Blog
Impacted Canine Tooth
Posted on November 28, 2017
Question: My 9-year-old son’s dentist told me he has an impacted canine and that it might resorb the root of adjacent teeth. What causes a canine to become impacted and which teeth are at risk of resorption? Answer: If a canine is impacted (stuck) in the palate the cause is either genetics or an unknown… Read more »
Gingival enlargement
Posted on November 21, 2017
Question: My 12-year-old daughter has braces and suffers from puffy gums. She brushes regularly and has clean teeth. Why does she still have gingivitis? Answer: Your daughter probably does not have gingivitis. Instead, she most likely has gingival enlargement, also called “gingival hyperplasia.” Gingival enlargement is found in adolescent and teenage patients undergoing orthodontic treatment… Read more »
The Difference in Orthodontists
Posted on November 14, 2017
Question: My dentist sent me to an orthodontist who wanted to extract teeth or use a palatal expander to correct my daughter’s crowding. He said treatment would take 2 1/2 years. My daughter just finished treatment with you, and her smile looks fantastic. There were no extractions, no palatal expander, and treatment lasted 20 months…. Read more »
Customer Service
Posted on November 7, 2017
Question: Your office is known for great customer service. How do you accomplish this at such a consistent level? Answer: My staff and I take providing outstanding customer service very seriously. We have minimal staff turn-over, which has allowed us to develop a team with advanced customer service skills. My staff is aware that our… Read more »
Gum Recession
Posted on October 31, 2017
Question: Do braces cause gum recession? Answer: A recent study concluded they do not. However, there are other factors to consider. If a tooth is impacted (stuck in the bone under the gums) or severely out of position, it is difficult to predict how the bone will respond to tooth movement. By far, the main… Read more »
Patient Transformations
Posted on October 24, 2017
Question: I was using Facebook to look for an orthodontist and saw the before and after patient photos on your page. The transformations are extraordinary! I noticed most of the orthodontists in our area don’t highlight patient results on their pages. The only practice beside yours that had before and after photos had pretty average… Read more »
Treatment Without Bone Screws
Posted on October 17, 2017
Question: I went to an orthodontist who labeled himself as “premier.” He put screws in my 8-year-old son’s bone to help make room for his teeth, but I had them removed since my son could not tolerate the pain. Now, you are treating my son without bone screws. Why did my son need this to… Read more »
Cleft Lip and Palate
Posted on October 10, 2017
Question: My daughter has a cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP). I was told by her team of doctors in Albuquerque to take her to you because your method of treatment eliminates the need for major upper jaw surgery. Is this true? Answer: Yes, I have been able to eliminate the need for a… Read more »
Extraordinary Results
Posted on October 3, 2017
Question: I saw on your practice Facebook page some nice before and after results of orthodontic patients. I see your practice features a new patient every week. I researched other orthodontists in the area and did not see any before and after results. Why don’t others post these images? Answer: While I cannot speak for… Read more »
Fruit Juice Facts
Posted on September 26, 2017
Question: My mother-in-law takes care of my 9-month old son during the day and gives him fruit juice to drink. I told her juice is not good for him. Am I right? Answer: Yes, the American Dental Association (ADA) reports that although fruit juices have some benefits, they also have potential harmful effects as well…. Read more »