The Blacker Orthodontics Blog

What are your summer plans?

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:01:11 +0000

The dog days of summer are almost upon us, and what better time for us to ask our patients’ summer plans!

Whether you’re going camping, hitting America’s great open roads, visiting our nation’s capitol, or just staying in town and hanging out, we want to know how you’re all going to spending your summer! Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us below or on our Facebook page!

We look forward to reading all about your summer adventures!

May marks National Teen Self-Esteem Month! From Dr. Blacker

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:06 +0000

At Blacker Orthodontics, we know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a consultation with Dr. Blacker. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood?

Contact our office to schedule your complimentary consultation at either of our two convenient locations in Chandler and Tempe. We look forward to helping you begin your smile transformation!

Straight talk with Dr. Blacker

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:00:17 +0000

Some people wonder why Dr. Shane Blacker and our staff at Blacker Orthodontics work so tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at Blacker Orthodontics can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Blacker can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment at one of our convenient offices in Tempe or Chandler.

Who benefits from orthodontic treatment, anyway?

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:00:52 +0000

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Shane Blacker will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early with Blacker Orthodontics can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile at Blacker Orthodontics. Set up an appointment for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Blacker at our Chandler or Tempe, AZ office and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:00:32 +0000

Spring is in the air! We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

Thank you! Have a great week!

Blacker Orthodontics at Opening Day of Baseball!

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:44:46 +0000

Dr. Blacker & Staff enjoyed seeing all of our patients, families, and friends who stopped by our tables at Opening Day of Baseball. We had a great time distributing water bottles to all of the teams, and handing out “Blacker Orthodontic” balloons to all of the children!!!!!

Congratulations to our raffle winners!!!!

Dr. Blacker & Staff wish CNLL and TSLL the best of luck this baseball season!!!!

Am I Too Old for Braces?

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:12 +0000

Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

· Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease

· Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw

· A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

Are you wearing a mouthguard?

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:00:37 +0000

With spring almost here, many of our patients at Blacker Orthodontics will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! During this time, Dr. Shane Blacker and our team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Blacker Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts!

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:22:18 +0000

Our team at Blacker Orthodontics wants to know: Will you be wearing your green this Saturday? Whether Irish or not, millions of people around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with toasts, parades and “the wearing of the green.” Here are some fun facts about St. Patty’s Day we know you will enjoy:

• St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.

• The name “lephrechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which simply means “shoemaker.”

• Some American towns have Irish names. They include: Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio and Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia

• Despite what you may have heard, St. Patrick never banished snakes from Ireland. In fact, no snakes exist or ever existed in Ireland. Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.

• St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. Approximately 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

If you have something special planned for St. Patrick’s Day, let us know by posting a comment on our Facebook page.

Which questions should I ask during my orthodontic consultation?

googlelogin0050@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:09:10 +0000

When you visit Blacker Orthodontics for your orthodontic consultation, you’ll probably have a lot of questions. We want you to be prepared for your appointment and feel in charge of your orthodontic treatment decisions, so keep these questions in mind to ask when you come in for your appointment:

How long will I have to wear braces?
Will getting braces hurt?
Will I have to wear additional appliances to correct jaw problems while I have braces?
What can I eat when I have braces?
Are there certain things, like playing sports or playing an instrument, which I won’t be able to do?
How can I make sure my teeth stay clean and healthy while I have braces?
How often will I need to come in for appointments?
How much will my orthodontic treatment cost?

Dr. Shane K. Blacker and team are here to answer all your questions and concerns, and we’re happy to explain all aspects of your treatment plan and expected outcome. Your orthodontic experience should be comfortable, hassle-free, and most importantly, leave you smiling!