Coleman Orthodontics

Coleman Orthodontics Dr. Coleman can successfully correct most orthodontic problems regardless of the patient’s age. But that does not mean that the orthodontic treatment starting age does not matter. As with any decisions regarding health care, it is best to act when time is on your side. Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that encompasses tooth straightening and facial changes.   As a child grows, both the upper jaw and lower jaw will grow in three dimensions. This growth will decide the final positioning of the mid and lower face. The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, and esthetic result that will remain stable throughout your child’s life. Two-phase orthodontics starts with interceptive treatment. The goal of interceptive treatment is to take advantage of growth potential and to catch an orthodontic problem before it gets out of hand. Such treatment usually occurs be...

Coleman Orthodontics It is completely normal to feel a bit apprehensive when you first consider going to an orthodontist to correct your smile. Whether your dentist has advised you to seek care from Coleman Orthodontics , or you have decided to do so on your own, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your initial exam with Dr. Coleman. To prepare for your initial exam is to learn more about orthodontics and understand your options. Start by visiting our website and familiarizing yourself with the different types of braces we offer and how they may or may not work for you. At your initial orthodontic exam, we will assess your current orthodontic condition by taking pictures and x-rays of the inside and outside of your mouth. With these photos, we will begin to customize your treatment plan. You will sit down with our treatment coordinator to discuss your medical history as well as your orthodontic treatment goals . At Coleman Orthodontics , our team receives frequent ...

Coleman Orthodontics It seems like braces and teenagers go together like peanut butter and jelly. But did you know that children should really be seen by an Orthodontist as early as age seven for an evaluation ? Early diagnosis and treatment by Dr. Coleman can help guide facial development and tooth eruption, thereby preventing more serious problems from occurring later in your child's life. Treating children during early growth stages allows Dr. Coleman to achieve results that may not be possible once facial bones have fully developed. An early orthodontic examination does not always result in immediate treatment. A check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine. Or it may determine that early treatment is indicated to prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing. While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only Dr. Coleman can detect. After evaluating your child, Dr. Coleman may simply want to monitor your child p...

Coleman Orthodontics Dentists and Orthodontists are the same thing…right? While your dentist may offer orthodontic services, leading you to assume that he or she is an orthodontist, putting aligners or braces on teeth does not make your dentist an orthodontist. Dentistry is a broad medical specialty that deals with the teeth, gums, and jaws, while orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on correcting bites. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are licensed orthodontists. Both dentists and orthodontists provide professional care to help their patients have good oral health. And both are dental school graduates. But dentists and orthodontists are very different when it comes to the alignment of your teeth. Dentists and orthodontists undertake the same training initially, but orthodontists complete further training after they graduate dental school to become qualified in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of orthodontic problems. Orthodontist...

Coleman Orthodontics If you want a straighter smile but don’t want the look of traditional metal braces , Invisalign is the perfect option for you. The Invisalign System straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. Not only is Invisalign effective, but the aligners are nearly invisible and can be worn without detection. Unlike traditional braces , Invisalign aligners can be removed instantly and easily.   You can take them out without compromising your treatment. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. Because you can remove the Invisalign aligners at your leisure, you do not 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 orthodon...

Coleman Orthodontics It’s time to celebrate! You have just gotten your taken braces off and your smile looks perfect! If you want to keep that perfect smile for life you must make sure that you wear your retainer as prescribed by Dr. Coleman and his team . Your teeth are not set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. Your teeth are held in place by bands of fibrous tissue called the periodontal ligaments. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position by your braces it takes time for the periodontal ligaments to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift. Even if your teeth and smile don’t look like they have moved, that doesn’t mean they haven’t. If you go without wearing your retainer for long periods of time, your teeth will continue to move until misalignment is visibly noticeable, and that crooked smile you thought was a thing of the past will be back again.   The retention phas...

Coleman Orthodontics True orthodontic emergencies are very rare. Most orthodontic problems are relatively minor, and you may be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you can  schedule an appointment with our office . When working with your appliances, you will need to know the names of the parts so you are able to identify what part is broken, out of place, or causing you discomfort. Visit the Types of Appliances page the Coleman Orthodntics website to learn more. If you ever find yourself in what you believe to be an orthodontic emergency , the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: is it really a true emergency or is it a less serious issue that you can fix yourself? Below are three common orthodontic problems you may be able to take care of at home, prior to scheduling a visit to our orthodontic office. Loose or Poking Wires: If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the...

Coleman Orthodontics At Coleman Orthodontics , we enjoy working with children and teens , however, orthodontic treatment is not just for younger patients. Adult orthodontic treatment not only results in an attractive smile, but also correctly aligns teeth that provide ideal jaw function. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health as well as feeling better about their appearance. While orthodontics is often associated with teenagers, orthodontic treatment at our Syracuse office can achieve amazing results for adult patients as well. As an adult, you might think that your options for having your teeth fixed are limited, but today's orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs. We always enjoy working with adult patients and like the many options that we have to use in creating great smiles for them. Whether you’re ...

Coleman Orthodontics   The toothbrush is your number one oral hygiene accessory.   Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you a keep a toothbrush? It is recommended that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months . Replacing your toothbrush is essential since it is constantly being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush have become worn that's a clear sign you need a new toothbrush.  People who wear braces should change their toothbrushes more frequently because braces break down and fracture bristles which makes the toothbrush lose its effectiveness. It's helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in the house at all times for easy replacement. 3 Reasons to Change Out Your Old Toothbrush: 1. Bacteria - Your toothbrush is a tool for removing bacteria from your teeth…but it doesn’t actually kill bacteria. Some of the bacteria from your teeth stay on y...

Coleman Orthodontics It may not seem like it now, but over the next few months, you and your new braces will become best friends.   There may be a few bad days...but there will be plenty of great days too!    However, if you have just gotten your braces and you are having some bad days, Coleman Orthodontics is here for you.    To prevent any ill feelings between you and your braces our team recommends...    1. Avoiding Sticky or Hard Foods. You don’t want to do anything that could cause your braces harm. And even though it may seem like the best tasting foods are the foods that are sticky and/or hard… sticky or hard foods can break a bracket or wire.    2. Smooth Things Over. When you first get your braces, sore spots may develop on the inside of your cheeks and lips. To protect your cheeks and lips , place wax on the bracket or wire that is causing irritation. But don’t worry…the sore spots caused by your braces won’t last long, so try...

Coleman Orthodontics Whether it is for health reasons or a confident beautiful smile, there are many benefits to a straight smile. We have been in the Syracuse community for many years and our goal at Coleman Orthodontics is to provide you with a smile that is confident and healthy. Whether its through Invisalign , traditional braces , or simply wearing your retainers after orthodontic treatment...orthodontics goes beyond just a beautiful smile. Benefits of Having Straight Teeth 1. Healthy Gums:  Healthy gums are a foundation to a healthy smile internally. The health of your mouth and your body are all connected and your gums are an essential foundation to your overall health. When your teeth are spaced out or crowded, it is possible for them to become inflamed, which can be a sign of periodontal disease. 2. Tooth Wear: We use our teeth everyday and it is normal for our enamel to wear out as we grow older. However, crowded teeth can cause your teeth to pop out in abnormal place...

Coleman Orthodontics Your teeth are probably the only thing on your face that don’t get wrinkles…but your teeth certainly do show signs of aging. So if you want to look younger and healthier, your teeth are a great place to start! “Just as white, straight teeth convey youth, a smile with crooked, discolored, worn, or missing teeth is associated with an aged look,” says Edmond Hewlett, DDS, professor of restorative dentistry at UCLA's School of Dentistry. “The adage ‘long in the tooth,’ used to describe older persons, reflects the fact that gum disease causes gums to recede and teeth to appear longer as a result." 3 Easy Steps That Will Take 10 Years Off of Your Appearance Step 1: Whiten Your Teeth - Teeth naturally darken as we age. One reason is that your teeth absorb color from food and drinks. Even if you take fantastic care of your teeth, they will eventually yellow over time. Whitening your teeth with custom whitening trays is the best way to achieve a deep and t...

Coleman Orthodontics Did you know over 6 million people across the U.S. have had orthodontic treatment using Invisalign ? That includes many people right here in our Syracuse community . Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements that Dr. Coleman plans out for you. It is important that your take care of your Invisalign aligners to ensure they are doing their best in helping shape your teeth according to your plan. One of Invisalign’s biggest advantages is having the ability to take the aligners out to eat and drink… but that doesn't mean they don't get dirty. Keeping your aligners clean is a vital part of your treatment, and it's the only way to keep them invisible, odorless, an...

Coleman Orthodontics The goal at Coleman Orthodontics is to enhance the quality of life for those who come to us for their orthodontic health care. We are committed to achieving excellence in our orthodontic treatment and to creating an environment that is open, comfortable and friendly. When our patients leave the office, we want them to feel better about themselves. We dedicate our time, talents and energy to this purpose. We don’t just provide orthodontic treatment to patients, we provide patients with an entire experience that can truly be life changing. Did you know your tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and contains a high percentage of minerals? These minerals provide enamel with the strength it needs to protect the teeth and help keep them looking bright and white This hard, outer surface layer of your teeth acts as a protection shield against your teeth. Being that the enamel is on the outside of your teeth, it is easy to damage it. 5 Ways to Keep ...

Coleman Orthodontics It’s no secret that your smile is often the first thing people notice about you. If you have been looking at your smile and haven’t been liking what you are seeing, there are many ways to ensure your smile is at its best. Using the most advanced orthodontic technology possible is just as important as staying up-to-date on the latest treatment techniques. Dr. Coleman uses a Carestream 9300 radiograph machine to take all of our patient's x-rays. This machine is the latest in radiograph technology and allows us to provide quick, comfortable, and effective orthodontic imaging for precise diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Coleman can capture a 3-D image of an individual's teeth and jaws to more accurately determine what problem might be present when a standard x-ray may be more difficult to use in the diagnosis of the same problem. Coleman Orthodontics is dedicated to providing you with the safest and most convenient orthodontic treatment options ava...

Coleman Orthodontics   Contrary to popular belief, traditional metal braces are only one of multiple choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. At Coleman Orthodontics , we want you to know there are   other options   out there…and clearly, we are excited about it!    Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. they are made of high-grade stainless steel, and straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. However, as orthodontics has progressed we now have less visible options.    Our Ceramic braces are a revolutionary leap forward in orthodontic care. They are designed to blend with your natural tooth color, and will resist staining and discoloration over the course of your treatment. Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than traditional metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers an...