Fairwood and Mercer Island Orthodontics

Chorak Orthodontics More than 80 percent of Americans are living with periodontal or gum disease, which most often than not, goes unnoticed. At Chorak Orthodontics our goal is to continually raise awareness of the prevalence of gum disease while encouraging patients to take an active role in better oral health through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Gum disease is something that most people will experience at some point in their lives. But because the symptoms of gum disease are subtle and painless, most people just shrug it off. If gum disease is left untreated, the consequences could be severe.   Gum disease has been linked to a host of general medical problems, including: Heart disease, Endocarditis, Lung problems, Alzheimer’s disease, Colorectal cancer, and Diabetes. According to the AmericanAssociation of Periodontology (AAP) , you may have gum disease if: Your gums are red, swollen, and sore to the touch.  Your gums bleed when you eat, brush or floss. ...

Chorak Orthodontics If you just got braces …you may be thinking that this is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to you.   Your mouth is most likely sore , you’re probably having a hard time eating the foods you love, and you are may be wondering if it is ever going to get any better.   Well…we know exactly what you’re going through, and we are here to tell you that pretty soon you are going to love your braces. Not loving your braces just yet. Try these helpful hints below. Smooth things over. When you first get your braces, sore spots may develop on your cheeks. To protect your cheeks, place wax on the bracket or wire. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day is also very soothing to your gum and cheek tissues. Don’t worry…the soreness from your braces won’t last long, so try your best not to get mad at your braces.   Avoid sticky or hard foods. You don’t want to do anything that could cause your braces or orthodontic appliances harm. Even t...

Chorak Orthodontics Our smiles are uniquely ours. However so is our bite. In orthodontics, “bite” refers to the way the upper and lower teeth come together. A bad bite, called a “malocclusion”, happens when teeth meet improperly, or they don’t meet at all. When a person's teeth or jaws do not fit together properly, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the problem. If left untreated, these orthodontic problems can cause speech difficulty, premature wear of the teeth and protective enamel, and even increase the chance of injury to the teeth and jaw joints. 5 Common Orthodontic Problems 1. Crowding - Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt from the gums. This can be a result of big teeth or inadequate space in the jaw or both. This may result in teeth that overlap, are rotated, or take on a crooked/staggered appearance. Crowding is the most common reason for braces. Not only is crowding unattractive, but it has also been linked to periodontal p...

Chorak Orthodontics More than 80 percent of Americans are living with gum disease , which most often goes unnoticed. Gum disease is something that many people will experience at some point in their lives. But because the symptoms of gum disease are so subtle and painless, most people just shrug it off. If gum disease is left untreated, the consequences could be severe.   Gum disease has been linked to a host of general medical problems, including: Heart disease, Endocarditis, Lung problems, and Diabetes. At Chorak Orthodontics our goal is to raise awareness while encouraging patients to take an active role in better oral health through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. According to the American Association of Periodontology (AAP) , you may have gum disease if: Your gums are red, swollen, and sore to the touch.   Your gums bleed when you eat, brush or floss.   You see signs of infection around the gums and teeth.   Your gums look as if they are "pulling a...

Chorak Orthodontics Most orthodontic emergencies are relatively minor, and you may be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many emergencies yourself until you can schedule an appointment with our office. If you ever find yourself in what you believe to be an orthodontic emergency , the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: is it really a true emergency or is it a less serious issue that you can fix yourself? Below are three common orthodontic emergencies you may be able to take care of at home, prior to scheduling a visit to our orthodontic office . Poking Wires: If a poking wire is causing irritation, push the wire back and away using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax or a cotton ball until you can see us for an adjustment. Loose Brackets: If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little colored rubber ring ...

Chorak Orthodontics Orthodontics have come a long way over the last 20 years. Now, there are many more options in addition to traditional metal braces, such as clear aligners, and ceramic braces . With all of these new options, it’s no wonder our team gets so many questions from patients considering orthodontic treatment . If your dentist has recommended braces to you or your child , you probably have some questions. Don’t worry…the team at Chorak Orthodontics has the answers you need.   Here are 5 of the most frequently asked questions that we hear every day. 1. Does Getting Braces Hurt? There is no reason to be anxious about getting braces. All the appliances and wires used at Chorak Orthodontics are cutting-edge and exert light, continuous, forces that greatly decrease any soreness associated with orthodontic treatment. While each person will have a different experience with braces, generally, getting braces does not hurt. Braces do not hurt at all when they are applied ...

Chorak Orthodontics Your appearance can make a big difference in your confidence, and a healthy smile is one of the first things people notice. Dr. Mario Chorak is dedicated to creating beautiful smiles with straighter teeth and good bites. One of the orthodontic treatment options offered at Chorak Orthodontics , includes Clear Braces by the Damon System .   Made of tooth-colored or transparent ceramic, Damon Clear Braces require no metal clips or elastic ties…meaning our patients are getting braces that are clear. With Damon Clear, people may not even realize you're wearing braces. Unlike other clear braces Damon Clear braces are resistant to staining, making them virtually invisible. Damon Clear Braces are perfect for adults looking to improve their smile yet steer clear of any noticeable differences that may draw attention to their mouth. Teenagers that already feel insecure about their smiles choose Damon Clear Braces over metal braces most of the time. Damon Clear Brac...