Get the Smile You Want in 2021
Think back to the beginning of 2020 and everything that was on your list of resolutions. It doesn’t require much reflection to realize that what you accomplished may look very different from what you had planned.
For many people, 2020 forced us to think about what’s essential. As you take a moment to appreciate all you did to get through the year, remember to focus on what’s truly important: the physical health and emotional well-being of you and your loved ones.
Start Fresh in 2021
As you make your New Year’s resolutions this time around, pledge to put your health at the top of the list. At Adirondack Orthodontics, we know that the appearance and condition of your teeth directly affect your overall health and self-confidence. We can get 2021 off to a great start by putting together a plan to help you achieve the beautiful, healthy smile you’ve always wanted.
January is the perfect time to start, either with braces or Invisalign. This is the time of year when your available insurance benefits are at their highest. Similarly, your FSA/HSA account is full, meaning you can decide exactly how you want to spend it and make the most of your money.
Our caring, compassionate, and professional team is here to assist you in understanding the services you’ll need to correct an underbite, overbite, missing teeth, overcrowded teeth, and more. After a complimentary examination and assessment, we’ll even help you plan out the payments so they stay within your budget.
Love Your Smile, Love Your Experience
No matter what type of orthodontic treatment is right for you, Adirondack Orthodontics provides the Capital Region’s top-rated services, and we’re ready to begin when you are. Use our handy treatment planner to get started or contact us to speak with someone in person. We look forward to giving you the best experience possible and ensuring you have something to smile about in 2021!
Here’s a great way to get 2021 off on the right foot: be sure to maximize the use of your flexible spending account (FSA) before the new year starts! The last day to incur expenses with your 2020 FSA is December 31, 2020 – so if you currently have money in your FSA, you need to move quickly to ensure you put it to good use. At Adirondack Orthodontics, we can help you put those dollars to work, while also putting a plan in place to ensure affordable orthodontic treatment using your FSA in 2021.
If you already have an FSA, you know money in that account is set aside for medical costs within the calendar year. This money is generally provisioned on a “use it or lose it” basis, which means it doesn’t roll over to the following year and should be used in its entirety. No matter how much money you have remaining in your FSA, our team can help you make the most of it by funding an ongoing or new orthodontic treatment.
Adirondack Orthodontics is known for working with patients to ensure they receive the orthodontic solutions they need while staying within their budgets. In addition to directing your FSA toward the cost of orthodontic treatment, you can always take advantage of discounts and offers we provide to make treatment even more affordable.
Whether you’re a current patient or getting ready to begin your journey, Adirondack Orthodontics is here to make sure you realize your dream of achieving a beautiful and healthy smile. Call us today to schedule a consultation, or request an appointment through our website, and let us put you on the path to success. We’re certain you’ll Love Your Smile and Love Your Experience!
Misalignment in a child’s teeth may seem like a normal occurrence, but it is often a sign of things to come. Baby teeth that are misaligned, improperly spaced, or overly crowded create a path for permanent teeth to follow suit. Ensuring that you are setting your child up for a beautiful, healthy smile starts when they are young.
In the past, orthodontic treatment wouldn’t begin until all of the patient’s permanent teeth were properly in place. The belief was that orthodontic appliances would need to be adjusted too often to account for non-permanent teeth that would eventually fall out. Advances in orthodontic technology now encourage a two-phase treatment plan that emphasizes starting realignment at an earlier age, sometimes as young as six or seven years old.
Warning Signs
If your child’s smile has significant crowding, misalignment, or demonstrates functional issues with their teeth, they may be a candidate for Phase One treatment. Children who have habits that may affect their dental development, such as sucking their thumb, are more likely to require orthodontic treatment.
The Benefits of Starting Orthodontic Treatment Early
Ignoring issues with your child’s smile can be costly, in terms of both time and money. It’s bad enough to go without a smile they are proud to show off but even worse, foregoing treatment often leads to additional, more serious problems down the road. Baby teeth carve the path through which permanent teeth erupt, so putting off treatment until permanent teeth come in all but assure they will have significant alignment issues that need to be treated.
Phase One treatment can mitigate many problems; in some scenarios, it can actually prevent invasive procedures, such as extractions. And while a Phase Two treatment plan, or what many consider traditional treatment, is often necessary, the complexity is typically reduced by ensuring your child’s teeth are set on a path to align properly at a young age.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Giving your child a smile they’ll love is one of the best things you can do for them. Adirondack Orthodontics is proud to offer free consultations for children to see if they are a candidate for Phase One orthodontics. No referral is necessary, and our consultations are quick (about 20 minutes) and painless. Contact us today and we can let you know if an early orthodontic treatment plan is right for your child.
Adirondack Orthodontics is committed to providing a safe, effective, affordable, and pleasant experience for every patient. We look forward to meeting you and your child!
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.