Key factors to consider when selecting your orthodontist

Some decisions are low-stakes and fine to decide on a whim, like where you’ll go for dinner or what movie you’re going to watch. But when it comes to choosing someone to provide health services to you, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Your decision should involve much more thought, planning, and research.

If you’re looking for an orthodontist, the process might seem overwhelming. Most people don’t know what sets an amazing orthodontist apart from the pack. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of must-haves to keep in mind when choosing an orthodontist.

Unmatched Comfort & Convenience

A top-tier orthodontist prioritizes your comfort and convenience throughout your treatment journey. This begins with flexible scheduling options to accommodate your busy lifestyle. Look for orthodontists like Adirondack Orthodontics, which boasts multiple locations across the Capital Region, ensuring accessibility and convenience for patients.

Moreover, a comfortable patient experience is crucial for reducing anxiety and ensuring a positive treatment outcome. We pride ourselves on providing inviting waiting areas and a range of amenities to keep patients at ease during their appointments. From friendly staff to modern offices, every aspect is designed to enhance your comfort and overall satisfaction.

Lifelong Results

When you choose the right orthodontist, you’ll have peace of mind that your provider will stand behind their services and protect your smile for years to come.

At Adirondack Orthodontics, all our plans are backed by our Smile Guarantee™. That means that your smile is 100% guaranteed for life! If you eventually notice that your teeth have shifted, call us to schedule an appointment, and we’ll be sure to help.

Flexible Payment & Financing Options

Affordability should never be a barrier to achieving a healthy, beautiful smile. A reputable orthodontist understands the financial considerations involved in orthodontic treatment and works closely with patients to explore flexible payment and financing options.

At Adirondack Orthodontics, our team is dedicated to ensuring that treatment remains financially accessible to all patients. We are proud to partner with patients to make sure their insurance covers our services, even when they want to utilize FSA/HSA benefits. We can also help you learn more about financing options like autopay, zero-interest financing, paid-in-full discounts, and third-party payment options. And we make it easy to pay your bill online!

Proven Expertise

Additional certifications and credentials can show that an orthodontist goes the extra mile to provide treatment for patients. Nothing will give you confidence in your healthcare provider like knowing that they’ve gone above and beyond to learn everything they can about their profession.

One designation that sets Adirondack Orthodontics apart from other orthodontists is that we are an Invisalign Diamond Provider. That means we are in the top 1% of more than 50,000 Invisalign-certified dentists and orthodontists in the U.S.

By choosing a provider with proven expertise, you can have confidence in the quality of care and the outcomes of your treatment.

Make the Right Choice – Call Us Today

When it comes to selecting the right orthodontist, Adirondack Orthodontics emerges as the best choice for patients seeking unparalleled comfort, convenience, and expertise in the Capital Region. With a steadfast commitment to patient satisfaction and lifelong results, we embody excellence in orthodontic care.

To embark on your journey to a straighter, healthier smile, schedule your initial consultation today. Our dedicated team is ready to provide personalized care and support every step of the way. Don’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your dental health—choose Adirondack Orthodontics for a transformative orthodontic experience!

Learn what to do if you experience a problem with your braces or Invisalign

Orthodontic treatment is a journey toward a healthier, more aligned smile, but like any journey, it can come with unexpected bumps along the way. While taking proper care of your braces or Invisalign aligners will lessen the chances that you’ll have an orthodontic emergency, unforeseen issues can still arise. When an emergency arises, you’ll want to be able to turn to a knowledgeable orthodontist for help.

The Importance of Professional Guidance

One of the many benefits of working with the orthodontists at Adirondack Orthodontics is that you can access the help of an experienced professional at a moment’s notice. Unlike companies that offer DIY tooth-straightening solutions, we won’t leave you high and dry when you have questions or concerns. Adirondack Orthodontics is your source for professional orthodontic treatments and guidance during the entire process. If you ever have an orthodontic emergency, we will be there to help.

But what do you do when a problem arises with your braces or aligners, especially if you can’t get to our office right away? Keep reading to learn more about some of the most common emergencies and how we can help you handle them.

Broken Wires & Loose Brackets

Wires and brackets are essential components of braces. While this situation doesn’t happen often, they can sometimes become loose or break under enough pressure. If this happens to you, take the following actions immediately:

• Orthodontic Wax: If a wire is poking out and causing discomfort, you can use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp end and prevent it from irritating your mouth.
• Clipping the Wire: If the wire is protruding too much and wax isn’t enough, you can sterilize a pair of nail clippers or small wire cutters and carefully clip the wire. Ensure you only clip the wire as a last resort and be cautious not to swallow any pieces.
• Contact Your Orthodontist: Schedule an appointment as soon as possible for a professional repair. Continuing treatment with damaged components can hinder progress and cause more discomfort.

Damaged Aligners

Invisalign aligners are designed to be durable, but they can still crack or break under certain circumstances. If this happens to you, you can take the following steps:

• Use Previous Aligners: If your current aligner is damaged and cannot be worn, revert to wearing your previous set to maintain your progress.
• Contact Your Orthodontist: Notify your orthodontist immediately to arrange for a replacement. Avoid skipping aligners as it can delay your treatment and affect your results.

Lost Retainers or Aligners

Misplacing retainers or aligners is a common issue, especially if they are not stored in their designated case. We recommend always putting your retainers or aligners in the same place to reduce this risk.

The only way to manage a lost retainer or aligner is to contact our team for replacement. If your aligners were lost, then as suggested above, you can wear your previous set of aligners until you receive a new set. But if you lose your retainer, you’ll simply have to wait until it’s replaced.

Intense Mouth Pain or Sores

Some discomfort is expected with braces and aligners, especially after adjustments or switching to a new set of aligners. However, excessive pain or the development of sores can indicate a problem. The following tips can help with mouth pain or sores:

• Orthodontic Wax: Use wax to cover any brackets or wires causing irritation.
• Saltwater Rinse: Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to alleviate pain and promote healing.
• Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort.
• Contact Your Orthodontist: If the pain is intense or persistent, contact your orthodontist to discuss the symptoms and schedule an appointment if necessary.

Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

While not all emergencies can be prevented, there are steps you can take to minimize risks:

• Follow Care Instructions: Adhere strictly to the care guidelines provided by your orthodontist, including dietary restrictions and cleaning protocols.
• Regular Check-ups: Attend all scheduled appointments to ensure your treatment is progressing smoothly and any potential issues are addressed promptly.
• Protective Gear: If you have braces, wear a mouthguard during sports or physical activities to protect your teeth from damage.

Turn to Adirondack Orthodontics

The team at Adirondack Orthodontics will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to prevent orthodontic emergencies as much as possible. But should an emergency occur anyway, we’re here to help. Contact us if you have further questions about how to handle your situation.

Essential Tips for Invisalign Maintenance and Care

Whether you’re currently undergoing orthodontic treatment or you’re still considering it, you’re probably already aware of how to care for your teeth by brushing and flossing them each day. What you may not know, however, is how to properly care for your Invisalign aligners.

While braces stay on your teeth for the duration of treatment, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners or trays that should be worn around 22 hours a day. When you’re not wearing your aligners, it’s generally because you’re eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. But these times are also the perfect times to care for your aligners!

Each time you remove your aligners, you should clean them. Getting into this habit early will make it more likely that you’ll remember to do this throughout your treatment. Invisalign recommends you use one of the following methods to clean your aligners: cleaning by hand with a toothbrush or soaking your aligner in cleaning crystals. Learn about each method below!

How to Clean Your Aligners by Hand

If you would like to clean your aligners by hand, the process is simple. First, rinse off your aligner. Next, use a soft toothbrush and mild toothpaste to brush all sides and wires of your aligner. Finally, use lukewarm water to rinse your aligner and get rid of any remaining toothpaste.

How to Clean Your Aligners with Cleaning Crystals

Invisalign’s cleaning crystals come in individually wrapped packages and will keep your aligners clean and free of odors and stains. Clean your aligners using the following steps:

1. Rinse each aligner with tap water.
2. Fill your designated container with enough warm water to cover the aligner.
3. Add a packet of cleaning crystals to the container and shake or stir to dissolve them.
4. Place the aligner in the container and let it stand for a minimum of 15 minutes.
5. Shake/agitate the container for 20 seconds.
6. Rinse the aligner and container.

Ensure your smile’s clarity and hygiene with Invisalign maintenance

Failing to take care of your Invisalign aligners can damage your aligners and your teeth, so it’s important to clean them often using the proper techniques. Follow the guidance above to ensure your aligners are hygienic and free of stains and odors. If you need more information or if you have questions about taking care of your aligners, turn to the team at Adirondack Orthodontics.

Six Expert Tips to Help Protect Your Child’s Smile While School Is Out

For many kids and teens, summer is a time to let go of worries and enjoy things like sports, camps, and socializing before school starts again in the fall. While this is true for kids who have orthodontia, they will have at least one thing to remember: taking proper care of their smiles. After all, when you invest so much in treatment, you’ll want to make sure your child takes care of their device so that your investment pays off.

At Adirondack Orthodontics, we want to equip our patients with the tools they need to care for their smiles. Patients who don’t properly care for their orthodontia could prolong their treatment, and that’s the last thing any of us want. Check out six things you should help your child do this summer to keep their braces or Invisalign in great shape.

1.Create a Routine

Since school’s no longer in session, your child’s usual routine will be thrown off kilter. Help them establish a new daily routine so that they’re brushing and flossing like they should, even without the habit of doing so while getting ready for school. Proper oral hygiene is crucial for preventing cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues that can interfere with orthodontic treatment.

2. Invest in a Mouthguard

If your child has braces and participates in sports or any summer activities that could damage their mouth, we suggest buying them a mouthguard. You should also be checking to ensure they’re wearing it during every game and practice.

A mouthguard is not needed with Invisalign treatment.

3. Buy a Travel Kit

No matter where your child goes during the summer months, they should have access to tools like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and wax. If they have Invisalign, they should bring along their trays and case. Help your child come up with a plan to ensure these vital items get packed, or purchase a separate travel set to ensure nothing gets left behind.

4. Avoid Sticky, Hard Foods

Just like during the school year, your child should stay away from sticky and hard foods to avoid breaking brackets and getting food stuck between their teeth. Taffy, corn on the cob, nuts, pretzels, and pizza crust are just a few examples of foods they should stay away from. Make sure family barbeques and team parties have plenty of healthy, tasty braces-friendly summer alternatives so your child doesn’t feel left out.

5. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential for overall health, but it’s especially important when wearing braces. Dehydration can lead to dry mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if they’re spending time outdoors in the summer heat. Not only will this keep their mouth hydrated, but it will also help rinse away food particles and bacteria that can accumulate around braces.

6. Have Fun!

Orthodontia shouldn’t stop your child or teen from taking part in the activities that make summer so fun! As long as you and they follow these tips, your child can have a wonderful break until September, when they’ll be that much closer to the end of their treatment and their ideal smile.

We hope these tips help! If you need any more information or guidance, be sure to contact our team at Adirondack Orthodontics. We are also standing by to help with any orthodontic emergencies your child may have this summer.

Tips to nourish your smile

The food you eat can have an enormous impact on your teeth, even if you brush and floss regularly. Everyone should be cautious about what they eat because we all deserve healthy teeth and gums, but anyone undergoing orthodontic treatment needs to be even more careful. After all, when you’re investing time and money into braces or Invisalign, you’ll want to take the best possible care of your teeth along the way.

Keeping track of all the rules for eating well while you have braces or Invisalign can be confusing, but don’t worry. We’re here to help! If you are wondering about foods you can’t eat with braces or Invisalign, see below for a brief and handy guide. Learn what you should eat (and what you should avoid) while undergoing orthodontic treatment!

Your Diet & Braces

When you get braces, the process involves brackets being placed on your teeth and connected with wires. What you eat when you have braces can have a massive impact on your treatment. Below, we’ve outlined some foods OK with braces and some stuff you can’t eat with braces.

Foods OK to Eat with Braces:

• Soft Fruits and Vegetables: Opt for soft fruits like bananas, berries, and melons, as well as cooked vegetables such as steamed carrots, squash, and spinach. These options are gentle on your braces and provide essential vitamins and minerals for overall oral health.
• Dairy Products: Dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk are excellent choices for individuals with braces. Not only are they soft and easy to consume, but they also contain calcium and phosphorus, which strengthen tooth enamel and promote remineralization.
• Lean Proteins: Incorporate lean protein sources like fish, chicken, tofu, and legumes into your diet. These foods are rich in nutrients essential for tissue repair and muscle maintenance, supporting the overall health of your gums and oral tissues.
• Soft Grains: Choose soft grains such as oatmeal, quinoa, and rice over crunchy or hard alternatives. These options are less likely to get lodged in your braces and are easier to chew, reducing the risk of damage to your orthodontic appliances.
• Smoothies and Soups: Smoothies made with soft fruits and vegetables, along with soups that are free of chunky ingredients, are convenient options that provide nourishment without posing a risk to your braces. Plus, they’re easy to customize according to your taste preferences and nutritional needs.

Foods to Avoid with Braces:

• Sticky and Chewy Foods: Steer clear of sticky candies, caramels, taffy, and chewing gum, as these can easily get stuck in your braces, leading to discomfort and potentially causing damage.
• Hard Foods: Avoid hard foods like nuts, popcorn, hard candies, and ice cubes, as they can exert excessive force on your braces, leading to brackets coming loose or wires bending.
• Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: While fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, crunchy options like apples, carrots, and celery should be consumed with caution or prepared in a softer form to avoid damaging your braces.
• Tough Meats: Tough cuts of meat, such as steak and pork chops, can be challenging to chew and may require excessive force, increasing the risk of damage to your braces. Opt for tender cuts or choose alternative protein sources.
• Sugary and Acidic Foods: Minimize your consumption of sugary and acidic foods and beverages, such as soda, sports drinks, and citrus fruits, as they can contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion, particularly during orthodontic treatment when oral hygiene may be more challenging to maintain.

Your Diet & Invisalign

Invisalign involves a series of clear, discreet aligners that slowly move your teeth into the desired positions. One of the benefits of Invisalign is that you don’t have to be quite so strict with your diet; you can remove your aligners while you eat and put them back in once you’re finished with your meal. However, some of the same rules apply for all orthodontic treatments.

Foods to Avoid During Invisalign Treatment:

• Sticky and Chewy Foods: Avoid sticky candies, caramels, and chewing gum.
• Sugary and Acidic Foods: Minimize your intake of sugary and acidic foods and beverages to prevent tooth decay and enamel erosion.

Remember to remove your aligners before consuming anything other than water, and brush your teeth before putting them back in to maintain optimal oral hygiene. And don’t forget to clean your Invisalign trays at least once a day!

At Adirondack Orthodontics, we want to help you make the most of your orthodontic treatment by equipping you with the knowledge to take care of your teeth! If you have any questions about what you can and can’t eat, just ask.

Serving Albany, Clifton Park, East Greenbush, Glens Falls, Latham, and Schenectady, New York, schedule your free consultation today to discover which orthodontic treatment option is right for you.

How Invisalign Elevates Your Confidence

If you’ve been on the hunt for your next career move, you may be in the process of preparing for job interviews. There’s likely a lot on your mind, including what questions will be asked, which qualifications or experiences you should highlight the most, and what you can do to stand out from other candidates.

But there’s something else you may want to consider: the smile you’ll be flashing! The boost of confidence a healthy, straight smile gives may be just what you need to go into your interview ready to handle anything. Read on to learn how that healthy, straight smile can transform your confidence and help you get one step closer to the job you want.

A Straighter Smile Changes How You Feel

You carefully calculate what you’ll wear, how you’ll act, and what you’ll say during an interview to project an aura of confidence and competence. One terrific way to further that impression is through a straight, healthy smile.

It’s no secret that a confident smile can significantly influence how others perceive us. In fact, a study revealed that people with straight teeth are perceived as 58% more likely to have professional success. For many Americans, the first thing they notice about a person is their teeth. In a job interview setting, where first impressions are paramount, a confident smile can set the tone for a positive interaction right from the start.

Confidence is not just about how others perceive us but also about how we perceive ourselves. While crooked teeth can cause discomfort and self-consciousness, a healthy smile can give you the boost in confidence you need to put your best foot forward. When you feel good about your smile, you exude confidence naturally. It allows you to engage more comfortably in conversations, convey enthusiasm about your skills and experiences, and project an overall sense of competence and professionalism. Once you’ve landed your dream job, that healthy smile can continue to give you a confidence boost to lead meetings, encourage team members, and complete your best work.

A Straight Smile Can Be Accomplished with Invisalign

For many individuals, achieving a perfect smile may seem like a distant dream, especially if they have concerns about misaligned teeth or bite issues. Traditional metal braces, while effective, can be perceived as cumbersome and aesthetically unappealing, particularly for adults in professional settings.

Enter Invisalign – a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that offers a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign utilizes a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten teeth without the need for metal brackets or wires. The aligners are virtually invisible when worn, allowing individuals to undergo orthodontic treatment with minimal impact on their daily lives.

The discrete nature of Invisalign makes it particularly appealing for professionals who are conscious about their appearance in the workplace. Whether you’re in college and looking forward to entering the job market in a year from now or you’re currently applying to jobs, Invisalign offers the perfect way to correct crowded, misaligned teeth and gain the smile of your dreams. And since Invisalign is a discreet orthodontic option, you can even wear your aligner or take it out for the interview with no one being the wiser. The choice is yours!

Boosting Confidence in the Workplace

Job interviews and day-to-day work life can be nerve-wracking experiences, even for the most seasoned professionals. However, having a confident smile can help alleviate some of that anxiety and empower you to present yourself in the best possible light every single day. Here’s how Invisalign confidence can give you an edge in your job search and career beyond:

• Enhanced Self-Assurance: Knowing that you’re actively working towards improving your smile with Invisalign can boost your self-assurance during job interviews and the day-to-day of office politics. Instead of worrying about how your teeth look, you can focus your energy on articulating your qualifications in the interview and demonstrating your strengths during the job.
• Professional Appearance: In today’s competitive job market, employers are not just looking for candidates with the right skills; they’re also assessing how well you fit into their organizational culture. A well-aligned smile projects professionalism and attention to detail, qualities that can make you stand out as a candidate.
• Seamless Interaction: With Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about food restrictions or difficulty speaking, as you can remove the aligners during meals and important conversations. This flexibility allows you to interact seamlessly during networking events or work parties.
• Long-Term Investment: Investing in your smile with Invisalign is not just about short-term benefits; it’s a long-term investment in your personal and professional growth. A confident smile can open doors to new opportunities and contribute to your overall success and well-being throughout your career.

Maintaining Confidence in Your Career

Once you’ve landed the job of your dreams, maintaining confidence in your professional life becomes paramount. Your smile continues to play a significant role in how you’re perceived by colleagues, clients, and superiors. Here are some tips for maintaining confidence in your career with Invisalign:

• Consistent Treatment: Follow your orthodontist’s treatment plan diligently to ensure optimal results. Consistency is key to achieving the smile you desire within the estimated timeframe.
• Professional Care: Regular dental check-ups are essential to monitor your progress and address any concerns that may arise during treatment. Complete Invisalign treatment with Adirondack Orthodontics for optimal results.
• Confidence in Communication: As your smile transforms with Invisalign, so does your confidence in communicating with others. Embrace opportunities to network, collaborate, and lead with assurance, knowing that your smile reflects your dedication to personal and professional growth.
• Smile Maintenance: Even after completing your Invisalign treatment, it’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene and attend regular dental cleanings to preserve your investment in your smile. A healthy, radiant smile will continue to serve as a valuable asset throughout your career journey.

A Straight Smile Is Within Reach

In the Capital Region, Adirondack Orthodontics is the trusted orthodontist for both Invisalign and braces. Serving Albany, Clifton Park, East Greenbush, Glens Falls, Latham, and Schenectady, we are proud to have gained the Invisalign Diamond Provider status, putting us in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the country!

If you want to become more successful in your career (and your life), contact us to learn more about the difference a straight, healthy smile provided by Invisalign aligners can make. We would be happy to schedule a free consultation to help get you started. Before you know it, you’ll have the confidence needed to reach the next step in your career.

2024 Best of Winner

Nothing makes us prouder than when our current and previous patients shout about their great experiences with us! We’ve been able to grow over the years to serve more and more patients in the Capital Region because of you, our current patients. And while we don’t need a grand title to know that we have the best patients in the area, we’re more than happy to announce that we’ve once again been voted as Best Orthodontist in the Capital Region!

Thank You for Voting for Us in 2024

For the fifth year in a row, we’ve been voted Best Orthodontist in the Times Union’s Best of the Capital Region. Thank you for being part of our growing community of satisfied patients – and for sharing your experience with family and friends. The happiness of our patients means the world to us.

See What the Buzz Is All About

If you found us through this contest, welcome! We’re available to take on new patients, and we would love to provide you with the same level of orthodontic care that helped us earn the Best Orthodontist title. We now have six locations throughout the area to best serve the communities where we live and work. More than just convenience, we are focused on doing whatever it takes to give our patients the healthy, straight smiles they deserve.

Call to Schedule an Appointment

Set up a free consultation at your nearest location and find out why our patients have voted us Best Orthodontist five years running! We look forward to another year of providing compassionate, expert care throughout the Capital Region.

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 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!