Start 2017 With A New Smile

Straightening your smile with orthodontic treatment imparts a host of functional benefits! You'll find that your teeth are easier to keep clean, your bite function will improve, and you'll experience a reduction in pain and discomfort from TMJ (jaw joint) issues. The real benefits, though, are psychological. That's because a new smile creates a boost of happiness, confidence, and self-esteem that radiates through every area of your life. Just think how much easier that upcoming presentation at work, neighborhood barbecue, or first date would be if you had a smile you were proud of and not afraid to show off!

Are you ready to start the new year with a new smile? Contact Spannhake Orthodontics to get started!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Spannhake Orthodontics would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. For all of our patients, referring doctors, friends and family, may this Christmas find you surrounded by those you love, filled with a lot of fun and cheer, and the New Year bring happiness, health, and prosperity.

NEW RECIPE: M&M Christmas Cookie Bars

Do you enjoy making holiday treats for neighbors, co-workers, or loved ones? Then you need to make these M&M Christmas Cookie Bars! These cookie bars give you the classic chocolate chip cookie with a holiday m&m flare giving you two of America's favorite treats combined!

This is easy to make and the perfect holiday gift or hosting treat!

Ingredients

• 2 sticks of butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup of granulated sugar 
• 1 cup of firmly packed golden brown sugar
• 3 large eggs 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of Christmas M&M's , plus more for topping
• 1 cup of mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping
• 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 9x13 baking dish with foil, leave some overhang to make removal easier.
3. Spray foil generously with nonstick cooking spray.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until fluffy.
5. Add in eggs and vanilla extract and continue to beat.
6. Lower speed of mixer and add flour, baking soda and salt and mix until combined.
7. Add M&M's and mini chocolate chips and give a final stir, reserving some M&M's, mini chocolate chips and white chocolate chips for topping cookie bars.
8. Transfer cookie dough to prepared baking dish.
9. Press additional M&M'S, mini chocolate chips and white chocolate chips into top of cookie dough.
10. Bake 35 to 40 minutes on oven rack in lower third of oven to prevent over browning.
11. Let cool completely and cut.

adapted from FOOD NETWORK MAGAZINE CHOCOLATE LOVER’S COOKBOOK

NEW CONTEST ALERT | Christmas Tree Selfie

New Contest Alert! Here are all the details on our Christmas Tree Selfie Contest! Enter for a chance to win an Astoria VR Headset perfect for ANY SMARTPHONE! #SpannhakeSelfie

Click here to post your photo on our Facebook page! 

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