The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?
Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Burns. 
If you recently completed treatment at Westfield Braces, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Burns will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Burns is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.
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 like the Damon System, 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. 
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 our office 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:
It’s fall here at Westfield Braces, 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. 
Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of October’s sweet and spooky holiday, Halloween, Westfield Braces would like to remind all of our patients to be safe while celebrating with friends and family. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips for a ghoulishly good time. 
October symbolizes the transition into the Fall season and of course, Halloween! For our team, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and orthodontic patients around the country, October also marks the National Orthodontic Health Month. This month is a great time to remind patients of the importance of strong oral hygiene and a braces-friendly diet, especially since many of the sticky and sweet Halloween treats can be harmful to braces and other orthodontic appliances.
Braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.
Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Dr. Burns has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.
Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! 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. 
Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.
"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Burns started out in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Burns decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.
Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Westfield Braces thought you might enjoy. 
At Westfield Braces we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. The spring and summer months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Westfield Braces and our team 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. 
Trust us when we say Dr. Burns and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!
If you recently completed treatment at Westfield Braces, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Burns will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Burns is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.
Last week, we asked you, our wonderful patients, what you most liked about your experience at Westfield Braces. Well, we received some pretty great reviews, and thought we’d share a few with you today. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office! Dr. Burns and team love getting patient testimonials!
From your very first visit to Westfield Braces, our doctor and team strive to provide service of the highest quality in a cheerful and technologically advanced environment. Each member of our team is dedicated to this responsibility, which is why we thought we’d ask you: Have you been especially impressed by the work of Dr. Burns? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?
Summer is finally here, and the team at Westfield Braces thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the warm Westfield, New Jersey weather? A break from school and classes? Spending quality time with friends and family? A special annual community event? Grilling barbecue in the backyard?
Dr Burns knows that now- more than ever- it is important to keep your teeth clean. With braces, 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. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips: 
Isn’t social media wonderful? Since today is Social Media Day, Dr. Burns would like to discuss how our team approaches social media and online patient communications. At Westfield braces, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page. For social media to be effective, conversation is essential, and that's why we encourage you to join in and tell us what's on your mind. Although social media is very popular right now, we know that it is ever-changing.
Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Westfield Braces read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Westfield Braces can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.
It's June already! Where does the time go?
Something big is happening in the orthodontics world, and it’s no other than Damon braces, which allow your teeth to move more comfortably and easily than traditional braces. With the Damon System, achieving that perfect smile will be faster and easier than you ever thought possible.
Some people wonder why Westfield Orthodontist Dr. Thomas Burns and our team work 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 Westfield Braces can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!
Dr. Thomas Burns has been a Westfield resident since 1984. He moved to New Jersey in 1976 after receiving a B.S. degree in biology from Fordham University. In 1980, he graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dental Medicine having received a D.M.D. degree. Dr. Burns continued his education at Fairleigh Dickinson and completed an orthodontic residency in 1982. He joined the university's dental faculty in 1984 and taught in the orthodontic department through 1989.
Posts
All Comments
