Orthodontists Associates of Western New York

Orthodontics for adults treatment is a little different from that for children, adolescents and teenagers. This is because adults are no longer growing. When we contemplate re-positioning the teeth in an adult’s jaws, we often face the challenge of getting the jaws to fit together better. Additionally, in cases of significant discrepancy, we may have to consider surgical orthodontics. Sometimes, it is necessary to compromise by reaching for a solution that gets the teeth to f...it together better, even though we may not get the skeleton to fit ideally. Orthodontics for adults requires a different approach because we can no longer modify growth and development or modify the width and length of jaws. https://www.orthowny.com/orthodontics-for-adults/

The main benefits of orthodontics include creating a dental foundation. This foundation provides stability in an occlusion, for joints that are healthy, and for the future of that patient’s dentistry. When patients who have been in for orthodontic treatment see their general dentist for routine checkups and cleanings, they are often considered some of the best patients in that dentist’s office. One of the foundational benefits of an orthodontic treatment is the opportunity to teach patients. We teach them to care for their teeth for a lifetime, compared with members of the population who don’t seek regular dental care. https://www.orthowny.com///orthodontic-treatment-benefits/

A lot of times, patients come into the office wondering, Do braces hurt? Interestingly, the truth is that, in and of themselves, braces are not painful. It is the forces braces apply to the teeth that actually cause discomfort. When we place braces, there is usually no pain associated with the placement itself. Once wires are placed onto those braces and begin to move the teeth, it is actually the wires that ultimately cause discomfort; however, that doesn’t usually happen immediately. Rather, it usually occurs the following day and dissipates soon thereafter. If you are dealing with painful braces, placement could be the cause. https://www.orthowny.com/2019/10/painful-braces/

Are you concerned about your child’s smile? Generally, treating cleft lip and palate requires surgical correction. Craniofacial orthodontists specialize in the treatment of this condition. However, it can be rather challenging to estimate the number of surgeries that could be required to correct it. Naturally, treatment depends on the severity of the disorder. The optimal time for treatment of cleft lip and palate is between three and six months of age.... https://www.orthowny.com/2019/09/cleft-lip-palate-treatment/ See more

i-CAT Digital Imaging is used by orthodontists to create a 3D view of your teeth and the craniofacial structure. It takes less than five seconds. i-CAT Scan is revolutionary not just because of its 3D results and quick use. It also helps protect you from being overexposed to radiation. The technology can be specifically targeted and provides a lower dose of radiation than older options. https://www.orthowny.com/2019/11/i-cat-digital-imaging/

Our dental health is important, but all the brushing and flossing in the world cannot correct problems with the shape, spacing, and alignment of the teeth and jaws. Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that seeks to develop and administer effective treatments for chronic dental and maxillofacial (concerning the upper jaw and face) issues, and thought common orthodontic treatments such as retainers and braces may effectively correct minor misalignments, some individuals re...quire further intervention. If you experience any issues with the structure of your mouth that braces, expanders, rubber bands, and retainers have been unable to fix, read on to find out whether you may benefit from surgical orthodontic care. https://www.orthowny.com/2019/12/surgical-orthodontic-care/

Braces are an effective pathway to achieving a perfect smile, but having them removed does not mean that there is no more work to be done. Just as braces shift teeth out of their original positions, the teeth will be inclined to continue shifting once the braces come off. To keep the teeth in place, orthodontists recommend that patients wear retainers after braces are removed for varying lengths of time. In the video below, Buffalo orthodontist Dr. Andrew J. Dusel discusses how long patients can expect to wear retainers after braces have aligned their teeth. If you still have questions after watching the video, schedule a free consultation with our dedicated orthodontists today. https://www.orthowny.com/2019/12/retainers-after-braces/

Happy National Pumpkin Day! Check out this INCREDIBLE pumpkin carved by one of our AWESOME patients! We want to see your pumpkin carvings too! Tag us or post a picture in our comments! HAPPY HALLOWEEN from everyone at Orthodontists Associates of Western New York!

Surgical orthodontics is a type of specialized dental treatment. It is performed by orthodontists and not traditional dental practitioners. The purpose of surgical orthodontics is to diagnose and correct several types of conditions. Some conditions may be as simple as something known as a bad bite. Other conditions may be more serious and your orthodontist may need to partner with an oral or maxillofacial surgeon. Common treatments that fall under the umbrella of surgical orthodontics include mandibular advancement, mandibular setback, maxillary advancement, maxillary setback, correction of an open bite, correction of a gummy smile, and chin advancement. Of course, that’s not a complete list of treatments that fall under surgical orthodontics. https://www.orthowny.com//benefits-of-surgical-orthodonti/

Though orthodontic devices are thought of most often as tools to align teeth, they can also play a role in relieving issues in the throat. Common issues that prevent individuals from breathing normally through their noses can be reduced and even eliminated through direct and meticulous orthodontic care. In the video below, orthodontist Steven J. Hietnanen outlines orthodontic treatments for sinus problems, and how airway blockages contribute to improper breathing practices, allowing orthodontics to solve these problems once and for all. If you or a loved one is having trouble breathing during the day, or at night, contact us today to arrange a free consultation and learn about the available orthodontic treatments for sinus problems. https://www.orthowny.com//orthodontic-treatments-for-sinu/

There are dangers of sleep apnea that you should be aware of if you have any symptoms of sleep apnea. It deprives our bodies of the oxygen we need to function properly. When this happens, we suffer more than a poor night’s sleep or fatigue during the day. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause numerous health problems. Sometimes, the symptoms of sleep apnea are signs of an underlying health condition. https://www.orthowny.com/2018/12/dangers-of-sleep-apnea/

Patients with an overbite a malocclusion stand to benefit greatly from dentofacial orthopedics. An overbite is when the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. An overbite often tends to result in the overcrowding of teeth. Dentofacial orthopedic appliances are used to correct overbites. Treatment generally lasts between 6-12 months, provided it commences while the patient is between 8-10 years of age. Overbites usually do not cause much of a problem. However, there are ...some cases where the overbite is more severe. The most common accompanying issue with a severe overbite is a speech impediment. Unfortunately, children often become victims of bullying and teasing at school because of severe malocclusions. https://www.orthowny.com//conditions-treated-with-dentofa/

While braces are designed to help fix your crooked or misaligned teeth, it only works when used properly. If you have braces, you should be aware of the several bad habits to avoid with braces to ensure they last long and provide the optimal results you are seeking. Your orthodontist may have provided you with a list of foods to avoid such as popcorn and sticky candy. In addition to those foods, you should be aware of the bad habits to avoid with braces to ensure the best result. https://www.orthowny.com/2019/12/bad-habits-avoid-braces/

When getting traditional braces put on you will see what is called a bracket placed on the teeth that are being prepared for treatment. Your orthodontist will cement these brackets to the teeth. Sometimes these brackets can be placed behind the teeth. Brackets can be made of traditional steel, plastic, or ceramic. Plastic and ceramic are used if you so choose for them to be less noticeable. These are often called clear braces. In some patients, a band will also be cemented to... the tooth. Attached to these brackets is a wire that will actually be doing the work to move the teeth into proper alignment. These wires are affixed to the brackets with rubber bands. These rubber bands are often offered in whatever color the patient chooses. For instance, many of our patients are Bills fans and opt for their rubber bands to reflect the teams signature red, white and blue colors. We also see many Sabres fans opt for blue, white and gold. The possibilities are endless and totally up to the patient. Some patients will have springs placed on this wire to further control the movement and alignment of teeth. In some cases, there will be rubber bands that are placed on an tooth from the top and bottom of the jaw that will fix the bite. https://www.orthowny.com/2020/01/how-braces-work/

Temporomandibular joint disorder is often abbreviated and referred to as TMJ or TMD. The joints involved in this disorder are located on each side of your head. The joints work with the muscles and ligaments to help you open and close your mouth for talking, chewing, or yawning. TMJ/TMD happens if these joints do not work as they should. Despite the location of the joints involved, TMJ/TMD can affect your face (and head) in other locations. TMJ causes chronic facial pain. It is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. According to the American Dental Association, this condition is more common in women than in men. https://www.orthowny.com/2018/12/tmj-treatment-in-buffalo/

Ideally, our upper and lower jaws would be both even in width and just wide enough to accommodate all 32 of our teeth. For most of us, though, either or both of our jawbones happen to be too narrow, and this can pose a problem during childhood and adolescence as our adult teeth grow in. Expanding the jawbone through precise and long-term orthodontic treatments and devices is the most efficient way to create this additional space. To learn more about upper jaw expansion also known as palatal expansion, check out orthodontist Dr. Andrew J. Dusel’s video below. https://www.orthowny.com/2020/01/upper-jaw-expansion/

How sleep apnea is treated depends, ultimately, on which form of sleep apnea you are diagnosed with. OSA also known as obstructive sleep apnea has several options available for treatment. Some treatments are more conservative than others. It may be treated by use of a CPAP, an APAP, or a BIPAP machine. These machines force air through your airway while you are sleeping. This is known as positive airway pressure (PAP).... https://www.orthowny.com//sleep-apnea-treatment-in-buffal/ See more

Orthodontic work is necessary to provide patients of all ages a functional and aesthetically pleasing smile, and it is a universal rule that the earlier an individual receives orthodontic treatment, the more effective the treatment will be. We recommend that all of our patients allow their children to benefit from interceptive orthodontic treatment to ensure that their teeth grow in evenly and healthfully. In the following video, Dr. Steven J. Hietanen explains interceptive o...rthodontic treatment, what age is best to get started with treatment, and how it can benefit patients. If you or a loved one is interested in interceptive orthodontic treatment, please contact our office to arrange a free orthodontic consultation at one of our five convenient locations throughout Western New York. We welcome the opportunity to help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. https://www.orthowny.com//interceptive-orthodontic-treatm/

There was a time when most parents didn’t begin to think about the value of early orthodontic treatment for their children. In the past, the trend for orthodontic treatment was to wait until most or all of a child’s permanent teeth had come in. However, most orthodontic problems are much easier to correct sooner rather than later. This is why professionals recommend and insist upon early orthodontic treatment. Now, parents, dentists and orthodontists alike look toward treating children that haven’t quite hit their teen years. https://www.orthowny.com//value-of-early-orthodontic-trea/

Are you or a loved one considering braces to help you achieve the healthy and beautiful smile you deserve? Unless we win the genetic lottery, many of us will have to receive orthodontic treatment at least once. Those of us who face issues such as misaligned teeth, jawbones widened with palette expanders, or dental trauma can benefit from wearing braces, which slowly guide teeth into the ideal positions. Keep reading to find out what you need to know when preparing for braces.... Receiving braces is not as simple as a single visit to an orthodontist’s office, though; there are several steps to be taken so that by the time that the braces are ready to be glued onto the teeth, both the orthodontist and the patient know exactly where the braces will be situated and how much time should pass before the braces can be removed. In the video below, Western New York orthodontist Steven J. Hietanen outlines the steps you can take when preparing for braces. https://www.orthowny.com/2020/01/preparing-for-braces/

One frequently asked question when people phone our office is, How much does orthodontic treatment cost? That question is hard to answer without seeing and examining a patient. This is due to the fact that orthodontic fees are based on the degree of difficulty. Hence, the more difficult the case, the higher the cost. We sometimes plan treatment in stages that we call phases, and the fees may be lower for certain aspects of treatment. The short answer is, The best way to de...termine your specific cost is to visit our office and let us give you a detailed picture of what the costs will be. This will include how insurance plays into it and what your total out-of-pocket costs will be. https://www.orthowny.com/average-cost-of-orthodontic-treat/ See more

One major change in orthodontics, and dentistry in general, over the past 15 years has been brought about by the advent of three-dimensional dental x-rays. CBCT stands for Cone Beam Computer Tomography, which has really grown in orthodontics and dentistry within the past several years. It gives us a three-dimensional look at how the bones are growing and where the teeth are positioned. We’ve heard about it mainly through implant dentistry. https://www.orthowny.com/2020/02/dental-x-rays/

Get the smile you deserve with no strings (or brackets) attached! We offer no interest in-office financing and are happy to help coordinate use of FSA's, HSA's and any other benefit you may have that would be applicable to orthodontic treatment. Contact us today for a free Invisalign consultation!

Most people tend to seek dentofacial orthopedic treatment for cosmetic purposes. While that is not our primary focus, patients report that treatment helped increase self-esteem and boost confidence. When misaligned bites go untreated, they may develop into lifelong issues. Some of these are tooth decay, enamel loss, gum disease, tooth loss, TMJ, and recurrent headaches. Moreover, individuals uncomfortable with their appearances may suffer from low self-esteem. Children with ...dental problems often face bullying at the hands of their peers. Dentofacial orthopedics corrects dental health problems whilst bolstering patients’ self-esteem. Seeing an orthodontist for dentofacial orthopedic treatment promotes the future health of patients. https://www.orthowny.com//benefits-of-seeing-an-orthodont/

Sometimes, when a patient first comes into our office, one look at them tells us they have very, very poor skeletal relationships between their jaws. Patients beyond the age when growth is still occurring often require adult orthodontics in the form of surgical intervention. Following surgical orthodontic treatment, some of the benefits a patient might experience include improvement in the aesthetic balance of the face or a more attractive profile. Oftentimes, orthognathic surgery also improves conditions within the patient’s airway. https://www.orthowny.com/2020/02/adult-orthodontics/

When it comes to boosting confidence levels, most people agree that having a straighter smile would help; however, fixing misaligned teeth can seem like a far-out dream. Few adults feel up to sporting traditional metal braces, making it seem that they have no options to straighten their misaligned teeth. Thankfully, Invisalign braces present an alternative by fixing crooked teeth with the use of see-through plastic retainers. We’ve compiled some of the most popular questio...ns about Invisalign treatment and provided answers, making it possible for you to determine if they are right for you! If you still have questions after reading this post, please don’t hesitate to contact us today to arrange a free consultation with our dedicated Buffalo orthodontists. We would love to help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile! https://www.orthowny.com//invisalign-treatment-in-buffalo/

If you are planning to go to the orthodontist, you may have questions about what occurs during your initial consultation. During an initial consultation, it is important to identify any potential underlying issues with your bone structure and development. Dental x-rays are extremely helpful in allowing our orthodontists to provide accurate treatment plans and evaluate our patients growth and development. At Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, we have two types of dental x-rays that we use for treatment which we will discuss below. If you or a loved one is in need of dental x-rays or would like to schedule a free orthodontic consultation, please contact us today. https://www.orthowny.com/2020/02/dental-x-rays/

The American Dental Association estimates that two percent of child and adolescent athletes suffer a facial injury that requires medical attention. While a sprained ankle needs little more than rest to heal, injuries to the face and mouth can cause serious pain, require expensive treatment, and leave permanent damage. A mouth injury could knock out a tooth, cause a malocclusion (misaligned bite), and damage gums. Wearing a mouth guard, and taking other simple, inexpensive precautions, could save your or your child from painful, costly, and avoidable procedures. https://www.orthowny.com//save-your-winning-smile-wear-a-/

If you are unsure if your child is in need of orthodontic care, we want to make it easy to find out. Schedule a free no-obligation consultation with our experienced Buffalo orthodontists today. We have 5 convenient offices located throughout Western New York and we would love the opportunity to put a smile on your face. We also have free virtual consultations available for those who are at high-risk or uncomfortable coming into our office. We have also enhanced our office p...rotocols and safety measures to ensure our patients and staff remain safe. Contact us today to get started. https://www.orthowny.com//common-childhood-dental-problems/ See more

Surgical orthodontic care is a type of specialized dental treatment. It is performed by orthodontists and not traditional dental practitioners. The purpose of surgical orthodontic care is to diagnose and correct several types of conditions. Some conditions may be as simple as a bad bite, but other conditions may be more serious, and your orthodontist may need to partner with an oral or maxillofacial surgeon. Common treatments that fall under the umbrella of surgical orthodo...ntics include mandibular advancement, mandibular setback, maxillary advancement, maxillary setback, correction of an open bite, correction of a gummy smile, and chin advancement. Of course, this is not a complete list of treatments that fall under surgical orthodontics. https://www.orthowny.com/2019/12/surgical-orthodontic-care/