A few helpful webisodes about orthodontics

Drs. James Tomassetti, Edward Lin, and our team at Apple Creek Orthodontics would like to point you to a few interesting webisodes about orthodontics, located on the YouTube page of the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

There, they tend to post some very pertinent videos about orthodontic treatment, as well as state-of-the-art technology in orthodontia. These include "Orthodontic Treatment Basics," "Common Bite Problems Seen in Children" and "Does My Child Need Braces?"

We think you may find these webisodes interesting, as well as enlightening. If you have any questions about the videos, or your treatment here at Apple Creek Orthodontics, please give us a call.

"My son is turning 7 - when should we visit Apple Creek Orthodontics for a consultation?"

Great question! Our team at Apple Creek Orthodontics will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Drs. Tomassetti and Lim to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s orthodontic treatment at Apple Creek Orthodontics! We hope you have a WONDERFUL rest of the weekend!

How will your smile look after you get your braces off?

At Apple Creek Orthodontics, we know it's sometimes difficult to believe or imagine the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment at our Appleton, WI office. Dr. James J. Tomassetti and Dr. Edward Y. Lin love to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment at Apple Creek Orthodontics, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists has recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles,” which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment.

Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call Apple Creek Orthodontics to get started on improving your smile!

Connect with the Braces Brigade!

At Apple Creek Orthodontics, we know our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

We encourage you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call at our Appleton, Wisconsin office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Drs. Tomassetti and Lin!

Happy New Year!

Drs. Tomassetti & Lin talk two-phase treatment

Typically, patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth. But in some cases Drs. Tomassetti and Lin have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. Our staff at Apple Creek Orthodontics call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in. Phase two often does involve braces and sometimes headgear.

In order to catch early problems, Drs. Tomassetti & Lin recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit an orthodontist even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a complimentary consultation at our convenient Appleton office, please give us a call at 920-738-7600.

Fun facts with Apple Creek Orthodontics!

At Apple Creek Orthodontics, it's no secret our patients love fun facts - LOVE THEM, in fact. The American Association of Orthodontists has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that Dr. Tomassetti and Dr. Lin thought you might get a kick out of. Have a great rest of your weekend!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

This summer, wear those mouth guards!

With summer here for another six full weeks, our staff at Apple Creek Orthodontics thought this would be a great time to remind all our young athletes in treatment to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports this summer.

Remember, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. So the next time you're in for a visit at our convenient Appleton office, be sure to ask us for a mouth guard, and we'll provide one for you! In addition, the American Association of Orthodontists has five quick tips for keeping kids safe during sport activities.

• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eyewear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant even as a spectator

We hope you're enjoying your summer, and invite you all to share your summer photos on our Facebook page!

Apple Creek Orthodontics, helping dispel the myths about braces

Trust us when we say our staff at Apple Creek Orthodontics are well-aware that there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) flying around nowadays. But before you buy into those myths, we want you to get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about braces or your orthodontic treatment at our office, please feel free to give us a call at (920) 268-4331 or ask Drs. Lim or Tomassetti during your next visit!

We hope you had a GREAT weekend!

Drs. Tomassetti & Lin, parsing through the myths and facts about orthodontics

Drs. Tomassetti and Lin, as well as our entire team know there are plenty of myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we at Apple Creek Orthodontics think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Apple Creek Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call at 920-738-7600 and enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend!