Connect with Apple Creek Orthodontics on Facebook!

At Apple Creek Orthodontics, we value the relationships we’ve developed with our patients in Appleton and surrounding communities over the years. Even if you visit our office on a regular basis, did you know you can always connect with us on Facebook and other social networks?

By “Liking” us on Facebook, you will receive regular updates and contest announcements from our office – all through your news feed! Besides our Facebook page, we have our own YouTube channel, where we hope to post happy patient testimonials in the future!

See you on Facebook!

-The Apple Creek Orthodontics team

Your turn! From Apple Creek Orthodontics

Each week, our creative team at Apple Creek Orthodontics blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic treatment care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques Drs. Tomassetti and Lin offer at our office in Appleton.

Today, however, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Take it away and our staff will try to answer any questions you may have! Have a wonderful weekend!

At Apple Creek Orthodontics, October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our staff at Apple Creek Orthodontics wanted to remind all our patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this month. Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding this Halloween Season! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time with Drs. Tomassetti or Lin!

Also, in honor of “Orthodontic Health Month,” we’d thought we’d ask: What do you love about your braces? Share your story on our Facebook page!

SureSmile featured on CNN!

We've blogged about SureSmile treatment at Apple Creek Orthodontics in the past, and today wanted to share with a clip of SureSmile being discussed by Dr. Sanjay Gupta on CNN recently!

In the video, Dr. Gupta profiles Jessica Thompson, a Maryland teen who wasn't all that excited about getting regular, traditional braces - Jessica chose SureSmile as a method of straightening her teeth instead.

Jessica is not alone - more and more people in Appleton are choosing SureSmile as their treatment option, including patients at our office.

With SureSmile treatment at Apple Creek Orthodontics, getting braces sure isn’t what it used to be. Our patients see fantastic results and need fewer office visits with this remarkable technology. They also experience less discomfort and ultimately achieve greater results.

To learn more about SureSmile, we invite you to give us a call at 920-738-7600.

More happy smiles at Apple Creek Orthodontics!

At Apple Creek Orthodontics, our goal is to create a comprehensive team approach to treatment, focusing on personalized patient care in an atmosphere that patients of all ages can enjoy. Check out what our current patients have to say about Drs. Tomassetti, Lin and our office! Happy Wednesday!

"Dr. Tomassetti takes the time to make sure the patient is comfortable and understands procedures." ~ Eric S.

"How he interacts with Caitlin. She is never afraid to come to her appointments and is actually looking forward to the upcoming procedures." ~ M. James

"We like Dr Lin's experience with SureSmile and that they use the latest in technology." ~ Chayne S.

"Dr. T is very good with the kids. Jensen chose him over all the the others we met with." ~ Anonymous

"Appointments are on time- not much time in the waiting room." ~ Kent and Ellen S.

Ask Dr. Tomassetti: Which foods should I avoid during treatment?

Happy Monday! Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat while wearing braces! If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the first week wearing braces is just your chance! For the first day or so, stick to soft foods.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Also, try and stay away from these foods:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call or ask our staff at Apple Creek Orthodontics during your next visit!

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.