You have Questions...We Have Answers

McClellan Orthodontics

Dr. McClellan and his team know that being told that you need braces can cause some apprehension. If you have been told by your General Dentist that you may need braces, don’t worry…we are here for you every step of the way.

 

At McClellan Orthodontics we get a lot of questions when it comes to braces. One of the most popular questions is… 

 

Do Braces Hurt? There is no reason to be anxious about getting braces. Getting braces does not hurt. While each patient will have a different experience with braces, braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth. However, most of our patients experience mild soreness the first 4 days after their braces and wires have been placed. If you do feel any discomfort associated with getting braces…an over the counter pain reliever, such as Advil or Motrin, plus a regimen of salt water rinses can be used to greatly ease the discomfort.

 

Other questions we often get asked are… 

 

Are Braces Expensive? There’s no denying that braces are costly, but because orthodontic treatment is highly personalized and based on the individual the patient, your expenses will depend on your age, the severity of your orthodontic problem, and your insurance plan. 

 

Can My Dentist Put My Braces On? Orthodontists are trained to detect and correct complex bite and jaw problems that are normally beyond the skill level of a general dentist. Dr. McClellan continued his education after completing dental school, spending thousands of hours of instruction on malocclusions, jaw joint issues, bone growth problems, and craniofacial anatomy. When it comes to braces…training is key. Only orthodontists, like Dr. McClellan, with their extensive backgrounds, can be relied on to provide the appropriate and comprehensive treatment for your orthodontic needs. 

 

How Long Do I Have to Wear My Braces?  The amount of time you will need to wear your braces greatly depends on the severity of your orthodontic problem, the health of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone, and your willingness to carefully following Dr. McClellan’s instructions throughout treatment. Most of our patients need to wear braces for about 18 to 24 months. For problems that are harder to correct, treatment may take up to three years. 

 

Still have questions about braces? Give our Kenilworth orthodontic office a call to schedule your initial consultation. 

 

 

Is It An Orthodontic Emergency?

McClellan Orthodontics

So you just got home from your orthodontic adjustment appointment with Dr. McClellan and your next appointment is scheduled for six weeks from now. Your mouth is sore, you feel a wire poking your cheek, and your teeth are tender. You have an emergency and need these painful issues resolved right away!

Did you know that many things we consider an emergency are really things that are simply causing us temporary discomfort and can be resolved at home? Most orthodontic concerns like, poking wires and mouth soreness can be fixed without scheduling an emergency appointment.

3 Simple Solutions to Alleviate Pain or Discomfort

Soreness: Warm salt-water rinses are helpful in relieving soreness. You may also take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil as you would for a headache or similar discomfort.

Poking Wire: Sometimes a poking wire can be safely turned down so that it no longer causes you discomfort. Try to tuck the wire out of the way with the blunt end of a toothbrush, pencil eraser, or Q-Tip. Orthodontic wax can always be used to cover any archwire that might be sticking out.

Loose Wire: Use Tweezers to re-insert the archwire that may have slipped out of the molar bracket. Place wax over it if there is any remaining discomfort.

Please Remember: Every time you brush your teeth, check to make sure you do not have any loose braces by gently trying to slide each one. If a wire or band comes loose, do not be alarmed. If you have a broken or loose appliance, please call our Kenilworth orthodontic office to determine if your breakage is urgent and requires immediate repair.

How To Clean Your Invisalign Aligners

 

McClellan Orthodontics

Did you know over 6 million people across the U.S. have had orthodontic treatment using Invisalign? That includes many people right here in our Kenilworth community.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements that Dr. McClellan plans out for you.

It is important that your take care of your Invisalign aligners to ensure they are doing their best in helping shape your teeth according to your plan.

One of Invisalign’s biggest advantages is having the ability to take the aligners out to eat and drink… but that doesn't mean they don't get dirty. Keeping your aligners clean is a vital part of your treatment, and it's the only way to keep them invisible, odorless, and free from germs. Without proper cleaning, your aligners can discolor, smell, and build up deposits of plaque and bacteria that can eat away at the enamel on your teeth.

Caring for your Invisalign aligners is easy. Just follow these simple Do's and Don'ts when wearing Invisalign:

DO Rinse Every Time: Any time you take your aligners out of your mouth, rinse them thoroughly under running water. This will rinse away bacteria, saliva, and food particles.

DON’T Boil Your Aligners: Hot water will distort the trays. It is not safe to place your Invisalign aligners into the dishwasher or in boiling water. The best way to clean your aligners is with a clean toothbrush and cool water.

DO Brush and Floss Your Teeth: Proper care isn't just about clean aligners; your teeth need to stay clean too. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent buildup of plaque and bacteria under the aligners.

DON’T Use Toothpaste: Toothpaste is great for your teeth, but it can harm your aligners. When you brush them, do so gently and without toothpaste.

DO Use Clear, Anti-Bacterial Soft Soap: Anti-Bacterial soft soap is a great way to keep your aligners free of bacteria and plaque.

DON’T Use Scented or Colored Soap: Using anything but clear soap with aligners can cause them to stain.

DO Brush Carefully: Ideally, you want to brush your Invisalign aligners every time you take them out or before you put them back in. But be careful, as overzealous brushing can leave visible marks and scratches on your aligners.

If you have questions about caring for your Invisalign aligners, we are here to help! Feel free to reach out to us or use our easy online form to schedule an appointment at our Kenilworth orthodontic office.

You're Never Too Old For a Perfect Smile

 

McClellan Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they want to feel better about their appearance and they understand the importance of maintaining their health.

As an adult, you might think that your options for having your teeth fixed are limited, but today's orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs. 

Teeth move in response to forces being placed on them over time. And orthodontic treatment can be just as successful for adults as it is for children. Although childhood is the ideal time to make changes in the positioning of the teeth, more adults are opting for orthodontic treatment and coming away with excellent results.

Ideally, your teeth would line up as neatly as the keys on a piano. Unfortunately, many people must contend with crooked or crowded teeth, or poorly aligned bites.

These problems raise more than cosmetic concerns. Crowded or overlapping teeth can be difficult to clean, making tooth decay and gum disease more likely. Teeth that don't come together properly when you close your jaws can cause chewing and swallowing problems. Poor tooth alignment can also make it difficult to pronounce certain sounds and can put excessive stress on the chewing muscles, causing facial pain.

You are never too old for orthodontic treatment.  Don’t let your age keep you from consulting McClellan Orthodontics.

Orthodontist vs. Dentist

McClellan Orthodontics

What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist and why should you care?

Orthodontists and dentists both help patients improve their oral health, but in different ways. Dentistry is a broad medical specialty that deals with the teeth and gums, while orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on correcting bites. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are licensed orthodontists.

A question people often ask is, “Can my dentist give me braces?” The simple answer is no.

Orthodontists and dentists undertake the same training initially, but orthodontists complete further training after they graduate dental school to become qualified in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of orthodontic problems. Orthodontists specialize in helping patients with the alignment of their teeth, improving their bite, and fitting them for braces and other corrective devices. The benefits of having an orthodontist work on your smile goes beyond just having a beautiful smile. Well-aligned teeth make it possible to bite, chew and speak effectively.

Not everyone needs to have orthodontic treatment, but it may be required if you have any of the following issues:

Overbites: When your front teeth stick out over your lower teeth, you have an overbite.

Underbites: When lower teeth extend too far forward and your top teeth are too far back, you have an underbite.

Crossbites: When the upper teeth do not come down in front of the lower teeth properly, it creates an improper bite, or crossbite.

Spacing issues: These include gaps or spaces between your teeth.

Crowding: When there are too many teeth for a limited amount of space, you can experience crowding.

Misplaced midlines: This occurs when the centers of your upper and lower teeth are not aligned.

Wondering if you should see an Orthodontist to improve your smile? Give McClellan Orthodontics a call today.

 

3 Steps to Looking Younger

McClellan Orthodontics

People are continually looking for ways to turn back the hands of time. Be it buying a cool new wardrobe, getting a new haircut or even plastic surgery…men and women alike are on the hunt for ways to make themselves look and feel younger.  

Despite all of the gimmicks out there, studies show that your smile can do more to make you look younger than anything else!

“Just as white, straight teeth convey youth, a smile with crooked, discolored, worn, or missing teeth is associated with an aged look,” says Edmond Hewlett, DDS, professor of restorative dentistry at UCLA's School of Dentistry.

3 Easy Steps to Take 10 Years Off of Your Appearance

Step 1: Oral Hygiene - The way to take years off of your appearance is to practice good oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral health throughout your life doesn’t just preserve the appearance of your smile, but it can preserve your overall health too. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly promotes healthy teeth and gums and keeps your smile looking and feeling clean.

Step 2: Whiten Your Teeth - Teeth naturally darken as we age. One reason is that your teeth absorb color from food and drinks. Even if you take fantastic care of your teeth, they will eventually yellow over time. Micro-fractures, thinning enamel, and built-up stains all make your teeth look duller and older. Ask our team about how you can whiten your teeth with custom whitening trays. Custom whitening trays are the best way to achieve a deep and thorough color change that can take years off your appearance.

Step 3: Straighten Your Teeth - Even if you start out with perfectly straight teeth, something called mesial drift will cause them to shift over time. Crowded teeth are an instant giveaway of age and straightening your teeth can often take 10 to 15 years off your appearance. Crowded teeth also increase the risk of tooth decay, premature tooth loss, and gum recession, all of which guarantee looking old.

Beautifully straight, symmetrical glowing white teeth cannot only make you look younger, but they can dramatically improve your confidence.

If you have any questions about how we can help give you a healthier, younger looking smile, give our Kenilworth orthodontic office call to schedule an appointment with Dr. McClellan today.

And remember…One of the best ways to appear more youthful is to smile more!

Should You Get Invisalign?

McClellan Orthodontics

 

At McClellan Orthodontics, our top priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. Having straight teeth is important not only for children but for adults as well. Straightening your teeth with the Invisalign system can treat common orthodontic problems thereby helping you maintain your dental health. 

Invisalign treatment is a technique that straightens your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth. The Invisalign aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Dr. McClellan plans out for you.

The Benefits of Invisalign Treatment

1. Invisalign is Removable - This means you can take your Invisalign trays out when you eat and brush your teeth. Being able to take your trays out means you are able to eat without the normal restrictions of braces.

2. Invisalign is Almost Invisible - The aligners look pretty much invisible when they are in your mouth. People may notice that you have something on your teeth because the trays do make your teeth slightly shinier, but it's not nearly as noticeable as traditional braces.

3. Invisalign Can Treat More Complicated Problems - Using attachments, like clear buttons attached to your teeth as anchor points, helps your aligner get a better grip so it can pressure other teeth to move. Rubber bands work too, just like with metal braces, to make corrections to adjust malocclusions and other issues.

4. Invisalign Provides Faster Results - With Invisalign you don’t need to wait for a long time to see the results. You can even see the outcome after a couple of months.

5. Invisalign Can Help Whiten Your Teeth - Anything you eat can stick to your aligners and keep things on your teeth. Similarly, if you brush with whitening toothpaste, that whitening toothpaste will stick to your aligners and to your teeth…helping to whiten your teeth throughout treatment.

Now that you know a few of Invisalign’s benefits, give McClellan Orthodontics a call to see if Invisalign is right for you. We're ready to answer all your Invisalign questions and schedule you for a consultation in our Kenilworth Orthodontic Office.

 

The Perfect Age For Braces

McClellan Orthodontics

When we think of braces, most of us think of teenagers. But nowadays, people of all ages are getting braces. So…what is the perfect age to start braces treatment? 

Orthodontists today can successfully correct most problems regardless of the patient’s age. But that doesn’t mean that the orthodontic treatment starting age does not matter. In fact, the starting age may play a significant role in the total time and expenses required for the completion of the orthodontic treatment.

Children: Traditionally, orthodontic treatment begins when a child has lost most of his or her baby teeth, and a majority of the permanent teeth have grown in. That said, it's a good idea to get an orthodontic evaluation by the time a child is 7 years old. You make think that 7 years old is too early to put your child in braces, however, this interceptive approach can help to spot potential orthodontic problems related to jaw growth and eruption of adult teeth before they get out of hand.

Teens: Most orthodontic problems are ideally treated during a child’s teenage years. Usually, all or most permanent teeth are present and patients are at one of their most active phases of growth. This is a great time to correct most problems, as the jaws are actively growing and their growth can be most easily modified during this time.

Adults: Although childhood is a good time to make changes to the mouth and jaw, more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment for missing or crooked teeth, TMJ, and more. As we grow older, our teeth may shift and it may be necessary for an improved smile through orthodontic treatment. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and it is never too late to improve your smile.

The truth is...there’s no specific age at which a child should first visit the orthodontist. The best choice for you and your child will largely depend on the severity of your child's dental problems. A visit to McClellan Orthodontics should happen when you feel it is needed. Often, your family dentist will be the one to recommend the visit, especially if he or she notices problems with your child’s bite or tooth alignment.

If you are considering braces for yourself or your child, give McClellan Orthodontics a call and schedule your initial consultation. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will take the time to address your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you through any treatment process.

 

Adjusting is Easy

McClellan Orthodontics

You may or may not be excited about wearing your braces, but regardless, we know you will totally be thrilled with the result of your new smile.  As with any change, adjusting to something new can be a little confusing and overwhelming at times, so we are here to help with a few tips on adjusting to your new braces.

Tip #1:  Give Yourself Time

Your braces may not be what you expected, but after a while, when your teeth start shifting you will notice how incredible your teeth alignment and smile look. Initially, your braces may feel like they stick out. This is normal. As you become accustomed to your braces and tooth alignment improves, this sensation won’t be a concern. Although the brackets have been rounded and smoothed, until the cheek tissues have toughened, you may find it helpful to use a small piece of orthodontic wax around the bracket that is creating the irritation.

Tip #2: Be Confident

Don't worry about how your braces look and don't be afraid or embarrassed to smile with your braces. Depending on the type of braces you are treated with, people may not even know you're wearing braces. Be proud and know that your smile will look amazing very soon!

Tip #3:  Know What To Do

• Be sure you know what to do if you're experiencing pain or problems with your braces. Before you leave checkups:

• Using your finger and tongue, check to see that the wire ends do not extend into areas which might poke or abrade the cheek or tongue.

• Make sure you understand what you are to do until your next appointment. This could include wearing elastics as instructed, adjusting an expander or following specific hygiene and diet instructions.

• Make sure you have an adequate supply of dental wax, special cleaning aids, elastic bands, or other related materials you may need between appointments.

• Always schedule your next appointment before leaving the office. Postponing appointments is a common contributor to overtime treatment.

If a problem arises after your appointment, don't be afraid to call us; chances are it's a simple fix. For more information about adjusting to your braces, visit our website or give us a call at our Kenilworth office.

We Have the Technology

McClellan Orthodontics

 

A smile is often the first thing people notice about you. And no matter where you are in Illinois, a nice smile is like a warm hello.  If you have been thinking about your smile and not feeling very confident, there are many ways to ensure that your smile is at its best.

Technology has come a long way in orthodontics. New 3D technology captures various images of your mouth and creates an accurate 3D model of your teeth and gums. These models help us develop the appropriate treatment plan that is completely customized to each individual patient.

Our practice offers advanced treatments with Invisalign invisible braces, Invisalign Teen, and Damon System Braces. We take your safety and health seriously by meeting and exceeding sterilization requirements and staying in contact with your family dentist throughout your treatment to help you maintain your oral health while wearing braces.

Whether it's Invisalign or traditional braces, our team will ensure your treatment is as smooth as possible and your end result leaves you smiling. Using the latest in orthodontic technology, Dr. McClellan will work to ensure your first visit is informative and that you have all the necessary information to choose the treatment plan that is best for you.

We are committed to determining which treatment solution is best suited for you. Using convenient and efficient technology continues to ensure we put our patient's needs first. Schedule your complimentary consultation at our Kenilworth orthodontic office today and start smiling with confidence.

 

Straighter Smiles Available Online

McClellan Orthodontics

Lately, you may have noticed some online direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies have been making orthodontic treatment sound cheap and easy. While it may sound great to save some money and buy your orthodontic treatment directly online…the reality is you aren’t getting the treatment for less. You're simply purchasing a product and opting out of the many important aspects that make orthodontics work.

Orthodontic treatment involves the movement of biological material, which if not done correctly could lead to potentially irreversible and expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues.

Orthodontic treatment is a medical procedure. This is precisely why orthodontists, like Dr. McClellan, are required to undergo extensive training and education before they can begin performing treatments. Remember…orthodontic treatment is not a product or device. Orthodontic treatment is a professional, medical service. When your care is personally supervised by an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, you are assured that your orthodontist spent years in a post-doctoral residency program focused on providing orthodontic treatment to patients.

Before making any decision about orthodontic treatment, we strongly encourage you to schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation with McClellan Orthodontics. Our team cares about your smile, and we will take the time to discuss the pros and cons of all your treatment options with you.