Getting A “Perfect 10” Smile Is Easier Than You Think

This post originally appeared in the Albany Times Union.

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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.

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Important Information from Adirondack Orthodontics During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

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

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Adirondack Orthodontics Opens Its Fifth Location On Broad Street In Glens Falls

This post originally appeared in the Saratoga Business Journal on October 15th. Written by Jennifer Farnsworth.

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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.

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The Health Benefits of Braces

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!

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