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While the practice of orthodontics has become more and more popular over the years, there are still many misconceptions about treatment. At Mack and Hansen Orthodontics, we want to help clear some things up for you:

Misconception #1: My orthodontist does the same thing as my dentist

The Truth: While it is true that the goal of both orthodontists and dentists is to help patients achieve lifelong oral health, we do so in completely different ways.

As an orthodontist, Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen help patients achieve oral health by addressing the alignment of your teeth and jaws. By correcting these issues, they are able to help patients with a variety of oral health issues including; crowded teeth, bite problems and even speech impediments.

A dentist works with patients to prevent and treat a variety of oral hygiene and health issues including; teeth cleaning, gum disease, tooth decay and other common oral health problems.

Misconception #2: Orthodontists only treat children.

The Truth: Most of the time the people you will see at an orthodontist office are children and teenagers. However, there has been an increase in adults visiting the orthodontist. Treatment for crooked teeth and a bad bite can occur at any age.

Misconception #3: My child needs to have all their adult teeth before visiting an orthodontist for braces.

The Truth: The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist for their first evaluation at the age of 7. This gives the orthodontist an opportunity to treat any problems early on while the jaw is still growing.

Misconception #4: It takes too long!

The Truth: While the duration depends on the severity of your issues and the speed in which your teeth move, the majority of patients have braces for about two years, but sometimes it is a lot less. While two years may seem like a lot, it is a miniscule amount in time for a smile that lasts a lifetime.

A smile is a powerful asset. Do not let these common misconceptions prevent you from pursuing orthodontic treatment.

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Over one-third of all orthodontics patients are adults who sought out adult braces and aligners to straighten their teeth. With smaller brackets, less obtrusive metal bands, and alternative straightening options at affordable prices, the reasons for not getting adult braces or aligners pale in comparison to the benefits. Straighten your teeth now to enjoy beautiful and healthy teeth for years to come.

ADULT BRACES AND ALIGNERS ARE EASILY ATTAINABLE

With time, braces and aligners have become more affordable, and you now have an income of your own to use as you please. As an adult, it is a great time to get braces because you can now afford it. Even if you are worried about finances, we can work with you to create a payment plan that works for you, and insurance may even help pay to have your teeth straightened, especially if your teeth are making dentist visits for repairs more prevalent.

ADULT BRACES AND ALIGNERS ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE

As mentioned in the introduction, braces are now being made with small components. The smaller the components, the less noticeable the braces. The braces we use for adults are hassle-free and comfortable to wear. If you don’t like the idea of traditional metal adult braces, you can choose ceramic (clear) braces that are tooth-colored for less visibility, or clear aligners that are transparent. No matter which option you decide on, the adult braces and straightening treatments we offer are as disguised as possible, so they do not distract others from your beautiful smile. With our adult braces and aligners, you can go about your business life and social life as you would have without braces while never feeling self-conscious or less attractive.

ADULT BRACES AND ALIGNERS ARE ADVANTAGEOUS

As you have most likely heard, adult braces provide you with more than just a more attractive smile. Straightening that occurs with adult braces or aligners results in fewer cavities, less cleaning hassle, a shorter flossing period, and a more comfortable bite. With crowding and crooked teeth, it is hard to reach every crevice and provide your teeth with the brushing and flossing they need to effectively remineralize, preventing cavities. Once you receive straightening treatment, you will experience a noticeable difference in your oral cleaning routine that frees up your time in more ways than one. You may even get to visit the dentist less for restorations and teeth whitening treatments.

These are merely a few of the reasons adults pursue adult braces and straightening treatments regardless of their age. If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign clear aligners please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Do you know what the best age is to bring your child to their first orthodontic evaluation?

We can guess that most people would think it is in their early teens. One of the things we hear all the time in our office is: “I can’t schedule my child yet because they haven’t lost all their baby teeth.” However, the recommended age for a child’s first orthodontic checkup is seven years old. Even if your child’s teeth seem straight, there may be an underlying issue that only the orthodontist can detect.

This is why Mack and Hansen Orthodontics in Longview, TX and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend every child to see an orthodontist by the age of seven years old. We want to make sure everyone from the dentist to the parents understands the importance of these early evaluations.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, there are many reasons why your child should be seen by age seven. First of all, Dr. Spencer Mack or Dr. Andrew Hansen can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. Your child’s check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine. On the other hand, our orthodontists may identify a developing problem that can be monitored with your child’s growth and development and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child. In certain situations, Dr. Mack or Dr. Hansen might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment and be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. It also allows our orthodontists to

– guide jaw growth
– lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
– correct harmful oral habits
– improve appearance
– guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
– improve the way lips meet

Our orthodontic consultations are ALWAYS complimentary, so you don’t have to worry about any cost or insurance claims taking anything away from your benefits. We just want to make sure we are doing what is best for your child. Have no fear, if your child doesn’t need braces we will simply follow up with them monitor their growth through set appointments ranging from 6-month to 12-month intervals. When they are ready for braces, we give you and your child all the information needed about their treatment.

Please feel free to call our orthodontic office here in Longview, TX at 903-212-7737 with any questions you may have. We will be happy to answer those questions and look forward to giving you and your family “Something to Smile About.”

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

What does an orthodontist do?

When it comes time to decide who you should see about orthodontic treatment (braces or clear aligners) there is some information you should be aware of.  While you might think of an orthodontist as someone who just straightens teeth, there is much more that orthodontists do. Not only do they straighten teeth and align bites, they also help correct irregular jaw growth. This is one of the main differences between a dentist and an orthodontist. While dentists do receive some training on orthodontics, an orthodontist attends a residency program after dental school. During this 2-3 year residency program they do nothing but learn and practice orthodontics.

Since most people focus on their front teeth and not their bite or how their jaws line up, it is understandable that many people do not think orthodontists correct these things. However, every orthodontist is trained in diagnosing and correcting malocclusions and aligning teeth and bites. Of course, there is a significant benefit to having straight teeth including increased confidence and self-esteem.

What types of braces are there?

There are a number of different types of braces used by orthodontists and they are not like the braces used in generations past. The types of braces we use today are much less noticeable, much smaller, and are less prone to breaking off the teeth due to advances in the orthodontic materials used. We provide numerous types of braces at affordable prices. For more information on the types of braces including metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign clear aligners, visit our types of braces page.

What do I have to do differently if I am wearing braces?

It is important that you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time while you are wearing braces. Even better, you should be brushing after every meal. Additionally, you want to do your best to avoid sugary drinks and acidic foods and drinks while undergoing orthodontics treatment. The reason for this is over time, areas of decalcification can start to appear on your teeth. These areas are commonly known as white spots. It is also important to avoid crunchy hard foods like chips and crackers, pretzels and peanuts. These types of foods are more likely to cause brackets to break.

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.