19 protocols, which are listed in more detail below. We consider this to be our responsibility as a healthcare provider, and we take it seriously.
It is difficult to put into words how much your cooperation, support and encouragement have meant to us during this challenging time. We are extremely fortunate to care for you, your amazing children and families, and privileged to be part of your journey to a beautiful, healthy smile.
Thank you for your trust, confidence and friendship, and we look forward to seeing you and your family soon!
Yours in Good Health,
Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn
This post originally appeared in the Saratoga Business Journal on October 15th. Written by Jennifer Farnsworth.
Opening a fifth location seemed like a natural progression for Adirondack Orthodontics, a locally owned and operated orthodontic practice that serves patients across the Capital Region.
The newest office at 88 Broad St. in Glens Falls is now part of the largest locally owned and operated practices in the Capital District region.
As the founder of the practice, Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn said he had many patients travelling from northern Saratoga and Warren counties down to his Clifton Park office. Opening up a spot that was closer for those travelling south down the Northway for care seemed like an obvious decision to make.
“I knew we already had a client base in that area and I knew going to Glens Falls would not only make it easier for those patients but it would also allow for us to bring in new patients in the more northern areas,” said Berenshteyn.
Berenshteyn said the new location needed some renovations but nothing major. The office is part of a suite that opened up and was recommended to him by a friend who was already there practicing pediatric dentistry.
“The opportunity for the perfect location opened up and so we were confident that it would be a good match. We are thrilled to offer caring and compassionate orthodontic treatment to children, adults and families in the Glens Falls area,” he said.
The March shutdown of orthodontic practices due to COVID-19 was something that Berenshteyn used as an opportunity to research the opening of a fifth location, as well as how to safely be able to provide care to his patients once the closure ended.
“Luckily in dentistry we already have so many safety protocols in place so we felt confident in our ability to provide care in a safe way. Through a number of safety controls, staff training, adding purifiers and filters, and restructuring the number of patients we have in the office at a time, we feel confident in our ability to provide safe care,” he said.
Berenshteyn credits some of his success to his philosophy of providing individualized personal care when assessing each patient. He said this is the best way, he believes, to develop a unique personal health and aesthetic plan.
He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine. He completed an additional year of general practice residency, followed by two years of post-graduate orthodontic training at the University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan.
Adirondack Orthodontics has other offices in Albany, Latham, East Greenbush and Clifton Park. The Glens Falls office can be reached at (518) 631-9771.
For most people, the decision to wear braces is related to aesthetics. Who wouldn’t want a beautiful smile with straight teeth that can be shown off proudly?
It’s important to know that braces also provide a host of additional benefits – including improved health – both in the short term and for years to come.
Improved Daily Care
Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to brush and floss, and effective dental hygiene habits decrease the risk of tooth decay, bone erosion, cavities, periodontal disease, and other issues. Nothing is better for your oral health than proper daily care, and braces are a great way to make that care easier than ever.
Speaking With Ease
Extremely misaligned and gapped teeth can make it difficult to speak clearly. Once your teeth are straightened, the associated speech difficulties will be lessened dramatically or removed altogether.
Enhanced Digestion
You’ve probably heard that each bite of food should be chewed 10, 15, or 20 times before swallowing to make it easier for your body to digest. So, if uneven teeth are causing difficulties with chewing, it may also impact your digestion. As braces straighten your teeth, you’ll be able to chew food properly so your body can break it down efficiently.
Increased Confidence
In addition to the physical benefits, braces have also been shown to increase confidence. If you’ve had crooked teeth, you may have tried to hide your smile in photos and in front of friends. A straight, beautiful smile can give your self-esteem a boost.
There’s no question that braces offer far-reaching advantages. If you have problems speaking, chewing, brushing or flossing, or if you’re embarrassed by your smile, call us at Adirondack Orthodontics and schedule your complimentary consultation today. We’d love to help you enjoy the functional, attractive smile you’ve always wanted!
The numbers don’t lie! We’re honored to have been named to the Times Union’s 2020 “Best of the Capital Region” list in the best dentist/orthodontist category. Thank you to all of our fabulous patients and wonderful families who helped make this possible.
For years, Adirondack Orthodontics has helped residents of the Capital Region attain their goal of having an incredible smile. With five locations in Albany, Glens Falls, Latham, East Greenbush, and Clifton Park, we help ensure the entire region has the service that they deserve. Because of the best patients, best families, and the best staff, Adirondack Orthodontics is a great place to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile!
If you’ve dreamed of straightening your smile, improving your health, and raising your self-esteem, now is a great time to get started. Why? With a number of advantages well-suited to the current environment, Invisalign is the perfect choice for treatment.
Fewer office visits, with continued monitoring
Start with fewer visits to the office. During the course of orthodontic treatment, an Invisalign patient will typically make 4 to 8 office visits, as compared to 12 to 18 visits for those with traditional braces. If you’re concerned about being out in public during the COVID-19 pandemic, Invisalign is a great way to minimize the time you spend in the office.
Importantly, even though you’ll make fewer office visits, you’ll continue to be monitored regularly by a doctor. With Invisalign, virtual appointments work well in between office visits as a way to track progress and adjust treatment, if needed.
Doctor-directed care, a faster process
By working with an educated, trained and skilled orthodontist, a patient is receiving doctor-designed and directed care. This approach is far superior to do-it-yourself treatment, which includes only token participation by a professional. You wouldn’t trust your physical health to an online provider; why would you consider it with something as important as your oral health?
In addition, Invisalign can often help you achieve your goals fastest. As compared to traditional braces, Invisalign has at most the same treatment duration, and in many cases, can successfully conclude the process faster.
Keep in mind, traditional braces remain an absolutely safe and effective way to straighten teeth. Since reopening in June, our offices are following all applicable health protocols to ensure appointments are conducted safely, and we have had no issues with in-office treatment. Still, we know some patients want to limit outside exposure, and if that’s you, Invisalign is a great alternative.
The Invisalign advantage
Adirondack Orthodontics is one of the Capital Region’s leading providers of Invisalign treatment, and if you’re interested, we’d love to talk to you. We invite you to learn more about Invisalign by clicking here, or to set up a complimentary consultation by calling us at (518) 512-3001 or contacting us online. We look forward to seeing you soon!
This post originally appeared in the September/October 2020 Capital Region Living Magazine. Written by Beth Krueger.
Remember when your dentist’s office would call you before an appointment, reminding you to arrive on a predetermined date and time with your insurance card in hand? On that date, you would’ve taken a seat in the busy waiting room next to other patients. Now because of the COVID-19 crisis, that process is no more. So, what are dental appointments like nowadays?
Luckily, dental professionals who work in offices or clinics are trained in infection-control protocols (such as sterilizing equipment, sanitizing surfaces, and changing disposable items) anyway, so they were a step ahead of the game when COVID hit. Of course, additional procedures have since been put in place to protect both the onsite dental team and its patients. In New York State, for example, dental offices could only perform emergency care at the outset of the pandemic but were then authorized to fully reopen on June 1.
“Dentists have a long history of infection control and take extreme care to assure the safety of patients, doctors, and staff,” says New York State Dental Association Executive Director Mark J. Feldman. “With the experience, knowledge, and equipment gained over the past several months, dentists are well-prepared to safely serve their patients. We encourage you to visit your dentist, as your oral health is vital to your overall health.”
Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn, owner of Adirondack Orthodontics—which has offices in Albany, Latham, Clifton Park, East Greenbush, and Glens Falls—notes that his dental service “has always adhered to all relevant infection control protocols and procedures and required all clinical staff to do the same. Out of an abundance of caution and in keeping the health and safety of our patients and staff first and foremost, we have further expanded those efforts during the pandemic.”
Whereas that call you used to get before your appointment may have asked you if there were any updates to your medical history since your last visit, these days you might be asked questions about your current health, whether you’ve been exposed to (or tested for) the COVID-19 virus or if you’ve taken any recent trips. You also may be reminded to wear a mask while in the office except (obviously) during your dental procedure. The office may even ask you to call when you arrive in the parking lot, so it can limit the number of patients it has onsite at one time.
Now, imagine that you’re in your dental office. It’s entirely possible that you could be asked to use the available hand sanitizer as you enter, have your temperature taken, or review any pre-visit questions. You could also be handed paperwork on a clipboard, along with a sanitized pen, that you either take with you or deposit in a cup after use. Those magazines, toys, and other items you might’ve handled months ago in the waiting room? They’re likely all gone. And there might also be fewer chairs or some space cordoned off between chairs to promote social distancing. The dental team itself could be wearing different masks, face shields, and gowns, depending on what procedure you’re in for. “We are scheduling additional time between appointments to minimize the number of patients in the office at any one time, and we ask that child patients be accompanied by only one parent or guardian,” says Dr. Berenshteyn. “We require all patients and family members coming into the office to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines, and our waiting areas are closed to maintain proper social distancing. Parents and guardians check-in at the reception desk with their child, make any payments due and schedule upcoming appointments, and then return to their cars during treatment. We call them when treatment is complete to return and pick up their child.”
Adirondack Orthodontics also conducts daily temperature and health checks of both administrative and clinical staff and requires all staff to wear protective gear, including masks and gloves, in accordance with local, state, and federal health guidelines. Treatment chairs in the operatory have been set to ensure social distancing. Cleaning is done between appointments, and the office is thoroughly disinfected, as per appropriate guidelines.
So, the next time you make an appointment to go see your dentist, know that the process will be a little bit different, but you’ll get the same great care you always did. And that’s a reason to smile.
This article originally was posted in the Albany Business Journal
Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn had plans to open a fifth Adirondack Orthodontics office in Glens Falls. But when he had to temporarily close his four offices and furlough staff in mid-March, he put those plans on hold.
Now that he’s reopened his offices and brought back all staff, he’s moving forward with the plans.
Berenshteyn this Thursday is opening a new office in Glens Falls at 88 Broad St. The practice will have a suite of about 3,500 square feet in the building owned by Glens Falls Pediatric Consultants.
“I was always optimistic that things would recover, but I was a little bit concerned. But for now, we are recovering. June and July were good months,” Berenshteyn said. “Now that we’re reopened, I’m still optimistic, and I decided to keep going with my plans.”
Berenshteyn, a 40 Under 40 honoree in 2019, opened his fourth office in mid-January in East Greenbush. The other offices are in Latham, Guilderland and Clifton Park.
He’s already hired two clinical staff for the location. And a third orthodontist started about a month ago, allowing the practice to further open scheduling availability.
Existing patients are still regularly getting the checkups they need. At this point, new patient flow is down by about 15%-20%.
“I was concerned with what the patients’ attitudes may be once we reopened. We took a lot of precautions to make our patients feel comfortable and keep our patients and our staff safe.”
An expanded schedule has allowed more people to receive services, he said, especially now that many are working or attending school remotely.
“People actually have the time right now to come see an orthodontist. I think this is one of the reasons we’ve been able to bounce back.”
After investing in your straight, healthy smile, it makes sense to do everything you can to keep it. Retention is just as important as the rest of the process, and this is what a retainer is for. Your retainer is made specifically for you, custom-designed to fit your teeth exactly and keep them in the desired position. Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, wearing your retainer at night, and keeping it clean and cared for, is essential to preventing your teeth from moving.
Occasional wear and tear is normal, as is outgrowing a retainer. No matter the circumstances you find yourself in, the team at Adirondack Orthodontics will be there to help keep you on track.
Has your retainer worn out?
Retainers can last for many years, but wear and tear does occur. If you wear your retainer every night and it still fits you, we can easily create a duplicate retainer.
Does your retainer no longer fit, but you’re still happy with your smile?
Maybe you’ve forgotten to wear your retainer a few too many times. If this is the case, your teeth may have moved. While this is not ideal, we can create a new retainer that fits your mouth. Please don’t attempt to use your current retainer if it doesn’t fit; it’s better to simply have us create a new retainer that suits the current shape of your mouth.
Does your retainer no longer fit, and is your smile not as straight and even as you’d like it to be?
Failing to wear a retainer for a long time may mean that you need help getting your teeth back to where they were. If you have an extreme overbite or underbite once again, or if your teeth are crooked, you may need to schedule an appointment to reevaluate your treatment plan. Fortunately, you probably won’t be starting from scratch.
While we always recommend faithfully wearing your retainer once your treatment is complete, we are here to help with fixing your retainer or recommending the services you need to achieve a beautiful smile once again.
Contact Adirondack Orthodontics for assistance with all of your retainer and orthodontic needs; we would be delighted to tell you more and help you begin or continue your journey to the smile you’ve always wanted.
Adirondack Orthodontics, a locally owned and operated orthodontic practice that serves thousands of Capital Region patients and families, today announced that Dr. Garrison Copeland has joined its growing team of skilled, caring, and compassionate orthodontists.
Dr. Copeland previously practiced orthodontics for seven years in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was responsible for helping more than 3,000 patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. For the past two years, he chose to continue his training at BronxCare Health Systems, where he focused on cosmetic and implant dentistry and was named chief resident. This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he volunteered in the hospital’s Family Medicine Department, assisting COVID-19 patients with treatment and recovery.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Copeland to our talented and caring professional team,” said Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn, who founded the practice in 2012. “Garrison’s exceptional skills as an orthodontist, combined with his commitment to providing personalized and compassionate care, make him a perfect fit with Adirondack Orthodontics. As a practice that is proud to be locally owned and operated, we look forward to enhancing our mission of helping children and adults in our community lead healthier, more confident, and more fulfilling lives.”
Growing up with severely misaligned teeth, Dr. Copeland understood at an early age the significance of having a healthy and aesthetic smile. Determined to help others facing similar circumstances, he pursued a career in orthodontics. Dr. Copeland earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Howard University in Washington, DC and upon graduating was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. He completed post-graduate orthodontic training at Case Western Reserve University in Chicago, Illinois.
One of the Capital Region’s largest locally owned and operated orthodontic practices, Adirondack Orthodontics serves more than 2,000 patients annually. Dr. Copeland joins Dr. Berenshteyn, Dr. Larissa Takhalova, and a staff of 15 working at offices in Albany, Latham, East Greenbush, and Clifton Park.
Adirondack Orthodontics’ state-of-the-art facilities include the latest high-tech equipment, such as the iTero Intraoral Scanner, which replaces alginate molds with digital impressions. Its patient-friendly benefits include participation with most major insurances; flexible in-office payment plans; paperless communication; and the ability to receive treatment at any of its four locations. Adirondack Orthodontics is open and staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers evening hours, and one Saturday each month.