Learn the truth about orthodontics in our blog.

Whenever we get new patients, we tend to hear the same sorts of misconceptions about braces and Invisalign from them, like the cost comparison or the speed of treatment. Today, we’d love to go over a few of the common myths about orthodontic treatment so you’re better informed and able to make the right decision about your own orthodontic care!

Myth: Only adults can use Invisalign

Fact: Invisalign can be used by children, teens, and adults alike! In fact, Invisalign even has a specific type of tray designed for patients who still have baby teeth and erupting teeth.

Myth: Invisalign is always faster than braces

Fact: Braces and Invisalign work at the same speed. The results you get and how fast you get them depend on factors like how faithfully you wear your aligners.

Myth: Invisalign is significantly more expensive than braces

Fact: Invisalign and braces can both be affordable, especially when you get orthodontic treatment from an office that takes most types of insurance and offers discounts like we do. A straight, healthy smile is an investment, but Invisalign isn’t vastly more expensive than braces.

Myth: All aligners are the same

Fact: You may have seen advertisements for DIY aligners, but don’t be fooled by them. Because the process isn’t overseen by an actual orthodontist, you could be putting your teeth and oral health at risk. In addition, many of these other aligner systems simply aren’t built the same, resulting in a lower level of comfort and more noticeable visibility.

Invisalign, provided by experienced orthodontists, is the most well-known and well-regarded option for good reason! At Adirondack Orthodontics, we take it a step further: we’re an Invisalign Diamond Provider, which puts us in the top 1% of providers.

Myth: You can’t play sports when you have braces

Fact: While you do need to wear a mouth guard to protect your braces and teeth, you can still play sports with braces. Wearing a mouthguard is a great idea for many athletes regardless of whether they’re currently undergoing orthodontic treatment or not.

Myth: You can’t enjoy your favorite foods during orthodontic treatment

Fact: While it’s true that traditional braces often require a diet change, Invisalign aligners have changed the game forever! Since Invisalign can be removed during meals, there is no need to change your food selection as you would with traditional braces.

We hope this blog post has been informative! If you have any further questions about braces or Invisalign or would like to schedule an appointment for yourself, feel free to give us a call. Adirondack Orthodontics proudly serves the Albany, Clifton Park, East Greenbush, Glens Falls, Latham, and Schenectady areas.

Learn how retainers maintain your smile long after orthodontic treatment

Congratulations! You’ve finally completed your journey with braces or Invisalign, and your smile is now beautifully aligned. It’s an exciting moment, one that marks the end of a transformative process. However, before you embark on this new chapter of life with your straightened teeth, there’s one crucial step you mustn’t overlook: wearing your retainers.

Retainers are often an afterthought, seen as a minor inconvenience after the main treatment. Yet, they help ensure your teeth maintain their new alignment over the long term. In this blog post, we’ll explore why retainers are so important and how they contribute to the lasting success of your orthodontic treatment.

What Is a Retainer?

A retainer is a dental appliance that’s customized to fit your mouth perfectly to keep your teeth in the correct positions. Once your treatment is finished, we will take a scan of your teeth to create your custom retainer. To maintain the smile that you worked so hard to achieve, you should wear your retainer each night. All retainers need to be replaced eventually, usually every 18 months.

Why Do I Need a Retainer?

Undergoing orthodontic treatment is a significant investment, both in terms of time and money. Whether you opted for traditional braces or Invisalign, you’ve dedicated months, or even years, to achieving a straighter smile. Retainers are the key to safeguarding this investment.

Our teeth have a natural tendency to shift back to their original positions. This is due to the constant pressure exerted by the lips, tongue, and facial muscles. Retainers help counteract this force by holding your teeth in their new positions while the surrounding bone and tissue stabilize.

In addition to preserving the alignment of your teeth, retainers also contribute to your overall oral health. When your teeth are properly aligned, it’s easier to practice positive oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing.

What Types of Retainers Are Available?

At Adirondack Orthodontics, we offer two types of retainers. One is made of metal with a colorful bite plate and is worn at night (the Hawley retainer), while the other is glued to the back of your teeth to be worn all the time (the lingual retainer). Both can be part of preserving your smile, but we strongly suggest a nightly retainer for all patients.

What Is the Smile Protection Program?

While your first set of retainers will be included in your treatment, we understand that it can be easy to forget to replace your retainer as often as you should. Our Smile Protection Program makes it easy to protect your teeth for life without breaking the bank. Enroll in this program, and replacement retainers will cost $35 per arch and will be shipped directly to your home. The only thing you’ll need to focus on is enjoying your healthy, perfect smile!

Protect Your Smile with a Retainer

When you undergo orthodontic treatment with us, a retainer is automatically part of the process. So, if you’d like to get your teeth properly aligned and keep them that way, turn to us! We proudly serve patients throughout Clifton Park, Albany, Latham, East Greenbush, Schenectady, and Glens Falls. We would be happy to provide you with a free initial consultation and tell you more about how we can help you achieve and keep your best smile. Schedule your first appointment today to get started!

Discover why early intervention can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles

While many of our patients achieve their perfect smiles as teens or adults, we have a treatment that’s just as helpful: early orthodontic treatment for kids. Children can be brought in as early as seven years old, when most kids still have a combination of baby and permanent teeth and problems can start to develop.  Our team will evaluate the health of their teeth and gums to see if they need treatment now.

Early intervention can address issues before they become severe, setting your child up for success and giving them a healthy smile for life. Take a look at the top three reasons to bring your child in for an evaluation and early treatment!

1. Identify Problems Early On

One of the primary advantages of early orthodontic treatment is the ability to intercept dental issues before they get worse. Overbites, underbites, crossbites, crowding, and protrusion are just a few common issues that can start to develop in young children. A comprehensive evaluation can help us identify these issues and address them by guiding the growth of the jaw and teeth into more favorable positions.

2. Reducing the Need for Extensive Treatment

Early intervention can often eliminate the need for more invasive and extensive orthodontic treatment later in life. By addressing issues during childhood, orthodontists can utilize a child’s growth and development to achieve optimal results with less intervention. This may ultimately reduce the need for braces or other orthodontic appliances in the future.

3. Improving Oral Health

Correcting dental misalignments early can significantly improve oral health outcomes for children. Crooked or crowded teeth can be challenging to clean properly, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. By aligning the teeth properly, early orthodontic treatment makes it easier for children to maintain good oral hygiene habits and reduces the risk of dental issues down the road.

4. Boosting Self-Esteem

Children can be particularly sensitive about their appearance, especially during their formative years. Correcting orthodontic issues early can prevent self-esteem issues associated with crooked or misaligned teeth. By improving the alignment of their teeth and smile, early orthodontic treatment can boost children’s confidence and help them feel more comfortable and self-assured in social settings.

5. Facilitating Proper Speech Development

Dental misalignments or jaw irregularities can sometimes affect speech development in children. Early orthodontic intervention can help address these issues, allowing children to speak more clearly and confidently. By aligning the teeth and jaw properly, orthodontists can promote optimal speech development and communication skills in children.

Contact Us to See If Your Child Is a Good Candidate

The team at Adirondack Orthodontics would love to help set your child up for success. We can provide a free initial exam to assess your child’s teeth and help you decide what treatments would be best for them, if any. We proudly serve patients throughout the Capital Region, including in Clifton Park, Albany, Latham, East Greenbush, Schenectady, and Glens Falls.

Call us today and give your child the healthy, confidence-boosting smile they deserve!

Explore the meaning behind our mission statement

If you’ve heard of Adirondack Orthodontics, you likely already know how much we care about patient experience. Maybe a friend or family member raved about their treatment with us, or maybe you discovered us through the Times Union’s Best Of awards. No matter how you became acquainted with our practice, you’ll know there’s something different about how we provide orthodontic treatment.

The difference can be summed up in our mission statement: “Love Your Smile, Love Your Experience.” Read on to find out more.

Love Your Smile

It may seem obvious, but you should love your smile when you finish treatment with us. The perfect smile should give you confidence, help you to chew and speak clearly, and above all, give you a reason to smile. Patients who undergo orthodontic treatment with us are proud to show off their smiles for photos, during job interviews, on the dating scene, and in everyday life.

Plus, we stand by our work so much that, once you’re done, your smile is 100% guaranteed, for life! The results of your treatment here will affect you not just today and tomorrow, but next year and for the rest of your life. Now that’s a worthwhile investment!

Love Your Experience

The team at Adirondack Orthodontics will go the extra mile to make sure you’re happy with your treatment here. Friendly service, flexible financing, plenty of payment options, convenient locations, and easy scheduling are just a few of the reasons that patients enjoy their experiences with us. We’ll even work with your insurance provider to make sure our services are covered under your policy!

Not only do we make your experience as stress-free as possible, but we also give you the confidence that you’re working with the best. The board-certified orthodontists on our team are proud to provide a personalized consultation and treatment plan for each and every patient. Plus, should you choose Invisalign as your treatment plan, you can rest easy knowing that we are in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the country.

The health of your teeth is essential to your well-being and confidence, so you’ll only want to work with an orthodontist you can truly trust. In the Capital Region, that’s Adirondack Orthodontics!

Start the Journey to Your Ideal Smile Today

If you want to learn for yourself how we put our mission statement into practice every day, contact our office to schedule your free consultation. We proudly serve patients throughout Clifton Park, Albany, Latham, East Greenbush, Schenectady, Glens Falls, and the rest of the Capital Region.

Learn how a beautiful smile can transform your self-esteem

So many people try to hide their smiles because they’re unhappy with the way those smiles look. An unhealthy, crooked smile may not only distract from a person’s good qualities but also cause low self-esteem. Fortunately, there’s a way to get the confidence to smile proudly during all of life’s important moments: orthodontic treatment, which can give you your ideal smile.

How Orthodontics Helps with Self-Esteem

At any age, an ideal smile can be the perfect way to give yourself a boost of confidence. After all, humans are social creatures intensely attuned to body language. If you’re able to greet people with a joyful smile, they’re more likely to be warm and friendly to you in turn. This creates a positive feedback loop: you start things off right with a confident smile; the people you meet respond warmly to you; and you use those memories to build your confidence for the next time you meet someone new or attend an important event.

Orthodontics can help by giving you a smile you’ll be proud to show off, activating that positive feedback loop. Achievable in one year or less, your perfect smile can give you confidence no matter what challenges you’re facing. You won’t have to worry about what you look like when you speak or smile; all you’ll need to do is focus on enjoying the moment while putting your best foot forward.

Achieve Your Ideal Smile – And Keep It!

At Adirondack Orthodontics, we understand how important a healthy smile is to your well-being and self-esteem. We do our best to work with each patient to help them visualize their ideal smile and then create it.

The two main categories of treatment we offer – braces and Invisalign – can correct everything from an underbite to crowded, crooked teeth.

Metal or clear braces are the traditional option and involve brackets being placed on your teeth. The brackets are then connected by bands which are slowly adjusted to move the teeth into the proper positions.

Invisalign, on the other hand, uses a series of customized clear, discreet retainers to shift your teeth into place. We can help you choose a treatment that best suits your needs.

Just as importantly, we can help you keep your smile in great shape, for life! After your treatment is over, we can ensure you have access to retainers that will hold your teeth in place for years to come.

Gain Confidence & Call Us Today

The team at Adirondack Orthodontics specializes in helping patients achieve the smiles of their dreams. With convenient locations in Albany, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Latham, East Greenbush, and Schenectady, we are so confident in our smile expertise that we offer a Lifetime Smile Guarantee™!

If you’d like to make sure you have a straight, healthy, confidence-boosting smile to see you through life, contact the team at Adirondack Orthodontics today to schedule your free consultation.

Save and smile all year round

As a current or prospective patient of Adirondack Orthodontics, you likely need orthodontic treatment for your dental health. Treatment will improve your life in many ways, but we know the average person needs to budget for it. If you plan on starting treatment in 2024, let us make it easier for you. Check out these ways you can save on our services this year!

1. Participating Insurance

Choosing an in-network provider will save you a ton of money! We are proud to participate with most insurances. We recommend filling out our form at the link above or giving us a call to learn what your insurance plan is likely to cover.

2. FSA/HSA

An FSA or HSA can help you put pre-tax dollars aside for your treatment. If you have one of these plans, make sure you utilize your money by the end of the term! Come to us with any questions; we can help you make a plan to maximize your benefits.

3. Special Offers & Discounts

Our special offers allow us to give discounts to members of our community, including parents, teachers, and members of the military. We even have a multi-family discount for families with multiple people undergoing treatment!

4. Zero-Interest Financing

You shouldn’t have to pay an arm and a leg for treatment! We can help you get zero-interest financing that will help you access the smile of your dreams at a price you can afford.

5. Call to Discuss a Flexible Payment Plan!

Last but not least, we aim to be as flexible as possible with payment plan options. We can sit down with you and help you create a plan that suits your budget. Plus, you can pay online at your convenience!

We hope you can see just how financially accessible orthodontic services are at Adirondack Orthodontics. If you’re worried you won’t be able to afford treatment, think again!

With convenient locations in Albany, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Latham, East Greenbush, and Schenectady, Adirondack Orthodontics is your trusted orthodontic specialist in New York’s Capital Region. Contact us today to discuss offers, insurance, financing, and payment plans with one of our friendly team members.

Unveiling your path to a radiant smile

As the leading orthodontist in the Capital Region, we are thrilled to embark on this journey with you toward achieving your 2024 smile goals. Your smile is a powerful expression of confidence, and maintaining optimal dental health goes beyond aesthetics—it’s an investment in your overall well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the essential elements of your ultimate dental health checklist, providing insights, tips, and expert advice to help you attain a radiant, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Let’s make this the year you shine with a confident and healthy grin!

1. Set Your Dental Health Goals

You may have already set your oral health goals last month, but if you haven’t, now is a great time to do it! Whether you want to straighten your smile for general health reasons, to make sure you look perfect for a special event, or for a boost of self-confidence, Adirondack Orthodontics has a treatment to help make it happen.

2. Schedule a Free Consultation

The best way to jumpstart your checklist is to schedule a free consultation with Adirondack Orthodontics. We’ll examine your teeth and mouth, take care of any X-rays, and provide a personalized treatment plan for a straighter, healthier smile.

3. Decide on a Plan 

Committing to a plan is the next step. Weigh the advantages of Invisalign and braces, and decide if Express Treatment is right for you. If you’re straightening your teeth for a specific event, like a wedding or graduation, you may want our Express Treatment. If you want a discreet treatment that allows you to enjoy all your favorite healthy foods, you might opt for Invisalign.

4. Buy the Right Tools 

Even if you’re not undergoing orthodontic treatment this year, the proper tools make all the difference for your teeth and mouth. The average person should be replacing their toothbrush every 3 to 6 months. And don’t forget to keep floss or a water pick handy!

5. Use Your Tools 

Brushing your teeth twice daily, once in the morning and once before bed, is a fundamental practice that lays the foundation for excellent oral hygiene. Additionally, don’t underestimate the importance of daily flossing to clean between teeth and along the gumline, where your toothbrush might miss.

Read this article on our blog with tips for brushing and flossing with braces.

6. Watch What You Eat

Sugary foods can build up on and between your teeth, causing decay and cavities. You need to limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment. If you do eat or drink something sweet, be sure to brush your teeth afterward.

7. Plan Your Checkups

The best way to be sure you attend regular orthodontic appointments to progress through your treatment is to schedule them in advance. We can help you schedule your checkups well into the future so that you can add them to your calendar and get appointments that work for you.

When you’re ready to put your 2024 checklist into motion, contact our team at Adirondack Orthodontics! With convenient locations in Albany, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Latham, East Greenbush, and Schenectady, Adirondack Orthodontics is your trusted orthodontic specialist in New York’s Capital Region. We would be happy to help you maintain your dental health and achieve your orthodontic goals.

Make the most of the New Year with orthodontic treatment

Every December, people resolve to be happier and healthier in the new year to come. From spending more time at the gym and eating better to working on your mental health or learning a new hobby, there are plenty of resolutions you can make to become the best version of yourself.

A great resolution to make for 2024 is to improve the health and appearance of your teeth. Fortunately, with the help of the team at Adirondack Orthodontics, you can have your best smile in one year or less! Start treatment now, and by the time you ring in the next New Year, you’ll be ready to pose and smile for photos with family and friends.

If you find it hard to keep your resolutions, be sure to make them simple and measurable. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking!

Schedule a Consultation

Sometimes, the hardest part of doing something is taking the first step. That’s why we make it easy to start treatment by offering free consultations. Simply head online and fill out our consultation form. We’ll contact you to get more information and help you take the first step in your orthodontic journey.

Commit to a Treatment Plan

The next part of your orthodontic journey is even easier than the first. After we make our recommendations for treatment plans, you just need to choose one. We can verify insurance benefits, if you have them, and work with you to create a payment plan that works with your budget. You’ll barely have to lift a finger to start treatment.

Sign Up for Our Smile Protection Program

After you’re done with treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer that is custom-fitted to protect your smile. Since retainers generally need to be replaced every 18 months, we offer a Smile Protection Program to simplify the process of getting your replacement retainers. By signing up for our Smile Protection Program as soon as your treatment is over and committing to wearing your retainers faithfully, you’ll make it easy to enjoy a straight, healthy smile for life.

Enjoy a Beautiful Smile for Many Years to Come

At Adirondack Orthodontics, we make it simple to make and keep your New Year’s resolutions! With convenient locations in Albany, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Latham, East Greenbush, and Schenectady, Adirondack Orthodontics is your trusted orthodontic specialist in New York’s Capital Region. Book your next appointment or free consultation online today to take the first step toward accomplishing your best smile in 2024.

Discover how Adirondack Orthodontics can transform your smile

As you make your list and check it twice this holiday season, consider the gift that will have you smiling in all future holiday photos: a straight, healthy smile. When you choose Adirondack Orthodontics, you can get your best smile in one year or less. So investing in the health of your teeth this year means that, by the next holiday, you’ll have a smile you’ll love to show off to friends and family!

If you’re not convinced yet, we’d love to take a couple of minutes to remind you of the many benefits of orthodontics.

A Boost of Confidence

According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 82% of adults state that the first thing they notice about a person is their smile. Meeting new people, whether in a professional or social setting, can be intimidating if you’re leading with a smile that has gaps or crooked teeth.

Orthodontia can fix all that. Invisalign or braces can correct problems like crowded or gapped teeth, underbites, overbites, and other common issues. Once your orthodontic treatment is over, you won’t have to think twice before smiling!

A Healthier Mouth

While many people get orthodontia to improve their appearance, the health of your teeth and jaws is even more important. A misaligned bite can wear down your teeth and can cause issues with chewing and speaking, as well as more serious problems like TMJ disorders and jaw pain. Plus, misaligned teeth can make it harder to clean your teeth, resulting in tooth decay and cavities. Straightening that smile can pay health dividends for life.

Give Yourself the Perfect Gift

When you invest in your health, you’ll enjoy the benefits for a long time to come. This holiday season, give yourself the gift that keeps on giving: a straight, healthy, and attractive smile.

With convenient locations in Albany, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Latham, East Greenbush, and Schenectady, Adirondack Orthodontics is your trusted orthodontic specialist in New York’s Capital Region. Book your next appointment or free consultation online today to get started on your orthodontic journey.

Unlocking confidence: adult orthodontic treatment is a no-brainer

Teeth-straightening isn’t just for teens anymore! In the past decade alone, the percentage of adults pursuing orthodontic treatment has increased by 40%. Adults have realized that they can achieve the smile of their dreams because of offices like ours. At Adirondack Orthodontics, we make it easy to get Invisalign or braces for adults with our six locations throughout the Capital Region, as well as our wide array of financing options.

Maybe you’ve been unhappy with your teeth for decades, or maybe your teeth have shifted over the years. Whatever the case, it’s never too late to enjoy the straight, healthy smile you deserve, and Adirondack Orthodontics is here to help. Using solutions like braces and Invisalign, we can correct overbites, underbites, and crooked teeth.

Solutions That Make Sense

Orthodontic treatment has come a long way in the past few years, making it easier than ever to access the smile solutions you need. Braces are the traditional choice, but Invisalign is a newer solution that’s popular with adults because it’s more discreet. While braces involve conspicuous brackets that are placed on the teeth and connected by wires, Invisalign uses a series of transparent aligners to slowly move your teeth into place. Since the aligners are clear and can be removed as needed, many adults find that Invisalign fits better with their lifestyle.

Affordable Financing Options

No matter your budget, Adirondack Orthodontics has options to help you afford the services you need. We can help in the following ways:

• Maximizing Your Dental Insurance Benefits – We are in-network with most major insurers, and we can help you figure out how to make the most of your insurance plan.
• Creating a Customized Payment Plan – We can help you decide on a payment plan that works with your budget, and you can pay your bills using our online payment system.
• Providing Special Discounts & Offers – We offer special savings for veterans, students, families, first responders, teachers, and more.

Simply put, we help you access the services you need and pay for them at a pace that works for you.

Don’t Wait Any Longer – Get Started Today

If you’re interested in finding out more about Invisalign for adults, we encourage you to contact the office closest to you. With convenient locations in Albany, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Latham, East Greenbush, and Schenectady, Adirondack Orthodontics is committed to providing our patients with smiles they love. Contact us today to get started.