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.

Feeling Sad? Life Got You Down? Try Smiling!

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Smiling not only makes you look better, but also helps you feel better, too! A genuine smile gives a lift to your mood and gives those around you a reason to smile, as well. Although we all have plenty of times that we feel depressed or alone, making the effort to smile will actually improve your mood and contribute to a better outlook on a negative situation.

How smiling can affect our mood.
When we feel bad, we tend to frown. This facial expression pulls down on the muscles around the mouth, causing us to look unhappy. A frowning expression makes others around us feel uncomfortable, too. In fact, the muscles used for frowning literally release negative feelings in the brain that reinforce the bad feelings that are already there.

On the plus side, smiling lifts up the corners of the mouth and the lips, sometimes stretching facial skin up toward the eyes. This movement, in turn, releases positive emotions in the brain, causing us to feel better. As a result, those who see us smile are more likely to feel happier.

Practice for a better smile.
Practice smiling in front of the mirror. See how your face changes when you try different smiles, from a small smile to a large one, or a big-toothy grin compared to a shy, demure, closed-lip smile. Then, remember to share your gorgeous smile with everyone you meet!

If you feel your smile is not as attractive as you would like it to be, don’t be sad. There is hope! At our Sioux Falls, SD office, Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow of Horner Barrow Orthodontics can perform a thorough examination of your mouth, including teeth and soft tissues. X-rays may be taken for a more complete assessment of the dental structures. Depending on the results of the examination, we may recommend traditional braces or Invisalign® treatment for you. Invisalign® is a type of removable braces that can move teeth to fill gaps or improve their position. Traditional braces are worn by many people, whether they are young or adult, who are interested in finally having a beautiful, healthy smile for life!

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.

THE ORTHODONTIST OF CHOICE IN SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA

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Why do so many kids and adults in Sioux Falls, South Dakota have braces?

Orthodontic studies report 70 percent of the US population could benefit from having their teeth and jaws realigned with orthodontic treatment.  Over the last 20 years, tooth extractions were all too frequent and large, traditional one-size-fits-all brackets and wires were the standard of care.

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Today, technology drives an enhanced level of treatment and impressive results.

Certainly there still remains no substitute for the skill, experience, and education of a well-trained orthodontic practitioner. However, contemporary treatment philosophies are changing the way we treat the vast majority of patients. The improvements in tools and techniques enable us to achieve great results with far less discomfort and in a much shorter treatment time than was ever before possible, thanks to these landmark innovations in modern orthodontics.

Braces

Our office uses self-ligating bracket technology. This bracketing system reduces the amount of friction between the bracket and the archwire, and can significantly reduce treatment time. These metal brackets are small in size and more comfortable to wear. In addition, there is no need for elastic ties so good oral hygiene is easier to maintain.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is the best way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life. You’ll wear each appliance for 2 weeks. The nearly invisible appliances are so easy to wear and to talk with, few people even know they have them on.  Each aligner works to straighten your teeth in small incremental movements, each getting you progressively closer to your new smile.

We welcome you to contact Horner Barrow Orthodontics, to see how we can put these exciting technologies to work for you!

INVISALIGN® OR BRACES: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?

If you are like many of the parents of our prospective, current, and past patients – you probably have asked yourself if braces, or Invisalign® is a good option for your child. If your child has crooked teeth, an overbite, a cross-bite, or a different orofacial issue – it can likely be treated and corrected with orthodontic treatment, using either braces or Invisalign®. The question is typically asked: “Which treatment option is better for my child?” There is no right answer for that question, as it varies by the individual patient. The following points will provide further information on these orthodontic treatment options, so you can make a more educated decision.

  • Braces:
There are different types of braces – both metal and ceramic. Metal braces are made from metal wires and brackets. They are affixed to the teeth of the patient in order to straighten and align them. Though they aren’t the only option available, they are a popular choice due to their lower cost than other options. They also perform their job quite well, and most patients experience a successful treatment with metal braces. Some people, however, opt against metal braces for aesthetic reasons.
Ceramic braces have some differences from metal braces. Ceramic braces involve ceramic pieces that are glued to the teeth along with wires to attach them. Ceramic braces blend with the teeth more naturally as they are generally white in color. Some patients prefer ceramic simply because they are not as noticeable as metal braces. They do, however, cost more than metal braces.
  • Invisalign®
Invisalign® is a popular choice for many parents of patients at Horner Barrow Orthodontics. Why? It’s simple: Invisalign® offers a level of comfort, convenience, and confidence that you don’t get with metal or ceramic braces. Invisalign® is completely clear, and when worn over the teeth is virtually invisible. Invisalign® works by using a custom-made series of aligners created specifically for the individual patient. There are no wires or brackets that need to be adjusted or tightened. The patient will use a new set of aligners every two weeks until the treatment has completed.
Don’t hesitate to contact our office for more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Horner. We’d be happy to speak with you and provide you with anything you may need regarding potential orthodontic treatment.

INVISALIGN TEEN® ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IN SIOUX FALLS SD

If you are like many of the parents of our prospective, current, and past patients – you probably have asked yourself if braces, or Invisalign® is a good option for your teenage child. If your child has crooked teeth, an overbite, a cross-bite, or a different orofacial issue – it can likely be treated and corrected with orthodontic treatment, using either braces or Invisalign®. The question is typically asked: “Which treatment option is better for my child?” There is no right answer for that question, as it varies by the individual patient.  However, there has been a shift towards Invisalign® technology, and we want you to know why.

Invisalign-Teen

The following will provide you with information on why Invisalign Teen® is a popular orthodontic treatment option.

Invisalign® is a popular choice for many parents of patients at Horner Barrow Orthodontics. Why? It’s simple: Invisalign® offers a level of comfort, covenience, and confidence that you don’t get with metal or ceramic braces. Invisalign® is completely clear, and when worn over the teeth is virtually invisible. Invisalign® works by using a custom made series of aligners created specifically for the individual patient. There are no wires or brackets that need to be adjusted or tightened. The patient will use a new set of aligners every two weeks until the treatment has completed.

Eat what you want to Eat!

You’ve probably heard from friends that with braces you won’t be able to eat anything. With Invisalign Teen® you can eat whatever you want!

Unlike traditional metal braces, your Invisalign Teen® aligners are removable, which means you can go ahead and eat all the things you love without worrying about breaking a bracket or losing a rubber band. Talk about the best of both worlds!

ADULT ORTHODONTICS…MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we treat a large number of adult patients. National studies reveal that one out of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over the age of 21. The American Association of Orthodontics estimates that approximately 1,000,000 adults in the United States are currently receiving treatment from orthodontists. Today, orthodontic treatment is a viable option for almost any adult.

One area where adult orthodontics can be helpful is in the job market. The job market is tight right now, especially for recent college graduates and young adults. First impressions are everything and serious job hunters are giving themselves the gift of an improved new smile to promote their success. Many hiring professionals say that a healthy, improved smile during the interview process, no matter what your age, makes a difference when interviewing for a new job. It also helps to boost your confidence when communicating with others on all levels, both professionally and personally, thereby helping you to perform better throughout your life and career.

One of the ways you can achieve your new smile without anyone knowing you are in orthodontic treatment is with Invisalign! Invisalign aligners are removable and invisible. Yes, you can have straight teeth with no braces!

Adult OrthodonticsOrthodontic treatment for adults has several benefits which might include:

  • Improved health of your 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)
  • Development of the proper bite relationships for long-term function

Horner Orthodontics specializes 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 office for your complimentary orthodontic examination, and find out how we can help you live life smiling!

Teen Invisalign® Sioux Falls SD

For most teens, the thought of having metal brackets and wires attached to their teeth for a period of time is enough to delay orthodontic treatment. Teens today have more options than ever before, including Invisalign Teen®. View the video below to see that your teen can still have a normal life.

 

Here are some of the key features you should consider:

  • No one needs to know – Invisalign Teen® aligners are made of a smooth, clear plastic that is virtually invisible! Your friends probably won’t even know you’re wearing them. In fact, they’re so comfortable, you may not even notice you’re wearing them either. Whether you’re taking pictures or just hanging out with friends, you’ll enjoy a better smile every day.
  • Eat with freedom – You probably have friends with braces who aren’t allowed to eat certain things like popcorn and chewing gum. With Invisalign Teen®, you’re free to eat all of your favorite foods whenever you want because the aligners are completely removable. This also means you can easily keep brushing and flossing as you normally would. Try that with braces.
  • Keep doing what you love – Whether you play sports or a musical instrument, a mouthful of metal can often prevent you from enjoying the things you want to. Invisalign Teen® helps you focus on doing what you do best—being a teenager.