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.

Is it True? 4 Orthodontic Myths

We’ve heard it all. All the “rumors” and “is-it-true” about orthodontic treatment, braces and everything in between. There are a lot of myths about orthodontics and getting braces, some of which have been told so many times, by so many different people, they are now believed to be the truth.

Here are 4 myths about orthodontic treatment and the TRUTH.

Myth: Only kids need to see an orthodontist?
Truth: Everyone, no matter the age can benefit from a healthy straight smile. Every patient is different, the reality is that at any age teeth can impact you. As an adult your teeth may shift and look different. As a child, you may want to bring them in to ensure their jaws, teeth and oral health are all on track to a healthy journey.

Myth: If I wear braces, I have a higher chance of getting struck by lightning!
Truth: NO! That is not true. The chances of a person getting struck by lightning are the same, with or without braces. In the U.S. in any given year, the chance that you will be struck by lightning is 1 in 700,000 no matter what you are wearing.

Myth: I only need to see an orthodontist, while orthodontic treatment
Truth: While you have braces, it can make you more prone to plaque and tartar around your teeth, which is why you should stick with your regular dental check-ups, on top of your orthodontic treatments.

Myth: I can’t play sports with braces
Truth: Having braces, does not mean you have to stop living your life! As long as you wear a mouthguard, braces should not stop you or your child from playing your favorite sport. Ask Dr. Hinesly and our staff for more information on mouthgurads.


At Hinesly Orthodontics, we are 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.

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.

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.

3 Health Tips for the New Year

Happy New Year! The new year is the perfect opportunity to reflect and set new goals. One of the most important goals we can set for ourselves is to create or keep up with healthy habits. We are so proud to serve our Ann Arbor and Tecumseh communities. Here are 3 healthy tips to help you start a healthy oral hygiene routine.

1. Floss! Floss! Floss! Flossing every day is even more important when you have braces. If you’re having trouble flossing, just use a floss threader with regular floss, or buy special stiff-tipped floss made for braces wearers.
2. New Toothbrush: It's a new season and a new year, one of the most simple ways to keep up with your habits is to switch out your toothbrush. If you are using an electric toothbrush, you should switch out the toothbrush head as well.
3. Use Mouthwash: Using mouthwash, especially during orthodontic treatment is so important. Mouthwash can easily remove food debris from areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. After brushing and flossing, you can swish it around your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds. This will remove any lingering bacteria and will even help with inflammation of the gums.

Our philosophy at Hinesly Orthodontics is combining art, science, and expertise to provide the highest level of orthodontic care possible. Schedule a consultation directly online at either of our Ann Arbor or Tecumseh locations.