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As we step into the new year, it's the perfect time to set goals, make resolutions, and embark on journeys that lead to positive transformations. At Prairie Ridge Orthodontics, we believe that 2024 is the ideal year to prioritize your oral health and achieve the smile you've always dreamed of. Let's explore the benefits of starting orthodontic treatment this year. 

1. Enhanced Aesthetics:

The most apparent benefit of orthodontics is improved aesthetics. Straight, aligned teeth contribute to a captivating smile, boosting self-esteem and confidence. This aesthetic enhancement can have a positive impact on various aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional opportunities.

2. Improved Oral Health:

Beyond the cosmetic appeal, orthodontic treatment addresses functional issues. Correcting misalignments and bite irregularities contributes to better oral health. Straight teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. A well-aligned bite also aids in proper chewing and digestion.

3. Prevention of Dental Issues:

Orthodontics can prevent potential dental problems before they arise. By addressing misalignments and bite issues early on, orthodontic treatment helps prevent issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even jaw problems.

4. Boosted Self-Confidence:

A straight, beautiful smile has a profound impact on self-confidence. Knowing that your smile is one of your greatest assets can positively influence social interactions, relationships, and professional pursuits. Orthodontic treatment provides not just physical transformations but also a mental and emotional uplift.

5. Speech Improvement:

Misaligned teeth or bite issues can sometimes contribute to speech difficulties. Orthodontic correction can help improve speech patterns, making communication clearer and more effective.

6. Comfort and Functionality:

Orthodontic treatment enhances the comfort and functionality of your bite. It ensures that your teeth come together properly, reducing the risk of uneven wear, jaw pain, and discomfort while eating.

7. Long-Term Savings:

Investing in orthodontic treatment can lead to long-term savings on dental care. By preventing potential dental issues, you reduce the need for costly treatments and procedures down the line.

8. Take Advantage of your FSA Renewal

Flexible Spending Accounts often renew at the start of the new year. If you have an FSA this is a great opportunity to allocate those pre-tax funds so you can save on orthodontic treatment for you or your child. This is a cost-effective way to invest in your smile and oral health!

Ready for your complimentary orthodontic evaluation?

At Prairie Ridge Orthodontics, our primary focus is on you—your unique orthodontic needs, your timeline, and your comfort. We treat our patients as members of our family, gently and respectfully, while providing professional and effective treatments that create healthy, beautiful smiles you can be proud of!

With an array of options to fit your unique needs and desires, Dr. Loveless will work with you to find the optimal treatment choice to achieve your ideal smile. From traditional braces to Invisalign, there's a solution for everyone.

Click below or call us at (507) 451-5993 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We can’t wait to meet you!

CLICK BELOW OR CALL US TODAY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION. 

There isn’t a specific age at which children should start undergoing orthodontic treatment. However at around seven years old, your child will have grown out enough permanent teeth and the jaw is developed enough to tell if there are any current issues... or any on the horizon.

There are many benefits to getting orthodontic treatment as a child, including shorter treatment time, fewer impacted permanent teeth and reduced chance of needing to remove teeth because we:

• Guide teeth into desired positions early 
• Minimize crowding/creating room for erupting teeth
• Guide jaw growth
• Correct the results of oral habits like thumb and finger sucking 

Are there any signs I should look for?

Yes, definitely! Here are some of the signs to keep in mind:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty chewing or biting into food
• Grinding and/or clenching of teeth
• Mouth breathing
• Speech difficulties
• Thumb or other finger sucking habit
• Crowding, misplacement, or blocking of teeth
• Jaw shifts or jaw noises like popping
• Protruding of teeth
• Biting the inside of his or her cheek 
• Teeth meet abnormally or do not meet at all
• Jaw and teeth do not appear to be proportionate to the face

Keep in mind that these signs do not guarantee that your child needs treatment, but they may indicate that an orthodontic evaluation may be a good idea.

Do some of these signs look familiar to you? 

Have no fear, your child will be in good hands! Dr. Loveless uses the latest technology and stays up to date on the newest trends in orthodontics so that all of his patients can achieve their dream smiles. 

Think your child may need an orthodontic evaluation?

Dr. Loveless’ passion for orthodontics stems from “being able to witness a person’s change in self-confidence from the creation of a beautiful smile they are proud to show the world!” Early treatment can help give your child that healthy, beautiful smile for more self esteem as they go through their teenage years and through adulthood. 

Click below or call us at (507) 451-5993 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We can’t wait to meet you and your child!

CLICK BELOW OR CALL US TODAY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION. 

One of the questions we get most  is: “which is better: Braces or Invisalign?”

It’s a hard question to answer because so much depends on each individual’s personality and their specific needs. That’s why we prioritize spending time and listening to our patients. That’s what helps us land on the best possible treatment plan for each unique individual who comes to see us for orthodontics.

Here’s some background on our treatment options. Traditional metal or clear braces can be a great choice. There’s minimal involvement from the patient’s perspective except for avoiding foods that can damage brackets and wires, and brushing really well. Braces are also great for kids who simply aren’t going to wear aligners for 22 hours a day. And that’s okay! You’ll come to us every 6-8 weeks for adjustments and we’ll be on our way to a straighter smile in no time.

On the other hand, clear aligners are an excellent alternative for those that are good at keeping to a schedule. They’re also a great choice if you know brushing is already an issue - which makes braces more challenging. It’s harder to reach those nooks and crannies when the brackets and wires are in place.

If we feel that one would be a better option for any reason we’ll let you know why but we’ll talk through everything in detail together. In most cases both treatment options are efficient and effective at giving you an ideal smile!

If you’d like to learn more or find out if Invisalign or braces are right for you, contact us today! Click below to schedule your complimentary consultation. We can’t wait to meet you! 

CLICK BELOW OR CALL US TODAY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION. 

Does your teen avoid smiling because they don’t like their teeth? An adolescent’s smile can actually have a profound effect on their confidence and even impact their social skills. Further, according to a research study out of Webster University, a confident smile can be seen as even more attractive than traditional good looks. 

We know that our teens are super conscious of their image. Just look at the number of selfies they take, and how much time they spend liking, commenting and sharing their friends’ photos on Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. That’s why when teens come to Prairie Ridge Orthodontics for orthodontic treatment, we want to be sure we have options for them, to ensure their confidence stays high while their smile improves.

Through orthodontic treatment (either with traditional braces or Invisalign) Dr. Loveless can correct genetic issues from crowding and spaced teeth to protruding upper teeth. Or, we can address improper bites due to thumb-sucking as a child, periodontal disease, poor dental hygiene, early or late loss of primary teeth or trauma to the teeth from a sporting injury, for example. 

The other good news is that adolescence is the optimal time to rectify orthodontic problems since teens haven’t yet finished growing. Early correction of orthodontic problems frequently takes less time in treatment and is less costly when compared to correction of dental problems that have been allowed to progress into adulthood.

Improving and encouraging your teens’ confidence is important to us at Prairie Ridge Orthodontics. It’s one of the big reasons why we offer Invisalign (besides the fact that it’s an excellent technology that allows us to create beautiful, healthy smiles).

Want to give your teen something to smile about that may even help boost their self confidence? Bring them to Prairie Ridge Orthodontics and we will help create a selfie worthy smile. 

CLICK BELOW OR CALL US TODAY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.