15 October

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The Cost of Braces Today vs. the Past

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

Getting braces is often a rite of passage for adolescents, and today more adults than ever before are in orthodontic treatment, as well. While many patients and families budget to allow orthodontic treatment to fit into their budgets, how does the cost of braces today compare to the costs of the past?

31 July

5 Comments

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Damon Self-Ligating Braces – Is There Truth Behind the Advertising?

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in braces

Dear Dr. Stosich,
I recently went to an orthodontist who was talking about a lot of new technological advances that he offers in his office. His website talks a lot about self-ligating braces and the advantages they have over regular braces. It claims my treatment time will be a lot shorter and that they are a lot more comfortable. But is that really true?

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30 October

4 Comments

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Braces as Hot New Fashion Accessory?

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in Adult Orthodontics, braces

Did you ever think you’d see the day when braces would become the latest fashion trend? There’s good news for all of you currently in orthodontic treatment – that day has arrived!

Models in braces walked the catwalk during last spring’s New York Fashion Week, and graced the cover of a popular fashion magazine. Seventeen-year-old model Kitty Hayes was on the cover of CR Fashion Book, smiling big and proud with her braces and blue ligatures.

05 October

3 Comments

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Why Pay for Braces as an Adult?

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in Adult Orthodontics, braces, Ortho Questions

Dear Dr. Stosich,
My wife has been asking me for a few years to get braces. I think it’s a waste of money – she’s had her smile for this long, and it really isn’t this bad. I work hard and I just can’t see why I would need to spend thousands of dollars to just give my wife a prettier smile. It looks fine to me!

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09 September

3 Comments

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Why Braces Are Important For Everyone

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in Adult Orthodontics, braces, Ortho Questions

Dear Dr. Stosich.,
I have had a crooked smile for what feels like my entire life. I’d love to get braces, but I’m a stay-at-home mom, and my husband doesn’t think we can afford braces. Because he is the one who works full-time, he has said no to my orthodontic work. He said I’ve had the same smile forever, so he doesn’t understand why we need to spend the money now. How can I convince him otherwise?

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09 September

4 Comments

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Do Adults Need Teeth Pulled Before Getting Braces?

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in Adult Orthodontics, braces, Ortho Questions

Adults Need Teeth Pulled Before Getting Braces

Dear Dr. Stosich.,
I’m 41 and am tired of my bad smile. I’m worried about getting braces at my age, though. My brother had braces recently, and his orthodontist had to pull teeth before starting treatment. Do all adults need teeth pulled before undergoing orthodontic treatment?

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21 May

7 Comments

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Paying for Braces

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in braces

Dear Dr. S.,
We think our teenage daughter needs braces, but are worried about the cost. Will it harm her mouth if we wait a while for orthodontic treatment?
Sincerely,
Sam W.

Dear Sam,
The simple answer to your question is yes – it could in fact hurt your daughter if you wait too long for orthodontic treatment.

15 November

0 Comments

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Are Damon Self-Ligating Brackets Really All They’re Hyped to Be?

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in braces

Dear Dr. S.,
Yesterday, I had a consultation with an orthodontist who told me he’d like to use Damon Braces for my treatment. This orthodontist said these braces can move my teeth 30 percent faster than regular braces, and my treatment could be done three to six months faster than. Is that true?
Sincerely,
Stephen P.

Dear Stephen
It sounds like the orthodontist you saw has fallen prey to the marketing hype surrounding Damon Braces and the so-called technology of self-ligating brackets. The company, and then many orthodontists, claim that Damon Braces move the teeth quicker, and often with less pain.

04 November

0 Comments

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Invisalign versus Braces: Which is Better?

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in braces, Invisalign

Dear Dr. S.,
I’m a 45 year old who has been embarrassed by my smile for many years. My dentist suggested Invisalign because I don’t want to draw even more attention to my smile with metal braces. Can my dentist straighten my teeth with Invisalign as well as an orthodontist could with braces?
Sincerely,
Sarah T.

Dear Sarah,
Thanks for your question – it’s one I get asked a lot, and it’s important that you do your research before undergoing orthodontic treatment. Invisalign took the orthodontic world by storm when it was first introduced, and because of that, more providers are clamoring to use it, thinking it keeps them ahead of the curve.

13 August

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Are Damon Braces for You?

Posted by Michael S. Stosich, DMD, MS, MS

in braces

Damon Braces belong to a class of braces called self-ligating brackets, of which there are many kinds. These brackets, have a locking mechanism that have been primarily designed to hold orthodontic arch wires.