Fairwood and Mercer Island Orthodontics

drchorakorthodontics.com The goal of National Facial Protection Month is to raise public awareness and remind parents, coaches, and athletes to play it safe while playing sports.   Dr. Mario Chorak and his team would like to take the time this month to remind our athletes to wear a mouth guard during recreational and organized sports.   A mouth guard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. Mouth guards prevent injuries to the bone and tissues around the teeth. They also help prevent injuries to the lower jaw. A mouth guard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks. A properly fitted mouth guard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances.   Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect te...

COVID-19 Update for our office: It is with heavy heart that I report that we are temporarily closed, as directed by heath and state officials. IF you have an appointment scheduled in the near future, we have attempted to contact you to reschedule. As of now we have not called to reschedule anyone from April 1st and on. We will be keeping our patients updated as we get a clearer picture of what this mandate looks like. We will have team members check voicemail and email messages on a limited hour basis during the business week. During this temporary shut-down, we will be available for emergency care only. We will be able to see patients who are in pain or discomfort, such as those with poking wires. Loose and broken brackets, appliances, and retainers are NOT considered emergencies during this time. However, if it prohibits you from eating normally or is causing severe discomfort, we will be able to take the bracket of appliance off but will need to reschedule a time for a repair....

Do you know the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist? Choosing the right orthodontist is an important part of the decision. Because treatment typically lasts one to three years, it is essential to choose a practice that you trust, are comfortable in, and that will offer the highest quality service on all aspects. Our locations in Fairwood and Mercer Island, allow us to serve our communities with the highest level of Orthodontic care. From braces to Invisalign, our goal is to ensure your smile is an excellent, healthy smile. So what is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist? Orthodontists are specialists in moving teeth and aligning jaws. A question people often ask is, “can my dentist give me braces?” The answer is NO! While all orthodontist are dentist, only a small percentage of dentists are orthodontists. Both provide professional care that helps patients have good oral health, and both are dental school graduates. Dentists, treat decayed tee...

We use our teeth every single day, from biting, eating to speaking. We often take our teeth for granted. We often don't realize how strong and vital they are to our health, appearance and overall impact teeth have on our bodies. Here are 4 surprising facts you may not know about your teeth. Cavities: Did you know a cavity is one of the few things the body cannot heal. It just gets larger with time, unless a dentist removes the decay and places a filling. “Diet soda and sports drinks can be just as tough on teeth as regular soda. Both contain acid. Acid attacks the enamel surface of your teeth and can lead to cavities. Some bottled waters and flavored bubbly waters can be acidic enough to cause cavities too!” Did you know a tooth can grow in upside down, sideways or backwards? This can all contribute to problems we can solve at Chorak Orthodontics. From overbites, to underbites, our teams in Fairwood and Mercer Island, are pleased to have the opportunity to provide families...

As an orthodontist in Fairwood and Mercer Island, we are pleased to have the opportunity to provide families with the highest quality orthodontic care using the latest technology. We are thankful to be part of these wonderful communities. We are calling all of our Mercer Island and Renton communities to join our Thanksgiving Food Drive. 🦃 Bring healthy non-perishable foods to our Mercer Island or Renton location. The food will be distributed to families in need throughout the Thanksgiving season. Any additional questions please feel free to contact us at (206) 275-3042 for our Mercer Island location and (425) 235-8800 for our Renton location.

Halloween is one of every kid's favorite holiday! If you have visited any of the fun pumpkin patches near Renton and Fairwood, you’ll see all the family activities and be reminded of the fun Halloween is with all the costumes, trick-or-treating and endless treats, all making this time of year a fun time. Halloween can also be a tricky time if you have braces and while there are certain foods you should stay away, there are some types of candies you can eat on Halloween, that won’t damage your braces. Check out our other blog on all the information on Halloween and candies. Here are three Halloween braces-friendly treats you can eat on Halloween night. 1. Cookies: A sweet treat that is braces-friendly is soft cookies. Soft cookies won’t damage your braces and are an enjoyable treat on Halloween. Softness is key because your wires and brackets won’t be damaged. Be sure to brush up after eating treats. 2. Chocolate: Sugary treats affect our teeth in different ways, especia...

Our locations in Fairwood and Mercer Island, allow us to serve our communities with the highest level of Orthodontic care . From braces to Invisalign, our goal is to ensure your smile is an excellent, healthy smile. Each individual's orthodontic needs are different and deserve personalized attention. Your initial visit is an important opportunity for us to get to know you and to help determine your orthodontic goals. If timing is appropriate, you may expect to have some initial records taken either at this time or during a subsequent visit. These records provide Dr. Chorak with essential information for diagnosis and treatment. At your first visit, Dr. Chorak will give you (or your child) a thorough orthodontic examination. This entails looking at your teeth and jaws, and how they fit together. Dr. Chorak will then review his findings with you. If it is determined that orthodontic care is necessary, we will explain how long treatment should take and the procedures involved. ...

Summers at Mercer Island and Renton are always a great time this season. It is also the perfect opportunity to start orthodontic treatment . Summer can also be a difficult time to keep your children (or your own) oral hygiene routine in check. The lack of a routine, vacations and just the simple fact of it being summer can make taking care of our smile a bit harder. According to a nationwide survey by Delta Dental, nearly 30% of parents say summer vacation is the most difficult time to get their children to keep up good oral health. Here are 3 fantastic simple tips to keep our smile brighter and healthier this summer. Replace Your Toothbrush - This may seem like an obvious reminder. However replacing our toothbrush is the last thing we think about, yet it makes an impact on our teeth and gums everyday. Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months, so summer is the perfect opportunity to get a new one. A new toothbrush will help you ensure your teeth are being brushed and cle...

Mouthwash is an essential part of a good oral hygiene routine, that often goes unnoticed. But did you know there are multiple types of mouthwash? Each also has a different function and works in different ways to help your teeth. Fluoride Mouthwash:  You’ve heard how fluoride helps your teeth. Well fluoride in mouthwashes, does just that and helps protect your teeth from cavities and tooth decay. Be careful when using this type of mouthwash because an intake of too much fluoride is not good. Antiseptic Mouthwash: This is the most common type of mouthwash, you probably have some in your cabinet. This type of mouthwash contains alcohol and used to eliminate bad breath and fight infections in your mouth. Along with brushing your teeth and flossing, all three work together to fight bad breath and bacteria. Cosmetic Mouthwash: The only benefit of this mouthwash, to your oral health care is to mask bad breath. Natural Mouthwash: Natural mouthwash has the same functions of ...

At Chorak Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering the most beautiful smile and we are confident that you will receive orthodontic care that will truly make a difference in your life. Invisalign treatment is a technique that straightens your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth. The virtually invisible aligners gradually reposition your teeth into a smile of which you will be proud of to show off. Here are two unique benefits to choosing Invisalign for orthodontic treatment. 1. Food Restrictions: Thanks to the removable aligners, Invisalign allows you to continue to eat and drink without the restrictions braces would cause. It's no secret that braces, come with food restrictions. Simply remove your aligners before a meal and place them in after. 2. Easier Care: With Invisalign, you do not have to worry about cuts, scrapes and wires poking out such as with braces. It is easier to care for aligner...

Did you know that sports accidents account for 10 - 39% of all dental injuries in children, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. April is National Facial Protection Month, a month dedicated to educating our friends and communities the importance of protecting our smiles.  Most of these injuries are caused by direct hits with a hard object, such as a puck or ball, and player-to-player contact in various sports. There are three types of mouthguards that should be used to protect your child’s smile. Custom fitted mouth guards - these are made by your dentist and can be molded to fit your smile perfectly  Stock mouth guards - these type of mouth guards are  performed and may be a bit bulky Boil and bite mouth guards - are mouth guards that are softened by boiling water and then insert your mouth, to form to the shape of your mouth.  It is important that you wear mouth guards, especially during orthodontic treatment such as braces. Abou...

There are various aspects that affect our health, in different ways. One of those aspects is the food we eat and all the nutritious value it brings to our health. Did you know the food we eat also affects our smile? March is National Nutrition Month and our mouths are the first point of contact for all the different foods we eat throughout the day. Here are 3 foods to incorporate into your daily life for healthier smiles. Dairy: Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are good for your teeth and overall dental health because of the calcium and protein, which strengthens teeth. A big plus if your intake is low in sugar or sugar free. Our locations in Fairwood and Mercer Island , allow us to serve our communities with the highest level of Orthodontic care. From braces to Invisalign , our goal is to ensure your smile is an excellent, healthy smile. Fruits and Vegetables: We all know the importance of eating our fruits and vegetables. But the benefit for your teeth is due to...

One of America’s unofficial holiday is here...The Superbowl. While the Superbowl divides people, rooting for one team or the other, one thing that for sure brings everyone together is food. However, if you just received braces, this unofficial holiday may be a little tough when it comes to food. Here is your official guide to food items you should avoid if you have braces and food items that are soft enough for your teeth. First thing’s first, which foods are off limits? Stay off and avoid these types of foods. These braces friendly recipes: Hard nuts, candies, hard fruits (like apples and pears) Hard vegetables (like carrots and corn on the cob) Chips Taco shells Pizza crust Pretzels Sticky stuff like taffy, gum and caramels Foods high in acidity that could cause discoloration like lemons, limes and sodas. Superbowl Friendly Foods:  Burger Sliders Mashed Potatoes  Guacamole Meatballs  Smooth potato salad Cole slaw Soft Tacos Ice cream Cup...

Your smile is what makes you, YOU! Your personality and qualities all shine through a smile. If your thinking of investing in your smile, we have various options from traditional braces to Invisalign. Invisalign treatment is a technique that straightens your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth. The virtually invisible aligners gradually re-position  your teeth into a smile of which you will be proud of. There are additional benefits to Invisalign, that can help you decide if Invisalign is right for you 1. Comfort:  Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign has no metal bands or wires. There is much less pain when it comes to Invisalign, compared to traditional braces. This means no cuts or scrapes on your gums and not wire that can potentially pop out.  2. Fewer Food Restrictions:  It is no secret the food restrictions that come with orthodontic treatment, specifically braces. There are ce...