Treatment Options for TMD
Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) refers to a diverse range of disorders that relate to muscular function in the jaw and face — the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). That could mean difficulty opening your mouth, pain in the jaw or face, or any sort of problem with the jaw joint. TMD can be difficult to diagnose because of […]
May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month!
The month of May has the unique distinction of being National Teen Self-Esteem Month. What does that mean? National Teen Self-Esteem Month was created to raise public awareness about how low self-esteem can negatively affect teens. Especially during May, parents and guardians of teens are asked to be positive role models. If teens can receive […]
How NOT to Forget Your Retainer
The alarm sounds in the morning, you wake up and realize “I forgot to wear my retainer!” If this only happened once, don’t panic. Missing one night with a retainer is unlikely to cause significant teeth movement. However, if it has happened often, give our Tacoma, WA office a call to make sure your teeth […]
No Wooden Teeth, Please! Why Oral Health is So Important
Your teeth are precious. Once your permanent teeth come in, they need to last you a lifetime. Extensive tooth decay can lead to dental caries and the need for fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures. While these fixes can go a long way toward maintaining your quality of life, they cannot compare to your natural teeth. […]
Curing the Nail-Biting Habit
Do you ever find yourself gnawing at your nails? Nail-biting is a very common and difficult to break habit which usually has its beginnings in childhood. It can leave your fingers and nail beds red and swollen. But if you think that your nails are the only ones getting roughed up by nail-biting you’d be […]
Caring for Your Smile after Invisalign® Treatment
You went through a lot of effort and work to achieve your perfect smile. You wore your Invisalign aligner trays, brushed and flossed diligently, and now your treatment is done! What happens now? In order to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful, you should keep several practices in play. Retainers Although everyone’s needs are different, […]
Periodontics and Braces Treatment
Most people think braces are all about their teeth. While it is true orthodontics is meant to move your teeth into proper position, there’s more to it than that. To safely move your teeth with braces, you’re going to need healthy and stable gums (or periodontium—the tissues that support your teeth). For this reason it’s […]
Is Invisalign® Right For You?
When patients ask Dr. Mark Sundberg about who benefits from Invisalign clear aligners, the simple answer is this: almost everyone. Unlike conventional braces, they are removable, which makes eating and cleaning your teeth much easier. They are molded to fit each patient’s mouth and are practically invisible. Because aligners apply less force in straightening teeth […]
What’s so great about an orthodontist?
A lot of our patients are curious about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. In fact, one of the most common questions we hear at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics is, “Dentists and orthodontists are all the same, right?” A general dentist is your primary dental care provider. Dentists diagnose, treat, and manage your overall […]
Do I need to wear my rubber bands with my braces?
Most of our patients at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics will need to wear rubber bands at some point during their orthodontic treatment. The main reason our patients are instructed to wear rubber bands is to correct their bite. If your teeth do not fit together properly, Dr. Mark Sundberg will recommend that rubber bands be used. […]