How To Make Braces More Fun for Kids

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If your child needs braces in Norton, OH, you probably already know: braces are typically not something children enjoy having. They have the potential to cause some discomfort, and the reality is that some children dislike the look, feel, or social implications of these dental devices.

Making braces more fun for your child can help them feel better about using these devices to help straighten the teeth and improve alignment. Here are a few ideas.

Personalize the Look of the Braces

The first option is to personalize the look of the braces with colorful bands. For example, if your child is on a cheerleading squad or basketball team, they might like having their school colors as rubber bands. Or, you might try elastics that match the season or a specific outfit.

Throw a Party for the New Achievement

Your child probably won’t be excited about getting braces, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it a positive day by throwing a party. Wait past the appointment date to ensure they have time to relax and get used to the braces — but in a week or two? Throw a party with braces-friendly foods and invite their best friends.

Make It a Great Experience at the Orthodontist

One last way to make braces more fun for your child is by encouraging them to have fun at the orthodontist. Our team is happy to work with your child and to help them feel comfortable with getting braces.

At Hockenberger Orthodontics, we offer braces in Norton, OH. Our office has state-of-the art technology to help every patient get the best possible treatment. We’ll work with your children to encourage them to take part in their treatment and ensure their outcomes are successful. Call us today at 1-330-825-7060 to schedule an appointment.

3 Myths About Wearing Braces

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Many myths about wearing braces have circulated since they first became widely available decades ago. If you’re getting braces in Norton, OH, you need to be aware of these three myths.

1. Braces Are Only For Teens

Braces are widely used for teens because this is a period of time when the teeth are more easily realigned. However, as more adults pay attention to their teeth’s aesthetics and more advanced braces solutions become available, the number of adults who get braces has also increased.

2. Everybody Will Notice

If you get traditional metal braces, they are highly visible when you smile and speak. In the beginning, people indeed notice your shiny new braces! But human nature kicks in, and the more time you spend with friends, colleagues, and others, the less they’ll notice the braces. This is how the brain gets used to seeing things and begins to “normalize” what it perceives. After that first day, people won’t think of you as someone wearing braces; they’ll just think of you as “you”!

3. Braces Take Forever

When you first get braces and hear that it may take about two years, it may sound like an eternity. But, based on other peoples’ experiences with braces, that time passes quickly. And everyone agrees that the braces were totally worth it! Plus, depending on the severity of your alignment issues, you may only need braces for a short period of time!

Don’t live with a lifetime of crooked teeth just because you’ve heard some myths about braces that aren’t even true! Visit Hockenberger Orthodontics and learn the true facts about braces. Our Norton, OH, orthodontist will explain everything you need to know about wearing braces!

Metal, Clear, or Lingual: Which Type of Braces Are Right for You?

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The decision to getbraces in Norton, OH, is not always easy. You need to commit to several months to a few years of treatment and figure out how to finance it. Additionally, you must decide which braces would be the most effective and aesthetically pleasing.

Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces have been the standard in orthodontic treatment for decades. When you opt for these types of braces, Dr. Brian Hockenberger attaches a bracket to the front of each tooth. A small wire, commonly referred to as an arch wire, holds the brackets together and helps to move your teeth into a new position. Standard metal braces typically require a monthly adjustment at Hockenberger Orthodontics. Once he removes the braces, you may need to wear headgear at night or a retainer.

Clear Braces or Aligners

Clear braces contain brackets and archwire, just as metal braces do. The primary difference between the two is the color of the brackets and wire. The color is typically silver metal with traditional braces, while clear braces are white and less noticeable. You can also choose an alternative color for your brackets and wires.

Clear aligners are not braces at all but act in the same manner. You wear a removable aligner for at least 22 hours daily and switch it for the next one in the set approximately once every two weeks.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces contain brackets and wires that go behind each tooth instead of in the front. This can be a good option if you are concerned about your appearance during treatment and want to disguise your braces.

Dr. Hockenberger is happy to recommend the best type ofbraces in Norton, OH, during your initial orthodontic consultation.

Why Do My Teeth Hurt After Adjustments?

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If you wear braces, you know that you have to have regular appointments with your Norton, OH, orthodontist for adjustments. With traditional braces, there’s no getting around these adjustments since they help to control the subtle shifting of your teeth into proper alignment. However, many patients report a feeling of discomfort for several days or up to a week after each adjustment. The question is, why do teeth hurt after adjustments? Aren’t braces supposed to be painless?

What Causes the Discomfort?

When you go in for a braces adjustment, the orthodontist tightens the braces slightly. The resulting discomfort is, unfortunately, a normal part of the orthodontic process. The discomfort comes from the increased pressure on the teeth. You can emulate the same feeling by pressing lightly against your teeth with your finger. In fact, that sensation is nearly equivalent to the feeling after an orthodontics adjustment. The description of “pain” isn’t exactly accurate since it’s more of a feeling of “discomfort.” There truly isn’t any actual pain associated with braces!

How to Manage Discomfort After Each Adjustment

Every time you get a braces adjustment, you can expect to have just about the same level of ensuing discomfort. Every person’s threshold for discomfort is different, so what one person can easily withstand, another person may have to take steps to ease the discomfort. Some ideas for managing discomfort after each adjustment include:

  • holding a warmed heating pad against the cheeks
  • taking a mild over-the-counter painkiller, as approved by your dentist
  • holding a cold compress to the outside cheeks if heat is ineffective
  • rinsing with warm salt water

Considering the discomfort after adjustment appointments, you may be tempted to skip them. However, these appointments are critical to continuing the ongoing progress of your orthodontic treatment, so never skip them. To book your next orthodontics adjustment in Norton, OH, contact us today.

What Is a Temporary Anchorage Device?

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A Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD) is a small dental implant made of titanium alloy, and it’s used to shift teeth to correct bite issues. They can pull teeth forward, fill in a tooth gap, or help a broken jaw heal.

How long they stay in your mouth depends on the orthodontic treatment, but the general idea is that they’re used temporarily to stabilize a force. It provides a single point that a wire or elastic would need to push up against so the mouth can fully reposition itself. We’ll examine why an orthodontist in Norton, OH, might use it and how it compares to other treatment options.

Is a TAD Better than Headgear?

A TAD is not necessarily better than headgear, but you’re likely to see the same result without having to wear a more cumbersome device. People prefer TADs because the procedure is less invasive and pain-free. The patient will feel some pressure when the device is placed, but the whole thing takes just a few minutes to finish.

A TAD is an implant, but unlike a more ubiquitous dental implant, it won’t integrate with the bone. They are left on for as long as the patient needs to help move everything around, and then they are taken off. Thankfully, the removal process is simple and convenient for the patient. When you wear them, you’re asked to brush them regularly, usually with a special solution, to keep it clean.

Orthodontists in Norton

If you’re interested in orthodontic alternatives, a Temporary Ancorage Device in Norton may be a smart solution. At Hockenberger Orthodontics, you’ll work with a staff who takes your concerns into consideration and works out a treatment plan that is as effective as it is comfortable for the patient.

How Long Will My Child Need Braces for Orthodontic Care  

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If you are curious about getting braces for yourself or your child, you might wonder how long you would have to wear these orthodontics. Here at Hockenberger Orthodontics, we work with patients individually to determine the length of a dental treatment. Serving the community of Norton, OH, our orthodontist, Dr. Hockenberger, will diagnose your oral work and determine a treatment program and time frame for braces.

How Long Do I Need Dental Braces

The biggest question dental patients have when they are told they need braces is, “How long do I have to wear them?” The treatment period for dental orthodontics, called braces, is typically two years.

However, every patient is unique and will need to wear braces for the time it takes to reposition their teeth and gums safely and successfully.

What is Life With Braces Like

Life with braces is full of exciting challenges as we work with you to straighten your teeth. You will use colorful rubber bands and fun wax to move your brackets and help align your bite.

Expect to visit the orthodontist and dentist more often than you do without braces. Typically, you will see the orthodontist monthly to adjust brackets and work with different areas of the teeth.

Metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners start with a mold to determine the exact position of your teeth and gums. Invisalign then uses this mold to create a clear aligner, while the dentist uses the information to determine future realignments.

If you have metal braces, the brackets will be cemented to the front of your teeth throughout the orthodontic treatment. Once the braces come off, so do the brackets, and you have a complete set of newly aligned teeth.

Sign Up for Braces in Norton, OH

Contact us at 330-825-7060 to request braces at Hockenberger Orthodontics in Norton, OH.

Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces

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If you’re going to be getting braces in Norton, OH, you’ll need to know how to care for the braces and your teeth. It’s essential to continue your oral hygiene practices while wearing braces, but the braces can make removing food debris harder. In addition, certain foods have the potential to damage the braces. The point is, there are some foods and other substances that you should be avoiding during the time that you’re wearing the braces.

Saltwater Taffy

Saltwater taffy isn’t good for your teeth to begin with, but it’s especially bad for people with braces. This stretchy, sugary candy will get stuck in the braces and make it nearly impossible to get rid of.

Ice

Many people enjoy chewing on ice, which can lead to chipped and broken teeth. But with braces, the potential for damage includes your brace. At least until you have your braces off, avoid chomping on ice.

Bread

Whole wheat bread isn’t bad in general, but even this should be avoided when wearing braces. Bread tends to form a doughy consistency when it mixes with saliva, which is also hard to remove from teeth and braces. If you must eat bread, consider pulling off bits at placing them in your mouth rather than taking bites with your front teeth.

Peanut Brittle

Peanut brittle and other hard candies should be avoided when wearing braces since they have a tendency to get stuck in the components of the braces, like some other foods on this list. Candy, in general, shouldn’t be eaten in order to preserve your oral health, but peanut brittle is one of the worst.

Your dentist in Norton, OH, will provide you with comprehensive care instructions when you get your braces. In the meantime, this list will give you an idea of foods that you’ll need to avoid. To book your next appointment, contact us today.

Top 3 Myths About Braces

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Learn how to get braces in Norton, Ohio, and whom to contact for an appointment. Our team at Hockenberger Orthodontics, led by Brian Hockenberger, is here to answer your questions about braces.

Braces Make Teeth Straight Forever

You will have straighter teeth for the rest of your life after having braces. However, the level of straightness will depend on a few factors:

  • Do you care for your teeth with proper dental cleaning and oral hygiene?
  • Do you floss?
  • Do you wear a retainer or night guard made to fit your dental work?

These tools help you maintain longer-lasting results after you have worn braces. The goal with braces is to provide lifelong corrections to the structure of your teeth and gums. Yet, if you do not properly clean and take good care of your teeth and gums after braces, your teeth could move and shift.

Only Teens Should Get Braces

There is no age limit for how old you need to be to have braces in Norton, OH. Braces are a form of dental correction that can apply to most dental patients. Some related rules for who is a good candidate for braces include:

  • Having all permanent teeth
  • Being old enough to manage dental cleaning with braces

These rules generally apply to teen patients. The teen years are when most parents and dentists notice patients are candidates for braces.

The teen years are when the mouth is fully developed, and corrections can be made most successfully. However, even into your 30s, you may need to use braces and can be a candidate.

Braces Hurt Too Much

Yes, braces do hurt, but the pain is minimal and short-lasting. As the orthodontist uses tools along with your braces, such as bands and spacers, to reposition your teeth, you will notice some discomfort.

But the pain is managed with OTC pain medication and does not last. When teeth move, the gum tissue regrows, and the teeth will grow in the corrected position for younger patients.

Find Out About Getting Braces in Norton, OH

To consult with Dr. Hockenberger for braces in Norton, OH, contact our office at 330-825-7060.

Top 3 Myths About Braces

Learn how to get braces in Norton, Ohio, and whom to contact for an appointment. Our team at Hockenberger Orthodontics, led by Brian Hockenberger, is here to answer your questions about braces.

Braces Make Teeth Straight Forever

You will have straighter teeth for the rest of your life after having braces. However, the level of straightness will depend on a few factors:

  • Do you care for your teeth with proper dental cleaning and oral hygiene?
  • Do you floss?
  • Do you wear a retainer or night guard made to fit your dental work?

These tools help you maintain longer-lasting results after you have worn braces. The goal with braces is to provide lifelong corrections to the structure of your teeth and gums. Yet, if you do not properly clean and take good care of your teeth and gums after braces, your teeth could move and shift.

Only Teens Should Get Braces

There is no age limit for how old you need to be to have braces in Norton, OH. Braces are a form of dental correction that can apply to most dental patients. Some related rules for who is a good candidate for braces include:

  • Having all permanent teeth
  • Being old enough to manage dental cleaning with braces

These rules generally apply to teen patients. The teen years are when most parents and dentists notice patients are candidates for braces.

The teen years are when the mouth is fully developed, and corrections can be made most successfully. However, even into your 30s, you may need to use braces and can be a candidate.

Braces Hurt Too Much

Yes, braces do hurt, but the pain is minimal and short-lasting. As the orthodontist uses tools along with your braces, such as bands and spacers, to reposition your teeth, you will notice some discomfort.

But the pain is managed with OTC pain medication and does not last. When teeth move, the gum tissue regrows, and the teeth will grow in the corrected position for younger patients.

Find Out About Getting Braces in Norton, OH

To consult with Dr. Hockenberger for braces in Norton, OH, contact our office at 330-825-7060.

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

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Both clear aligners and traditional braces are effective orthodontic treatments that can result in a straighter, healthier smile. However, to find the right option for your needs, it’s important to look at the pros and cons of each method.

Keep reading to learn more!

Differences to Consider

Below you’ll learn about the differences between clear aligners and traditional braces:

Visibility

If you’re looking for something that’s practically invisible, go for clear aligners. These orthodontic devices feature clear trays placed over your teeth. Over time, these aligners move your teeth to the desired position. Traditional braces, on the other hand, involve brackets and wires that are glued and fixed into your mouth. While you can sometimes choose clear brackets, clear aligners are much less visible.

If you’re interested in clear aligners or braces in Norton, OH, reach out to Hockenberger Orthodontics today to get started!

Comfort

Clear aligners involve trays that can be removed from the mouth when eating or drinking, making them a much more comfortable choice than traditional braces. Also, you don’t have to worry about brackets or wires, which can cause some discomfort.

Removability

As previously mentioned, clear aligners can be removed when eating or drinking. Traditional braces are glued to your teeth and can only be removed by an orthodontic specialist. This can be problematic, especially when eating something tough or chewy. However, while clear aligners are removable, you could easily misplace them.

Convenience

Many believe that clear aligners are much more convenient than traditional braces. However, you must remember to put them back on your teeth after eating, which can be a hassle. Another benefit of clear aligners is that the treatment process typically involves fewer visits to the orthodontist.

Foods to Avoid

Those who have standard braces must watch what they eat. In fact, they should probably avoid hard candies and anything sticky or too crunchy. Eating these foods can damage the brackets or wires. On the other hand, as you take clear aligners off when eating, there are no diet restrictions.

Whether you’re looking for braces or clear aligners in Norton, OH, Hockenberger Orthodontics has you covered!

Considering Metal Braces? Here is What You Should Know

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Despite several alternatives becoming available over the last decade or so, metal braces remain the most popular form of straightening teeth. Here is what you should know if you’re considering metal braces in Norton, OH.

How Metal Braces Work to Improve Tooth Alignment

Metal braces consist of brackets that attach to the front of each tooth that Dr. Hockenberger connects with a thin wire. Both the top and bottom rows of teeth have one wire that connects all the brackets together.

The brackets and wires apply pressure to your teeth to slowly shift into a different position. You or your child may also wear small rubber bands on the back teeth to increase the level of pressure. We require patients to come in for an appointment at Hockenberger Orthodontics approximately once every four weeks to tighten and adjust the metal braces. Discomfort after an adjustment is common but should disappear entirely within a few days.

Here are some of the most common conditions we treat with metal braces in Norton, OH:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Crowded teeth
  • Overbite
  • Protruding teeth
  • Underbite

During the initial consultation, we use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need to determine the severity of the problem to help us develop a treatment plan.

What Are Some of the Benefits of Metal Braces?

Metal braces are especially effective in treating overcrowded teeth compared to the other available options. Other benefits you can expect include:

  • The most affordable orthodontic treatment option
  • No ability to misplace them like with clear aligners
  • Durable
  • Various choices are available in size and color.
  • Dr. Hockenberger can gauge the progress of tooth movement a bit easier.

Keep in mind that having aligned teeth is more than a cosmetic improvement. Crooked, crowded, and protruding teeth, as well as those with an overbite or underbite, can be challenging to keep clean. Please contact us to request an orthodontic consultation.