June 2017 Newsletter
June 1st, 2017
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Braces
Have you heard of AcceleDent?
November 10th, 2014
This device is the AcceleDent Aura from OrthoAccel Technologies. It is an FDA cleared medical device available around the world since 2009. The AcceleDent is available by prescription only through your orthodontist.
The AcceleDent uses a SoftPulse Technology (gentle vibrations or micro pulses) which accelerates bone remodeling and allows teeth to move up to 50% faster during orthodontic treatment. Meaning a 24-month treatment plan, could potentially become a 12-month treatment plan! The device has also been shown to reduce discomfort after routine orthodontic adjustments. http://acceledent.com/what-it-is/
The AcceleDent consists of an Activator and a mouthpiece (similar to a mouthguard). It includes a USB interface that is used for charging the device, but which can also be plugged directly into a computer to view usage through the FastTrac patient usage report.
AcceleDent can be used with both traditional braces and Invisalign. All that is required is 20 minutes of uninterrupted daily usage. The device is extremely lightweight and hands-free, which means you can go about your activities at home, or work, while using it!
http://acceledent.com/what-it-is/acceledent-videos/
To find out more about AcceleDent, please feel free to speak with Dr. Forcier or one of our team members! This device may also be eligible to use Health Savings Account (HSA) funds, but it's a good idea to check with your HSA Plan Administrator.
All about EXPANDERS!
July 24th, 2014
One of the most common orthodontic appliances used in young children is the palatal expander, also known as the RPE. These appliances look intimidating to patients and the thought of having to “do the turns” every day scares a lot of parents. So what can you expect while your child has an expander in their mouth?
Arch expansion is one of the most common ways to eliminate crowding and crossbites in growing patients. Successful expansion requires that the growth plate in the roof of the mouth (the midpalatal suture) is not fused. This fusion usually occurs between the ages of 14-16.
An expander is attached to the upper arch by bands placed around the teeth. Although there are removable expanders, fixed ones have an important advantage in that they cannot be lost or forgotten.
While there may be some initial discomfort when an expander is placed just because there has never been anything like that attached to the teeth before, for the most part upper arch expansion is relatively painless. Patients report that they feel pressure on the teeth, in the roof of the mouth, behind the nose, and even between the eyes as their expander is activated. This pressure fades within minutes.
Besides pressure, you can also expect your child to speak differently for the first few days. Additionally, you may hear them slurping as their mouth creates extra saliva after expander cementation. We definitely noticed this when Madison had her expander put in! And yes, it's a bit annoying, but it does pass! One of the most visible signs that the suture is opening (the desired effect) is the appearance of a space between the upper central incisors (the 2 front teeth). The space is created as the expander pushes the two halves of the palate in opposite directions. Once you have stopped activating the expander, it is normal for the space to close spontaneously. This occurs as the elastic fibers in the surrounding gum tissues return to their original positions. The underlying bone, however, remains expanded. It is also normal for the front teeth to feel a little loose and get sore as they move back together.
To make the first couple of days more bearable for your child as they adapt to their new expander, you may want to find some fun foods for them to eat that don’t require a lot of chewing. Examples include yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, ice cream, etc. A day or two after the application, the expander will feel natural in their mouth and normal eating will resume. But food does get stuck in it and excellent tooth brushing and hygiene is essential! Food stuck in the appliance can cause bad breath as well as cavities. Although expanders are more forgiving of hard and sticky foods than are braces, it is recommended that your child avoid any sticky, jelly-like candies that could get stuck in the expansion screw.
Because there is always some relapse (movement back towards the original position), your orthodontist may choose to over-expand your child’s palate. He will decide how much expansion is necessary as part of the initial diagnosis and treatment plan. After your orthodontist indicates that you’ve reached your target, he will instruct you on how long the retainer should stay in place to stabilize the results. This is usually 4-6 months, but is determined by each individual case.
Am I too old for braces?
May 20th, 2014
You bring your kids to Forcier Orthodontics so they can get a beautiful smile and make a great first impression, but what about you? Are you happy with the way your teeth look and feel? According to the American Association of Orthodontists, adults account for about 20% of orthodontic patients today!
Find out more here: on our website http://www.smilewny.com/for-adults
and through the AAO website, http://www.mylifemysmile.org/sites/default/files/Adult_Orthodontics.pdf
This is a perfect time of the year to focus on you...before the kids are hanging around all summer! Call us to schedule your free consultation!
Loose, broken or poking???
May 5th, 2014
Wondering what to do if you have something loose, broken or poking? If you are having significant discomfort, please call our office as soon as possible, but also check out our website page for tips on how to deal with it until you can get into the office!
http://www.smilewny.com/emergency-care
We have added a new blog!
April 12th, 2014
We have started a new blog which will follow Dr. Forcier's daughter, Madison, through her orthodontic treatment! We hope it will be informative and show you another side of orthodontics. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes view from a patient perspective! You can read the first post through the link below.
We'd love your feedback!
Wondering how you will look with braces???
January 8th, 2014
Our bracket provider, 3M Unitek has this great new web application where you can try out different braces! Thinking about clear braces or want to go with the basic metal? You can try them both! Then play around with different colored elastics to perfect your unique look!
Have some fun!
Check it out at http://paintyoursmile.com/
Halloween Candy That Won't Scare Your Orthodontist!
October 22nd, 2013
It's that time of year again, that strikes fear in orthodontic offices around the country...HALLOWEEN!! We understand you can't (and shouldn't!) miss out on the trick-or-treating fun, but we do ask that you watch what kinds of candy you are putting in your mouth...
Here is a short list of braces-friendly treats for you to enjoy:
GOOD TREATS:
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (Dr. Forcier's personal favorite...)
Kit Kats
Plain M&M’s
3 Musketeers
Oreo’s & Soft Cookies
Hershey Bars & Hershey Kisses
Candy bars without caramel or nuts
BAD TREATS: these are the hard, sticky, chewy, crunchy candies
Caramel
Bubblegum
Hard candy (Jolly Ranchers)
Taffy
Licorice
Nuts
Hard pretzels
Jelly beans
Candy Corn
Popcorn
Chewy Candy (Tootsie Rolls)
Caramel/Candy Apples
Keep in mind, if in doubt...go without! It's not worth breaking a bracket and prolonging your treatment for that piece of candy.
And as always, brush and floss after any sugary treat! Have a spook-tactular Halloween!!
-From your ghoulish friends at Forcier Orthodontics-