Happy 2016!

Spannhake Orthodontics would like to wish you and yours a very happy holiday season as we approach the New Year! We hope that you are able to spend time with your friends and loved ones while enjoying full meals, big hugs, and lots of love and laughs.

If you are currently being treated and wear an orthodontic appliance, please be sure to make the proper choices when enjoying holiday treats that are sticky or chewy. Should you have any questions, please visit our website for common questions and answers regarding appliances.

Remember New Year's celebrations tend to have treats we don't usually indulge it, so be sure to brush and floss after your special countdown!

Happy New Year!

What are your holiday plans? Share your holiday activities with us by commenting below or by sharing on our Facebook page.

Spannhake Orthodontist Holiday Hours

Spannhake Orthodontics will have special holiday hours the last 2 weeks of December.  As we make time to spend with our families during the holidays, we hope you will note the following days:

December 24 & December 25

Closed

December 31 & January 1

Closed

All other dates not mentioned will remain open during our regular business hours. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, and we appreciate your understanding. From our staff, we wish you Happy Holidays!

Look Younger with Orthodontic Treatment

Did you know braces aren’t just for straightening teeth? Most people don’t know this, but braces can actually improve the shape and structure of your entire face.  This can take years off of your appearance and is a great alternative to cosmetic surgery.  A lot of adults are starting to utilize orthodontics for altering their facial structure, or simply to help reduce wrinkles, as it is less invasive and more affordable.

Facial tissues and bone structures determine the shape of our faces, this includes your teeth. As the facial tissue loses elasticity throughout the years, and teeth sink in towards the tongue naturally, orthodontic treatment can help reverse these natural gravity changes.   When teeth start to lean in, orthodontists can use braces to help correct alignment and provide support for the lips. Ultimately, this can eliminate the fine lines around the mouth, depending on the treatment.

Obviously, the more orthodontic treatment you have done, the more visible and dramatic effect your appearance will have.  Simple, regular procedures such as straightening a few teeth will not result in the same effect as those who have more extensive work done.   Basic treatments too, can greatly impact your appearance.  Whitening and rebuilding worn teeth can give you a big leap in your overall appearance and are less drastic.

Remember, when you feel good you smile more, and when you smile more you look younger.Contact Spannhake Orthodontics for more information or to get your orthodontic treatment started.

It's National Pastry Day

Did you know today is National Pastry Day? Every year on December 9th we recognize these tasty baked goods and have yet another excuse to indulge in the deliciousness. The word pastry itself was given to the various yummy treats made up of ingredients of milk, sugar, flour, baking powder, shortening, and eggs; all which create dough.

These doughs can be used as a base to create several different goods or desserts, all with the same end result of yummy treats that your taste buds will love. Being that there are so many different types of pastry, we thought we’d share a few of our favorites with you.

The Flaky Pastry

Flaky Pastry Recipe

The Puff Pastry

Puff Pastry Recipe

The Shortcrust Pastry

Shortcrust Pastry Recipe

If you’re anything like us, these pictures will make your mouth water and your inner Martha Stewart come out. That being said, we linked the pictures to the recipes so you can kick start National Pastry Day with our recommended favorites! Leave a comment below telling us what your favorite pastry is!

Crowding Of The Teeth

One of the most common problems several of our patients get treated for at Spannhake Orthodontics is crowded teeth.  We actually see this problem on a daily basis, and this term is defined just like it sounds, either the teeth are too big for the patients jaw size, or the mouth has too many teeth and is overcrowded. The problem with too many teeth in the mouth is the lack of space, as the teeth are shifted out of place resulting in a crooked position. Unfortunately, this can occur in both adult orthodontic patients as well as children.

It is pretty easy for us to determine this problem for our patients as an examination of the patients’ mouth can lead to a diagnoses. The teeth typically appear crooked and jammed in an unnatural way, causing teeth that can lead to future dental problems because they’re harder to clean. Another result of crowded teeth is the obvious fact of a smile that may not be considered cosmetically appealing and can lead to self-consciousness.

Depending on the severity of the overcrowded teeth, Spannhake Orthodontics can determine which method of treatment will work best.  Sometimes having excess teeth extracted helps with expansion of teeth. Other times, palate expanders are used in the mouth to help widen the jaw; this method is only used on children, not adults; their jaws have already stopped growing.  Also, several types of braces give amazing results for adults and children with overcrowded teeth. It all really comes down to the individual being treated when we determine how to correct the crowding.

If you suffer from this condition, please call us to schedule your first visit to learn about your orthodontic treatment options.

Visit our website for more information: www.spannhakeorthodontics.com