Burch Orthodontics

Heather K. Burch Orthodontics   Your appearance can make a big difference in your confidence, and a healthy smile is one of the first things people notice. If you have crooked teeth, a bad bite, or other dental challenges, it can even be difficult for you to find the success you want as a professional. And for kids and teens, the discomfort of traditional braces can add to an already stressful school experience. Dr. Heather Burch is dedicated to creating beautiful smiles with straighter teeth and good bites. One of the orthodontic treatment options offered at Dr. Heather K. Burch Orthodontics , includes Clear Braces.   Clear Ceramic Braces are perfect for adults looking to improve their smile yet steer clear of any noticeable differences that may draw attention to their mouth. Teenagers that already feel insecure about their smiles don’t want the look of metal braces either.   And while traditional metal braces are effective, most teenagers choose Clear Ceramic ...

Heather K. Burch Orthodontics   You’ve just gotten your braces removed and it’s time to celebrate! Now that the braces have come of, the retainer has to go on. We can’t stress this enough...if you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your teeth are going to move out of alignment and back into their original, crooked places. Why is wearing a retainer so important? Your teeth aren't set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. They are held in place by bands of fibrous tissue called the periodontal ligaments. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position by your braces and/or other orthodontic appliances, it takes time for the periodontal ligaments to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift. Even if your teeth and smile don’t look like they have moved, that doesn’t mean they haven’t. If you go without wearing your retainer for long periods of time, your teeth will continue to move until...

You may have noticed lately that some online direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies have been making orthodontic treatment sound cheap and easy.  Burch Orthodontics While it may sound great to save money and buy your orthodontic treatment directly online…the reality is you aren’t getting the treatment for less. You are simply purchasing a product and opting out of the many important aspects that make orthodontics work. The money you save today may end up costing you more in future corrective action. Orthodontic treatment is a major medical procedure. This is precisely why orthodontists, like Dr. Heather Burch , are required to undergo extensive training and education before they can begin performing treatments.  Remember…orthodontic treatment is not a product or device. Orthodontic treatment is a professional, medical service. When your care is personally supervised by an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, y...

Your teeth are probably the only thing on your face that won’t get wrinkles…but your teeth certainly do show signs of aging. So if you want to look younger and healthier, your teeth are a great place to start!   Burch Orthdontics Take 10 years off your appearance…no plastic surgery needed! Step 1   - Teeth naturally darken as we age. One reason is that your teeth absorb color from food and drinks. Even if you take fantastic care of your teeth, they will eventually yellow over time. Whitening your teeth with custom whitening trays is the best way to achieve a deep and thorough color change that can take years off your appearance. Step 2   - Even if you start out with perfectly straight teeth, something called mesial drift will cause them to shift over time.   Crowded teeth   are an instant giveaway of age and straightening your teeth can often take 10 to 15 years off your appearance. Crowded teeth also increase the risk of tooth decay, ...

April is National Facial Protection Month and the team at Burch Orthodontics would like to take this time to remind our athletes to wear a mouthguard during recreational and organized sports. Burch Orthodontics A mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age when it comes to protecting your mouth. Mouthguards prevent injuries to the bone and tissues around the teeth. They also help prevent injuries to the lower jaw and temporomandibular joint in the jaw. A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks. An effective mouthguard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or s...