Do You Know What Is In Your Mouth?

With so many new patients starting orthodontic treatment at Spannhake Orthodontics, we thought we would give a little refresher course on the parts that make up braces. Do you know what is in your mouth? With so many different parts that make up braces, it can get a little confusing for most patients to know the different parts and their functions.

Keep reading to learn about 5 orthodontic appliances and how they help you achieve that picture perfect smile.

Elastics 

Elastics or rubber bands help move the upper and lower teeth relative to each other, ultimately achieving a better bite. These orthodontic rubber bands are typically effective for correcting overbites, underbites, or other types of alignments of the jaw. They are also useful for moving a tooth out of alignment or to close a space in the mouth.

Fixed Retainers

Fixed retainers consist of a metal wire bonded to the back of the teeth. Fixed retainers can stay in place indefinitely.
Forsus

A forsus appliance is used to correct a class II bite by pushing the lower teeth forward and the upper teeth backward. Unlike rubber bands, this appliance is not removable.
Headgear

A removable appliance worn to restrict growth of the upper jaw and improve overjet problems. It normally consists of a facebow that attaches to the teeth and a strap that fits around the neck or head.
Mara

Dr. Spannhake wants to make sure you are completely aware of the appliances we use in order to give you a straight smile. We hope you have a good understanding of what is in your mouth, but should you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask us at your next appointment. 

What is Interceptive Orthodontic Care?

Interceptive orthodontic care is one of the most rewarding treatment options that we offer to our patients. Interceptive care is exactly that, intercepting a problem before it gets out of hand. Treatment occurs at a younger age than conventional orthodontic care and is not typically as long either.

The idea is to shift teeth, manipulate growth, create space for unerupted teeth, break habits and prevent trauma before it is too late. Children between the ages of 7 and 10 are best suited for this sort of treatment. Treatment usually lasts 6 to 15 months after which the child is monitored and the decision as to the need for a second phase is made. Most children will require a second, more comprehensive, phase of treatment in order to create a completely stable, functional and esthetic occlusion.

The primary reasons for considering interceptive care are as follows:

• To prevent improper growth of the jaws that may be causing an underbite, an overbite, crossbite or shifting bite.
• To eliminate a destructive habit such as thumb/finger sucking or tongue thrusting.
• To reposition one or more teeth that are occluding in such a way that they are damaging the enamel of other teeth.
• To prevent trauma to teeth that are too far forward. This is especially true of the athletically inclined.
• To reposition teeth that are cosmetically poor and the risk of peer ridicule and low self-esteem.
• Interceptive care allows us to treat the patient most successfully: the best smile, facial profile and the most stable final result.

For more information on Interceptive Orthodontic Care, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at Spannhake Orthodontics  located in Westminster and Towson for your convenience. 

Braces do more than just straighten your teeth

Speech is one of the most important communication tools we have and is often the first thing someone notices about you. Most people don’t know, but misaligned teeth can actually affect your speech and create pronunciation problems. Fortunately, with proper diagnosis, a couple of common speech problems can be helped by Spannhake Orthodontics.

Lisps

A lisp is a speech disorder in which a person is unable to make specific sounds. As it is usually a normal occurrence to children under the age of 5, it is not considered normal if the child does not grow out of it by the elementary school age. After seeking diagnosis from a speech pathologist, some individuals find that their lisp is a development from an open bite.

Word Slurring
Word slurring can be cause if the structure of the jaw or placement of teeth restricts movement. In most cases, braces can align teeth and open room for the tongue.

Mispronunciation
When we speak, we move our mouths and tongues in order to form words and sentences for communication. If teeth are misaligned, often patients will experience difficulty pronouncing certain words or sounds, leading them to the common problem of mispronunciation. This is normally overlooked as no big deal by some, but for those suffering with this speech problem, it is actually a bigger deal than recognized and unfortunately can lead to other self-confidence issues later down the line.

Don’t let orthodontic related speech problems kill your confidence, let Spannhake Orthodontics help you get this corrected. If you know someone suffering from this problem, please share this blog with them.

Do you want to win a toad-ally rad electric toothbrush?

We are excited to announce we have a new contest going on this month for our patients. It’s easy to enter and we have 2 awesome Electric toothbrush prizes up for grabs! One will be for an adult & one will be for a child!

Can you guess how frogs are in this jar?

To enter:

1. Go to our Facebook Page
2. LIKE US
3. Post your guess with post your name.

You can also enter at our office if you prefer.

Sorry, this contest is for patients only!

Two winners will be announced. Each winner will get an Electric Toothbrush!

Contest ends April 15th!

Happy National Pound Cake Day

Today is National Pound Cake Day.National Pound Cake Day is annually observed in the United States on March 4th. Pound cake lovers, near and far, can celebrate with a slice of this delicious rich delight.

Did you know the name Pound Cake comes from the recipe itself. The recipe for pound cake makes a cake much larger than most families can consume, as it calls for a pound each of flour, butter, eggs and sugar.

Check out this awesome video we found showing you how to make a pound cake!

We hope you enjoy this video. Do you have a good pound cake recipe you would like to share? Post it on our Facebook page & we will share it with our Facebook fans!

Let Us Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces

If you want a straighter smile but don’t want to spend years of wearing traditional metal braces, Invisalign is the perfect option for you. At Spannhake Orthodontics we are a provider of Invisalign and have years of experience permanently correcting alignment issues in a shorter time than traditional braces.

Keep reading to discover a few of the benefits of Invisalign and why more people are opting for this alternative.

Invisalign is clear.

Not only is Invisalign effective, but the straighteners are nearly invisible and can be worn without detection. This eliminates the negative impacts of anxiety or low self confidence that usually comes with traditional metal braces.

You can remove them.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners can be removed instantly and easily. You can take them in and out without compromising your treatment.

You can eat anything.

Because you can remove the Invisalign aligners at your leisure, you don’t have to avoid any foods like patients with traditional braces do. Invisalign makes it easy to eat whatever you want, whenever you want and never worry about your meals ruining your orthodontic treatment.

Other wonderful reasons to opt for Invisalign:

• No difficulty eating
• No discomfort from wires
• Affordable
• Low Maintenance
• Less Appointments

Do you want to know if you're a good candidate for Invisalign treatment? Schedule an appointment now. Just visit our website for more information and new patient forms.

Random Acts of Kindness Week

It's officially Random Acts of Kindness week! If you've never heard the term "Random Acts of Kindness" or you're not familiar with what the definition is, we've got you covered! Random Acts of Kindness is a time to focus on doing good. Whether it's by a physical act, such as giving someone a hug, donating time to help an organization, or something more simple such as sending a kind text message or email. These all play into doing good for someone or something other than yourself.

That's why this week has been reserved to nationally recognize and emphasize participation in Random Acts of Kindness, or as some refer to it as RAK Week! Are you ready to join in with some acts of kindness? Then keep reading and get some easy and fun suggestions we have to help you on your kindness mission this week.

RAK Week Suggestions:

1. Leave a treat for your mailman or garbage collector. Better yet, if you’re home when they come by, personally hand them some water, Gatorade or snacks.
2. Passing by a homeless person is an everyday occurrence and most people don’t even bother to acknowledge them. If you don’t feel comfortable giving a homeless person money, give them food or a gift card to a restaurant nearby.
3. Praise a coworker for their presentation or diligence on a recent project. Make it even more meaningful by doing it in front of others, especially their boss.
4. Leave money and a note in a public place. Don’t think about where the money will be spent; simply leave it knowing a passerby will find the money, read the note, and appreciate the small present.
5. Try to compliment at least one person every day, even if it happens to be a stranger (this may even prove to be more genuine). Just offer the compliment and walk away without asking for a phone number or date.
6. As we get older, everyday tasks become more tedious and exhausting; offer your assistance to an elderly person who’s carrying their groceries, crossing the street, etc.
7. If you notice the person behind you in line has fewer items or is a mother with young children, let them go ahead of you.
8. Some individuals get bullied or taken advantage of – stand up for someone who is being mistreated.
9. Leave laundry detergent and a bag of quarters at the Laundromat. Leave a note and ask the stranger to pass on the kindness.
10. Remind your children why you love them regularly. Always build a child’s self-esteem and
    encourage them to try new activities, foods, or challenges.
    

Just knowing that you made someone else smile or feel appreciated should be enough to brighten your own day. If you're feeling extra generous, leave us a rating & review on Facebook, google, or our website!

Don't Snore Your Life Away

Daytime tiredness, obesity, high blood pressure, headaches, acid reflux, hyperactivity — all these can be signs of one very serious and possibly fatal health condition: Sleep Disordered Breathing.

Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)
SDB is labored respiration while asleep. Difficulty breathing at night may stem from constricted nasal passages or an obstructed oral airway.

SDB ranges in severity from snoring (an indication of the onset or existence of an SDB problem) to Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (accompanied by gastroesophageal reflux and asthma) to Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a condition marked by a complete cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more. This can occur hundreds of times a night without the sufferer’s knowledge.

Sleep Disordered breathing is linked to Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Insulin resistance (Diabetes), Glucose intolerance (metabolic disorders), Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and a host of other problems.

Ask Dr. Spannhake how Oral Appliance Therapy can help you stop snoring and improve your overall health.

Feb 4th is World Cancer Day

February 4 is World Cancer Day, a day to push the fight of the disease and push for a cure. This day has gone viral online through the use of social media and popular hashtags #WeCanICan and #WorldCancerDay since it started back in 2000. The campaign is aimed to promote research to cure cancer and prevent the disease, as well as improve treatment to patients and raise awareness about the disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, 14.5 million Americans who have or had cancer are living today, and the number continues to grow. Every year over 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed, and 14.1 million people globally are diagnosed too. Breast, bowel, lung, and prostate are the most common types of cancers doctors say. With the large impact cancer has, we at Spannhake Orthodontics decided to show support by spreading awareness.

Watch this video to see how we can all do something about cancer.

Do your part and help spread the word! Take a picture holding up an inspirational word and use the hashtag #WeCanICan! Don’t forget to tag us!

Positive Impact Of Straight Teeth

There are several benefits of having properly aligned straight teeth that most people are unaware of. Although a majority of patients who receive orthodontic treatment do so for a more confident and cosmetically attractive smile, having straight teeth can positively impact your overall oral health.

We decided to highlight some benefits of straight teeth, check them out.

Improved Gum Health

• Lower risk of gum disease.
• Lower risk of tooth loss.

Better Overall Health

• Less tooth decay.
• Lower risk of heart disease.
• Lower risk of high blood sugar.

Lower Risk of Soft Tissue Injury

• Misaligned teeth can push against soft tissues in the mouth.
• Cuts, sores, and infections are a result of crooked teeth.

Increased Confidence

• More self-esteem at work or school.
• Confidence leads to a more successful attitude. 

Easier Eating

• Crooked teeth compromise chewing.

If you are ready to take advantage of the benefits of straight teeth, give us a call at Spannhake Orthodontics as we offer affordable orthodontic treatments for all ages.

Refer A Friend Program

We would like to thank you for referring your family and friends to our practice. When you refer a patient that starts Interceptive or Comprehensive Treatment with us, we will deduct $50 from your account (a maximum of $200). As a bonus, the person you refer also gets a credit of $50 at the start of treatment.

Just download, print, and fill out the coupon below and have your family member or friend present it at their appointment.

Incognito Braces

Incognito™ Orthodontic Braces are a unique choice because patients can smile with confidence both during and after treatment. Placed on the back side of the teeth, Incognito Orthodontic Braces are completely hidden from view. No one will know that you are wearing braces unless you tell them.

Incognito Orthodontic Braces are also 100% customized by Spannhake Orthodontics to meet the unique orthodontic prescription of every patient. Customization makes the difference and can lead to a more convenient and comfortable treatment experience.

Incognito Orthodontic Braces are made one patient at a time, one tooth at a time so your teeth will move in the most efficient manner possible to ensure that you get the results you want.

Why Choose Incognito Orthodontic Braces?

• Completely esthetic, no one will know that you are wearing braces
• Minimal discomfort and speech interference
• 100% customized for the best results
• Customized wires that do not require adjustments often mean fewer appointments and less discomfort throughout treatment

Spannhake Orthodontics Gift Card Giveaway

We constantly receive the best reviews from our patients here in the office, and decided to start rewarding you for the kind words.  We have tons of gift cards to giveaway to show our gratitude, and all you have to do is post your review on our website.  Do you want a free $5 gift card to McDonald’s, Starbucks, or Five Below?  Then head to our website now and leave a brief review about your experience with us. It’s as easy as that!  After you’ve submitted your review, feel free to drop by and pick up your gift card.

  

Spannhake Orthodontics