Blog

When Clear Aligners aren’t the Answer

Clear aligners like Invisalign® have become increasingly popular over the past several years and rightly so. They’re removable, easier to clean than braces, and hardly anyone knows you’re wearing them. They are great in treating many cases, but they aren’t for everyone. Below, Dr. Mark Sundberg and our team cover some of the instances where […]

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Make Your Braces Bands Work for You!

Well, of course, they already are working for you—as an essential part of the alignment process. Rubber bands, also known as elastic ligatures, are used to secure the wires inside your brackets. But bands can be more than functional. Since the ligatures around each bracket are replaced when you visit our office, why not use that opportunity […]

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Kristin Cavallari and Palatal Expanders

It’s no easy feat to have one of the best smiles in Hollywood. The reality TV starlet Kristin Cavallari attributes her gorgeous smile to routine oral hygiene, the removal of two impacted wisdom teeth, and having undergone orthodontic treatment. Kristin’s treatment began in sixth grade when she was fitted with a device Dr. Mark Sundberg […]

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What role do elastics (rubber bands) play in orthodontics?

Wearing orthodontic braces may be the best choice for correcting your teeth and improving your smile, and that’s why you’ve come to see Dr. Mark Sundberg at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics. Braces, which consist of brackets and wires, work by gently applying pressure to the teeth, and that pressure causes them to move into the correct […]

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Halloween: Candy, costumes, and more!

All Hallows’ Eve, more commonly known as Halloween, is a yearly event celebrated on October 31, and one that is anticipated by the young and young at heart all over the world. Some scholars claim that Halloween originated from Celtic festivals that honored the dead or that celebrated the harvest, while others doubt that there’s […]

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How do braces move my teeth?

Great question! Tooth movement is your body’s natural response to light pressure applied by braces over a period of time (usually two years). Braces work by using brackets that are glued onto your teeth; these brackets have small slots, and that is where Dr. Mark Sundberg and our team insert orthodontic wires. These wires are […]

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Will my child benefit from early orthodontic treatment?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontic treatment for children should start at around age seven. Dr. Mark Sundberg can evaluate your child’s orthodontic needs early on to see if orthodontic treatment is recommended for your son or daughter. Below, we answer common questions parents may have about the benefits of early childhood orthodontics. […]

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How Long Do I Need To Wear Retainers?

Once you get your braces off, you want to make sure your smile remains straight! This is where retainers come in. Once your braces come off, you’ll be fitted for a retainer provided by Dr. Mark Sundberg to keep those teeth in place. A retainer is a custom-fit device that sits in the mouth and […]

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Fall Holiday Guide for Braces

If this is your child’s first holiday season with braces, here are some tips on how to help children get the most enjoyment from these celebrations without compromising their braces or leaving them feeling left out of the festivities. Halloween When you think dental health, “Halloween” is not usually the first thing that comes to […]

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HOW BRACES CAN WORK AT ANY AGE

Are you an adult who is considering getting braces? Perhaps you’ve had them before, but over the years that dental work has been reversed. Or maybe you’ve never had any orthodontic work done but are considering braces for the first time. In either case, Pacific Northwest Orthodontics can help you enjoy straighter teeth, an improved […]

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