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Contact UsPut 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!
This post originally appeared in The Post Star on June 3, 2020. Written by Kathleen Moore.
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.”
Every year, we aim to make our services even more convenient for patients throughout the Capital District. To help with that, Adirondack Orthodontics is proud to announce a new office coming to a convenient location in East Greenbush, which will be open in mid-January of 2020! Hours at our new location will be from 9:30 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, with spots on Saturday by appointment only.
Creating a fourth location will allow us to continue to provide full orthodontic treatments and services for patients of all ages. In addition to the central placement of our new location, patients will benefit from flexible payment options, services provided by experienced professionals, and the latest orthodontic solutions. When you’re searching for affordable orthodontic solutions, you don’t have to compromise to get what you want. Adirondack Orthodontics works with most major insurance companies and can provide payment options that work for you and your family.
As we open more locations, we will be better able to serve a wide range of patients in East Greenbush, Clifton Park, Albany, Latham, and beyond! If you would like to become a patient at the new office of Adirondack Orthodontics, call us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you at 4 Middle Mannix Road, Suite 100, in Rensselaer, NY.
Protecting Your Smile: Evaluating Halloween Candy Choices for Braces
Everyone should be able to enjoy the candy they get when trick or treating, including those with braces! Yet certain kinds of candy can jeopardize the health of your teeth and the state of your orthodontia. Taking care of your teeth is essential, especially when you’re investing in braces and the long-term beauty of your smile. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you bring home your candy haul this Halloween.
Understanding the Risks
Before diving into the specific candies, it’s essential to understand why some treats are problematic for braces. Braces consist of brackets, wires, and bands that are delicate and susceptible to damage. Hard, sticky, or chewy candies can easily get lodged in braces or cause brackets to break. Additionally, biting into hard candies can put excessive pressure on the braces, leading to discomfort or even damage to the teeth.
The Best Halloween Candy Choices
Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious Halloween treats that are safe for braces. Soft chocolates, such as milk chocolate bars or peanut butter cups, are generally a safe option as they melt easily in the mouth and are unlikely to damage braces. Similarly, treats like marshmallows or soft caramels can be enjoyed in moderation.
Another excellent choice for brace wearers is sugar-free gum. Not only does sugar-free gum satisfy the craving for something sweet, but it also promotes saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria from the mouth.
Proceed with Caution
While some candies are safer for braces, it’s essential to consume them with caution. Even softer treats can still pose a risk if not eaten carefully. For example, while chocolate is generally safe, avoid bars filled with nuts or crunchy ingredients that could potentially damage braces. Similarly, soft caramels should be enjoyed sparingly to prevent them from sticking to the brackets or wires.
The Worst Offenders
On the other end of the spectrum are candies that should be avoided entirely by those with braces. Hard candies, such as lollipops, jawbreakers, or candy apples, pose a significant risk of damaging braces. Biting into these hard treats can cause brackets to break or wires to bend, leading to discomfort and potential delays in orthodontic treatment.
Sticky candies, like gummy bears, taffy, or caramel candies, are equally problematic. These candies have a tendency to get stuck in braces, making them difficult to remove and increasing the risk of tooth decay and other oral health issues.
Tips for Enjoying Halloween with Braces
While it’s important to be mindful of candy choices, it doesn’t mean brace wearers can’t enjoy Halloween festivities. Here are some tips for a braces-friendly Halloween:
- Plan Ahead: Before heading out for trick-or-treating or attending Halloween parties, make a plan for which candies are safe to enjoy with braces.
- Moderation is Key: Enjoy treats in moderation and avoid overindulging in candies that could potentially harm braces.
- Brush and Floss: After indulging in Halloween treats, be sure to brush and floss thoroughly to remove any lingering candy particles and prevent tooth decay.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help wash away sugar and food particles from the mouth, reducing the risk of cavities and other dental issues.
- Attend Orthodontic Check-ups: Regular visits to your orthodontist are crucial for ensuring that your braces are in good condition and that your treatment is progressing as planned.
Have a fun and spooky Halloween!
Follow these tips this Halloween – and any time you eat something sweet – and you’ll be equipped to take care of your braces. If you have any questions about how to brush, floss, or generally care for your teeth and braces, call Adirondack Orthodontics. We would be happy to help.
Picturing the idealized version of your own smile can be difficult. Everyone is different, and your perfect smile will look different from someone else’s. Instead of looking at before and after pictures of other patients and hoping you get the same results, utilize SmileView™ to simulate your new smile. You’ll love what you see!
SmileView™ is Invisalign’s way of demonstrating what they can do for you! Simply take a selfie with your smartphone or tablet and submit it through SmileView™. Once you’ve provided a photo, SmileView™ uses a special algorithm that utilizes the data from over 6 million cases to determine the projected outcome. Within minutes, you will be sent a computer-generated image showing how your teeth will look after your Invisalign treatment. One minute is all it takes to see yourself with the perfect smile.
Adirondack Orthodontics will soon be a recommended orthodontist through Invisalign’s SmileView™ tool. Envision exactly what your new smile will look like with your own facial features by using Invisalign’s SmileView™! If you like what you see, schedule an appointment at Adirondack Orthodontics to begin your treatment.
The Albany Business Review has listed Dr. Berenshteyn as a Top 40 under 40 for 2019! Click here to read the full article.
The benefits of a participating provider
Want a smile that’s both beautiful and affordable? Your best choice is to work with a participating provider. At Adirondack Orthodontics, we are proud to be the only practice that participates with nearly every insurer in the Capital Region. But what exactly does that mean?
Reduced Out-of-Pocket Costs
Being a participating provider involves pre-negotiating fees with insurance companies and agreeing to adhere to those rates. As a result, your out-of-pocket costs are greatly reduced – depending on the plan, you may not have any – so your treatment is more affordable.
Streamlined Insurance Process
Moreover, we shoulder the burden of dealing with your insurance provider throughout the course of your treatment. From collecting payments to handling paperwork and filing claims, we handle it all. For you, that means no paperwork, no claims to file, no phone calls to make, so you can concentrate on achieving the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
What it’s like working with an accepting provider
There’s a huge difference from working with an accepting provider – one who accepts your insurance but does not participate with the insurer. Not only will you pay more out of pocket – since the insurance company does not cover the entire cost of service – you also have to pay up front and then wait to be reimbursed by the insurance company. And we all know how long that can take!
Choose us for affordable, convenient orthodontic treatment
At Adirondack Orthodontics, our commitment to providing caring, personalized service to our patients goes beyond the orthodontic treatment. We strive to make the entire process both affordable and stress-free, and as a participating provider, we have done just that for thousands of Capital Region families.
Call us today for a free consultation. We’d love to show you the power of working with a participating provider!
Everyone, especially our children, deserves access to quality orthodontic care. Crooked teeth, overcrowding, underbites, and overbites can cause a lifetime of painful and expensive dental problems, not to mention the impact these issues can have on self-esteem.
Over the years, we have seen many children across the Capital Region who suffer from severe dental issues that can only be solved by braces. Unfortunately, many insurance providers don’t cover the cost, and as a result, families that can’t afford to pay out of pocket are forced to forego treatment for their children.
At Adirondack Orthodontics, we find this to be unacceptable – and we decided to do something about it by investing in the lives of local children in our community who need a helping hand. During the holiday season, we provided a gift that will truly put a smile on their faces: giving away free braces to children in need.
We were proud to team up with Smiles Change Lives, an international nonprofit that helps provide orthodontic treatment for kids whose parents can’t afford the full cost of braces. After more than 100 children were screened for eligibility, 25 were chosen to receive treatment. With a value of $150,000, this is the largest-ever donation of braces to kids in the Capital Region.
To Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn and the caring professionals that are part of our team, the value of this program was priceless. We saw firsthand how much a healthy smile could change a child’s life, and took great joy in turning dreams into reality for so many worthy children and wonderful families.
This type of community support typifies what Adirondack Orthodontics is all about. We believe every patient should receive caring, personalized attention and custom orthodontic solutions using the most advanced equipment. Regardless of your economic situation, you can be assured of receiving the highest level of care from our team.
Nothing should stand between you or your child and straight, beautiful teeth. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about our interest-free payment options, flexible payment plans, and discounts, and to schedule your free initial consultation. Click here to get started!
