What, exactly, is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Meehan calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the issue.

Dr. Meehan will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Meehan Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Cold season is here, from Meehan Orthodontics

Cold and flu season is here - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Michael Meehan and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Palos Heights, IL 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 at Meehan Orthodontics, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

Halloween Video Contest at Meehan Orthodontics

Are you on YouTube? So is Meehan Orthodontics! That’s why we’re hosting a Halloween Video Contest during National Orthodontic Health Month.

We would love to hear about:

• Your favorite “braces-friendly” Halloween recipe (Pumpkin Patch Brownies anyone?)
• What color bands are you choosing this month?
• How you’re planning to get your pearly whites clean and sparkling after you indulge in holiday sweets.
• Are you or is anyone in your family (pets included) dressing up for Halloween this year? Tell us about the costume!
• What do you love most about this time of the year at our office?

You can film your video at Meehan Orthodontics using our Flip video camera, or email any video testimonials that are made at home to info@meehanorthodontics.com (with your first and last name in the mail subject line). Please try to limit your video entries to no longer than 2 minutes, since we will be sharing your video on our YouTube channel and other social networks.

Our Halloween Video Contest winner will be selected November 1, so don’t delay in submitting your video entry!

Trick-or-Treat!

-Dr. Meehan and team

Emergency Care at Meehan Orthodontics

At Meehan Orthodontics, we know orthodontic emergencies are never convenient nor timely. If you are a patient of record, Dr. Michael Meehan and our team are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you after hours or over the weekend. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. If you have a orthodontic emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to learn how you may be able to solve the problem yourself, or, if you cannot, how to contact Dr. Meehan and team.

Common issues include:

*Broken Brace
*Broken Wires
*Tie has come off of a Brace
*Loose Expander
*Poking Wire Tie
*Sharpness Felt on the Tongue Side of a Brace
*Loss of a Separator
*Initial Soreness
*Wire Poking

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you visit our office.

The Go-To Mom Discusses Invisalign

Our team at Meehan Orthodontics found a great video that discusses the advantages of Invisalign. In the video, Kimberley Clayton Blaine, "The Go-To Mom," discusses the Invisalign treatment and her personal experience with Invisalign.

To determine if Invisalign is right for you, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Michael Meehan. Have a great week!

Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

You just got braces at Meehan Orthodontics and Dr. Michael Meehan has informed you that during your orthodontic treatment you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that will allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care!

Recipes include main dishes, side dishes and even yummy desserts! After all, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps the patient achieve the best possible results from orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about the recipes listed or about the foods you should be avoiding during your orthodontic treatment, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Enjoy!

When should you call Meehan Orthodontics?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Dr. Michael Meehan. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth


Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible!

Hope this helps,

The team at Meehan Orthodontics