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Contact UsThis 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.
Learn why braces help with more than just aesthetics.
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!
Should I get Invisalign?
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.
Top 5 Reasons To Get Invisalign
- Speech & Phonetics – Since your mouth isn’t full of metal, brackets, and rubber bands, you are able to better pronounce and articulate your words when you speak.
- Low Maintenance – One of the biggest advantages to Invisalign is that you can take the aligners out at mealtime. Traditional braces are difficult to clean, and food is easily trapped in between the wires & brackets. For cleanup, simply rinse and soak your aligners in the official Invisalign cleaning solution – that’s it! You should always brush and floss before wearing your aligners.
- Improved Oral Health – Invisalign aligners, just like traditional braces, don’t just work to make your smile pretty. Orthodontics is all about aligning your teeth properly so that you can live your life pain-free and confidently. Invisalign aligners have been proven to help with facial, jaw and even neck pain in some patients. Properly aligned teeth allow for better bone structure and healthier gums which both are important factors in oral health.
- Multi-Use – Invisalign aligners can double as teeth whitening trays and they can even be used as protection against teeth grinding! Talk about getting more bang for your buck. Who doesn’t love a great deal?
- Better Cleanings – If you hate going in for your semiannual teeth cleanings, then you’re in for a treat! After completing Invisalign, your teeth are not only straighter, but they become easier to clean. Straighter teeth are easier for your hygienist to clean and floss, resulting in less time in the dentist’s chair.
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.
Adirondack Orthodontics, a locally owned and operated orthodontic practice that serves thousands of Capital Region patients and families, today announced that Dr. Garrison Copeland has joined its growing team of skilled, caring, and compassionate orthodontists.
Dr. Copeland previously practiced orthodontics for seven years in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was responsible for helping more than 3,000 patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. For the past two years, he chose to continue his training at BronxCare Health Systems, where he focused on cosmetic and implant dentistry and was named chief resident. This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he volunteered in the hospital’s Family Medicine Department, assisting COVID-19 patients with treatment and recovery.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Copeland to our talented and caring professional team,” said Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn, who founded the practice in 2012. “Garrison’s exceptional skills as an orthodontist, combined with his commitment to providing personalized and compassionate care, make him a perfect fit with Adirondack Orthodontics. As a practice that is proud to be locally owned and operated, we look forward to enhancing our mission of helping children and adults in our community lead healthier, more confident, and more fulfilling lives.”
Growing up with severely misaligned teeth, Dr. Copeland understood at an early age the significance of having a healthy and aesthetic smile. Determined to help others facing similar circumstances, he pursued a career in orthodontics. Dr. Copeland earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Howard University in Washington, DC and upon graduating was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. He completed post-graduate orthodontic training at Case Western Reserve University in Chicago, Illinois.
One of the Capital Region’s largest locally owned and operated orthodontic practices, Adirondack Orthodontics serves more than 2,000 patients annually. Dr. Copeland joins Dr. Berenshteyn, and a staff of 15 working at offices in Albany, Latham, East Greenbush, and Clifton Park.
Adirondack Orthodontics’ state-of-the-art facilities include the latest high-tech equipment, such as the iTero Intraoral Scanner, which replaces alginate molds with digital impressions. Its patient-friendly benefits include participation with most major insurances; flexible in-office payment plans; paperless communication; and the ability to receive treatment at any of its four locations. Adirondack Orthodontics is open and staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers evening hours, and one Saturday each month.
Put Your Health First: Choose Orthodontics Over DIY
If we’ve learned one thing during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the importance of putting health and safety first. That makes this a good time to remind new and prospective patients why it’s far better to straighten your smile with the help of a skilled and trained orthodontist rather than using a do-it-yourself option.
The Dangers of DIY Aligner Methods
DIY braces may seem like a fast and easy solution, but at-home methods can lead to long-term oral health problems that will ultimately require the expertise of an orthodontist to correct. Attempting to save money in the short term can have long-term consequences, both on your wallet and your health.
Why is that? The DIY approach is typically a one-size-fits-all solution. It doesn’t take X-rays or conduct exams – in other words, it doesn’t take your personal situation into account. In addition, there is no orthodontist to monitor the process, evaluate your progress, assess whether treatment is proceeding as it should, and adjust your treatment plan if needed. The resulting health issues can be significant: long-term bite problems, tooth misalignment, and infections are just some of the problems that can crop up after trying DIY orthodontia.
With professional orthodontics, patients benefit from the presence of a trained expert who can provide a personalized solution and monitor ongoing treatment. A licensed orthodontist will conduct a comprehensive exam and take X-rays to develop a treatment plan, and he or she will be there to identify and address any issues along the way.
Further, keeping your teeth in place once treatment is over – what is called retention – is just as important as the actual treatment. An experienced orthodontist will help you come up with a plan for keeping your beautiful smile once you achieve it. DIY kits might skip this vital step, and your teeth are likely to revert to their former positions, leaving you right where you started.
The Advantages of a Board-Certified Orthodontist
Rather than risking your smile and health with a dangerous DIY “solution,” turn to a proven expert who lives and works in your hometown. A board-certified orthodontist is uniquely educated and trained to provide the expert services needed to help you gain a healthy, beautiful smile. These are just some of the benefits of working with a licensed professional orthodontist:
Personalized Treatment Plans
At Adirondack Orthodontics, an on-site, board-certified orthodontist will complete X-rays and a visual exam, explore your medical history and tailor a customized treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We can even utilize technology to show you what your new smile will look like before we begin treatment!
Customized Payment Plans
When it comes to your budget, Adirondack Orthodontics has you covered. We can tailor a plan that will work within your budget, and we are a participating provider with nearly all insurance plans. We’ll also work with your insurance company to make sure you get the most out of your benefits and handle all the administrative details so you don’t have to.
Long-Term Retention
One of the most important factors that make choosing an orthodontist superior to a DIY method is retention, or the ability to keep your smile after the treatment. At Adirondack Orthodontics, lifetime smile maintenance is guaranteed.
Convenient, Friendly Service
Flexible scheduling, caring and compassionate staff members, and affordable service are just some of the qualities that set us apart. At Adirondack Orthodontics, our patients are our most important priority!
Invest in Your Smile Today
Your health is too important to risk with a do-it-yourself treatment. Turn to the team that provides a personalized solution under the supervision of a licensed, board-certified orthodontist.
Get started at Adirondack Orthodontics today and allow us to create a treatment plan just for you! We are proud to treat all cases, no matter the challenges. Whether Invisalign is the best treatment for you, or you choose another solution such as ceramic or metal braces, we are here to help you gain and retain a beautiful smile.
You deserve the best in oral care, so skip the gimmicks and invest in your smile by calling Adirondack Orthodontics. Schedule an appointment today at one of our convenient locations in Clifton Park, Albany, Latham, or East Greenbush, NY. It would be our pleasure to provide you with incredible orthodontic care that puts your health, safety, and smile first!
The shutdown resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic caused a lot of disruption in our daily lives. The efforts made by Dr. Berenshteyn and the team at Adirondack Orthodontics helped maintain treatment for thousands of patients throughout the Capital Region. The Post Star recently featured how the team was able to adapt to ensure that our patients were getting the best possible care.
We’re thrilled that all Adirondack Orthodontics’ offices have reopened, but we’ve also learned that patients and families appreciate the opportunity to connect with us from their homes. So, we’re making it easier than ever to access the tools and information you need to make the right decisions about your oral health.
On June 1, we launched a new website that includes several online tools to assist both current and new patients.
Payment Calculator
We believe in being upfront when it comes to the cost of treatment. Use our payment calculator to understand how your payments will be spread out over time. We offer completely customized plans because we believe everyone should be able to afford the perfect smile – and remember, we are a participating provider with nearly every insurance plan.
Our payment calculator can estimate the cost of your treatment based on your initial payment, how much insurance will pay, the length of the treatment, and more.
Online Bill Payment
Paying your bills from the comfort and safety of your home is more essential than ever. Utilize our secure online bill payment option any time you need to make a payment. If you have any questions, our trained and friendly staff is always available to help you.
Explore Our Website
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to look through our new website and check out the many great things happening at Adirondack Orthodontics. Whether you’re a current or new patient, we’re sure you’ll like what you see, and if we can be of service, we’d love to talk to you. Don’t hesitate to contact your nearest office. We look forward to seeing you soon!
This article originally was posted in the Albany Business Journal
Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn prepared himself for a difficult conversation.
It was mid-March and the curve of the coronavirus pandemic was starting to arc upward. He knew there would be consequences for his orthodontics practice — it’s a business in which people are literally face to face every day. You can’t have people working so closely without risking spread of the virus.
Berenshteyn gathered his staff. They talked through options before reaching a consensus: three-quarters of them would need to be furloughed.
“Even though everything was based on facts, personally, it was just the hardest day of my life to have to break such news to 20 people,” Berenshteyn said.
Before the crisis, Adirondack Orthodontics had seen about 60 patients per day at its four locations around the Albany region, including one that had just opened. The practice typically works with upwards of 2,000 patients in various stages of treatment. A lot of them are teenagers who require regular instructions and reminders.
Berenshteyn and the remaining staff have found ways to adapt. They’re conducting virtual office visits, mailing out new rubber bands. For urgent cases, he schedules a time to meet in the office.
The furloughed staff have kept in touch with questions about when they can come back and what they can do in the meantime. During a video call, some of them volunteered to help figure out how to run the practice in the Covid-19 world. Berenshteyn paid them for their time.
“These people want to help me; these people want to be back to work. They care about the patients; they care about the practice,” he said. “Amid all this, this really was a feel-good moment.
Berenshteyn is anxious to get them all back to work. Adirondack Orthodontics wasn’t able to secure a PPP loan during the first round. Without the loan, he’d be limited to a skeleton crew upon reopening.
He was worried about getting shut out in round two, but found success applying through T Bank.
“I reread the letter because I wasn’t sure I read it correctly,” Berenshteyn said, recalling the moment when the email arrived about the approval.
With the loan in hand, he could bring back his full staff. And he felt better about being able to work through the backlog of postponed patient visits.
Then there was the longer-term future. New patient inquires had evaporated completely during the first weeks of the crisis.
“When economic times are uncertain, you just don’t know when orthodontic treatments will be a concern for new patients,” Berenshteyn said.
But beginning in mid-April, he started getting a couple of new calls each day.
“I feel like people started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “I look at it as a positive sign because at this time, while everything is still closed, for people to be calling us is already great.”
Berenshteyn and his staff have put together a plan to prevent spread of the virus after the offices reopen. They will encourage social distancing in the office and space out appointments to make sure waiting rooms aren’t busy. Virtual visits and consultations will continue.
He’s just waiting on the go-ahead from the New York State Dental Association.
And the phone keeps ringing as the number of new patient inquiries continues to rise during May.
“These are the types of signs that make me really optimistic that things will start heading toward normalcy for everyone.”