Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Smile Straighteners: 3 Reasons to Choose Traditional Braces

November 10, 2025

Young woman with blond hair and braces smiling

You might think of your crooked, gapped, or overlapped teeth as more of an aesthetic issue than a real oral health concern. However, the truth is that it can be harder to keep them clean if they’re not aligned properly, which increases your risk of cavities, gum disease, and damaged enamel.

Although clear aligners continue to gain popularity as a more discreet alternative to standard orthodontics, that doesn’t mean they’re the best solution to meet everyone’s unique needs. Continue reading to learn more about 3 reasons to choose traditional braces instead!

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Kid-Approved Tips for Choosing a Sedation Dentist

September 4, 2025

Little girl high fiving dentist

For many children, visiting the dentist can feel overwhelming. Fear, anxiety, or certain special needs can make routine dental care challenging without additional support. That’s where pediatric sedation dentistry comes in. By helping kids stay calm and comfortable, sedation allows dentists to complete important treatments safely and efficiently. But how do you choose the right sedation dentist for your child? Here are some helpful tips to guide your decision.

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Help! My Child Knocked Out a Tooth – What Should I Do?

July 8, 2025

Girl with missing front teeth

A knocked-out tooth can be scary for both you and your child. Whether it’s the result of a fall, sports injury, or accident at home, acting quickly can make a big difference. The first step is to stay calm and call your child’s dentist immediately.

An emergency dentist for children can assess the situation and provide the right treatment to protect your child’s smile. In the meantime, here’s what you should know about handling the situation.

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4 Maintenance Tips for Taking Care of Your Retainer

May 1, 2025

Close up of clear plastic retainer

You’ve finished your orthodontic treatment – awesome! But just as you were celebrating not having clear aligners or metal braces to worry about, your orthodontist handed you something called a “retainer.” What are you supposed to do with it?

A retainer will help you avoid needing retreatment by making sure your teeth stay in their new positions. Besides wearing it as instructed, you’ll have to take good care of it so it can do its job! Follow these 4 maintenance tips, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

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Does Your Child Need Braces? Look for These Signs

March 1, 2025

Happy preteen boy with braces

Every year, countless kids get started with orthodontic treatment. This is a common procedure that can set young people up for a lifetime of sound oral health. Are you wondering if your precious little one needs braces? This blog post may give you a rough idea of whether your child could benefit from treatment.

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4 Things Adults with Braces Should Keep in Mind

February 2, 2025

a young adult with braces smiling

Braces are often thought of as a rite of passage for most teenagers – so if your dentist has informed you as an adult that you might benefit from a second round of orthodontic treatment, you may be feeling a little puzzled, or even disheartened. However, rest assured, it’s perfectly normal for adults and older patients to need braces again; and believe it or not, the process is often easier if you know what to expect! Here are four things you should keep in mind if you’re about to get braces again as an adult.

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How to Address a Broken Bracket

January 16, 2025

Broken bracket

The brackets and wires that make traditional braces are durable but can become damaged if you aren’t careful. If this situation happens to you, you should take all the necessary steps to have the issue addressed as seen as possible. You don’t want to backtrack your orthodontic treatment. Continue reading to learn about the steps you should take to if you find yourself in this situation.

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What Causes Teeth to Shift?

December 19, 2024

A computer generated drawing of crooked teeth

Teeth are fascinating. Even though they may seem firmly planted in your child’s jaw, they can still sometimes drift out of alignment, even if there’s not much available space for them to move to. This can happen due to a variety of reasons but can thankfully be corrected with the help of orthodontics. Here are a few common reasons your child’s teeth may have gradually moved, and what you can do to correct it.

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My Clear Aligners Won’t Go On! Now What?

November 21, 2024

A dentist putting on a patient’s clear aligners.

While your clear aligners are supposed to fit securely to your teeth, sometimes things don’t go as planned. If you’re struggling to get yours to go on properly, it can be easy to want to give up on treatment and stop wearing them. But don’t despair. Here are a few tricks you can try to help get them in place, so your treatment doesn’t derail.

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The Clock’s Ticking! Here’s Why Now Is the Best Time to Start Invisalign

October 21, 2024

Patient smiling with their Invisalign aligner

If you’ve been considering Invisalign to straighten your smile, now is the perfect time to get started! As the year winds down, taking advantage of your dental insurance benefits before they reset can save you money. But how exactly can starting treatment now maximize your benefits? Read on to see why the end of the year is a great time to take the plunge on Invisalign.

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