Tell Dr. Farina what’s on your mind!

By now, you’re probably familiar with our blog-writing process: Each week, Dr. Farina and our staff write about important orthodontic topics and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic treatments offered at Farina Orthodontics. This week, though, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Farina for a while now? Here’s your chance! Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Give us your best shot, and we’ll try to answer any question you may have!

The importance of retainers, from Dr. Mark Farina

If you recently completed treatment at Farina Orthodontics, our team would like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Mark Farina will provide - or has provided you - with retainers.

After braces are removed the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers 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 is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receiver your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Farina tells you otherwise.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practicing speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to them quicker is a good idea.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Try to remember to bring your retainers to your appointments at Farina Orthodontics.
* Retainer replacement is expensive...with proper care they will last for years!
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).
* Keep retainers away from hot water, your pockets and other places where they can get damaged.

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Free dentofacial and orthodontic screenings at Farina Orthodontics

With our community screening program, Dr. Farina and our team offer convenient and FREE no-obligation dentofacial and orthodontic clinical examinations. Simply call Farina Orthodontics at 813-774-5323 to schedule an appointment.

A thorough clinical examination is essential for an accurate diagnosis and, if indicated, evaluation of treatment alternatives, estimation of treatment time and cost, and effective doctor-patient communication.

Visit our Getting Started page to learn more about your first appointment, scheduling and financial arrangements. And help us prepare for your first appointment by completing our Patient Information form. Click here to complete the form and bring it with you to your first appointment with Dr. Farina.

Plus, if you're a new patient, you are eligible for a complementary consultation AND $250 off treatment with Dr. Farina. Give us a call today!

Ask Dr. Farina: Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Mark Farina will tell you that 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.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! At Farina Orthodontics, you’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Farina and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!