Blog

Generic Clear Aligners vs. Invisalign®

You may have a talent for home repairs. You may be able to rebuild your computer. You may even be able to put together a whole room of furniture armed only with flat-box kits and an Allen wrench. But, please—don’t try do-it-yourself orthodontics! Now that generic clear aligners are available, you might consider giving them […]

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Orthodontic Care on the Go!

Whether you’re heading out for a day with friends or running from classroom to volleyball practice, you don’t always have the luxury of taking care of your braces or aligners in the comfort of your home. But don’t stress! Here are some suggestions for handy items you can take with you to handle most of […]

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Find how Your Diet can Cause Cavities

Sometimes food that’s good for your body isn’t necessarily the best for your teeth. Dr. Mark Sundberg and our team want you to know which healthy foods can harm your teeth and gums, and what steps you can take to continue enjoying these foods, even when you’re dieting. When you begin to substitute empty calories […]

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Tooth Protection and Winter Sports

Just because it’s cold out there doesn’t mean you’ll give up keeping fit and active! Winter is the season for some of our favorite team sporting activities, and when you’re donning your protective gear, don’t forget to protect your teeth as well. Basketball This sport actually tallies one of the highest counts of dental injuries. […]

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Things You Probably Didn’t Know About New Year’s Eve

It’s no secret that New Year’s Eve is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. Dr. Mark Sundberg and our team love it too. It’s a fresh start, another year of surviving the crazy world we live in, a time to refocus on the things we want for ourselves, a celebration with […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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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