Anyone, at any age, can benefit from treatment!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Geller and Cohen Orthodontics!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give Geller and Cohen Orthodontics a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen 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 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. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Invisalign® and your oral health, from Geller and Cohen Orthodontics

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Geller and Cohen Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Drs. Geller and Cohen the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!

The health benefits of dairy, from Geller and Cohen Orthodontics

Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen want to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call.

Preparing for Cold and Flu Season, from Geller and Cohen Orthodontics

It’s that time of year to start thinking about protecting yourself and your family from the flu. Here are some simple steps you can take to help yourself avoid colds and the flu this season.

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen and our team give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Hope this helps and give us a call if you have any questions! Stay healthy!

Season’s Greetings from Geller and Cohen Orthodontics

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as the team at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics reflects on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2011? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays on our Facebook page. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Geller & Cohen Orthodontics wishes you a fun and safe Thanksgiving!

Drs. Geller and Cohen and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to post them on our Facebook page or give us a call!

Gobble Gobble!

What do you enjoy most about fall?

It’s fall here at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, a time when all across the country, the leaves begin to change colors, the air becomes crisp, and families begin to make plans for Thanksgiving.

Today we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, "How are you spending your time this fall?" Our team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment within the Plano area. We are interested in learning about what makes your community “yours.”

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call!

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics

Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen know that image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. But... not to worry! There is a clear alternative to traditional braces! The team at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen™ gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile!

So how does Invisalign Teen work, you ask? Much in the same fashion as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Geller and Cohen Orthodontics attend the Southwestern Society of Orthodontics Conference

At Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, it is our priority to provide our patients with the highest level of orthodontic and personal care. Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen and our team recently attended "Escape to the hill country of Texas," the 90th session of the Southwestern Society of Orthodontics. The session was held in Austin, Texas at the Renaissance Hotel, and was a great way for our doctors and team to spend time together and learn from the research and studies of other orthodontists and their staff.

Be sure to visit the Geller and Cohen Orthodontics Facebook page to check out the complete photo album from our trip to Austin.

A braces-friendly Halloween recipe, from Geller and Cohen Orthodontics

Trick-or-treat! In celebration of National Orthodontic Health Month, Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen would like to share a great braces-friendly Halloween recipe with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO. This Spooktacular Pumpkin Cake is delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, this treat will not cause damage to your beautiful smile.

Spooktacular Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix
½ cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
¼ cup water (add 2 tbl. of water if eggs are small)

Directions:

Put cake mix in a large bowl. Make an indentation in the center and pour in the oil and one egg. Mix using mixer, then add the rest of the eggs one at a time, beating after each one.

Add pumpkin, sugar, spices, and then water.

Bake in greased and floured tube pan in 350 degree oven for 60-70 minutes (depending on oven calibration). Cool before removing from pan.

Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, supporting National Orthodontic Health Month!

Did you know that October is National Orthodontic Health Month? Drs. Geller and Cohen and our team know how tempting this time of the year can be for your sweet tooth. With all of the sticky, crunchy, and chewy candies that are often passed around to trick-or-treaters, we know that it can sometimes be hard to find hard candy alternatives.

However, there is good news! Today, we would like to share a few braces-friendly holiday foods with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO. These treats are delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, these foods will not cause damage to your beautiful smile.

Orthodontic-Friendly Treats
• Soft, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates
• Peanut butter cups
• Milk shakes
• Gelatin
• Peeled, thinly sliced apples
• Ice cream

Drs. Geller and Cohen congratulate Shelby on her 25th anniversary at Geller Orthodontics!

Today, our team at Geller Orthodontics is celebrating Shelby's 25th anniversary here at the office! She is the Scheduling Coordinator and has been a long time fixture in the practice since 1985. Drs. Geller and Cohen and our team would like to thank Shelby for her hard work, dedication and for always wearing a smile.

If you didn't know already, Shelby is often the smiling voice that answers the phone and assists with appointment scheduling. Shelby has 4 children and 7 grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys walking, church activities, and traveling.

We love you, Shelby!

-The team at Geller Orthodontics

Tackling facial sports injuries with Geller Orthodontics

At Geller Orthodontics we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. With fall sports, there is often an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Drs. Geller and Cohen also know sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. Another 67 percent admitted their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when playing sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer.

That’s why Geller Orthodontics are doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Drs. Geller and Cohen will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Drs. Geller and Cohen are trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Geller Orthodontics.

All the cool kids do it!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Geller, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Geller Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Congratulations, Allie! She was our "Picnic Invasion" contest winner!

Our team at Geller Orthodontics would like to congratulate patient Allie for correctly guessing the number of ants that were invading the summer picnic! There were 286 ANTS! We had a few people that guessed the exact amount so we had a tie breaker drawing.

Allie won a $100 Visa gift card for back to school shopping. For everyone who didn't have a chance to enter our "Picnic Invasion" contest, our Trivia Contest will begin September 2, 2010! More details will be posted on the Blog and Facebook page in the upcoming weeks.



Have a great weekend,

-Dr. Geller and team

Are you ready for Super Bowl trivia with Dr. Geller and team?

Our team at Geller Orthodontics, serving Plano and Dallas, TX and surrounding areas, is excited to announce a new trivia contest that is beginning Sept. 2, 2010. The winner will receive four tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game! To enter, check out our Geller Orthodontics contest board (beginning Sept. 2, 2010) for Super Bowl trivia questions.

The contest will end Nov. 12, 2010, so don't hesitate to schedule your fall appointment today! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule your appointment with Dr. Geller. You won't want to miss your opportunity to win Dallas Cowboys tickets!

Have a great week,

-Geller Orthodontics

Ask Drs. Geller and Cohen: Who benefits from Lingual Braces?

Drs. Geller and Cohen serving Plano and Dallas TX , is pleased to offer our patients Lingual Braces. Our team is always receiving questions about Lingual Braces, which is why we wanted to discuss today a few of the unique benefits of this new orthodontic treatment. To begin, the braces are placed behind your teeth, rather than in a visible area. Because of this, no one will ever know that you are wearing braces! This unique type of braces is created using state-of-the-art technology and is entirely customized to the shape of your teeth. Hence, you can improve your smile efficiently and effectively in a discreet new way.

Who especially benefits from Lingual Braces?

• Athletes
• Models
• Actors
• Musicians, especially those who play wind instruments
• Adult professionals

For more information on Lingual Braces and treatment options at Geller Orthodontics, please give us a call today to schedule your consultation!

Don't forget to enter the "Picnic Invasion" contest at Geller Orthodontics!

Have you entered the Geller Orthodontics "Picnic Invasion" contest? If not, Drs. Geller and Cohen want to remind everyone to stop by our office and count how many ants have invaded the picnic! The contest ends August 18th, so don't wait to enter!

If you guess correctly, you could win a $100 Visa gift card for back to school shopping! We encourage you to visit our Plano, TX office and play!

- Dr. Geller and team

Geller Orthodontics present: 10 tips to keep your braces sparklin' clean this summer

Our staff at Geller Orthodontics will tell you that keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you're in orthodontic treatment. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. You can keep plaque at bay this summer with these top ten tips:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxy brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Hope this helps! We hope you had an AMAZING Fourth of July weekend!

Dr. Geller and Team