Happy Thanksgiving!

There is always something to be thankful for, and at Spannhake Orthodontics we are thankful for you! Thank you to our wonderful patients for letting us work on those gorgeous smiles!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're A Toys For Tots Donation Location!

Guess who is a drop off location for Toys for Tots this year? SPANNHAKE ORTHODONTICS! Here is all the info you need to help us donate to Toys for Tots this holiday season! #SpannhakeSmiles #SpannhakeOrthodontics#ToysforTots

NEW RECIPE for National Sundae Day!

November 11th is National Sunday Day! Celebrate with us by adding s'more to your sundae! Check out this new recipe you MUST try!

HOW TO MAKE THIS: Before you start building the sundae, drizzle the glass with fudge sauce warmed up in the microwave. Then stack alternating layers of vanilla ice cream, marshmallow fluff, crumbled graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and of course more fudge sauce. If you have a kitchen torch, toast a few big marshmallows to take this to the next level. Enjoy!

Halloween Patient Photo Fun

Happy Halloween from Spannhake Orthodontics!

The ULTIMATE BRACES Food List

Here is the ultimate list you need to have if you are a patient at Spannhake Orthodontics. Remember to stick to this as best you can throughout Halloween and the holiday seasons ahead!

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

• Gum (sugar-free or regular)
• Licorice
• Sugar Daddies
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls
• Caramels
• Starburst

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:

• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
•  French bread crust/rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
• Bagels
• Chips
• Jolly Ranchers
• Pizza crust
• Uncooked carrots (unless cut)

Minimize Sugary Foods like:

• Cake
• Ice Cream
• Cookies
• Pie
• Candy

Only Once a Day:

• Soda
• Sweetened tea
• Gatorade
• Kool-Aid
• Drinks with sugar

We've Got A Treat For You

The Halloween spirit has arrived at Spannhake Orthodontics. To celebrate the spooktacular events that October brings, we decided to share a recipe for you to make for your Halloween festivities! Do you like the popular cheesecake desert? Then you have to try this Bloody Good Cheesecake recipe this month.

BLOODY GOOD CHEESECAKE

INGREDIENTS
For the Crust:

• 8 whole chocolate graham crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• For the Cake:
• 3 (8 ounce) blocks of cream cheese, at room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs, at rook temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• red icing color (from Wilton)

For the Gel Frosting:

• ¼ cup COLD water
• 3 teaspoons cornstarch 
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• red icing color

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325F. Line a 9" springform pan with parchment paper or foil, letting the paper cover the edges of the bottom of the pan and closing the springform edge around it (this makes for easy removal later on).
2. Combine the crushed chocolate grahams and melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Press into the prepared pan.
3. Beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add the unsweetened cocoa and mix until combined, making sure to scrape down the sides and the bottom at least once.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. The mix in the vanilla, salt and heavy cream.
5. Add the red icing color until the batter is a deep red color. ½ - ¾ teaspoon total.
6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread it over the crust.
7. Bake for 20 minutes ate 325F. Then reduce the oven temperature to 225F and bake for 30 more minutes. Turn the oven off and DO NOT open the oven door. Just let the cheesecake stay in there until the oven cools to room temperature. This prevents cracking.
8. Use a knife to gently loosen the sides of the cake from the pan before popping the springform sides open.
9. To make the gel frosting, stir together the cold water and cornstarch until smooth. Pour it into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Pour in the corn syrup and stir until the mixture is heated through and smooth. You will need to stir frequently; you can watch it thicken as it cooks.
10. Remove the mixture from the burner after 1-2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and red icing color. I used about ½ teaspoon of color to achieve the look here. Let the gel cool before spooning it over the cake.
11. Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving.

It's National Orthodontic Health Month

For so many people the month of October brings to mind pumpkins, the color orange, Halloween and spooktacular festivities, but to us at Spannhake Orthodontics it means a little more. October has been designated as National Orthodontic Health Month. This means, officially, October is a month that orthodontists promote orthodontic services, exams, and encourage current patients to practice healthy habits when wearing braces and orthodontic appliances.

National Orthodontic Health Month was organized to help raise awareness about taking care of your teeth beyond your general dentist, as well as emphasizing the importance of taking care of your teeth properly when being treated for braces. If you have any questions regarding orthodontics that you have yet to find answers for, we are here for you! This is a great time to get your questions answered by the Spannhake Orthodontics team of professionals. Also, if you have never been to an orthodontist before, now would be a great time to have an orthodontic evaluation exam. Children age 7 and up are encouraged to do so, as well as adults. 

For questions regarding orthodontic health, or how to care for braces, give us a call or post them on our Facebook wall.

Common Problem: "Gummy Smile"

Do you or someone you know have a smile where the gums stand out more than the teeth? This is called Gummy Smile.

Formally known as “Excessive Gingival Display”, this orthodontic problem gives the appearance of overly exposed gum on the upper arch. Not only does this problem cause issues with how the smile looks, but it can also reveal underlying orthodontic problems.

Gummy smile occurs when teeth, gums and the upper jaw are not proportional to one another.
This is caused by:
• Abnormal eruption of teeth
• Upper lip positioned higher than normal
• Position of the upper jaw in relationship to the skill

There are several options for treatment offered by Dr. Spannhake . In minor causes laser treatment to remove excess gum tissue is an option. Braces can be used as treatment to move teeth is an option as well.  In severe cases, corrective jaw surgery may be necessary to actually shift the jaw vertically upward, thus reducing the amount of exposure of the upper gum tissue. Treatment options vary depending on the cause of gummy smile.

If you have questions regarding Excessive Gingival Display do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with us so we can give you all the information you need.

Westminster

419 Malcolm Dr. Ste. C

Westminster, MD 21157

Ph. (410) 857-4700

Towson

7801 York Rd., Ste. 315

Towson, MD 21204

Ph. (410) 321-5004

New Contest Alert!

Guess & Win! To post your guess on Facebook, click here. 

#SpannhakeSmiles #SpannhakeOrthodontics #GuessAndWin

Eating Habits With Braces

Braces are fragile, so it is important to avoid certain foods and drinks to protect the integrity of your braces. Avoid eating hard foods like nuts, ice, hard tacos, whole apples and carrots, hard French bread crusts and rolls, ribs, corn on the cob and popcorn! Sticky foods like taffy, caramels, bubble gum or any type of sticky candy should also be avoided. These foods can easily break the brackets and wires. Foods aren't the only thing that can damage your braces. Bad habits like nail biting and pen or pencil chewing can cause damage as well. Use common sense when eating and keep in mind that excessive broken appliances will only prolong your treatment and result in additional charges for repair.

For more questions about braces at Spannhake Orthodontics, you may visit our website or give us a call.

Why Choose Incognito Orthodontic Braces?

Incognito is a high-intensity orthodontic solution that can provide the same effectiveness for severe crookedness as traditional braces while still being cosmetic. Many adults prefer incognito to traditional braces as they’re completely hidden and they know for sure no one can see their aligners or metal covering their teeth. In this way, they are the perfect lifestyle-friendly solution to crooked teeth.

Lingual braces are also slightly different to Invisalign as they don’t rely on compliance to work. For some people, this is a benefit as they may forget to put their aligners back in which compromises treatment.

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

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. For more information about Incognito braces, please contact Spannhake Orthodontics. Dr. Spannhake's offices are located in Westminster, Mt. Airy and Towson, with convenient hours to serve you.

Extra Features For Invisalign Teen

Teenagers are constantly on the move and require special options when it comes to their braces. Invisalign Teen utilizes the same technology as Invisalign for adults; they consist of a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually move the teeth. 

Extra features designed especially for teens include:

• Blue wear-indicators on the aligners that gradually fade from blue to clear to help you, and our team, gauge wear time
• Aligners designed to compensate for the growth of molars and new teeth
• Customization to fit your mouth correctly and comfortably
• Removable and nearly transparent to ensure you can eat with freedom and smile with confidence
• Six free individual replacement aligners in the event that your aligners become misplaced or lost

Invisalign Teen introduces a whole new way to make your smile straight without the unappealing look and hassle of traditional metal braces. This revolutionary method of correcting smiles is being used by teens everywhere, including right here at Spannhake Orthodontics, to straighten their teeth with confidence.

What is Interceptive Care?

Interceptive Care Orthodontics is a process where Spannhake Orthodontics intercepts an oral problem before it continues to get unmanageable. Typically, treatment starts with younger children in order to manipulate teeth and growth before it’s too late. The best age for this is between 7 and 10-year-old. With interceptive orthodontics, treatment is about 4 to 12 months with monitoring of the child after that to discuss is possible second phase treatment. 

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.

If you are interested in learning more about treatment at Spannhake Orthodontics, contact us to discuss it more. We love answering questions and providing a solid foundation of information to those who are interested in treatment for their children or themselves.