Our Blog

We’d like to share a big THANK YOU with all of our patients for passing along the word about Hawks Prairie Orthodontics to your friends, families, and colleagues year after year. You’re part of the reason we’re able to keep doing what we love to do!

Unlike dentists, who often share a lifetime relationship with their patients, we complete our work in a short time frame. Most orthodontic patients are only in active treatment for two years or less. In many cases, our new patients come from our old patients!

Many people come to us seeking treatment based on recommendations from people like you, who know us and trust us after enjoying positive experiences with our office and our orthodontic treatment. All health care professionals depend on the confidence of their patients; referrals are the best illustration of our patients’ satisfaction with our work.

THANK YOU for your continued support. At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics we want you to know that we really appreciate it!

Wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Following are a list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. We will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan. Give us a call today at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics to come in for an Invisalign consultation.

When most people hear the phrase "orthodontic treatment" they picture a pre-teen in braces. At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, we tailor your treatment plan to your individual needs and in some special cases, we may recommend starting earlier, sometimes even when a child still has his baby teeth?

In certain circumstances, diagnostic records make it evident very early on that developmental problems are in the works. Some examples include an upper or lower jaw that is growing incorrectly, or a situation in which there is not enough room in the mouth for all the teeth to erupt, or a severe malocclusion (the orthodontic word for "bad bite" which means the jaws don't come together properly).

Some patients with these special conditions will benefit from "two-phase treatment" which consists of two distinct periods of orthodontic treatment, the first occurring prior to the eruption of permanent teeth, and the second taking place some time later, after permanent teeth have come in.

Orthodontic work is best performed during stages of rapid growth. Should your child be a candidate for two-phase treatment, we will schedule the two phases based on typical patterns of dental development for your child's age group.

Phase One treatment generally does not involve braces, though in particular cases it may. More common is the use of other appliances, such as a palatal expander, which helps direct the growth of the jaw. In most cases, Phase One treatment serves to prevent or intercept a problem that could otherwise cause trouble in a child's future development. If the child's teeth are in an extreme state, this phase can also improve self-esteem. The ultimate objective of Phase One treatment is to provide a well-aligned, healthy environment within the jaw and mouth, into which the permanent teeth can erupt.

Phase Two treatment most often takes place quite a bit later than Phase One, after permanent teeth have erupted. This phase usually consists of more conventional treatment with braces, and serves to align the teeth properly in the mouth, building upon the foundation that was established during Phase One.

Remember that every patient is unique, and thus every treatment plan is unique. At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, we carefully examine x-rays, photographs, and diagnostic records to determine the optimum treatment for your child's individual needs. Give us a call today to come in for an orthodontic consultation.

Many parents assume they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct while the jaw is still growing. Consequently, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

What’s so great about age seven? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for an orthodontist to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites, and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. Contact us today at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics to schedule a consultation.