Safe Eating with Braces: Braces-friendly snack recipe
At Pacific Northwest Orthodontics, Dr. Mark Sundberg and our staff know that eating with braces can be tricky. You want to avoid damaging the bands, brackets, and wires, since any damage can delay the progress of your treatment. After adjustments, your mouth may also feel sore, which will make eating more of a chore than […]
Does my child need two-phase treatment?
You might be surprised to see one of your second grader’s friends with a dental appliance. Isn’t orthodontic work just for teenagers? And, if not, should your seven-year-old be sporting braces right now? The answer to both of those questions is “Not necessarily.” Two-phase treatment is a process designed to correct issues that arise during […]
Dental X-Rays: Are They Safe?
X-rays have been a function of dental healthcare for a long time. That in and of itself should be good news, because it means we’ve had plenty of time to improve them. While there is always some risk in exposure to radiation, dental X-ray exposure has decreased significantly due to all the advances in technology. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]