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What Is An Orthodontist?

At Smiles In Framingham our goal is to provide the highest quality orthodontic care and treatment from the most qualified professionals available throughout Framingham, Southborough, and surrounding Massachusetts areas.

Many people believe a dentist and orthodontist are the same thing but that’s not quite the case. The two professional titles certainly have some similarities, and they do work together, but orthodontics is a specific type of dental care. An orthodontist is a specialist that treats certain types of dental problems.

What Does An Orthodontist Do?

An orthodontist such as Dr. Himelhoch is a fully qualified dentist who takes on an additional 2-3 years of orthodontic schooling and gains extensive clinical experience in an orthodontic residency program. The American Association of Orthodontists is the overseeing body for this branch of elite dentistry.

The most important job for an orthodontist is identifying, treating, and preventing issues with your teeth and mouth. Orthodontists are experts at treating misaligned or overcrowded teeth, as well as bite problems (malocclusions). Malocclusions can also result when the upper and lower jaws don’t fit together properly, whether from premature loss of baby teeth, developmental abnormalities, trauma, or other causes.

Orthodontic Treatment

If you suffer from any of the following issues, you may be a candidate for orthodontic treatment:

  • Overbite – where the upper front teeth stick out over the lower teeth
  • Underbite – where the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back
  • Cross bite – when the upper teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting together normally
  • Open bite – space between the biting surfaces of the front and/or side teeth when the back teeth bite together
  • Misplaced midline – when the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the center of your lower front teeth
  • Spacing – gaps between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not “fill up” the mouth
  • Crowding – when there are too many teeth for the dental ridge to accommodate

Types of Treatments

  • Traditional Braces – made from a high-grade stainless steel with metal brackets and archwires, which put pressure on teeth to move slowly into the correct position.
  • Clear braces – work in the same way as traditional braces, but the brackets are made from a clear, transparent ceramic material.
  • Invisalign – custom-made removable clear aligners that are virtually invisible and work in increments.
  • Invisalign Teen – clear aligners that are removable and virtually invisible to ensure you still enjoy your favorite foods and social events.

Reasons To Visit An Orthodontist In Framingham MA

  • Achieving a healthy smile – a healthy smile not only looks good, but can also offer benefits such as increasing chewing functionality and improving speech.
  • Boosting confidence – a beautiful smile can provide a dramatic boost in self esteem.
  • Starting on the right path – children can avoid and prevent arising problems when seen at the right age.
  • Preventing future problems – when untreated, many orthodontic issues can become worse over time.

If you or someone you know is in need of orthodontic care or looking to visit with an orthodontist and located in Framingham, Southborough, Ashland, or surrounding areas of Massachusetts please contact us today to take a step in the right direction and schedule a visit. Call now (508) 872-0555.


Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club

invisalign-vs.-smile-direct-club-farmingham-ma

Are you having trouble deciding between Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club? At Smiles In Framingham, we are dedicated to educating our patients about the latest treatments and offering affordable costs that accommodate any budget.

Where Can I Find Out About Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club Near Me?

Our team at Smiles In Framingham specializes in Invisalign and Invisalign Teen in Framingham MA. As a leading Framingham orthodontist, Dr. Himelhoch is knowledgeable and experienced in all forms of orthodontic care. As a result, we provide supervised treatment with Invisalign by an orthodontic specialist that received the necessary education and training to help guarantee the best possible results.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign uses sets of clear aligner trays to attain the same results as traditional braces. Clear aligners are virtually invisible so no one will ever have to know about your orthodontic treatment. Each set of aligners is made of smooth and lightweight plastic to gently and gradually shift teeth into alignment. Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are custom-made with SmartTrack material for a perfect fit that will never slip out or affect your speech.

What Is Smile Direct Club?

Smile Direct Club also utilizes clear aligners to achieve straight teeth. However, Smile Direct Club is designed to eliminate visits to an orthodontist by allowing treatment to be completed from home. First, you will need to locate a nearby “SmileShop” where dental impressions are taken. In addition, you also have the option of receiving a dental impression kit in the mail. Once your dental impressions are received, each set of aligners will be delivered right to your door. However, it is important to keep in mind that Smile Direct Club eliminates the supervision of an orthodontist or dental professional throughout the course of treatment.

Why Choose Invisalign With A Certified Orthodontist?

invisalign vs smile direct clubThe American Dental Association strongly discourages against do-it-yourself orthodontics because of the potential dangers or harm it can cause. It is believed that supervision by a licensed dentist or orthodontist is necessary for all phases of orthodontic treatment including oral and periodontal examinations, X-rays, treatment planning, prescriptions, periodic progress evaluations, and a stable final assessment. If the current course of treatment is not achieving the proper results, an orthodontist has the choice to switch to braces or another form of effective treatment. As a result, continuous supervision by a Framingham orthodontist such as Dr. Himelhoch will ensure the health of your teeth to prevent tooth loss and any other unnecessary complications.

Finding The Difference Of Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club

In conclusion, Dr. Himelhoch and our team at Smiles In Framingham are experts in various forms of orthodontic treatment. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, or Smile Direct Club in Framingham MA, Southborough MA, Ashland MA, Wayland MA, Natick MA, Marlborough MA, and Hopkinton MA. Contact Smiles In Framingham today to schedule a free consultation today. Call now (508) 872-0555.

 

What Florence Henderson Learned From Her Impacted Teeth

Life lessons are learned in the most surprising places. This is no different for celebrities. Take, for example, Florence Henderson, an actress, singer, philanthropist, author and star of the hit television series, The Brady Bunch. As she told Dear Doctor magazine, her experience with having four impacted wisdom teeth removed — at the same time — “…only made me more aware of how important dental care is.” She continued, “This is why I have always gone every six months for a check up.”

Another important lesson we want to share is the fact that even if your impacted third molars (wisdom teeth) are not bothering you or causing any pain, you may still need to have them removed.

Why? Having a tooth submerged below the gum, pressing on the roots of other teeth is problematic; the tooth should be removed so that you can avoid major dental problems before they occur. For example, it is not uncommon for us to find an impacted third molar pressing against the roots of the adjacent second molar. Furthermore, because the enamel crown of this impacted tooth is trapped below the gum, we sometimes find an infection, gum disease or even cyst formation occurring.

Read moreWhat Florence Henderson Learned From Her Impacted Teeth

These Practical Tips Could Enhance Your Child’s Dental Health for Life

Your children’s health is a major concern for you, even before they’re born. That concern should include their dental health and, yes, even before they’re born — a baby’s primary teeth are already forming just a few weeks into pregnancy.

Here, then, are some important tips for keeping your child’s dental health, before and after birth, on track.

Eat healthy during pregnancy. Your baby’s teeth actually begin to mineralize around the third or fourth month of your pregnancy. You can aid this process by eating a diet rich in calcium, phosphorous and protein.

Read moreThese Practical Tips Could Enhance Your Child’s Dental Health for Life

What Foods to Avoid with Braces

Dr. Deborah Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham in Framingham MA treats patients of all ages with braces all over the Middlesex County MA area including Southborough MA, Marlborough MA, Ashland MA, Wayland MA and Natick MA. One of there most common questions is “what foods to avoid with braces?” The truth is there are number of things to avoid because they can actually break your braces. But this shouldn’t intimidate you, the team at Smiles in Framingham in Framingham MA is here to help! It is always important to be cautious and care for your braces so that your final smile can be revealed as soon and as beautifully as possible.

This is a list of foods – and a few non-edible items! – that have the potential to damage your orthodontic appliances and slow down your treatment time.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Foods high in sugar content:

Foods high in sugar content should be limited. There are some occasions, like Halloween and the upcoming holidays that they are consumed and perhaps in mass quantities; just we sure you are able to brush immediately afterward. Avoid gum and soda containing sugar. These foods have the potential to cause heavy plaque build-up. The combination of sugar and plaque causes acid in the mouth, which can lead to swollen gums, white spots on the teeth, and decay.

foods to avoid with braces

Chewy Candies:

Although it might be hard for your child this holiday season, Dr. Himelhoch of Smiles in Framingham in Framingham MA says it is best to avoid these and similar candies altogether. Candies like caramel, taffy, Skittles, Starburst, and even chewing gums such as Bubble Yum are bad for braces. Aside from being very sugary, these candies are sticky and chewy enough that they can actually pull your orthodontic appliance away from your teeth. This will require an appointment to re-affix the appliance and slow down treatment progress.

Foods that you would normally bite into with your front teeth:

These foods don’t have to be completely cut out of your diet, just cut up into bite-sized pieces before being eaten so that they may be chewed with the back molars. This includes foods such as apples, carrots, corn-on-the-cob, celery, spareribs and other meat with bones.

Hard Foods:

Some foods are just too tough to safely bite into with braces. These include ice, popcorn, hard French bread, hard sticky candies and nuts. Biting into these can bend or break your wires and brackets. Popcorn has the further potential to become lodged in your gums underneath the bracket, which can severely irritate your gums.

Chewing on Non-edible Items:

We all have nervous habits, but chewing on other non-edible hard items like pens and pencils can also warp or damage your braces.

Picking at Your Braces:

Picking at your braces with your fingers or biting on your fingernails is not a good idea for a few reasons. Incessant picking may dislodge your appliance, and it is unhealthy to expose your teeth to the bacteria that often works its way underneath fingernails. It is important to maintain healthy teeth over the duration of orthodontic treatment. Healthy teeth and gums help speed up tooth movement!

Schedule a complimentary consultation! 508-872-0555

smiles in framingham review
Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham are experts in braces. If you have any questions pertaining to Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, braces and clear braces in Framingham MA, Middlesex County MA, 01702, Southborough MA, Marlborough MA, Ashland MA, Wayland MA and Natick MA or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Himelhoch contact Smiles in Framingham at: 508-872-0555

Braces Framingham MA

braces framingham ma

 If you have crooked and/or misaligned teeth, braces in Framingham MA may be your only hope for a beautiful smile. Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham are experts in braces. Advancements in dental and orthodontic technology have created a variety of choices for patients pursing brace.

Braces Framingham MA

What Are Your Options in Braces?

Smiles in Framingham offer a variety of braces, each of which offer benefits depending on your dental condition and lifestyle. They include:

•Clear/ceramic braces which are made from a ceramic material. The pieces are larger and more brittle requiring more oral hygiene care than other options.
•Lingual braces are hidden behind your teeth. They are customized to fit the shape of your teeth perfectly. Since they are behind the shape of your teeth they are difficult to see from the casual observer.
•Self-ligating braces are made from the same material as traditional metal, but don’t require the use of rubber-bands and wires. Instead they use a specialized clip that holds your teeth in place.
•Invisalign are a set of clear aligners that are clear, comfortable and removable. They are made from plastic trays and are customized to mold to the shape of your smile.

Choosing to pursue braces in Framingham MA can be a daunting decision. They are a substantial financial commitment, as well as a long term commitment. Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham are here to help make your decision easier! Contact us, today, to schedule a consultation and begin the journey to your most beautiful smile!

Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham are experts in braces. If you have any questions pertaining to Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, braces and clear braces in Southborough MA Framingham MA, 01702 Zip code area, Middlesex County MA, Worcester County MA, Marlborough MA, Hopkinton MA, Holliston and Sudburry MA or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Himelhoch  Smiles in Framingham at: 508-872-0555

Braces Southborough MA

braces southborough ma

Braces are the most common form of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham offer different types of braces in Southborough MA for our patients to choose from. Luckily, traditional metal braces aren’t the only option to choose from, anymore!

Types of Braces in Southborough MA

•Clear/ceramic: which are made from a ceramic material. The pieces are larger and more brittle requiring more oral hygiene care than other options.
• Lingual: are hidden behind your teeth. They are customized to fit the shape of your teeth perfectly. Since they are behind the shape of your teeth they are difficult to see from the casual observer.
•Self-ligating: are made from the same material as traditional metal, but don’t require the use of rubber-bands and wires. Instead they use a specialized clip that holds your teeth in place.
• Invisalign are a set of clear aligners that are clear, comfortable and removable. They are made from plastic trays and are customized to mold to the shape of your smile.

Why Pursue Braces?

Most people decide to pursue braces because they have crooked teeth or a misaligned bite. Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham near Southborough MA know that beautiful teeth can have a profound impact on a person’s confidence. Be sure to contact us, today, to begin the journey to your most beautiful smile!

Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham are experts in braces. If you have any questions pertaining to Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, braces and clear braces in Southborough MA Framingham MA, 01702 Zip code area, Middlesex County MA, Worcester County MA, Marlborough MA, Hopkinton MA, Holliston and Sudburry MA or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Himelhoch contact Smiles in Framingham at: 508-872-0555

Pediatric Dentist Natick MA

pediatric dentist natick ma

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist near the Natick MA area for your child, trust Dr. Deborah Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham. Dr. Himelhoch has undergone special training to treat babies, children and adolescents. She and the team at Smiles in Framingham prioritize the comfort of your child while undergoing dental treatment and prides themselves on providing the most up to date technology in the office.

Pediatric Dentist Natick MA

Dr. Himelhoch is a board certified pediatric dentist and knows that restoring baby teeth helps to ensure proper growth and development of permanent teeth. The team at Smiles in Framingham provide their patients in Natick MA a variety of services these include:

•Age one dental visit
•Pediatric Dental Care/Emergencies
•Dental exams Sealants
•Restorative dentistry such as sealants and fillings
•TMJ treatment

Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham are experts in pediatric dentistry. If you have any questions pertaining to pediatric dental exams, baby sealants, age one dental visits, dentist for teens and TMJ treatment for kids in Natick MA, 01760 area, Framingham MA, Middlesex County MA, Marlborough MA, Hopkinton MA, Holliston and Sudburry MA or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Himelhoch contact Smiles in Framingham at: 508-872-0555

Invisalign Natick MA

Finding an Invisalign near Natick MA provider doesn’t have to be hard when you have Dr. Deborah Himelhoch and the staff of Smiles in Framingham on your side. Dr. Deborah Himelhoch has the knowledge and skill to know what’s needed to make your Invisalign treatment successful in Natick MA.

Invisalign Natick MA

These clear aligners are convenient, discreet, and removable by the wearer. They must be worn conscientiously, however, to be effective. Commitment and a few handy tools taught to you by the Smiles in Framingham team will guarantee Invisalign patients of Dr. Deborah Himelhoch a successful treatment outcome. However it’s important to know what Invisalign can and can’t fix.

Invisalign can correct:
1. Gapped Teeth: Gapped teeth can occur because of abnormal growth in the jawbone or when existing teeth spread and move to fill the space where a tooth or teeth are missing.

2. Overbite: An overbite or “overjet” is when the upper row of teeth extend out an angle and lie in front of the lower row of teeth when the patient’s mouth is closed. An overbite can cause pain in the jaw or even gum disease.

3. Underbite: Underbites occur when the upper row of teeth bites behind the lower row of teeth. Usually, underbites are caused by an overgrown lower jaw or an underdeveloped upper jaw.

4. Open Bite: Open bites occur when the upper row of teeth and the lower row of teeth do not meet in the middle of your smile. This can be caused by a misaligned or abnormal jaw or by thumb sucking.

5. Overcrowded: When all of the teeth cannot fit into the mouth in correct position. While not typically painful, overcrowded teeth can lead to an accumulation of food, plaque, and tartar, which may lead to tooth decay or gum disease.

6. Crossbite: Crossbite occurs when both the upper and the lower rows of teeth are misaligned in relation to each other. Crossbite can cause abnormal wear on the teeth and lead to bone loss or gum disease.

Dr. Deborah Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham are experts in Natick MA. If you have any questions pertaining to Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, braces and clear braces in Natick MA, Middlesex County MA, 01760 zip code area, Framingham MA, Southborough MA, Ashland MA and Wayland MA or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Deborah Himelhoch contact Smiles in Framingham at: 508-872-0555

Pediatric Dentist Framingham, MA

pediatric dentist framingham ma

Dr. Himelhoch is the best pediatric dentist in Framingham MA. She believes it’s important to have a smile healthy from day one. Starting with a proper dental care routine from day one will not only help your child in Framingham MA gain healthy habits, but also ensure a healthy smile later in life!

Pediatric Dentist Framingham MA

The team at Smiles in Framingham have the knowledge and experience to treat your child and calm any fears that they may have about seeing the dentist. Dr. Himelhoch is a board certified pediatric dentist, this means her advanced training, including both a masters degree and residency in pediatric dentistry, enables her to provide comprehensive pediatric dental care for her patients.

Our Pediatric dental care services include:

•Age one dental visit
•Pediatric dental care
•Dental exams
•Dental sealants
•Dental injuries and fractured teeth
•TMJ treatment

Dr. Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham are experts in Pediatric Dentistry. If you have any questions about Dr. Himelhoch and live in Framingham MA, Southborough MA, in the 01702 zip code area, Middlesex County MA, Hopkinton MA, Ashland MA and Marlborough MA or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Himelhoch contact Smiles in Framingham at: 508-872-0555
Invisalign Orthodontist in Framingham MA
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