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All of us here at Pack Orthodontics are so excited about another great year! 2019 was a great year for our orthodontic family, and, now, we look forward to what 2020 will bring. We asked some of our staff about their resolutions and goals for the new year and we wanted to share them with our patients. 

When we asked our staff what resolutions our they wanted to commit to this year, we had a lot of variety. Hope wants to stay in touch with her family and friends and build new relationships. Megan wants to try new things like white water rafting or taking a dance class. Morgan wants to make sure that she doesn’t lose focus on herself. Ashley wants to learn to not dwell on things out of her control and let things go. Nina wants to stick to a healthier eating routine. Laurie wants to better herself and cut out negativity. 

We also asked everyone what they feel will be the most challenging resolution to stick to--either personally or professionally. Megan said that she is navigating a new life and the challenges that come along with that. Morgan wants to focus on her finances. Ashley said staying on track with her healthy lifestyle. Nina and Laurie agreed that they both want to improve on the practice numbers from last year!

Our staff all had unique ways of bringing in the new year. On the first day of 2020, Hope and Laurie stayed home with their families. Megan spent the day with family and friends. Morgan, Ashley, and Nina all enjoyed their day off of work and relaxed. Denise started off the new year by being at the beach in Florida (jealous!) with her husband and friends. 

Whether we had specific resolutions or not, our staff all has hope as to what their year will look like. We asked everyone to tell us in three words. Hope is wishing for fun, stress-free, and memorable. Megan said faith, happiness, and acceptance. Morgan told us she hopes for a healthy, happy, and stress-free year. Denise said healthy, happy, and loved. Ashley said joyful, thankful, and renewed. Nina wants a year of positivity, happiness, and health. Laurie is wishing for a prosperous, enjoyable, and uplifting 2020. Here’s to seeing all of these come to fruition!

We have a few big changes happening in 2020. Some are exciting and some are bittersweet. We say goodbye to our lovely PR Coordinator, Laura. We wish her nothing but the best in her next adventure! We are also so excited to welcome Ashley in the same position and can’t wait to see the fantastic work she does for our practice!

When asked about what we think everyone should aspire to be better at in 2020, everyone had their own answer, but they all revolved around taking more time for ourselves, to work on becoming a better person, to be kind to others, and-- of course-- to have fun!

What kind of office would we be if we didn’t leave everyone with some oral hygiene tips they can focus on in the new year? Our staff was all in agreement: be sure to brush twice a day including around the gumline, floss, floss, floss, avoid tobacco use, and be sure to wear your retainer!

We are so excited for what this year brings and we are so thankful to everyone who is part of our orthodontic family. Wishing everyone a very happy and productive new year!

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontic treatment for children should start at around age seven. Dr. Pack can evaluate your child’s orthodontic needs early on to see if orthodontic treatment is recommended for your son or daughter.

Below, we answer common questions parents may have about the benefits of early childhood orthodontics.

What does early orthodontic treatment mean?

Early orthodontic treatment usually begins when a child is eight or nine years old. Typically known as Phase One, the goal here is to correct bite problems such as an underbite, as well as guide the jaw’s growth pattern. This phase also helps make room in the mouth for teeth to grow properly, with the aim of preventing teeth crowding and extractions later on.

Does your child need early orthodontic treatment?

The characteristics and behavior below can help determine whether your little one needs early treatment.

• Early loss of baby teeth (before age five)
• Late loss of baby teeth (after age five or six)
• The child’s teeth do not meet properly or at all
• The child is a mouth breather
• Front teeth are crowded (you won’t see this until the child is about seven or eight)
• Protruding teeth, typically in the front
• Biting or chewing difficulties
• A speech impediment
• The jaw shifts when the child opens or closes the mouth
• The child is older than five years and still sucks a thumb

What are the benefits of seeking orthodontic treatment early?

Jaw bones do not harden until children reach their late teens. Because children’s bones are still pliable, corrective procedures such as braces are easier and often faster than they would be for adults.

Early treatment at our Murfreesboro, TN office can enable your child to avoid lengthy procedures, extraction, and surgery in adulthood. Talk with Dr. Pack today to see if your child should receive early orthodontic treatment.

Braces aren’t just for kids. Many grownups are taking advantage of orthodontic treatment and having their teeth straightened at a later age.

Sometimes, patients include adults who already had braces in the past, but their teeth shifted over time once they stopped wearing their retainers. In other cases, adults who have never had braces are tired of having crooked teeth and ready to invest in a beautiful smile.

Whatever the case may be, if you’re looking to straighten your teeth with braces, Dr. Pack would love to help you with this process. Having a dazzling smile can increase your confidence in all areas of your life!

Depending on what you’re willing to spend and how quickly you would like to complete the process, you have various options for getting braces. We all know what traditional metal braces look like. This is a less-expensive route for individuals who have severely crooked or displaced teeth. However, many adults avoid option because the braces are noticeable or distracting in a professional atmosphere.

For people concerned about aesthetics, clear ceramic braces may be a preferable option. This type can still fix extremely crooked teeth or jaw alignment issues. It may be slightly more expensive than traditional metal braces. Patients who choose this treatment route need to be careful not to stain the clear adhesives by drinking too much coffee, red wine, soda, or other beverages that can discolor teeth.

Another great option for adults who don’t want to have visible braces is a clear aligner treatment known as Invisalign®. This popular option differs from traditional braces by featuring a series of clear aligners that are each custom-made for your teeth.

The entire process can take anywhere from three to 18 months to straighten your teeth completely. This may not be the best choice for patients who have an overcrowded mouth or extreme bite issues. Invisalign is often the most expensive option, but it’s great if you’re concerned about your appearance while your teeth are being straightened.

If you’ve been thinking about straightening your teeth with the help of braces, don’t hesitate to contact our Murfreesboro, TN office to set up a consultation. From there, Dr. Pack can figure out the best course of treatment, depending on your budget and overall needs.

Adult braces can be a great way to boost your confidence and finally give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

Watching the clock tick down the final seconds until midnight, many of us- Pack Orthodontics included- feel nostalgic about the passing year and hopeful about the new one to come. New Year’s Eve is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, with over-the-top celebrations taking place in dozens of countries. The Gregorian calendar, which is widely used in Western nations and around the world, was implemented in 1582. Since that time, December 31st has marked the final day of the year, with midnight heralding the beginning of a brand new year. In the United States, New Year’s Day is a public holiday; government offices, schools, public organizations, and many businesses are closed for the day. Ponder the following fun facts as you think about your plans for the holiday:

• Approximately one billion people watch the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square, New York City. This televised event is one of the most iconic New Year’s celebrations in the world. For many years, watching the ball drop meant tuning in to Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, an iconic television special dear to the hearts of many viewers.
• The idea for the New Year’s Eve ball came about because of a citywide ban on fireworks. Before 1907, when fireworks became illegal in New York City, celebrations included an elaborate fireworks show. The large, glittering, illuminated ball was developed as an alternative. Although the first ball was heavy at 700 pounds, the modern New Year’s Eve ball is made of Waterford crystal and tips the scale at six tons!
• The top five New Year’s resolutions are: to lose weight, quit smoking, get a new job, return to school, or increase personal savings. However, approximately 88% of New Year’s resolutions fail. But don’t let that discourage you! Resolutions are most likely to succeed when they are clear, achievable goals. Setting out a concrete plan to achieve your resolution also boosts your chances of success.
• Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is said to bring good fortune in the new year. Collard greens, cabbage, and ham hocks are also considered lucky foods to enjoy. Just steer clear of the chicken or turkey dinners; eating poultry is a bad omen for the year to come.

Whether you plan to stay in Murfreesboro, TN, or head out into the crowds to watch the ball drop in Times Square, New Year’s Eve is a time to enjoy friends and family. Send your loved ones well wishes for the New Year, and look for that special someone to share a midnight kiss with for good luck!