Consider These Important Points When Choosing Your Family’s Orthodontist

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Choosing an orthodontist in the Sioux Falls, SD area for your family is an important decision, and one that is not be made lightly. But it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. First, and foremost, you want to be certain that you and your child will be comfortable with your choice. Find an orthodontic specialist who is well-recommended, board certified, has successfully completed cases available for you to review, and is able to accommodate your busy schedule. Orthodontic treatment is a serious investment, so it should be treated as such.

Talk to your family dentist. Get feedback from the parents of your children’s friends. Word of mouth recommendations are typically the best place to start when looking for a new medical provider of any kind. Orthodontists know this, and good ones take care to foster good relationships with their patients and referring dentists.

Today, many general dentists have taken classes to offer braces or clear aligners (Invisalign®), but an orthodontist is still THE BEST CHOICE for orthodontic treatment. General dentists are experts in diagnosis of dental decay, preventative dentistry and restoring, replacing and repairing teeth, while an orthodontist is an expert in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

Orthodontists should have two to three years of additional specialized orthodontics education accredited by the American Dental Association, and the best orthodontists are also board certified.

After finding a highly-recommended orthodontic practice, look at examples of their completed cases. Some practices have a gallery of smiles on their website, but the office will also have photos on display of patients who have completed treatment.

Call the office to get the basic information, find out if they are accepting new patients, discuss insurance and financing policies, and ask if they offer free consultations. Your initial consultation is the ideal time to discuss treatment goals, and to find out how much experience the orthodontist has in correcting specific problems.

Orthodontic treatment can be a lengthy process, and patients interact with the doctors and their staff on a nearly monthly basis, so make sure you are comfortable with and confident about the orthodontic practice you choose for your family.

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.

What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment and Does My Child Need It?

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Thinking about early orthodontic treatment for your child? If so, you are not alone. As many as 20 percent of the patients in some orthodontic practices are ages 7 to 10.  The truth is, many developing orthodontic problems can be intercepted and corrected if diagnosed and treated at an early age. Dr. Kevin Horner and Dr. Keri Barrow, along with the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and many other orthodontists and dental professionals, recommend children have their first orthodontic evaluation no later than age seven, or younger if the front four permanent teeth have replaced the baby teeth. Early treatment, also known as Phase I treatment (or interceptive treatment), provides timely detection of problems and a greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Early intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later.

You may want to consider early orthodontic treatment if any of the following issues apply to your child:
• Early or late loss of baby teeth (a child typically starts losing baby teeth around age five or six, and will have all their permanent teeth in by age 12 to 13)
• Sucking his or her thumb
• Difficulty chewing and/or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Speech impediment
• Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
• Crowded front teeth
• Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner, or even at all

Early intervention can reduce the severity of your child’s case, and therefore reduce the length of treatment time and cost for a second phase of treatment when all of his or her permanent teeth have erupted.  The orthodontists and the staff at Horner Barrow Orthodontics can evaluate your child and determine if his or her dental and skeletal growth is proceeding properly, or if interceptive treatment is needed. In many instances, a more severe problem can be corrected using sophisticated removable appliances instead of traditional orthodontic treatment.

To schedule an appointment in our Sioux Falls, SD office, please contact us. We will be happy to  consult with you regarding any next steps deemed necessary toward caring for your child’s smile and dental health.

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.

Braces and Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day is almost here. In case you don’t know, it’s Tuesday, February 14! That means lots of sweet goodies will be making an appearance this weekend and in the coming week. It’s also time, once again, for us at Horner Barrow Orthodontics, to remind all of our orthodontic patients in the Sioux Falls, SD area to use extra caution when choosing those tempting delights.

Sweet, sour, gooey and sticky candies and chocolates taste great, but they are also known to damage teeth and orthodontic appliances. Sour candies can be harmful to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them. This can cause tooth staining, tooth decay, and cavities.

If you do indulge, Dr. Kevin Horner and Dr. Keri Barrow recommend choosing softer treats, such as soft chocolates, peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. After enjoying them, be sure to carefully brush and floss between your teeth, and thoroughly clean around your brackets and wires, as well as at the gum line.

Just for Fun…a little Valentine’s Day History

Valentine’s Day is known around the world as a celebration of love in all its forms. Red roses, cute little cherubs, pink hearts, and lovely greeting cards seem to be everywhere. But many people might not know that our modern Valentine’s Day celebration got its start from a religious holiday.

St. Valentine’s Day was originally celebrated as a religious feast day in honor of early Christian martyrs. Three martyrs were honored; all of them named Valentine…a priest in Rome, the persecuted bishop of a town in central Italy, and a saint martyred in Africa. This saint’s day was celebrated throughout Christendom, although in 1969 it was removed from the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints.

Valentine’s Day as a holiday for lovers is credited to Geoffrey Chaucer’s 1382 poem “Parlement of Foules.” He penned, “For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate,” and with those words the modern romantic holiday was born. William Shakespeare and other writers also mentioned Valentine’s Day as a day for love.

free-vintage-valentines-day-card-happy-couple-with-red-heart-and-pink-flowersFast forward to the early 19th century, which is when our modern-day Valentine’s Day came about. In Victorian England, printers began producing small numbers of cards with romantic verses, ribbons, lace, and other frilly adornments. Anonymous Valentine’s Day cards were a popular way for young lovers to exchange romantic sentiments in an otherwise conservative or “proper” era. As the 19th century progressed, printers began to mass-produce Valentine’s Day cards. Every year in the United States, we exchange an estimated 190 million valentines. In this age of technology, online Valentine’s Day cards have become very popular, with millions of e-cards sent each year.

Other items closely associated with Valentine’s Day are chocolate and flowers. The tradition of giving chocolates has been around for decades. Almost 150 years ago, Richard Cadbury created the first box of Valentine’s Day chocolates. Today, consumers purchase over $1 billion in chocolates in the United States alone, with 35 million heart-shaped boxes sold each year. Loved ones also give flowers; often red roses, associated with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. On Valentine’s Day alone, florists sell nearly 200 million stems of roses.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Horner Barrow Orthodontics!

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.

Breakfast Foods That Are Braces-Friendly!

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At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, Dr. Kevin Horner and Dr. Keri Barrow understand how hard it can be to get your child to eat the recommended daily allowance of healthy grains, fruits and vegetables. As many parents already know, kids can be finicky eaters. How many times has your child hid their serving of broccoli under a dollop of mashed potatoes, or tried to sneak their green beans to the family dog?

The task of providing fun, nutritious meals becomes even more challenging when your child is wearing braces. It’s a well-known fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day for all of us. A healthy breakfast provides our bodies with the necessary fuel to start our day off on a positive note. The following braces-friendly breakfast food suggestions are not only nutritious, but also delicious.

• A healthy breakfast provides energy to start the day and it also revs up the body’s metabolism. A smoothie can be a good source of fruit, protein and fiber, and it’s also gentle on braces. Plus, smoothies are fun to make. You can toss anything in the blender (plain, low-fat Greek yogurt, bananas, strawberries, and spinach to name a few) and create a drink that’s loaded with protein,  vitamins and antioxidants.

• Scrambled eggs. Scrambled eggs are soft, and therefore, easy to eat if you have braces. If covered in ketchup (which many kids like to do), eggs become even softer. Minimal chewing is needed, and that’s the key to a braces-friendly recipe.

• Hard, crunchy cereals or granola for breakfast is not a good choice if you wear braces. Bite down on a hard chunk, and you could loosen a bracket, or break a wire. You can, however, get a serving of whole grains by replacing that crunchy cereal with cooked oatmeal. This soft, easy-to-chew breakfast treat has plenty of health benefits. The best option is quick-cook oats that you can add your choice of nuts and berries to, rather than those presweetened packets of instant oats. A time-saver for your busy mornings is to make the oatmeal ahead of time, in the evening. Do an online search for overnight oats; you’ll be pleasantly surprised at all of the tasty suggestions that come up for easy-to-assemble recipes that will be ready to eat the next morning!

• Pancakes may NOT be the most healthy option for breakfast. However, this weekend breakfast favorite IS braces-friendly. Strive to make your pancakes healthier by adding blueberries in the pancake batter.

• All-bran, whole-grain (or multi-grain) pumpkin, banana, blueberry or apple muffins are another good way to start the day. Pull out your favorite recipe and bake a batch of homemade muffins on the weekend, and you’ll have a quick, handy breakfast for several weekday mornings. Just remember to omit the nuts!

• Toast (lightly-browned) is an acceptable option, but start by using healthy, whole-wheat or whole-grain bread. Up the protein factor by spreading your toast with a little bit of creamy (not chunky) peanut or almond butter, and just say no to that overly-sweet jelly. Instead, add a bit of a natural, all-fruit jam to cut down on the sugar. When wearing braces, the best course of action is to avoid foods that are hard or chewy. These types of foods can break wires. Some kids might think that toast isn’t the most exciting breakfast food, but it IS braces-friendly.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient in the Sioux Falls, SD area. 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.

A New Year, A New Smile, A NEW YOU!

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Happy 2017 from all of us at Horner Barrow Orthodontics! Every January, millions of people resolve to change their lives for the better in the new year. Often, those resolutions involve losing weight, exercising more, or similar healthy habits. But there is one resolution that could truly improve your health and your life in many ways, with no costly gym membership required. It’s a resolution for good oral health.

The new year is a great time to reevaluate yourself, and make those changes you’ve been thinking about, like a beautiful, healthy smile. Orthodontics can be a solution for many aesthetic dental issues, such as crowding, spacing, or teeth sticking out. A healthy mouth can improve your physical well-being, and it can also give you more confidence to help you achieve other positive changes in your life.

Adults will often ask themselves these questions when they think about traditional orthodontic treatment: “Am I too old?” “What will other people think?” “How will I look?” Remember, it’s never too late to get the new smile you’ve been dreaming of. Thanks to today’s technology, there are more alternatives to traditional braces than ever before. Clear brackets and Invisalign® are less visible, but effective, options to meet your orthodontic treatment needs.

An improved smile is just one of the many benefits of orthodontics; there are also many health benefits. Aligning the teeth makes them easier to clean, thus reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Orthodontics can also give you a more balanced bite for overall improved function. Last, but certainly not least, orthodontics can enhance your overall well-being. You may feel more stressed when you are embarrassed to smile because you’re self-conscious about your teeth. Others may view your behavior as aloof or standoffish when you don’t intend it to be. On the other hand, if you are happy with your smile, you’ll feel relaxed and confident when talking with others in professional and personal settings. You’ll be comfortable in business meetings, making a presentation, going on a date, or taking a class. Having a confident smile can mean the difference between achieving positive goals in your life and just sitting on the sidelines for another year.

Don’t wait another day for your new smile! Call our Sioux Falls, SD office today to schedule an orthodontic 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 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.

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.

A Little History on Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season. Brimming with good food, and quality time spent with family and friends, Thanksgiving is a joyous holiday for many of us, here in Sioux Falls, SD, and across the United States.

Thanksgiving is a day meant for giving thanks, and though this may seem like a natural celebration, the United States is one of a relative few countries to officially celebrate with a holiday.

Unlike many holidays, Thanksgiving is a secular holiday; celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States. Our northern neighbor, Canada, celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October, which is actually much closer to the time when harvests were typically gathered. In addition to the different celebration dates, the origins of the two holidays are also different.

Thanksgiving in the United States
Giving thanks for a bountiful harvest is not new, however; the modern day Thanksgiving in this country can be traced back to a celebration at Plymouth in Massachusetts in 1621. This first feast of thanksgiving was inspired by a good harvest, and the tradition was carried on. At first, the colony at Plymouth didn’t have enough food to feed everyone present, but the Native Americans helped by providing seeds and teaching the colonists how to fish, and soon enough, they were able to hold a feast worthy of the name. The tradition spread, and by the 1660s, most of New England was hosting a Thanksgiving feast in honor of the bountiful harvest.

Thanksgiving in Canada
Martin Frobisher, an explorer of early Canada, is given credit for the idea of the first Canadian Thanksgiving. He survived an arduous journey from England through harsh weather conditions and rough terrain, and after his last voyage from Europe to what is now known as Nunavut, he held a formal ceremony, giving thanks for his good fortune and for his survival. As time went on and more settlers arrived, a feast was added to what had already became a yearly tradition. Samuel de Champlain, another explorer, is linked to the first actual Thanksgiving celebration in honor of a successful harvest. Settlers who arrived with him in New France celebrated their harvest with a bountiful feast.

Thanksgiving in the 21st Century
Today, Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated with all things Americana, from elaborate meals, parades, parties and football games, to kicking off the Christmas holiday shopping season. To many of us, Thanksgiving is roast turkey, stuffing (or dressing), mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. No matter how you and your loved ones celebrate this special holiday, take a moment to give thanks for your friends, family, and all the bountiful blessings you’ve received.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Horner Barrow Orthodontics. We are truly thankful for you, our wonderful orthodontic patients!

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.

 

Why Do YOU Want To Have Straight Teeth?

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There are three major reasons people in Sioux Falls, SD, and elsewhere, seek orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth. The first, and probably the most important reason is an improperly functioning bite. Sometimes teeth emerge in the wrong positions, and this can cause an interference to the way the teeth and jaws work. Sometimes teeth become impacted, or stuck, inside the jawbone. These impactions can (in simple cases) make teeth hard to clean, which can lead to decay and gum problems. In more serious cases, the impaction can lead to damage to the adjacent teeth.

Other functional problems include crossbites, where the tooth position is reversed from its correct location. This can lead to abnormal wear or chipped teeth. Sometimes poor bite relationships can make chewing uncomfortable, and in some case predispose a person to jaw joint problems. Any of these issues can be detected and assessed by your general dentist. If there are functional problems with your bite your general dentist will be able to identify them and will most likely advise you to seek treatment with a specialist, such as an orthodontist.

The second reason people often seek orthodontic treatment is for an improvement in their smile. Appearance is a personal thing. If you don’t like the way your teeth look, many times having them straighter will make them look nicer. In this case, the benefit of orthodontic treatment then really depends on whether you like your teeth the way they are or not. If you really don’t like the way your teeth look, then orthodontics may be for you.

The third reason people want to straighten their teeth is for self-esteem. Many people say they feel more confident in social settings, or in the business world if they have a beautiful, straight smile. Some people even claim that this self-confidence helps them to succeed in life or that they have become a happier, more smiling person. To back up that claim, studies have shown that a confident smile can improve people’s career opportunities.

Orthodontics continues to increase in popularity
Over the years, we at Horner Barrow Orthodontics have seen the demand for orthodontics greatly increase, as it has across the country, and this is probably due to several reasons. One reason is the desire to have a more perfect appearance in the face than in other areas of the body. Like it or not, this desire has become part of our culture. Even though we should not become obsessed with perfection, a happy, healthy, confident smile is truly a benefit for one’s entire life. Research has also shown indications that a confident smile can improve people’s career opportunities.

The second reason orthodontics has become more popular is that availability has greatly improved over the last 20 or more years. The cost of orthodontic treatment, while still not inexpensive, is relatively less expensive than it was many years ago.

The third reason orthodontics has become more popular is that the treatment procedures themselves are definitely more comfortable than they were in the past. Many cases can be treated without the dreaded extraction of teeth. The appliances (brackets) are smaller and smoother than they used to be. The days of the old “tin grin” or “railroad tracks” are pretty much a thing of the past.

In addition, other forms of orthodontic treatment, such as sequential plastic aligners, like Invisalign®, are available and are becoming more sophisticated and successful in the final result.
For these three major reasons, orthodontics has become a happy and healthy experience. To discover more about our range of orthodontic treatments, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow, please contact us.

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.