Here’s to a great 2016, and an even better 2017!

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Dr. Kevin Horner, Dr. Keri Barrow and the entire staff at Horner Barrow Orthodontics would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year!

As 2016 comes to a close, we reflect and look back, and we offer our heart-felt thanks to all of our patients. You have put your trust in us to help you with improving your smile and dental health. We don’t take that lightly. We know there are many options to choose for orthodontic treatment here in Sioux Falls, SD, and it means so much to all of us that you have chosen Horner Barrow Orthodontics! We look forward to seeing you in our office in 2017.

A new year usually holds the promise of better things to come. If you or a family member is thinking about improving their smile in the coming year, or considering orthodontic treatment, please feel free to recommend our office to them.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Have a happy and healthy 2017!

 

Wishing You and Yours a Very Merry Christmas

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It’s the season for getting together with family, friends, and loved ones to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Whether you are a current patient, a past patient, or a future candidate for orthodontic treatment — the entire staff at Horner Barrow Orthodontics would like to wish you and your family the very best during this holiday season.

It’s the season for giving — and a great gift to give yourself or your loved ones is the gift of a healthy, beautiful smile! A smile is so important to who you are, and it’s a FACT that others feel better when those around them are smiling. If you are considering braces or orthodontic treatment for you or your family, please consider contacting our Sioux Falls, SD office for a consultation with Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every one of our patients. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Braces or Orthodontic Treatment For Your Child. Yes or No?

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It’s a question many parents struggle with. Dr. Keri Barrow, of Horner Barrow Orthodontics, in Sioux Falls, SD, has the answer to this common question.

More often than many parents realize, getting braces isn’t always a necessity, and orthodontic treatment isn’t always for the sole purpose of straightening your child’s teeth. There are other dental issues or potential problems that could cause the need for braces to minimize or eliminate these situations completely. And, when braces are deemed a possibility, some research suggests that it may be better to wait until your child is in their early teens to begin treatment options.

Overcrowded Teeth
Braces can help with straightening and separating overcrowded teeth, which makes cleaning them easier. In some cases, this type of malocclusion can also be painful, so correcting it can additionally ease your child’s pain or discomfort.

Open Bite
This dental condition occurs when the top and bottom front teeth do not completely come together when your child bites down.  Both rows of teeth will continue to grow toward each other as your child gets older, so you would want to wait until all your child’s baby teeth have been replaced with their permanent teeth before taking a look at correction options for this condition.

Overbite
According to many renowned orthodontists, approximately 25 to 30 percent of children have this type of dental malocclusion. This issue cannot be corrected with braces. It is an abnormality of the skull and is treated with external options that realign your child’s jaw. Many orthodontists have determined that treating this issue at a very young age (under 8 years old) produces an positive outcome that is identical to the results when your child is treated in their teens or older.

Debilitating Issues
Some dental issues cause serious problems, such as preventing your child from being able to easily or properly eat their food, or causing a lot of pain and discomfort. In these situations, you would want to consider treatment options promptly.

Cosmetic Treatment
Many times, the most common reason for getting braces for your child is simply cosmetic; he or she feels self-conscious about the way their teeth look. Correcting that issue can greatly improve your child’s self-esteem. Crooked or disfiguring dental issues can have a big impact on your child’s future, causing problems and difficulties for them in school, in relationships, and in finding jobs later in life. Self-esteem is a really big deal, especially in younger people. If your child does have this type of dental issue, you should give serious consideration to orthodontic treatment options to give your child peace of mind, improve their sense of self-worth, and ensure that they have the best possible opportunity for success in their academic, professional, and personal lives.

If you are considering braces for your child and are concerned about the cost, ask about payment plans or financing options. There are also dental plans available outside what may be offered by your family’s health insurance that can help alleviate some of the costs associated with having orthodontic work performed on your child.

A key thing to keep in mind when braces are recommended for your child: ask the dentist why they are recommending braces and remember, it is just a recommendation, in most cases, (excluding those where your child is experiencing eating difficulties or pain/discomfort). Braces aren’t exclusively for younger kids these days, and a decision to wait until your child is older (when possible) does not mean you’re being an irresponsible parent; just a cautious, concerned, well-informed one.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, Dr. Kevin Horner, Dr. Keri Barrow, and the entire staff are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every one of our patients. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Orthodontics for Adults Are More Popular Than Ever Before

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With today’s advances in orthodontic technology, a beautiful, healthy smile can now be achieved at any age. Adults, especially, appreciate the benefits of orthodontic treatment. At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we have a large number of adult orthodontic patients. National studies reveal that one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over the age of 21. The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) estimates that approximately 1,000,000 adults in the United States are currently receiving treatment from orthodontists. Today, orthodontic treatment is a viable choice for almost any adult.

One area you might not think of where adult orthodontics can be helpful is in the job market. The current job market is very competitive, especially for young adults, and recent college graduates. Creating a good first impression is extremely important. Serious job hunters know this fact, and many are giving themselves the added bonus of an improved new smile to promote their success. Many hiring professionals will tell you that a confident, beautiful smile during the interview process, no matter what your age, makes a difference when interviewing for a new job. It also helps to bolster your confidence when communicating with others, both professionally and personally, thereby helping you to perform better throughout your life and career.

Orthodontic treatment for adults has several benefits, which can also include:
• Improved health of the teeth and gums
• Increased self-esteem and self-confidence
• Reduction in unwanted wear of the teeth
• Decreased potential jaw joint problems or pain (TMJ/TMD) See our blog article to learn more about this condition.
• Development of the proper bite relationships for long-term function

Dr. Kevin Horner and Dr. Keri Barrow specialize in the latest in orthodontic care for patients of all ages. It is never too late to have a beautiful, healthy smile for a lifetime. Call our Sioux Falls, SD office to schedule your orthodontic consultation and examination, and find out how we can help you have the smile you’ve always dreamed of having!

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Could Braces Be Causing My Sensitivity To Cold?

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An orthodontic patient in our Sioux Falls, SD office asked us this question:
“I have braces, and for the past several weeks, I’ve noticed that one of my upper right molars has become quite sensitive to cold things, such as food, drinks, and even the cold air. I’ve heard that for some people, braces can make teeth more sensitive. Is this what’s causing my sensitivity issues? Maybe I have a cavity? I brush and floss my teeth faithfully every night, and I’ve never had any cavities before, so I’m really concerned about what is going on with my tooth.”

Here’s our answer:
When you have braces, some tooth sensitivity CAN be normal, but an extreme amount is NOT normal. There are several different things that could be causing the problem. The only way it can be diagnosed is to see your general dentist. Some of the issues that may be causing the cold sensitivity are:

Demineralization. Demineralization is a condition that can occur when orthodontic patients don’t take proper care of their teeth while they are wearing their braces. Food that is left on the teeth can turn to acid, which eats into the teeth, leading to a weakened area or even a cavity. When this happens, your teeth can become very sensitive.

Gingivitis. Gingivitis is a condition where the gum tissue around your teeth becomes inflamed. This should not be ignored because it can lead to serious gum and teeth problems.

Recession. Recession is also a gum-related condition that can lead to tooth sensitivity. Gum recession is when the gum tissue has pulled away from the crown portion of the tooth, which often leads to exposure of tooth surfaces (tooth roots) that are normally covered, and therefore protected, by the gum tissue. This can be caused by brushing too hard, or by a bacterial infection in the gums. When this happens, your affected tooth or teeth may become sensitive to cold.

Overall Sensitivity. Some people have sensitive teeth because their tooth enamel is thinner. Since this patient has just developed the problem, and it is only affecting one tooth, this is probably not the cause of their sensitivity.

The best way to protect your teeth from sensitivity is to take proper care of them. Brushing your teeth once a day is not enough. You need to be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day, use mouthwash, and floss thoroughly every day. This is very important when you have braces because it is much easier for food to get trapped on the brackets, and therefore, on your teeth and gums.

If you have consulted with your general dentist, practice good oral hygiene daily and are still experiencing serious sensitivity in just one tooth, it is a good idea to make an appointment with Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow. We will make very effort to determine the source of the sensitivity and get the issue fixed before it causes you more discomfort and problems.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.