What is an Orthodontist?  An orthodontist is a dental specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists must first attend college, followed by a four-year graduate dental program at a university level dental school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). They must then successfully complete an additional two to three-year residency program of advanced dental education in orthodontics accredited by the ADA. Only dentists who have successfully completed this advanced specialty education may become an orthodontist. What Causes Orthodontic Problems? Most malocclusions are inherited, but some are acquired. Inherited problems include crowding of teeth, too much space between teeth, extra teeth, congenially missing teeth and a wide range of discrepancies of the jaws, teeth and face. Acquired problems can be caused by trauma; thumb or finger sucking; airway obstruction by tonsils and adenoids; premature loss of b...

1)  Pretty simple. I don’t believe or like what I’m hearing. Heck, you may not like what I’m telling you. I was the fifth opinion once. The first four suggested a $4000 procedure, I recommended extracting a primary tooth only. It worked. 2) The fees are too high. Higher does not mean better. 3) Be careful of a hard sell. 4) Most eight year old's do not need treatment. 5) If you do Phase I treatment, your child probably won’t need orthodontic treatment, Phase II) later, or it may be less difficult later. Lie! 6) If you don’t do Phase I treatment, extractions may be necessary later, when the permanent teeth erupt. Lie! Thanks. 7) Do not start orthodontic treatment if you are moving off the island in the very near future. Good luck Dr. Hook

At Hook Orthodontics, we believe in running a practice, not a business. We will provide all the information and recommendations necessary to parents, for making the best decisions they feel is best for their child or themselves. So you just received braces, woohoo, congrats! But a wire just became loose or is poking out? What do you do? First, let’s not panic, If it is an orthodontic emergency, definitely give us a call to set up an appointment as soon as possible. We will accommodate you and schedule an appointment for your comfort. Even if it is something you can take care of yourself, still call the office to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing the problem to remain for a long period of time may lengthen your treatment time. Loose Bracket or Band?  However there are a few things you can work with at home, that can help you ease your discomfort, while your in between your next visit with us. The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, pl...

At Hook Orthodontics, we believe in running a practice, not a business. We will provide all the information and recommendations necessary to parents, for making the best decisions they feel is best for their child or themselves. Our staff and Dr. Hook, are always available to answer questions and help you understand every aspect of your orthodontic treatment. If you are unsure about anything, let us know at your next appointment or give us a call with a question, one of our staff members will give you the tools and knowledge to help you understand everything during your treatment. So, you now have braces! Congratulations, your on your way to a healthier beautiful smile. When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! Discomfort and soreness is normal especially after receiving orthodontic treatment of any kind. Your teeth may be tender to biting press...

Choosing to get orthodontic care is a big decision for anyone. It means your ready for a lifetime change that will affect your smile in a positive way. At Hook Orthodontics, we understand and respect your reasons for wanting to improve the way you look and feel. Our practice will work with you every step of the way to make sure your orthodontic care is an amazing experience. Our office utilizes the latest technology while offering a variety of safe and gentle treatment options to give you the customized, individual care you deserve. At Hook Orthodontics, we believe in running a practice, not a business. We will provide all the information and recommendations necessary to parents, for making the best decisions they feel is best for their child or themselves. If a patient is still developing and is not yet ready for treatment, we will recommend the patient be placed into an observation phase where we will follow growth and development to determine the appropriate time for treatment....

Can I Prevent Enamel Damage? Are you concerned about damage to your tooth enamel? Well put your worries aside because there are several things you can do to prevent enamel damage such as decaying or discoloring. Preventing enamel decay can be as easy as  cutting out or limiting high-acidic foods  from your regular diet.  High-acidic foods include items such as blueberries, sugar, honey, vinegar, soy sauce, cranberries , and more.  Another thing you can do is  remove high sugar drinks  from your diet in addition to acidic foods is also a good idea. Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to prevent your enamel from discoloring or decaying.  The easiest way to avoid decay is to steer clear of high-acidity foods. This may not always be possible, but eliminating sugary fruit juices and soda from your diet is a good start.  Brushing your teeth after each meal and flossing frequently also preserves your...

Dr. Hook and all the Hook Orthodontics team want to remind you that orthodontic health is much more than straight teeth. When Dr. Hook creates beautiful smiles for our patients, he places all the elements of the face into their perfect alignment for a healthy as well as beautiful smile. Orthodontic treatment at Hook Orthodontics also provides many additional health benefits . Here are just a few you might not realize: Prevent TMJ: TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders occur from stress on the jaw joint. Often, people who suffer from TMJ have an incorrect bite pattern or a misalignment of their bite. Orthodontic treatment can align the teeth and bite to remove the stress on the joints that causes TMJ Disorder. Aid Digestive Health: Perfectly aligned teeth help you chew your food more effectively, which helps your digestive health. Avoid Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Crowded and misaligned teeth make it difficult to clean your teeth and gums, which can lead t...

Photo provided by oralb.com Even though you are careful, you may occasionally damage your appliances . We want our patients to be informed of problems that may occur, and understand how to solve them, at least temporarily, until it is possible to return to our office .   You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain. If a band or bracket comes loose from the tooth, call our office for an appointment .  While a tight band or bracket actually protects a tooth from decay, a loose band or bracket is extremely dangerous and decay can occur under it very rapidly. If the band or bracket is still attached to a wire, leave it in place and apply wax if there is discomfort. If the band or bracket comes completely out, place it in an...

With cold and flu season starting, germs seem to be lurking everywhere! While it’s difficult to avoid catching the office cold or flu bug, you can help keep your number one oral hygiene accessory in great shape by replacing your toothbrush regularly. Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you a keep a toothbrush? It is recommended that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months, and directly after any cold or flu. Replacing your toothbrush is essential since they are constantly being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush have become worn, that is a clear sign that you need a new toothbrush. People who wear braces will likely need to replace their toothbrushes frequently, as braces break down and fracture bristles which makes the toothbrush lose its effectiveness. It's helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in the house at all times for easy replacement. You may be...

With Fall in full swing and with it the hectic holidays just a step further down the road, we thought we’d put together a list of a few fall-themed smoothies that can serve as a great (and easy!) breakfast or after school snack. Pumpkin Banana Smoothie If you’re a pumpkin fan, this smoothie is for you! While pumpkin is a trendy item, especially this time of year, what you might not know is pumpkin has both fiber and protein which makes for a healthy and filling smoothie. 2 tablespoons canned pure pumpkin 5 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt 1 banana, frozen ½ teaspoon honey ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon pinch of nutmeg ¼ cup ice Helpful tip: If you’re finding that you have several over ripened bananas that you aren’t able to eat in time, toss them in a freezer bag! Frozen bananas are the perfect addition to smoothies and help make preparation even easier for those hectic weekday mornings.  Cranberry, Pear, & Orange Smoothie That’s quite a mouth...