Not sure if you are a good candidate for braces? There are several different factors that may affect whether you can get braces or aligners—and whether you need them. The…
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At Dougherty Orthodontics, we love to stay involved in our community. Each year we participate in events helping local schools, libraries, hospitals, and fundraisers in the greater St. Louis area—including...
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Tooth displacement is most common in kids age 7–10, due to the elasticity of the bone at this age. If your child’s tooth is knocked out or broken, it’s very…
Happy Halloween from Dougherty Orthodontics! Looking for fun ways to celebrate Halloween 2018 with the whole family? Here’s a list of fun, kid friendly Halloween events in and around St....
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After your braces are removed, your teeth will continue to shift with age—unless you wear your retainer for life. Permanent retainers are one option to consider to maintain your perfect…
An impacted tooth is one that is stuck in the bone and has not come in (or erupted) by a certain age—or one that is erupting in the wrong direction…
A crossbite is when the jaw shifts to one side, causing some of the upper teeth bite down on the inside of the lower teeth. If your child has this...
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The demand for teeth whitening (a.k.a. bleaching) is high—even among orthodontic patients. In a nationwide survey, nearly 90% of AAO orthodontists said they had patients who requested teeth whitening. Many...
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We are proud to announce that Dougherty Orthodontics is the first office in St. Louis to offer the iTero Element 2 3D scanner for impressionless treatment with Invisalign! Here at…
With proper swallowing, the tip of the tongue pushes against the gum above the back of the upper front teeth. If you have a tongue thrust, that means your tongue…
We’ve had several people ask, “I heard I could save a lot of money by getting clear aligners similar to Invisalign online…what’s the catch?” Well, there is a catch—and it’s…
Summer vacation is here! Are you planning a family trip with an orthodontic patient in tow? Make sure you have all the supplies you need to keep your child’s braces…
Many patients want to know if they can get braces on the top teeth only. If you’re happy with your bottom teeth, you may be a candidate for one-arch or…
Summer vacation is nearly here for St. Louis County schools! You may have heard that summer is the best time of year to get braces. Ultimately, the best time to…
Looking for good places to take your kids out to eat in the St. Louis area? As the mother of two young boys, Dr. Dougherty knows lots of good spots…
It is very common (and totally normal!) for babies and young children to suck on pacifiers, fingers, or other objects. But if these oral habits go on past a certain…
The three main components of braces are the brackets, archwires, and ligatures. Some patients will also need to wear rubber bands with braces. Also known as interarch rubber bands or…
Especially during cold and flu season, we get a lot of questions about how to disinfect your retainer. There are a few different ways that you can disinfect your retainer…
Do you suspect that your child may need braces? Bring them in for a free braces consultation at Dougherty Orthodontics! Our caring and passionate team will give you a warm...
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Don’t let online ads for DIY teeth straightening products fool you. There’s no such thing as an at-home, quick-fix, or one-size-fits-all solution for a perfect smile. The moving of teeth...
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Do you suspect that your child may need braces or other orthodontic treatment? There are many different reasons to see an orthodontist, including crooked teeth, gaps, and jaw problems. Keep…
Usually when people think of braces, they think of the traditional metal braces with metal wires and brackets. But that’s not the only choice available. With today’s technology, you have...
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If you have braces (or you’re about to get them), you may already be looking forward to the day they’ll come off. Then your beautiful, straight, sparkling smile will be…
Fall sports are starting up in St. Louis County schools! As your kids return to the field for football, soccer, field hockey, and other activities, make sure that safety…
If your child is about to get braces, you are probably wondering what to expect as far as discomfort. Your son or daughter may ask, “What does it feel like…
Losing baby teeth is a big milestone that many kids look forward to. Around the time your child enters kindergarten or first grade, he or she may start asking,…
Are you a new orthodontic patient? Regular checkups and adjustments are an important part of your treatment. One question that new patients frequently have is, “How often do I…
Are you interested in straightening your teeth with clear Invisalign® aligner trays? Whether you are considering Invisalign treatment or your treatment has already begun, you may have questions about how…
Retainers are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. After the braces are removed, you need to wear your retainer for life to maintain your perfect smile and keep your…
Good oral hygiene is super important during orthodontic treatment. Even after your braces are taken off, you still need to clean and care for your retainer—the orthodontic appliance that keeps…
The short answer is: Yes! Make sure your child always wears a mouthguard with braces while playing sports. April is National Facial Protection Month, and spring sports are in full…
Did you recently get braces? Many new orthodontic patients are anxious about having their braces tightened every 6 to 8 weeks during treatment. Rest assured, this process is a lot…
Is it possible to fix your overbite without headgear? Yes! Traditional headgear has long been the “gold standard” for fixing an overbite. However, at Dougherty Orthodontics in St. Louis, we…
Many patients are referred to an orthodontist because their “bite is off.” What does it mean when your dentist says that you have an “abnormal” or “imperfect” bite? What is…
Do you have braces or think you (or your child) may need them? If so, you’re probably wondering, “How long do braces take?” This post provides info to help answer…
Time to get your braces off? Congrats! Having your braces taken off is definitely a cause for celebration. However, your orthodontic care is not over. After braces come retainers. Retainers…
Happy New Year from Dougherty Orthodontics! Our resolution for the new year is to keep bringing you helpful info regarding your child’s orthodontic treatment. As always, our goal is to…
Parents often have questions regarding their children’s orthodontic health—including questions about if and when they need braces, how to care for braces, and other orthodontic issues. We’ve covered many parental…
Happy Holidays from Dougherty Orthodontics! If you’re an orthodontic patient, it’s important to note that some traditional holiday treats are not safe for your braces. You may be wondering, “What…
Happy Thanksgiving from Dougherty Orthodontics! With the big feast just around the corner, you may be wondering if it’s okay to indulge in all of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes during…
A frequently asked question that many parents have is, “Does my child need baby teeth removed?” Baby teeth, or primary teeth, typically fall out on their own. However, from time…
Halloween is just around the corner! At Dougherty Orthodontics, we love Halloween. But we know that it can be challenging for patients with braces. Loose brackets (or loose braces) are…
Did you know that October is National Orthodontic Health Month? At Dougherty Orthodontics, we believe that orthodontic treatment (when necessary) is extremely important. The benefits of braces go beyond straight…
Orthodontic observation visits (a.k.a. recall visits) typically take less than 15 minutes—causing some parents to wonder whether these brief check-in appointments are really needed. At Dougherty Orthodontics, we understand that…
Due to recent news stories in publications like The New York Times, there is a myth floating around that “flossing may be overrated.” Such reports have lead many people…
True orthodontic emergencies are very rare. However, occasionally an emergency situation will arise, and it may be necessary to schedule an emergency visit to the orthodontist. If you have a…
How can you tell if your kid has orthodontic problems or if they will need braces? The best way is to bring them in for their first orthodontic checkup no...
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What if we told you that you could essentially cut your orthodontic treatment time in half? Well, with AcceleDent®, you can! AcceleDent is an FDA-cleared, class II medical device clinically…
Many parents have questions when it comes to their child’s orthodontic treatment. “Why do some kids need braces while others don’t?” “I had braces as a child. Does that mean…
School is out, and students all across St. Louis County and St. Louis City are enjoying a nice, hot summer vacation. Without the daily routine of school and homework, it…
Orthodontic Staff Appreciation Week 2016 takes place this week, June 6–10. In honor of the occasion, we wanted to share a little bit about each of our staff members and…
Generally, the best age for braces is between 9 and 14. But did you know that your child may benefit from braces as early as age 7? Some children are…
Good oral hygiene is super important when you have braces. That includes brushing three times a day and flossing daily throughout orthodontic treatment. Flossing with braces can be tricky. But…
Hidden braces are a great choice for teens and adults who wish to maintain a clear, confident smile throughout orthodontic treatment. Some people may feel shy or embarrassed about wearing…
April is National Facial Protection Month. With spring sports starting up, it’s the perfect time to remind patients about the importance of wearing mouth guards. Whether you have braces…
Happy World Oral Health Day! In honor of this occasion, we’ve put together some information about the importance of dental health and hygiene. We’ve also provided some tips to help…
Permanent retainers, also known as fixed or bonded retainers, are a highly effective solution for maintaining straight teeth and a beautiful smile after braces. Keep reading to learn about the…
Cookie season for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is currently underway! Girl Scout Cookies will be for sale at booths throughout St. Louis and the surrounding areas in February…
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. In honor of this occasion, the Dougherty Orthodontics team has been visiting St. Louis County schools to teach kids about good dental health…
Do you still need to visit your dentist while wearing braces? Yes! If you have braces, it’s more important than ever to visit your dentist for teeth cleanings. On top…
Retainers are extremely important for maintaining straight teeth after braces. How long do you need to wear your retainer? The best answer is forever. Keep reading to learn why it’s…
Happy Holidays from Dougherty Orthodontics! Remember Hermey the Elf from the classic Christmas special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Hermey is a “misfit” elf who would rather practice dentistry than…
It’s the season for giving! At Dougherty Orthodontics, we like to stay involved in the St. Louis community and help others when we can. One way we give back…
If your child is showing signs of bite problems or crooked or crowded teeth, you may be wondering: What is the best age for braces? In previous posts, we’ve…
Congrats to Dr. Dougherty on the arrival of her new baby! To celebrate, we’d like to share a few baby pictures and answer some questions about baby teeth. One question…
October is a month for trick-or-treats and candy, but eating Halloween candy with braces is tricky. There are many candies to avoid during orthodontic treatment. In honor of National…
October is National Dental Hygiene Month. In honor of this occasion, we’d like to share some information on good oral health practices and let you know about our Gorgeous Grins…
Pain from braces is normal for orthodontic patients, but you don’t have to live in agony. Relieve your discomfort by following these helpful pain management tips! At Dougherty Orthodontics, we…
Did you know you can help your school by getting braces? At Dougherty Orthodontics, we give back to schools with our Community Education Outreach program! We offer $25 school…
School is back in session for St. Louis students! Does your child need braces this year? If so, you are probably wondering how much braces cost. At Dougherty Orthodontics,…
With so much rain in St. Louis this summer, you may be spending a lot of time at the movie theater. Make your orthodontist proud by skipping the popcorn!…
Why switch from a manual to an electric toothbrush? Electric brushes are simply more effective at removing plaque and keeping your teeth clean and healthy. If you read our…
Oral hygiene is extremely important, especially for people with braces. Why is it so essential to learn how to brush properly with braces? Brackets and wires have a lot of…
Clear braces are a very attractive yet somewhat pricey option for patients of all ages. That’s why we are offering free clear upper braces this summer! Clear brackets are…
Last month we held our annual Hygiene Night event to celebrate the importance of oral hygiene and to provide continuing education for St. Louis hygienists. Thanks to the 30 hygienists…