Celebrate National Senior Health & Fitness Day

Today is National Senior Health and Fitness day! As we encourage senior citizens to be active today, we also want to remind you to stay current on your health visits and check-ups. This includes dental and orthodontics. Are you a senior who has considered orthodontic treatment? You may be surprised to know that seniors can benefit from adult braces.Keep reading to find out more.

If you are retired and considering adult braces in the Morristown, Livingston, Parsippany, Morris Plains and all of Morris and Essex Counties, we encourage you to visit Dr. Wadhwa of Morristown Orthodontics. You may not be aware but retirement age is the perfect time to do things you’ve always wanted to do, including getting braces. If your smile has been something that’s bothered you throughout the years, the time to change that is now.

When you compare getting braces as an adult to getting them as a child or adolescent, there are benefits. One example is children typically must use metal braces due to restrictions and the simple fact that a child’s jaw hasn’t solidified. When you’re an adult, you have a much wider variety of treatment options from traditional braces to clear aligners.

If you are a senior and you’re interested in straightening your teeth, visit our office for a consultation to discuss adult braces. At Morristown Orthodontics, we can help you understand all of the benefits that you will take away, aside from a picture perfect smile.

7 Steps to Live By During Retention

1. Wear your retainers as prescribed by Dr. Wadhwa.

2. The safest place for your retainer is in your mouth. When retainers are not in your mouth, ALWAYS keep them in your retainer case

3. Do not wrap retainers in a paper towel or napkin, this is the easiest way to lose them

4. Do not place loose retainers in your pocket, this is the easiest way to break them

5. Keep retainers away from pets — dogs LOVE them

6. Clean your retainers by brushing them with toothpaste and water or with antibacterial soap. NEVER soak your retainers, this causes them to rust and/or break

7. Do not place retainers in the dishwasher, microwave or in boiling water — they will melt or warp.

Would you wear 2 different colored shoes?

Each year on May 3 it is National Two Different Colored Shoes Day. This is a day to be different from the other 364 other days of the year. On May 3rd you can show your uniqueness.

National Two Different Colored Shoes Day, an “unofficial” National holiday was created by Dr. Arlene Kaiser. Kaiser created this day to recognize and celebrate human diversity. According to Kaiser, “the simple act of wearing two different colored shoes proclaims your individuality. By taking this “positive risk,” you can demonstrate your willingness to be different, and show your appreciation for the unique people in your life”.

Clarity Braces Offered At Morristown Orthodontics

Clarity braces are an aesthetic alternative for Morristown Orthodontic patients who want to keep their appearance appealing during treatment. Although Clarity braces work similarly to metal braces, using brackets and wires, their construction involves ceramic that is less visible compared to the metal associated with conventional braces. Because Clarity braces are also more resistant to stains from foods and beverages, patients can more easily maintain their looks while their teeth are being corrected with this form of orthodontic treatment from Dr. Wadhwa, our Clarity braces expert.

Clarity braces claim excellent aesthetic value as one of their key advantages over alternative options. However, this treatment also offers superior strength and comfort over other types of braces. For example, patients who choose Clarity braces enjoy increased resistance against breakage due to foods that are cold or hard. In addition, wearers of Clarity braces enjoy more comfort while their teeth are being corrected. If you are interested in Clarity braces, contact Morristown Orthodontics today.

Palette Pleasure

It's been a while since we've posted some new and delicious braces friendly meal ideas. We know finding meals that are fit for your braces and your appetite can be tricky, so we've done a little research to find some new meal plans to give your palette a little pleasure. 

Click the link below the picture of the meal for all ingredient lists and recipe directions.

Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

Click here for the recipe. 

PB&J Sushi Rolls

Click here for the recipe.

Loaded Mashed Potato Balls

Click here for the recipe. 

These 3 meals aren’t just delicious, they’re braces friendly. Do you have any braces friendly recipes or dinner ideas to share with us? Leave a comment below or post one on our Facebook wall!

We're High-Tech at Morristown Orthodontics

Morristown Orthodontics understands that crafting a great smile takes time, but with today’s technology we can deliver results faster to our patients by using cutting edge tools such as our 3D oral scanners and 3D printers. Not only do these new technology tools help us get your results faster, but they also make treatment easier on you as a patient.

It’s time to say goodbye to those messy molds associated with beginning orthodontic treatment, and say hello to our 3D printers and oral scanners. Our 3D printing and scanning technology allow us to provide a more comfortable procedure while treating patients for orthodontics.  We can capture an extremely accurate digital impression of teeth within minutes with the scanners, and print orthodontic appliance parts as we need them. 

Another awesome fact about the 3D technology is we can use them with all Invisalign related services.

We offer a complimentary exam to determine what treatment plan is best for your clinical needs and lifestyle. Contact our Morris County or Essex County orthodontic office to schedule your consultation today.

Don't Say No-Bunny Warned You: Easter Candy To Avoid

Easter is near, and that means tons of holiday candy that is good for your taste-buds, and bad for your braces.  Like most holidays, when gathering with friends and family a common tradition for most is to indulge in food and desserts without being too cautious about what you’re consuming. For our patients that wear braces, we urge you to keep your eyes open to Easter candy that can be damaging to your braces.

Morristown Orthodontics has taken the time to dig a little deeper into this for our patients. Keep reading to learn Easter candy totally unsuitable for our patients with braces.

• Skittles
• Sour Patch Kids
• Gummi Bears
• Licorice
• Life Savers
• Ring Pops
• Twix
• Starburst
• Jelly Beans
• Snickers

It’s important for you to be aware of what you, or your child, are eating this Easter to avoid from damaging braces, and dodge costly repairs.

Green Velvet Cupcakes For St. Patty's Day

Are you looking for a new St. Patrick's Day recipe to try today that is extra green and tastes like it's worth a pot of gold? Then you've come to the right blog.  Morristown Orthodontics doesn't just worry about your treatment, we care about our patients on a more personal level. With that being said, we decided to share this wonderful recipe that you can make today to celebrate St. Patty's Day.

Check out these Green Velvet Cupcakes!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cocoa
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 oz green food coloring

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 package of softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 bag powdered sugar (2 lb bag)
• Milk as needed

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Grease your cake pans, muffin tins, whoopie pie pans, whatever method you decide to go with and bake for 20-25 minutes.

If you find time to make these yummy cupcakes, take some pictures and share them with us on Facebook! We hope you all have a fun and tasty St. Patrick's Day!

March 3rd is National Anthem Day

March 3rd is National Anthem Day! On this day, we celebrate and honor the national anthem of the United States of America, the Star Spangled Banner. The Star Spangled Banner was written by Fancis Scott Key while serving in the Georgetown Light Field Artillery during the War of 1812. It wasn’t until March 3rd, 1931 that The Star Spangled Banner was officially the national anthem of the USA.

To celebrate this great anthem of our nation, we thought it would be fun to share some videos of different famous artists and people singing the National Anthem!

Watch these videos to see some wonderful performances of The Star Spangled Banner!

Do you know 3 or more verses of the song? As a challenge, take some time to sing the National Anthem today and see how many lines you know! Then, try memorizing all of the lyrics! There is a great honor that comes with knowing the words and singing them whole heartedly. Morristown Orthodontics recognizes National Anthem Day & hopes you will too!

A new smile can begin at any age

Braces aren't just for kids anymore, they're for adults too. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age if your gums and bone structures are healthy. At Morristown Orthodontics we offer a variety of treatments that are designed for different age groups; including adults.

Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Improving the health of your teeth and gums is equally important. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel and surfaces, even headaches and sometimes jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain.

Are you suffering from any of these symptoms? Well don't worry, we've got some good news; we can help correct these issues. The new techniques and appliances used at Morristown Orthodontics can greatly reduce discomfort levels, decrease the frequency of visits, shorten treatment time and may allow you to choose from several options. Your options include Invisalign®, clear braces and metal braces. One of these options is sure to fit into your lifestyle.

Though we do specialize in working with children, we do have patients that are adults, and they agree that it's never too late to improve their greatest asset -their smile. Contact us now to get started with your first appointment.

National Chocolate Mint Day

Did you know February 19th is National Chocolate Mint day? This was declared by the U.S. National Confectioners Association, and this holiday celebrates everything that is chocolate-mint flavored.

While we appreciate the unique taste combination of mint and chocolate, and we think there is something to be said for the dynamic taste combination of a refreshing mint green and rich chocolate brown, we do understand that this is not always a favorite to everyone.

That is why, in honor of Chocolate Mint day, we thought we would present some fresh ideas for new recipes for you to try, all in a chocolate minty palette! Perhaps after trying these new recipes you will become of this fan of this tasty holiday!

Check out 2 delicious recipes guaranteed to make you love National Chocolate Mint day!

Mint Chocolate Swirl Bark

Easy chocolate bark swirled with mint flavored white chocolate. Click here for the recipe!

Mint-Chip Ice Cream Brownie Squares 

A creamy mint-green swirl of soft serve and brownies combined for a mouth-watering dessert. Click here for the recipe.

Let us know which recipe you try, and share some of your favorites with us too!

SmartClip Braces

Smart Clip braces are different than traditional braces in several ways. For one, they don't use ligatures to hold the archwire because they're self-ligating. Instead of elastic bands, Smart Clip braces use small metal clips to hold the archwire into the bracket. Concerned with not getting the colorful braces look you want? Don't worry you can still have colored elastic bands, if that's what you're looking for.

What is Smart Clip?

With these appliances, ligatures are no longer needed. Ligatures are the rubber bands and wire ties that we attach the wires to the brackets. When using rubber bands and wire ties, it is much harder for patients to keep their appliances clean. With Smart Clip, patients have the ability to keep their teeth and gums healthier. Also, tooth movement is more efficient and the patient requires fewer visits to the orthodontist's office.

How does this benefit me or my child?

With this technology, appointments are only needed every eight weeks, while treatment may last about 18 months. Traditional appliances require the use of rubber bands which are called ligatures to attach the archwire in place. When these ligatures are used, they stretch, discolor and trap food, requiring the orthodontist to change them more frequently. Smart Clip brackets have two metal clips to secure the archwire in place, thus eliminating the need for elastics, and reducing your need for appointments to roughly every eight weeks.

Are you ready to get started with your Smart Clip treatment? Contact us at Morristown Orthodontics to set your first appointment.

Don't Forget To Thank Your Mailman!

February 4th is recognized as National Thank A Mailman Day! Don’t forget to say thank you to your mail carrier when they stop by to deliver your mail. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget the process of mail and all the hard work it takes to get from point A to point B, so take time to thank your mail person because they deliver in various weather conditions 6 days a week.

Here are some fun facts provided by the USPS.

• In 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Constitutional Post–the first organized mail service in America.
• 
  
• As the nation’s first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin established many of the conventions we are accustomed to today.
• 
  
• Postage stamps were invented in 1847.
• 
  
• On April 3, 1860 the famous Pony Express officially took off.
• 
  
• In 1863, free city delivery started and in 1896, free rural delivery began.
• 
  
• In 1963, the Zip Code began.

If You Have Overcrowded Teeth, You're a Candidate For Orthodontic Treatment

One of the most common problems several of our patients get treated for at Morristown Orthodontics is crowded teeth. We actually see this problem on a daily basis, and this term is defined just like it sounds, either the teeth are too big for the patients jaw size, or the mouth has too many teeth and is overcrowded. The problem with too many teeth in the mouth is the lack of space, as the teeth are shifted out of place resulting in a crooked position. Unfortunately, this can occur in both adult orthodontic patients as well as children.

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It is pretty easy for us to determine this problem for our patients as an examination of the patients’ mouth can lead to a diagnoses. The teeth typically appear crooked and jammed in an unnatural way, causing teeth that can lead to future dental problems because they’re harder to clean. Another result of crowded teeth is the obvious fact of a smile that may not be considered cosmetically appealing and can lead to self-consciousness.

Depending on the severity of the overcrowded teeth, Dr. Wadhwa can determine which method of treatment will work best. Sometimes having excess teeth extracted helps with expansion of teeth. Other times, palate expanders are used in the mouth to help widen the jaw; this method is only used on children, not adults; their jaws have already stopped growing. Also, several types of braces give amazing results for adults and children with overcrowded teeth. It all really comes down to the individual being treated when we determine how to correct the crowding.

If you suffer from this condition and live in the South Orange or Morristown area, please call us to schedule a consultation to learn about your orthodontic treatment options.

National Buttercrunch Day

Today is another yummy national holiday...National Buttercrunch Day!

If your mouth is watering from the name, but you're not too familiar with what buttercruch is, you're not alone! While we had an idea of what it was, we weren't sure of any recipes to share, but low and behold after doing some digging we found some. If you're anything like the average person, you will be happy to see chocolate usually plays a part and that it can be incorporated into pies, cookies, cakes or it can just be a snack on its own.

Buttercrunch is defined as a crunchy confection that you cook to at least 290 degrees F. This candy is similar to toffee, but it contains slightly less butter.  Check out this recipe we found and let us know how it turns out!

Old-Time Butter Crunch Candy Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. + cooling Cook: 25 min.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter
• 1-1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups finely chopped toasted almonds
• 8 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each)

Directions

1. Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil; set aside. Using part of the butter, grease the sides of a large heavy saucepan. Add remaining butter to saucepan; melt over low heat. Add sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage).
2. Remove from the heat and stir in almonds. Quickly pour into the prepared pan, spreading to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Carefully invert pan to remove candy in one piece; remove foil.
3. Melt half of the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl; spread over top of candy. Let cool. Turn candy over and repeat with remaining chocolate; cool. Break into 2-in. pieces. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 2 pounds.

Two-phase Treatment

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses jaw and facial changes and tooth straightening. The major advantage of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic and comfortable result that will remain stable. In some cases interceptive treatment prevents adult tooth extractions or major jaw surgery.

Interceptive orthodontic care is one of the most rewarding treatment options that we offer to our patients. Interceptive care is exactly that, intercepting a problem before it gets out of hand. Treatment occurs at a younger age than conventional orthodontic care and is not typically as long. The idea is to shift teeth, manipulate growth, create space for unerupted teeth, break habits and prevent trauma before it is too late. Children between the ages of 7 and 10 are best suited for this sort of treatment. They are flexible, compliant and their growth potential is still at a maximum. Treatment usually lasts 4 to 12 months after which the child is monitored and the decision as to the need for a second phase is made. Most children will require a second, more comprehensive, phase of treatment in order to create a completely stable, functional and aesthetic occlusion.

Second phase treatment begins once most of the adult teeth have erupted. This phase usually requires 12 months with braces on all of the teeth. After the second phase of treatment retainers will be worn in order to hold the teeth in the correct position.

To learn more please contact Morristown Orthodontics.

Happy New Year from Morristown Orthodontics

Morristown Orthodontics would like to wish you and yours a very happy holiday season as we approach the New Year! We hope that you are able to spend time with your friends and loved ones while enjoying full meals, big hugs, and lots of love and laughs.

If you are currently being treated and wear an orthodontic appliance, please be sure to make the proper choices when enjoying holiday treats that are sticky or chewy. Should you have any questions, please visit our website for common questions and answers regarding appliances.

Remember New Year's celebrations tend to have treats we don't usually indulge it, so be sure to brush and floss after your special countdown!

Happy New Year!

What are your holiday plans? Share your holiday activities with us by commenting below or by sharing on our Facebook page.

Congrats Dr. Rupali Wadhwa - 2015 NJ Family Magazine's Favorite Kids' Doc.

All parents want the best for their kids in all aspects of life.  So when deciding on a doctor for their children recommendations are a huge factor.  For some, searching for a doctor that can provide wonderful care for your child can be a strenuous task.  Well not anymore!  At Morristown Orthodontics, Dr. Rupali Wadhwa has been named one of the best in New Jersey.  We are thrilled to announce Dr. Wadhwa is on the 2015 list for NJ Family Magazine’s Favorite Kids’ Docs. Every year the magazine gathers nominations from parents in New Jersey to get a full list of recommendations of the best kids’ docs in the state.

The annual list of parent approved doctors’ ranges from orthodontics, to mental health, orthopedics, specialists, to pediatrics & more. You can search for a doctor by name or specialty. This is a great directory for new parents, or those who are looking for a doctor who is known to be excellent working with children. 

NJ Family Magazine

If you are looking for an orthodontist for your child and you live in Morris County or Essex County, please contact us for a complimentary exam with Dr. Wadhwa. All ages welcome!

Cutting Edge Technology At Morristown Orthodontics

Morristown Orthodontics understands that crafting a great smile takes time, but with today’s technology we can deliver results faster to our patients by using cutting edge tools such as our 3D oral scanners and 3D printers.  Not only do these new technology tools help us get your results faster, but they also make treatment easier on you as a patient.

With the digital advances in the high-tech orthodontic tools at Morristown Orthodontics, we can take a 3D oral scan of your teeth instead of using those uncomfortable impressions. With the 3D scans, Dr. Wadhwa can use the image to plan appliances for your treatment.

The 3D scans are also used to create the model of your teeth.   It’s a pretty simple process of a few clicks to send the 3D oral scan file to our 3D printer. Our 3D printer is beyond incredible. It jets thin layers of material until it forms the full model. Using the new model, we can create the full range of orthodontic appliances you will need for treatment.  This makes the process significantly faster than it has ever been for our patients, and provides unbeatable precision.

Another great thing about our 3D scanner and 3D printer is we can create more than just models for our patients. We can also create orthodontic appliances, delivery and positioning trays, clear aligners, and retainers.  These are all created faster and more accurately than they have ever been processed before.

We offer a complimentary exam to determine what treatment plan is best for your clinical needs and lifestyle. Contact our Morris County or Essex County orthodontic office to schedule your consultation today. 

Get Your Teeth Wedding Ready For 2016

With the holiday season in full effect many couples are taking the next step towards marriage, and giving a new meaning to the term merry and bright. There are several things that go into planning a wedding from the venue, to the dress, to the photos and bridal party. As some see weddings as an end to an era, weddings are really a celebration of new opportunities and new beginnings. A lot of people start new goals when they become engaged, starting a new workout regimen, changing hairstyles, or getting the brightest whitest and straightest smile they’ve always wanted. If you want to have your best smile on your big day in 2016, don’t panic about a metal smile or longevity because we have a program that can help you achieve just that.

Invisalign, approved by the FDA in 1998, has been a wonderful non-invasive alternative to classic braces for almost 20 years.  Not only has it changed smiles, but Invisalign has changed the look of classic braces using state-of-the art technology; no cement or metal used. Morristown Orthodontics utilizes the Invisalign system providing a series of BPA-free plastic trays that realign your teeth. Patients wear these trays for 20-22 hours a day, and two weeks at a time.  They’re easy to remove making it easy for brushing, eating, drinking, and oral care.  As the trays are clear, they appear to be invisible which makes it even better for those who may be self-conscious about getting braces in adulthood.

Patients can start to see results fast with Invisalign, usually within a couple of months after beginning a personalized treatment; and in most cases treatment is completed within 1 year.  This is a great treatment for those of you who are ready to say “I Do” in 2016.  Invisalign can produce results in weeks, and still give you a clear smile while taking engagement pictures and celebrating before you walk down the aisle.   

If you are ready to get your best smile in 2016 for your big day, give us a call and we can set up your first visit to get started.