Invisalign has become an incredibly popular orthodontic treatment in recent years. It’s capable of producing the same results as traditional braces in less time, more discreetly, and without any dietary restrictions. Given the success it’s had, it’s no surprise that there are imitators—plenty of DIY clear aligner kits claim to offer results comparable to Invisalign from the comfort of your home. However, straightening your teeth with only limited professional supervision carries significant risks. Here are some problems you might encounter from this treatment.

To a lot of people, braces represent a very specific time in their life: that awkward phase in middle and high school when they’re still coming into their own. In actuality, however, people can benefit from braces at many ages. Not only are there plenty of adults who could do with straighter teeth, but there are also younger kids that could use early orthodontic intervention. If you have a child, here’s what you should know about when they might need braces.

Whether you enjoy playing a casual game of ultimate frisbee with your friends during the summer or are part of a professional team year-round, sports are a great way to stay in shape and build a community. Fortunately, undergoing orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to get in the way! If you are interested in straightening your teeth but would like to do a bit more research before scheduling your appointment, keep reading for the answers from your orthodontist in Westfield to a few of the most frequently asked questions about playing sports with braces.

Maybe you’ve heard that your smile is the first thing people notice. So, nobody can blame you for thinking the main benefit of straight teeth is how they benefit someone’s appearance. The truth is straight teeth have benefits that go beyond skin-deep. They can actually improve your health. Keep reading to learn from an orthodontist in Westfield how valuable properly aligned teeth really are.

When it comes to correcting orthodontic issues, traditional braces remain one of the most tried-and-true treatment options available! These metal brackets and wires have been reliably straightening smiles for generations; however, they’ve also been causing some serious oral discomfort during that span. The good news is that this irritation isn’t something that you have to live with, and there are many things you can do yourself to better prevent and manage the discomfort caused by your braces. Keep reading to learn more from your dentist.

Your braces can affect a lot of things inside your mouth. Not only are they working to slowly shift your teeth into a preferable position, but they can also cause swelling in your gums! This is fairly common in patients with braces, and although it’s usually temporary it can also sometimes be permanent. In any case, it can be treated! Here are some reasons for why having braces might cause your gums to swell, along with some things you can do about it.

Do you feel like it’s too late for you to consider getting braces? This couldn’t be further from the truth. Just because you didn’t get them when you were in middle or high school doesn’t mean that the opportunity has completely passed you by. You are never too old to start working towards your dream smile. After all, you continue to show it off and take care of it every day. It should be something you’re proud of! Continue reading to learn several ways that adult braces can be beneficial for you.

Happy fall! As a reminder, the current recommendations for coming into the office are as follows:

1) If you are generally unwell- fever, congestion, coughing, sneezing, having a hard time with allergies, feeling-like-a-truck-hit-you flu-like symptoms, please reschedule. Even in non-pandemic times, we are still working in the mouth, and it is uncomfortable,unhealthy, and unnecessary for the patients and staff for you to be here instead of at home resting.

2) Please wear a mask into the office, even if you are vaccinated.

3) If anyone at home is ill, COVID or otherwise, we are allowing a 10 day “family feel-better” rescheduling period.

4) If someone at school or your home was in contact with your child and has been diagnosed with COVID, please reschedule, even if your child is asymptomatic.

Thank you for your understanding and working with us to keep everyone safe!

Dave Cordes

Our offices are open for regular orthodontic appointments as well as new patient exams. In order to remain open safely, we ask that anyone entering the office, please review these COVID-19 screening questions in advance:

1) Over the last 3 days, have you had a fever, chills, dry cough, shortness of breath, stomach upset, extreme headache or loss of taste or smell?
2) Have you, or has anyone in your household, had close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days? Has anyone in your family bubble had to quarantine or isolate due to such an instance?
3) Have you travelled outside of your home state, other than for work purposes, in the last 14 days?

If you have answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, we kindly ask you to reschedule your appointment. Keeping our patients, our staff and myself safe is always a top priority.

With many thanks in advance and here’s hoping for a better New Year ~ Dave Cordes

To Our Family of Patients:
Recently the Governor of Massachusetts has pushed back the reopening date to May 18th and the Governor of Connecticut has extended their date to May 20th. While dental offices are considered “essential” businesses, all of the dental offices in these states are trying to comply with this order so that PPE can be preserved for frontline healthcare providers fighting COVID-19. Therefore, with the exception of emergencies, our offices will stay closed until then. Our Westfield office plans to reopen on May 18th and our Enfield office will reopen on May 20th. If you do have an emergency, PLEASE call any of our offices. Heather and Stephanie are receiving calls while working from home and will contact me.

Also, when we do reopen, you will have a very different experience with our office since we are implementing protocols to further enhance disinfection and promote patient safety. There will be plexiglass shields at the front desk between yourself and the ladies at the desk. We will be limiting seating in the reception areas, asking that only the patient come in and the families remain in the car. If a parent or guardian feels that they must accompany the patient or if we require your presence, we will ask that only one person do so. If the patient has a mask, we urge them to wear it while in the office and remove it only at the time we begin actual treatment. (If your child feels awkward about wearing one, tell them “everyone is doing it.” We are too and they will fit right in!) When the patient comes in, we will be taking their temperature with an infrared forehead thermometer scan and then having them wash their hands.

Additionally, you will see that our staff has a “new look.” Gone are the tie dye shirts and they have been replaced with scrubs, gowns, double masks and face shields. (But yes, I am holding fast to my orange Crocs!) We are disinfecting the high touch points in the office throughout the day and will be fogging the office at night with hospital-grade disinfectant.

While in orthodontics, we generally are dealing with a healthy, younger population, all of these measures are out of an abundance of caution to keep everyone safe. Through it all, we will be engaging the patients in conversation, laughing with them and making all of these measures seem not so scary.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you back in our offices and sharing stories about what you have been doing (or not doing) and getting back to working on your smiles! Until then, Stay Safe, Chin Up, Smile and God Bless.

Dave Cordes