Burning Invisalign questions, with Dr. Stein

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns!

Dr. Jeffrey Stein, and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment from our office


How exactly does Invisalign work?
Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.


Will I experience pain during treatment?
Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.


Can other people see that I'm in treatment?
One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.


Can I smoke during treatment?
We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.


Are there any foods I shouldn’t eat while in treatment?
You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.


What about chewing gum?
We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.


How often must I wear my aligners?
Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.


Will my speech be affected by the aligners?
As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.


How do I clean my aligners?
The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.


How often must I visit the office during treatment?
For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. We will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.


If you have additional questions about the Invisalign treatment, please give our office a call, or visit us on Facebook!

In love with your new smile? Tell us about it!

Happy Holidays! Palm Harbor orthodontist, Dr. Jeffrey Stein, and our team strive to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?

Share your story with the world!

Just select the "Review Us on Google Places" button above to write a review on our Google Place Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you,

-Dr. Stein and team

What helps you or your child relax at Dr. Stein's office?

Dr. Jeffrey Stein understands not everyone is always thrilled to see the orthodontist. But he wants you, our wonderful patients, to know that our team strives to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit to Braces by Stein. We’d like to know: What is it about our Palm Harbor and New Port Richey office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Stein himself?

Let us know by posting on Facebook or by giving us a call! Have a great weekend and Happy Holidays!

Invisalign and your oral health, from Dr. Stein

When considering treatment options in Palm Harbor and New Port Richey, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Braces by Stein 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, please give us a call for a free Orthodontic consultation. In fact, if you begin treatment by Dec. 31, we will reduce your treatment by $300.

Have a great weekend!

Staying connected with Braces by Stein

At Braces by Stein, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative orthodontic treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Stein and our team take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ at Braces by Stein

Did you know Dr. Jeffrey Stein offers Invisalign clear braces for teens in Palm Harbor & New Port Richey? Originally available only for adults, Invisalign Teen is a great way for teenagers to straighten their teeth without anyone having to know!

Check out the above video about Invisalign aligners, which are comfortable, easily removable, easy to clean and are nearly undetectable by their friends. More and more teenagers are taking the step to straighter teeth because they can now do it a lot more comfortably and a lot easier - even teen heartthrob Justin Bieber is wearing Invisalign Teen!

And, no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at Dr. Stein's office getting adjustments.

Connect with Dr. Stein & team on Facebook!

At Braces by Stein, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in Palm Harbor and New Port Richey and surrounding communities in Florida. Even if you only see us for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with Dr. Stein and staff on our Facebook page?

We invite you to “like” us at Facebook.com/JeffreySteinDDS. We share office news and updates on our Fan Page, so we encourage you to check us out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook and have a great weekend,

- Dr. Stein and team

Dr. Stein shares 10 tips to keep your braces sparklin' clean

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces, says Dr. Jeffrey Stein. 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 top ten tips:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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!

Have a fantastic three-day weekend!

Dr. Jeffrey Stein and staff, supporting the Joshua House of Tampa

At Braces by Stein, we are busy collecting school supplies for the Joshua House of Tampa, which we know is a safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected children. With five homes on 11 acres, Joshua House promotes growth, stability, and support specific to each child’s need.

Items needed include:
- Erasers
- Highlighters
- Rulers
- Three-ring Notebooks
- College Ruled Paper
- Scientific Calculators
- Pencils and Pens
- Mechanical pencils
- Pocket Dictionaries
- Fun and funky backpacks for teenage girls
- College Ruled Notebooks: Single Subject and 5 Subject
- Pocket Folders - with and without prongs

We have boxes set up in both our Palm Harbor and New Port Richey offices. Thank you for all your support and have a fantastic weekend.

Share your experience at Braces by Stein with the world!

As one of the best orthodontists in Palm Harbor and New Port Richey, Dr. Jeffrey Stein makes that smile possible. He combines the newest technology in orthodontic appliances, as well as expert training, all in a friendly, caring environment to give you or your child a straight, beautiful smile and the best orthodontic experience. Dr. Stein specializes in Invisalign invisible braces, as well as traditional braces.

Whether you've visited Braces by Stein for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Stein create more beautiful smiles in Tampa, Palm Harbor, New Port Richey and surrounding communities here in Hillsborough County.

You may write a review here or here.

Thank you and enjoy your week! Dr. Stein and team look forward to reading your reviews!

Dr. Stein, reminding you Mother's Day is around the corner!

You love your mom. Who doesn't?

Dr. Stein and team thought we'd remind our wonderful patients that this coming Sunday (May 9) is Mother's Day, a special day for all of us. Everybody looks forward to Mother's Day to let our mom know how special she is to us. The day is observed by giving gifts, visiting our moms or taking them out to celebrate.

Tell us, what are you planning on mom's special day this Sunday?

If you're out of ideas, check out this helpful video about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas, courtesy of Good Morning America. Whatever you come up with, Dr. Andersen and team are sure mom will love it!

"Hey, Dr. Stein! When should my kid come in for a visit?"

Many parents in New Port Richey and Palm Harbor assume they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. Stein, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started sooner. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct while the jaw is still growing. Consequently, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

That's right - you read that correctly: age seven.

So, what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Stein to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what Dr. Stein calls “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides at least two positive outcomes for our young patients: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

10 Facebook tips for parents

We know many parents tend to sign up for Facebook accounts and ‘friend’ their kids, often as a way to keep an eye on their online activities. But then what? Most parents in this digital age are still lost when it comes to monitoring their kids online.

Last fall, parenting author Vicki Courtney wrote a helpful post on the things parents should and shouldn’t do while on Facebook. Dr. Stein and our team thought you might benefit from reading Vicki’s interesting piece.

Here is the list of the Top Ten Facebook No-Nos for Parents, designed specifically for those moms and dads who aren’t sure whether they’ve crossed the line in monitoring their kids’ presence online.

We hope you find this article informational. Please let us know what you think!

Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Jeffrey Stein

Nearly 60,000 people injure their faces annually while participating in sports activities, and teenagers account for 80 percent of all sports-related trips to the emergency room. And for Dr. Stein and team, that's simply not acceptable.

You see, April happens to be National Facial Protection Month, and it’s a good time to remind our young athletes about staying safe on the field this spring. The above video from our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists outlines some basic ways you can save face this April and spring.

Dr. Stein will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these AAO tips, please contact our office. Have a great weekend!