Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States.
• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).
• The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Have a great week!

-Dr. Sean Rooney and staff

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Sean Rooney wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not necessary for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also simple: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, give us a call!

Are you brushing and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment with Dr. Sean Rooney.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Mahopac area!

It is sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics loves to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Rooney, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO for short, has recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles”, which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment.

Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics to get started on improving your smile today!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as In-Ovation, Incognito, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Sean Rooney, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited the orthodontic practice of Dr. Sean M. Rooney for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Dr. Sean Rooney. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a complimentary consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

With spring here, many children, teens and adults will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Dr. Sean Rooney and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. If you play sports and are undergoing orthodontic treatment with Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, it's important that you consult Dr. Rooney for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with our office. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Rooney offers mouth guards to patients in and out of treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment.

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:

-An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
-A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
-A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontists). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner.

If you have more questions about two-phase orthodontic treatment with Dr. Sean Rooney, please give our office a call.

There are a variety of foods Dr. Sean Rooney wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break your brackets. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

If you ever sustain damage to your braces and need to call Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.

Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

Dr. Sean Rooney is pleased to offer our patients Lingual Braces. We wanted to discuss today a few of the unique benefits of this new orthodontic treatment. To begin, Lingual Braces are placed behind your teeth, rather than in a visible area. Because of this, no one will ever know that you are wearing braces! These unique type of braces are created using state-of-the-art technology and are entirely customized to the shape of your teeth. Hence, you can improve your smile efficiently and effectively in a discreet new way.

Who especially benefits from Lingual Braces?

• Athletes
• Models
• Actors
• Musicians, especially those who play wind instruments
• Adult professionals

For more information on Lingual Braces and treatment options at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, please give us a call today to schedule your consultation!

At Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Mahopac.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? Through our Patient Login feature, which is located in the upper right hand corner of our website, you can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email!

Feel free to give our office a call if you have any questions about accessing your account online.

- Dr. Rooney and team

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Sean Rooney calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, treatment may be necessary to correct the issue.

Dr. Rooney will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Dr Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Braces at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics, are more fun than ever! With the Brace Painter, parents and children are able to “paint their braces,” and visualize how teeth will look with different colors of bands.

The Brace Painter allows for you to select different colors, and then assign those colors of bands to certain teeth. Now, you can visualize your braces before you even come in for your appointment!

As always, please let Dr. Rooney know if you have any questions about the Brace Painter, or your orthodontic treatment at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics. Have a great week!

At Dr. Sean M Rooney Orthodontics, we get asked a lot of questions from our patients. The ones we hear most frequently are “When are my braces or appliances coming off?”, “When can I change my colors?”, “How painful is each procedure?”, “How often should I get cleanings with my dentist?”.

We enjoy answering each of these questions, but there are also some questions we don’t hear as often that we believe are important for maintaining your oral health and for effective orthodontic treatment with Dr. Rooney, such as:

• “When is my next appointment?”
• “How often do I have to wear my rubber bands?”
• “How often do I have to wear my retainer?”
• “How often should I brush and floss my teeth?”
• “How is my hygiene?”
• “What are the different types of braces?”
• “Are there special mouth guards for my braces or my appliances?”
• “Will my teeth stay straight forever?”

These questions or any other questions you can think of, we would be more than happy to answer. You can ask us during your next appointment or by giving our office a call. Happy Monday!

-Dr. Rooney and team

If you recently completed treatment at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Rooney will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always 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 by Dr. Rooney is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Rooney, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist that serves the greater Mahopac NY area, Dr. Rooney started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Rooney decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.

Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Rooney or visit the article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.

Good luck!

Your friends at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics

Sleep disorders are fairly common, with around 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder, and some of these progressing to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems.

Those under the age of 4 (large tonsils) and those between the ages of 55 to 59 are the most susceptible to sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms, and as it worsens it can lead to full airway blockage while you sleep, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.

Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that if left untreated can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. It can also take a toll on your overall energy level, as sleep apnea causes an ongoing state of fatigue.

There are several different approaches to sleep apnea treatment, including:

• Surgery to the jaws or airway tissue to open the airway. This is typically only used in the most severe cases.
• Continuous airway pressure therapy which involves a mask and machine (CPAP machine) to keep your throat muscles and tissue open while sleeping
• Oral appliance therapy, a less intrusive method involving a customized oral device that positions your jaw in a favorable position to keep your airway open while you sleep.

If you suspect that you may suffer from a sleep disorder or sleep apnea, give Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics a call and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist.

-- Dr. Rooney and Team

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? Dr. Rooney’s office believes the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

-Happy New Year, from your friends at the office of Dr. Sean M. Rooney

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Everyone here at Dr. Sean M. Rooney Orthodontics understands that with holiday goodies everywhere you look, keeping your braces clean is exceptionally difficult this time of year. But keep in mind, making sure you properly clean your teeth is even more important when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these tips:

One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Also, check out the Life With Braces page on our website for more useful information. We hope this helps!

- Dr. Rooney and Team

When considering treatment options, patients often ask Dr. Rooney and our staff how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign at Rooney Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, give us a call to learn more. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!

At the office of Dr. Rooney, nobody is “too old” for braces! In fact, we read a fascinating statistic recently: adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! Of course, braces help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Rooney can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation at our office. Please give us a call at (845) 621-1222 to set one up and have a wonderful rest of the week!

We want to hear what your favorite video games are so we can add them to our waiting room! Let us know what your favorite Playstation 2, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii games are by either posting it on our Facebook page or by coming into the office and adding it to our list at the front desk! Once we get enough answers we will go out and purchase some new games for you to enjoy!

- Dr. Rooney and team

Let’s face it: sports related injuries are common among kids, let alone teens with braces. In a 2009 survey, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest fear is that their child will get hurt while playing organized sports.

If you play any sports, it’s important that you consult Dr. Rooney for special precautions, including wearing a mouth guard, which is advised for playing sports such as football, basketball, hockey, wrestling, volleyball, or even touch-football in the backyard.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances are damaged, please schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. And don’t forget to ask us – Dr. Rooney will provide a mouth guard for any patient in treatment!

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call or ask us on Facebook if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment!

Happy Monday, and enjoy the rest of the week!

November is here, and—believe it or not—we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before we forget about the spooky month that just wrapped up, we’d like to know how you celebrated Halloween! What did you wear? Did you have fun?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or feel free to post them on our Facebook page! We hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!

Before you go: Have you been in for a dental checkup lately? It’s important that you see your dentist as well as visiting Dr. Rooney during your orthodontic treatment. If you have questions about your treatment or just want some general information, give us a call or stop by for a visit! Happy Monday!

This upcoming Thursday - October 28th, don't be surprised if you see Dr. Rooney walking around your school and peeking into your classroom!

On Thursday, Dr. Rooney, Jen and Denise are going to visit Austin Road Elementary School to talk about National Orthodontic Health Month. Dr. Rooney and staff will talk to the kids about having good oral hygiene, and about getting braces. He will also discuss oral health problems to watch out for at an early age.

Be sure to write down your questions for us, and Dr. Rooney will be happy to answer! See you on Thursday!!

We hope you're having a great Monday!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have included information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly Halloween recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while wearing braces.

Dr. Sean Rooney and our staff recommend you check out the AAO's website as well for helpful tips on keeping your braces in tip-top shape. If you have any follow-up questions, please feel free to give us a call at 845-621-1222, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Rooney during your visit at our convenient Mahopac office!

Have a great rest of the week!

Dr. Rooney just completed the Ironman Syracuse 70.3 - the race consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. We had a raffle in the office for the patients to take a guess of how long it would take Dr. Rooney to complete it. One of our patients, Carissa was lucky enough to guess it right on the dot! She guessed 5 hours and 36 minutes and won a $50 visa gift card and a T-shirt! Great job, Carissa!