We’re Sharing Smiles, Not Germs

Much has changed since we saw you last and we wanted to update you on our office and the steps we have taken to ensure we do everything possible to keep our patients and team healthy. 

 

 

Here are some things to know when preparing for your next appointment:

1. Send your child in or call us so that we can come out and meet them at the vehicle. 
2. We ask that parents wait in the car during their child’s appointment. 
3. The waiting room will be closed. 
4. The game room will be closed. 
5. We will check your temperature before entering the office. 
6. We will ask each patient to sanitize each their hands. 
7. Our team will be wearing protective gear to keep everyone safe. 
8. We take extra care in sanitizing out tools. 
9. Please brush your teeth before your appointment as the brushing station will be closed. 
10. Each chair is six feet apart to social distance. 
11. Parent’s can facetime their children during their appointment if necessary. 
12. We will provide a report on the next appointment and make your next appointment for you, which you can call to reschedule if needed. 
13. We will walk your child back to the car after their appointment is finished.

We are incredibly grateful for the amazing patients and families that we get the privilege of working with everyday. You all have been so patient, understanding, and kind as we process and navigate through our current situation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding ournew safety precautions, please don't hesitate to contact our office.

We are in this together. We can't wait to see your smiles again soon!

iTero Element at Hinesly Orthodontics

At Hinesly Orthodontics we utilize the latest technology to create the best orthodontic care for our patients. Our philosophy at Hinesly Orthodontics is combining art, science, and expertise to provide the highest level of orthodontic care possible. One of the pieces of technology at Hinesly Orthodontics is the iTero Element Scanner.

The iTero Element Scanner is a state-of-the-art digital impression system that eliminates the need for messy putty in your mouth. With our iTero Element Scanner, we can digitally capture a detailed 3D model of your teeth and gums. Not only is this process far more comfortable than the old putty based impressions, but it’s faster and can offer a superior clinical endpoint.

• What does this mean for you? 
• No goop or gag to worry about
• A fast, accurate impression
• Ideal for crowns, bridges, implants, and Invisalign clear aligners and retainers
• See a simulation of your potential Invisalign treatment outcome

During the impression process, you can breathe or swallow as you normally would. You can even pause during the process if you need to sneeze or just want to ask a question. The scanner gives us a 3D model of your mouth that can be used for all of your orthodontic treatment needs including the Invisalign.

Avoid Candy Canes this Holiday Season

The holidays are just around the corner and Christmas is less than a month away! No holiday season in Ann Arbor is complete without all the holiday treats! One of those treats to stay away from is candy canes. Whether you love them or don’t, candy canes are everywhere during the holidays. However you feel about candy canes, if you have braces, you may want to avoid candy canes this holiday season. 

Candy canes are one of the worst foods for teeth. Candy canes are 100% sugar. Sugar can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and loss. Candy canes are also one of the hardest treats to eat. One of the types of foods you should stay away from if you have braces (during orthodontic treatment) are hard foods and candies and candy canes fit the criteria perfectly. 

Candy canes also take a while to eat, which gives the sugar a reason to linger around longer and form into bacteria, leading to cavities. Here are other treats to stay away from this holiday season that is harmful to our teeth. 

The Rules of Retainers

Hinesly Orthodnotics

Retainers are custom-made for each patient and are advised to wear after treatment in order to keep the teeth from shifting. Retainers fit the top of the teeth and mouth. Though some retainers may look similar, no retainers are alike because they are made to fit individual needs.

Here are a few things you need to remember when receiving your retainer from Dr. Hinesly:

• You are instructed to wear your retainer for a year full time, which means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After a year, you will need to wear it 2-3 nights a week for your lifetime.
• Don't fold it in your napkin or leave it on the table at a restaurant. Garbage cans don't make happy hunting grounds.
• Don't put your retainer in your pocket. You might sit on it and break it. OUCH!
• Take your retainer out when swimming in a lake or ocean. If it falls out, you may not be able to find it. Wearing it in a swimming pool is OK.
• Animals and younger children love to play with it. Please make sure your retainer is in your mouth at all times.
• Your retainer should only be out of your mouth when brushing.
• Your lower retainer may be a fixed retainer bonded to your teeth. It is not considered permanent and can be broken or detached from your teeth if you are not careful with it.
• Bring your retainer to check-up appointments. If anything happens to your retainer (i.e. it doesn't fit, it's broken, or it's lost) please call us ASAP. If your lower bonded retainer wire comes out, keep it and bring it to your next appointment for rebonding.
• The first set of retainers is included in your treatment fee. Any repair to or replacement of your retainer, or rebonding of your lower retainer, will result in an additional charge to your account.
• Keep things clean! Be sure to brush your teeth without your retainers in. Do not boil your retainer or put it in hot water. Brush your retainer with a toothbrush using toothpaste, water or non-alcohol mouthwash.

We’ve All Suffered From Pizza Burn, Right?

According to Gallop Poll, approximately 3 billion pizzas are sold in the US every year, and we consume about 251,777,000 pounds of pizza per year. If you’ve done your fair share of eating some of the 3 billion pizzas sold nationwide, then chances are you’ve also had your time of suffering from pizza burn. Pizza burn can happen in that micro second it takes to indulge in your first bite of that hot, cheesy, saucy pizza that you just could not wait to bite into. Though burns may be a little out of the orthodontists’ league, we wanted to take a second anyway and give you some helpful tips to get you through the pizza burn pain. When it comes to your mouth, Hinesly Orthodontics has you covered.

So whether it is a pizza burn, or another hot food you should have waited on before biting into, chances are you’ve burned your mouth before. There are several symptoms that can occur with this unfortunate mishap, from tears in the roof of your mouth to blisters. Check out these important steps to take to soothe your mouth next time you have this accident, and help it heal correctly.

Applying or sucking on ice can relieve the stinging. Gargling cold water or eating ice cream are other options.

An over-the-counter pain reliever can help, if the pain is really distracting.

Squeezing Vitamin E from a capsule over the wound can speed up healing. It will regenerate new tissue and heal the wound.

Resist touching the burned area. This may be difficult, but by touching the affected area, the lesion may become irritated further.

Drinking milk can coat the scorched area.

Avoid acidic, crunchy, and other hot foods, or even very salty and spicy dressings. This will stop the burn from getting irritated further.

Maintain good oral hygiene while your mouth is burnt, keeping it as clean as possible to promote healing and prevent further infection.

Make sure you allow your burn to heal; it usually takes about a week for soreness and blistering to pass. Also, let us know if you have any home remedies that we didn’t list, or any interesting stories about a time you burned your mouth. Leave a comment or post it on our Facebook wall! Also, check out this video we found with more helpful tips for fighting pizza burn!

Back To School With Braces

Caring for braces especially for students in school can be quiet hectic due to the restrictive devotions to maintain the braces and for this reason, Hinesly Orthodontics has decided to put up an article which will make caring for orthodontic braces easy in school. As a student who just had an orthodontic treatment, you should be rest assured that it is the best that can happen to give you the perfect smile again but the care for your teeth and gums help make it very effective. Take a look at your new braces, you can notice a lot of nooks and crannies that can trap food and plaque and that means a great risk of tooth decay is imminent if not properly cared for, therefore you need to pay special attention to cleaning your teeth. This might look hectic but right here the team of Hinesly Orthodontics has a few great tips to keep your braces in top condition.

1. WATCH YOUR DIET

As an orthodontic patient with braces, it is very important for you to select your diet with caution. We know that there are several foods in school which tastes great but don't look great in your braces. Certain foods can either break a bracket or some foods are sugary and can have negative effects on the natural ability to brush behind the bracket. Be sure to make decisions on foods based on what is healthy, tasty, and won't harm your brackets.

Food to avoid: As an orthodontic patient we would advise that you desist from:

• Sticky or gooey foods 
• Hard foods
• Sugary foods
• Acidic drinks 

2. WEAR A MOUTHGUARD
With braces on your teeth, you might be wondering if you should desist from sports or retire from being the captain of your favorite sports team, but the truth is orthodontics does not affect your ability to play sports. You can keep on with your braces and sports if and only if you have your mouth guard on. Mouth guards are safety measures that can mean the difference between just a bruised, fat lips and thousands spent in orthodontics repair work. While you are in any kind of physical activity (including gym classes), it is advisable that you wear a mouth guard which can protect your teeth and braces from flying sports balls, swinging elbows or an accidental fall or hit.

3. BRUSH AND FLOSS REGULARLY
Braces can easily trap food, and this trapped food can lead to other inimical dental problems. Because of this, it is very important to brush your teeth after every meal and to floss at least once a day.

4. DON'T CHEW ON PENCILS
Pencils, pen, and rulers are all hard objects and most times when you get bored, anxious or plainly destructive you are tempted to chew on them in class. Obviously, this can be destructive in the moment and can be grossly inimical over time. It is important that you don't practice these habits while wearing braces.

We know that maintaining braces in school is can be tough. That is why we ensure to give you the best plans of action to help you out.

For more questions and inquiries that you may have, we are always at your service. You can always contact Hinesly Orthodontics.

Instances Where Clear Aligners Aren't The Answer

Below, Dr. Hinesly and the Hinesly Orthodontics team cover some of the instances where clear aligners just aren't the answer.

• If you're looking for the fastest treatment possible – Clear aligners usually can't move teeth as quickly as fixed appliances. So if you're looking for the fastest way to achieve your desired result, clear aligners may not be the best bet.
• If you need to move molars – Molars have much stronger roots than your other teeth and would require significantly longer to move with clear aligners. A fixed appliance is the best choice in this instance, especially if you have a substantial overbite or underbite that needs to be dealt with.
• If you're the type who often forgets or loses things –If you would forget to wear your aligners for the prescribed amount of time (usually at least 22 hours per day), clear aligners are probably not the best choice for you. Forgetting to wear them can delay treatment and even make it so you need to regress to the previous set of aligners to be able to move forward with treatment. Also, losing aligners delays treatment and is expensive since you need to buy replacements to stay on course. Replacing a lost set of aligners usually takes between seven and ten days.
• If drastic tooth movement is required – Fixed appliances deliver much more significant tooth movement. So if your case is a drastic one, clear aligners may not be the best choice.

Feel free to talk with Dr. Hinesly about your options regarding braces and clear aligners. We know there are pros and cons to both, so let’s find the option that works best for your life and for your specific needs in terms of treatment.

EASY MICROWAVE RECIPE | Low Carb Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

Try this super fluffy and moist cinnamon roll inspired mug cake which packs a protein punch and is low carb. It’s also ready in under a minute and completely braces friendly!

Ingredients

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (32-34 grams)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 T coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 T granulated sweetener of choice
• 1 large egg OR 1/4 cup liquid egg whites (see notes for Vegan option)
• 1/4 cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened almond)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

For the glaze (optional)

• 1 T coconut butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp milk of choice
• pinch cinnamon

Directions:

1. Grease a microwave safe bowl with cooking spray and add the protein powder, baking powder, coconut flour, cinnamon, sweetener of choice and mix well.
2. Add the egg/whites and mix into the dry mixture. 
3. Add the milk of choice and vanilla extract- If the batter is too crumbly, continue adding milk of choice until a very thick batter is formed. granulated sweetener of choice and extra cinnamon and swirl over the top. 
4. Microwave for 60 seconds, or until just cooked in the center. 
5. Top with glaze and enjoy!

LAYERED STRAWBERRY TRIFLE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

SYRUP:
1/4 cup granulated white sugar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup water
LAYERS:
12 ounces pound cake or butter loaf (store bought is ok)
8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
6 cups fresh strawberries

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the lemon syrup: In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, lemon juice and water to a boil over medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar completely. Let cool.
2. Slice the cake into 3/4-inch slices. Brush lemon syrup over both sides of each cake slice. Quarter each slice.
3. Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese with the sugar on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed to medium and slowly add the cream. Continue beating until the mixture resembles soft whipped cream.
4. Arrange half of the cake pieces in the bottom of a glass serving bowl or dish (2 quart size is sufficient). Spoon half the cream-cheese mixture over the cake in dollops; spreading to the sides of the dish. Scatter half of the strawberries on top. Repeat layering with cake, cream cheese and berries. Pile additional strawberries on top.
5. Cover and refrigerate until chilled (about an hour). You may also refrigerate overnight.

Tips For New Patients

Are you a new patient at Hinesly Orthodontics? You may or may not be excited about wearing your braces, but regardless we know you will be thrilled with the result of your new smile. As with any change, adjusting to something new can be a little confusing and overwhelming sometimes, so we decided to help you out with a few tips on adjusting to your braces.

The first tip is to give yourself some time. Your braces may not be what you expected or wanted, but after a while when your teeth start shifting you will notice how incredible your teeth and smile alignment look. Pain may occur after your appointments, just give it a few days after each adjustment and you should feel more comfortable.

Another thing to remember is to be confident. Don't worry about how your braces look and don't be afraid or embarrassed to smile with your braces. Depending on the type of braces you're treated with, people may not even know you're wearing braces. Be proud and flash those pearly whites often!

Lastly, be sure you know what to do if you're experiencing pain or problems with your braces. Before you leave checkups, feel for any wires poking out so you can have us correct the agitation and avoid pain. If a problem arises after your appointment, don't be afraid to call us; chances are it's a simple fix. For more information about adjusting to your braces, visit our website or give us a call.

Review Us On Google

Reviews on Google provide valuable information about our business to both us and our customers. Business reviews appear next to our listing in Maps and Search, and can help our business stand out on Google.

Leave us a review on Google by clicking here. You will need a Google account to leave review. If you are not sure how to create a review. Click here to create a Google account, then come back and leave us a review!

TO LEAVE A REVIEW: https://goo.gl/maps/5e1xmwX2TxD2

The Details On DIY Braces & Why You Should Avoid This

Hinesly Orthodontics and the American Association of Orthodontists have a prompt announcement for consumers about “DIY” orthodontic treatment. It is with great urgency that we emphasize to you all to be cautious about the trending “DIY” orthodontic treatment because straightening your teeth on your own can lead to lifelong dental problems.

Do-It-Yourself videos and websites are popular among today’s culture, and while so many great ideas come from several of these outlets, there are some things that you just shouldn’t do yourself! Straightening your teeth or attempting to move your teeth as a “DIY” project is definitely one of the things you should not be doing. 

Moving and straightening teeth is a medical procedure that needs to be supervised by an orthodontist. It’s important for you all to be wary of any videos or websites that advise you to use objects such as rubber bands, dental floss, or anything else in order to get straight teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, “Moving teeth without a thorough examination of the overall health of the teeth and gums could result in the permanent loss of teeth, which may result in expensive and lifelong dental problems.”

If you have any further questions regarding “DIY” orthodontics or are curious about straightening your teeth, please contact us at our Ann Arbor or Tecumseh office. 

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.