Merry Christmas

May this holiday season sparkle and shine, may all of your wishes come true, and may you feel this happiness all year round! With love, from Hinesly Orthodontics!

New Recipe | PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE BROWNIE COOKIES

PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE BROWNIE COOKIES

PREP TIME
10 mins
COOK TIME
8 mins
TOTAL TIME
18 mins
Serves: 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• ⅔ cup shortening
• 1½ cups light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• ⅓ cup dark cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup peppermint crunch baking chips 
• 1 cup semi sweet or dark chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl cream the shortening and brown sugar. Mix in the water and vanilla. Then add the eggs. Mix until combined.
3. In another bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add it to the sugar/egg mixture.
4. Stir in the peppermint crunch baking chips and the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
6. Bake for 7 - 9 minutes. Let the cookies cool slightly before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a luxurious holiday filled with love, joy, great food and wonderful company. Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Hinesly Orthodontics!

November 11th is National Sundae Day!

Happy National Sundae Day! It's a tradition every year, on the 11th of November for ice cream lovers to celebrate one of the most popular desserts, the ice cream sundae! Sundaes come in all flavors, shapes, and sizes, but there are always 4 main ingredients that make a sundae, a sundae! Those ingredients are, ice cream, flavored sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top! Add in some sprinkles, maybe some cookies, and there you have it, one of America's favorite treats.

So maybe you're an ice cream sundae lover looking for a new recipe? Well, look no further! We found a delicious mouth-watering recipe sure to satisfy any ice cream sundae appetite.

HOW TO MAKE THIS: The key to this P.B.-chocolate overload is a creamy peanut butter like that will melt into a smooth, pourable sauce when heated. Microwave some peanut butter in 15-second bursts until it’s warm, then coat the glass with a spoonful of it and some fudge sauce before layering with chocolate ice cream, Reese’s pieces, halved peanut butter cups, and extra sauce. 

Have A FaBOOLous Halloween

Happy Halloween from Hinesly Orthodontics!

No More Blue M&M's?

This Halloween the blue M & M’s will be difficult to find. In response to growing pressure from consumers across the globe, MARS (the maker of M&M’s), announced in February that over the next five years it would remove artificial colors from the processed foods it makes for human consumption. Pigments found in natural substances would take their place. MARS has joined a growing list of global food manufacturers removing artificial dyes from some or all of their products. The companies include Nestle’ USA, General Mills, Kraft, Frito-Lay, Campbell’s, Kellogg’s and Mondelez International, the makers of Oreo’s, Tang and Sour Patch Kids.

The challenge for MARS is the color “blue”. Blue is a rarity among plants and animals. When blue does occur in nature it often is not truly blue but rather a trick of diffraction or the scattering of light; which is the case for bird feathers, sky, water and iridescent butterfly wings. A blueberry is actually more red than blue when you mash it.

The orange glow of Krafts revamped macaroni and cheese now comes from paprika, turmeric and annatto; a coloring extracted from tree seeds. General Mills experimented with 69 different natural dyes before it released a naturally colored Trix.

One would think that it would be relatively simple to find “blue”. In 2013 MARS began experimenting with the microscopic algae spirulina to make the first natural blue dye approved for use in the US. The problem is it is the incorrect blue, the color degrades and fades. So researchers are still looking everywhere for naturally occurring blue pigments. They have found a berry in Central & South America, the huito, a blue gardenia flower, red cabbage, aged red wine, a bacteria used to make swiss cheese, the Japanese Kusagiberry, butterfly pea-flowers and tree root fungi. All of that for the blue M & M. Let’s hope it tastes as good as the red ones.

Straighter Teeth, Healthier Smiles

At Hinesly Orthodontics, Dr. Hinesly and staff strive to give patients the best services while straightening their teeth. We know having a beautiful straight smile is the ultimate goal of our patients, but we can’t deny the fact that their orthodontic treatment also assists in a healthier smile too. The fact is, straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene and an increased chance of healthier teeth later in life.

Another wonderful fact about straight teeth is they are less prone to decay because they collect less plaque. When you visit Hinesly Orthodontics for your initial consultation, Dr. Hinesly will examine all aspects of your teeth, face, smile, and jaw.

If you’re curious whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up an initial orthodontic consultation at our convenient Ann Arbor or Tecumseh offices. Dr. Hinesly can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Questions? Give us a call, ask us below or on our Facebook page!

Let Braces Be Another Reason You Quit Smoking

We don't need to tell you smoking is bad for your lungs because chances are you’re already aware of that and several other health concerns smoking can bestow upon you. Besides the link between tobacco and heart disease, stroke, emphysema, and cancer, smoking can lead to oral health problems too. At Hinesly Orthodontics, it is our duty to inform you of problems that may arise when you wear braces and smoke.

We’ve decided to create a list to update you on oral health problems that smoking can cause.

Bad breath: when you have braces, there are just more areas for bacteria. Smoking with braces often leads to more severe odor.

Tooth discoloration: smoking stains your teeth – when you have braces it is harder to brush increasing the likelihood of obvious tooth discoloration following the removal of your braces.

Inflammation of the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth

Increased loss of bone within the jaw; compromising your treatment time. Increased risk of developing gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss

Delayed healing process; making mouth ulcers more painful and longer to heal.

Hinesly Orthodontics urges you to be wise and consider using your decision to invest in braces as an opportunity to quit smoking and invest in your overall oral health. There are plenty of resources and support groups out there willing to help. If you have any questions on oral health problems that can occur, contact Hinesly Orthodontics.

"Give Me S'more" Cake - National S'mores Day Recipe

If you want to celebrate National S'mores Day today, we encourage you to do so! Take our s'mores challenge and try something different by adding some flare to your s'mores! Try out this new s'more recipe and let us know what you think!

Do you have a s'more recipe you'd like to share with us? Post it on our Facebook wall!

"Give Me S'more" Cake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

MARSHMALLOW FROSTING:

• 4 egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips, divided

Directions

1. Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; lightly coat paper with cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine cracker crumbs and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
2. Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
3. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar over low heat. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes. Pour into a large bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes.
4. Place a cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 2/3 cup frosting and sprinkle with half of chips. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake; sprinkle with remaining chips. Yield:12 servings.

"Give Me S'more" Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Cosmetic Mouthwash VS Therapeutic Mouthwash

The next time you’re ready to buy mouthwash, make sure you know your mouthwash and the differences between cosmetic mouthwashes and therapeutic mouthwashes. Just like toothpaste, there are different types of mouthwashes to do different things for your mouth. This is why it’s important to know the key differences between cosmetic & therapeutic mouthwashes.

Cosmetic mouthwashes act as a mask for bad breath or help whiten teeth. Similar to a mint, cosmetic mouthwashes will merely cover your bad breath and give you a more agreeable taste in your mouth. Aside from that, there are also some cosmetic mouthwashes that help give you a brighter whiter smile.

Therapeutic mouthwashes, however, have clinical purposes for oral hygiene that go beyond masking the smell of your breath. Therapeutic mouthwashes serve to fight plaque, attack bacteria, and strengthen teeth with fluoride making them a better choice for our patients at Hinesly Orthodontics.

Myths About Braces

Some myths being discussed around the web regarding braces are legitimate concerns people may have. Keep reading to see what some of these myths about braces are.

If you kiss with braces, your teeth will get locked together. Unless you are really smashing your faces together there is a very small chance of your braces locking since the modern brackets slim.

Will braces set off the metal detectors at the airport? The lightweight materials and the small quantity of metal actually in your mouth will not affect metal detectors.

Can braces rust? Absolutely not!

Will braces interfere with radio signals or other electrical devices? No. Radio-loving gadget fanatics can rest easy.

Summer Packing List For Those With Braces

It’s that time again; SUMMER is here. For many of our patients, Summer is a popular time to take a vacation and escape the responsibilities and routine of every day normal life. As we encourage you to take some well-deserved time away and hit the beach, we want you to remember to stay responsible for your braces while you’re traveling.

Be sure to pack more than the essential tooth brush and floss if you wear braces! Check out our tips below for those of you wearing clear aligners & traditional braces

If you wear Invisalign clear aligners, be sure to remember:

• Always take your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set of aligners with you.
• Always carry your aligners in your purse or carry-on luggage when flying.
• Take an extra case. 
• Make sure you rinse out your mouth and aligners before reinserting into your mouth if brushing is inconvenient. 

If you wear traditional braces, be sure to pack the follow:

• Orthodontic wax
• Floss & threader
• Proxy brush
• Rubber bands (if required)
• Ibuprofen

We hope these tips help you while you’re traveling this Summer. If you have any questions or concerns while you are traveling please give Hinesly Orthodontics a call. Wishing you all safe travels!

Try This New Braces Friendly Recipe!

Whether you're new to wearing braces or have had them for a while, you probably noticed that certain foods are hard to enjoy while being treated for orthodontics.  Instead of loading up a list of things you can't eat, we suggest creating a list of new foods and recipes you can eat.  This makes wearing braces a pleasurable experience that will leave your smile, and your tummy, very happy!

To help you start this positive orthodontic experience Hinesly Orthodontics found a new recipe that is braces friendly and taste buds approved! Check it out below.

Taco Pizza

Ingredients:
Meat
1 lb Ground beef, lean

Produce
4 Green onions
1/2 cup Tomatoes

Canned Goods
1 (16 ounce) can Refried beans

Condiments
1/4 cup Black olives

Baking & Spices
1 (10 ounce) can Pillsbury pizza dough, refrigerated
1 envelope Taco seasoning mix

Dairy
2 cups Cheddar cheese
Directions: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Drain grease. Add taco seasoning to the ground beef according to package directions.

Unroll pizza dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. (I used a 10x15 inch cookie sheet). Let dough sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Press dough over the bottom and up along all 4 sides the of cookie sheet. Bake pizza dough for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven.

Place refried beans into a microwavable-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well and then spread beans evenly over the top of the warm pizza crust. Top with the cooked ground beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese and then add the tomatoes, black olives and green onion.

Return to oven and bake another 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Financial Information Regarding Orthodontic Treatment

When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, also consider the lifelong benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. The cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including the severity of the problem, its complexity and length of treatment.

For your convenience, Hinesly Orthodontics will gladly assist you in submitting both predetermination and initial insurance claims pertaining to charges for care rendered in our office. However, please be aware our primary financial relationship is with our patients or their families and not with their respective insurance companies. Final responsibility for collection of benefits from your insurance company rests with the insured party. Our professional services are rendered and charged directly to the patient or their family and they are responsible for payment of all fees incurred.

We believe that finances should never be an obstacle when it comes to a beautiful, healthy smile. Therefore, we offer convenient payment options to help you keep from worrying about the cost of braces and allow you focus on what matters most – your smile!

Orthodontic Treatment For Adults

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care offered at Hinesly Orthodontics, and now you can too. 

Keep reading to learn more about adult orthodontics.

Common reasons why adults are considering orthodontic treatment:

• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly.
• Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly leading to tooth decay or gum disease.
• Abnormal jaw pain or pressure that is caused by crooked teeth.
• Desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile.

Our goal 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.

If you are considering orthodontic treatment in Ann Arbor or Tecumseh, please stop by or call to learn more about Dr. James A. Hinesly.

National Dolphin Day is Flipping Awesome!

Every year on April 14th people in the United Sates participate in National Dolphin Day. Though thousands are involved, there are still many people in the nation that are unaware of this national holiday. Right now, Hinesly Orthodontics has a goal to help raise animal awareness, so recognizing a day such as this is a wonderful way for us to help our patients learn a little more about this amazing creature.

Keep reading to learn some fun facts about dolphins.

Did you know…

• Dolphins are cetacean mammals that are related to whales and porpoises.
• They range in size from 4 ft to up to 30 feet,
• Dolphins are among almost forty species in 17 genera.
• They are found worldwide, and they prefer the shallower seas of the continental shelves.
• As carnivores, their diet consists of mostly fish and squid. 
• Male dolphins are referred to as a bull. 
• Female dolphins are referred to as a cow. 
• Young dolphins are referred to as a calf. 
• A group of dolphins is called a school or pod. 

Dolphins are friendly sea creatures known to have acute eyesight both in and out of water, as well as a well-developed sense of touch. They live in pods of up to a dozen dolphins and are highly social animals. The United States national Marine mammal Foundation conducted a study that revealed that dolphins, like humans, develop a natural form of type2 diabetes which may lead to a better understanding of the disease for both humans and dolphins. Though National Dolphin Day is an unofficial holiday, it is listed as part of the American Veterinary Medical Association Pet Health Awareness Events.

Hinesly Orthodontics is trying to give back this month and next by donating $1 to our local humane society for every new Facebook like we get. Please help us to spread animal awareness, and generate donations by Liking us on Facebook.

Attn Peeps: Easter Candy To Avoid

Easter is a holiday surrounded by tons and tons of decorative candy that is hard to avoid. Like most holidays, when gathering with friends and family a common tradition for most is to indulge in food and desserts without being too cautious about what you’re consuming. For our patients that wear braces, we urge you to keep your eyes open (and mouths closed) to Easter candy that can be damaging to your braces.

Hinesly Orthodontics has taken the time to dig a little deeper into this for our patients. Keep reading to learn Easter candy totally unsuitable for our patients with braces.

• Jelly Beans
• Gummi Bears
• Licorice
• Starburst
• Snickers
• Life Savers
• Ring Pops
• Twix
• Skittles
• Sour Patch Kids

Today’s braces are very high tech. It’s important for you to be aware of what you, or your child, are eating this Easter to avoid from damaging braces, and dodge costly repairs. Keep an eye on items that will potentially be putting braces at risk for repairs.

Invisalign is offered at Hinesly Orthodontics

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only 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. Hinesly plans out for you.

Are you an Invisalign patient at Hinesly Orthodontics? If you answered yes, please watch this video for great information on patient use & care.

Invisalign: Patient Use & Care
Are you an Invisalign patient at Hinesly Orthodontics? If you answered yes, please watch this video for great information on patient use & care.
Posted by Hinesly Orthodontics on Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Not a patient but interested in Invisalign with Hinesly Orthodontics? No problem!

With Invisalign, 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. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth. Contact us now to set up your initial appointment at our Ann Arbor or Tecumseh office.

It's Children's Dental Health Month

Did you know in the United States alone 51 million hours of school is missed by American students due to oral health problems?  That’s why it’s so important to emphasize the recognition of February being National Children's Dental Health national month, because every hour of school that is missed creates more problems for children in the classroom. This is why Hinesly Orthodontics encourages you to utilize this month to remind your kids about dental health.

Check out a couple of tips we wanted to share with you to make dental health creative when teaching your kids how to have healthy smiles!

Fun Toothbrushes

Another way to make dental health more interesting for children is to opt for fun style toothbrush. When replacing their toothbrush, let them pick one in their favorite color or with their favorite character. Also, a new toothbrush option that is growing pretty rapidly is the gaming toothbrush, such as the Grush. The “Grush” takes brushing to another level. This toothbrush is coupled with interactive and instructive mobile games guiding kids’ through proper brushing techniques while they think they are simply playing a game. These brushes also provide tracking for parents to see growth in results.

Create Memories

Show your children that taking care of their dental health is fun and memorable by adding a little flare to it. Brush and floss with them, sing songs, and help them brush while encouraging them to learn the proper skills. Also, there are several fun books and videos designed specifically for children to learn about dental health. Read to them and watch educational videos together. These efforts alone will provide great oral health habits with your children and long lasting memories.

Don't forget, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, the best age for children to be seen by an orthodontist for the first time is 7.  If you're child is ready for his or her first visit, bring them to Hinesly Orthodontics and let us assist you with treatment options.

Meet the iTero

Hinesly Orthodontics understands that crafting a great smile takes time, but with today’s technology we can deliver results faster to our patients by using cutting edge tools such as our high tech iTero scanner. Not only does this new technology tool help us get your results faster, but it also makes treatment easier for you as a patient.

According to iTero manufacturers, "The iTero Intraoral Scanner is synonymous with high precision. Now, iTero® Element™ is engineered to deliver everything that doctors love about iTero scanners in a compact footprint with even bigger capabilities. iTero Element is designed to put the latest technology at your fingertips and make intraoral scanning fun."

Watch this video to learn more:

We are excited to offer our patients a unique experience where they can receive high end treatment from a staff that genuinely cares.  We are always looking for new innovative ways to make our office fun for the patients and staff while providing the absolute latest and greatest orthodontic treatments and services. Let us know how we are doing by leaving a comment or LIKING us on facebook!

Meet AcceleDent

You want to improve the look of your smile, but does the thought of spending months, or even years, in braces sound like too much of a hassle? With the AcceleDent® System, you can now reduce the time of your orthodontic treatment by 38 to 50%! Using this pain-free, easy appliance, you'll achieve your most perfect smile in no time at all.


How does AcceleDent work?

AcceleDent is a light, comfortable, and hands-free appliance that is used 20 minutes per day as a complement to braces to accelerate tooth movement. The patented technology gently vibrates the teeth and surrounding bone, allowing teeth to move more freely. The best part of the AcceleDent System is that it's completely safe! You may experience a slight tingling sensation, much like that of the vibration of an electric toothbrush, but it should diminish after you become accustomed to using the appliance.


The benefits of AcceleDent will make you smile!

• You'll accelerate your orthodontic experience without sacrificing aesthetics
• AcceleDent can be used for adolescents, teens, and adults, and it is completely safe for patients of all ages.
• The AcceleDent appliance is lightweight and comfortable. You may even forget you're using it!
• The hands-free design allows you to achieve a beautiful, straight smile faster than you ever thought possible – even while reading, watching television, listening to music, or doing school work.