Invisalign in the Summertime

Invisalign Teen

Summer is here! And who doesn’t look forward to summer? Summer is usually a time for taking time off work, going on vacation, or just enjoying the extra time with family and friends. But did you know that summer is also the perfect time to start Invisalign clear braces treatment?  

One reason why summertime is the perfect time to start Invisalign is that you can get used to wearing your aligners before returning to work or school. Incorporating a new routine when you have downtime makes it easier to do when you aren’t so busy. Therefore, starting your Invisalign treatment during the summer, when you have downtime from school and/or work, will make your transition when you back that much easier.

Another great reason is…you don’t have to worry about missing out on any of your favorite summer foods. Delicious foods like corn on the cob, hard tortilla chips and sticky candies are off limits to people wearing braces because foods like that can break brackets and wires. With Invisalign clear braces, the aligners are removable so you’re eating habits won’t be affected. That means you can say yes to all of your favorite summer treats!

Also…Invisalign makes going on vacation much easier. Traditional metal braces require a visit to Dr. Hinesly’s orthodontic office every 6 – 8 weeks…more often if you happen to experience a broken bracket or wire. When you travel with Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about orthodontic appointments (or broken brackets) because Invisalign only requires an orthodontic visit every 10- 12 weeks.

But the main reason why summertime is the perfect time to start Invisalign clear braces treatment is…depending on your treatment plan, your smile may be perfect by next summer! Invisalign works fast with full treatment time averaging 6 to 15 months!   

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for you or your teen, please call our Ann Arbor or Tecumseh office to learn how you can benefit from Invisalign! Request a consultation today…initial exams at Hinesly Orthodontics are always free!

National Facial Protection Month

Hinesly Orthodontics

The team at Hinesly Orthodontics wants to remind our athletes to play it safe by wearing a mouth guard during recreational and organized sports. 

A mouth guard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard sporting equipment. A properly fitted mouth guard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouth guard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

There are three types of mouth guards:

1. Stock mouth guards come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting good stores and drug stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit.

2. Boil and bite mouth guards can also be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth guards. The "boil and bite" mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and tongue pressure.

3. Custom-fitted mouth guards are individually designed and made in our orthodontic office. Due to the use of the special material and because of the extra time and work involved, a custom-made mouth guard may be more expensive than the other types of mouth guards, but a custom-made mouth guard provides the most comfort and protection.

If you are an athlete and a patient at Hinesly Orthodontics talk to Dr. Hinesly about selecting a mouth guard that will provide the right protection for you.

For more information give us a call our Ann Arbor Office at (734) 769-7600 or our Tecumseh Office at (517) 423-6300. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

COVID-19 Update

Following Governor Whitmer's executive order on March 23rd, and for the health and safety of our team, our office will be closed through April 13th.

We thank you for your patience and understanding through this time of uncertainty.

We will continue to take emergency calls and texts at 734-330-3104.

Thank you.

3 Foods that Help Your Smile Shine

March is National Nutrition Month and this month we are sharing 3 foods that help your smile shine by keeping your teeth healthy and white. Nutrition plays a key role in the health of your smile, and often an easy adjustment to make that can have positive effects.

1. Dairy: 
Dairy can have health benefits for your teeth. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy foods most often.

2. Fruits and Vegetables:
It's not secret these foods can keep you healthy overall, but fruits and vegetables can aid you in keeping your smile healthy. Your mouth, teeth, and gums are more than just tools for eating. They’re essential for chewing and swallowing—the first steps in the digestion process. Fruits and vegetables are good choices for a healthy smile since they are high in water and fiber, which balance the sugars they contain and help to clean the teeth.

3. Nuts: 
Foods containing calcium — such as cheese, almonds and leafy greens — and foods high in phosphorous — such as meat, eggs and fish — can help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy, according to the American Dental Association.

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry devoted to creating beautiful smiles by bringing teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and is a wonderful investment with lifelong returns. At Hinesly Orthodontics, our mission is to provide you with orthodontic services of unmatched excellence, warmth and sincerity and to treat all of our patients as lifetime friends.

Protecting Your Enamel

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. Start the new year off with a consultation with a great smile. 🦷😀☀️ Schedule one directly online! It's that simple.

Did you know your tooth enamel is the hardest mineral substance in your body? It is stronger than your bones. This hard, outer surface layer of your teeth, protects against tooth decay. It acts as a protection shield against your teeth. Being that it is on the outside of your teeth, it is easy to damage it over the foods we eat and by neglecting care for our mouth. Here are 2 ways you can prevent enamel damage such as decaying or discoloration.

1. Eliminate Acidic Foods:
Eating foods that are high in acidic such as berries, sugar, honey, lemon, and others can contribute to the decaying of your enamel. A simple step to start is by eliminating sugary fruit juices and soda from your daily diet intake.

2. Utilize Mouthwash: 
Using mouthwash after eating to wash away food particles or simply for a fresh breath, can help maintain your smile and enamel healthy.

3. Use a Specific Toothpaste:
Use a toothpaste designed to help enamel remain strong or combat the sensitiveness of enamel loss.

Thank You for a Great 2019

2019 was a fantastic year at Hinesly Orthodontics! 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.

We are so thankful for our fantastic communities of Ann Arbor and Tecumseh and all the wonderful people in our communities. We have seen countless smiles this year through both of our offices in Ann Arbor and Tecumseh and look forward to a new year of new smiles transformed.

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. 

Hinesly Orthodontics Celebrates 25 Years

We are celebrating 25 years at Hinesly Orthodontics! In 25 years, we have seen a lot of amazing smiles transformed in our communities of Ann Arbor and Tecumseh. We have hosted countless events, given tours to classrooms and have seen many smiles shine before, during and after orthodontic treatment.

For 25 years, we have combined art, science and expertise to provide the highest level of orthodontic care possible. We value our communities' trust and confidence and will work to exceed expectations.

For 25 years, we have been committed to delivering the most beautiful smiles and we are confident that you will receive orthodontic care that will truly make a difference in your life.

Celebrating 25 Years: Scavenger Hunt

We are celebrating 25 years of Hinesly Orthodontics in a big fun way. We are releasing 25 clues for 25 days, asking our Ann Arbor and Tecumseh communities to find Band-it.

Visit our website every day to receive a new clue. Once you figure out Band-it's location, submit your guess to our office between September 2nd and September 26th via email at julie@hineslyorthodontics.com.

You will receive 1 point for each correct location submitted to our office between September 2nd and September 26th.

First place winner will receive 4 football tickets to the U of M vs. Michigan State game on Nov. 16th.  2nd & 3rd place winners will also receive amazing prizes.

Contest begins Monday, September 2nd. Everyone is eligible to play. Winners will be announced Monday, September 30th.

Thankful Thursday: Patient Appreciation

Thank you to all of the incredible members of our communities in Ann Arbor and Tecumseh. We are so thankful for everyone who takes the time to leave us a review.

Crossbite and Invisalign in Ann Arbor

Invisalign is preferred by many teens and adults who wish to receive orthodontic treatment with as little interruption in their everyday life. Invisalign treatment is a technique that straightens your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth. The virtually invisible aligners gradually reposition your teeth into a smile of which you will be proud. “Over 6 million people, including more than 1.4 million teens, have used Invisalign clear aligners to transform their smiles,” according to Invisalign.

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign has no metal bands or wires to trap food and plaque. Maintaining a good oral hygiene program will also reduce chances of plaque buildup, tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Of course most patients choose Invisalign because of the clear, clean look and overall aesthetic. However an effective treatment for a crossbite is Invisalign.

A crossbite happens when some upper teeth sit inside lower teeth rather than outside. A crossbite can cause your teeth to chip and wear down and even cause gums to recede. It can also cause difficulties speaking and chewing. A crossbite may also make it difficult for your teeth to be clean. Invisalign can be used to move incorrectly positioned teeth into the right place and treat a crossbite.