Author: Dr. Laurie McNamara

Innovation is at the forefront of the orthodontic industry, constantly driving change and growth. New technologies and practices are emerging all the time, so it’s essential to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in orthodontics to ensure you’re receiving the best possible care. If you’re interested in staying informed about the most recent advancements in Read More

How often do I need to wear my Invisalign? Adjust my expander? Wear rubber bands, retainers, or mouthguards? These questions and more are some of our most asked questions during treatment. The short answer is that if you wear these appliances and are diligent with your oral health, your treatment will progress easier. Your compliance Read More

If you’re a reader of our blog, you know that orthodontic treatment benefits our patients in many ways that may not be immediately obvious. Most people who seek orthodontic treatment focus on a crooked bite, crowded teeth, or a smile they are generally unhappy with. While we certainly love giving every one of our patients Read More

Orthodontics is often thought of as a way to improve the alignment and appearance of your teeth, but did you know that it can also benefit your respiratory health? Your orthodontist is specially trained to identify and treat a range of issues beyond just your teeth, including respiratory disorders like asthma and sleep apnea. In Read More

For those of us who haven’t gone to school for dentistry or orthodontics, some of the terms your provider may use can be a bit confusing. As a patient it’s important to understand how different parts of the mouth work together to create healthy teeth. From the jaw up to the tooth, each part inside Read More

Having a pearly white smile is often a top concern our patients bring to our office. One of the most common questions we get as orthodontists during braces treatment is whether white spots on the teeth are to be expected. Even our patients who don’t have braces are concerned about maintaining a clean white smile. Read More

Invisalign is awesome; it gives you an amazing smile without anyone ever noticing it doing its hard work. Mild soreness after switching your Invisalign trays is completely normal but uncomfortable. To help you manage any invisalign pain, here are a few tips from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics. Read More

Getting braces, or any orthodontic appliance is a daunting life change. At the end of your appointment or evaluation, your orthodontists, such as the experienced team at McNamara Orthodontics, including Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara, will ask you if you have any questions, and as a new patient, it’s sometimes hard Read More

If you read health blogs or follow a fitness influencer, you know vitamins and minerals are an essential part of your health. But vitamins are good for more than keeping your energy up or gut health, they are hugely important to good oral health as well. Vitamins are preventative measures for common oral health issues. Read More

Sugar, acid, and foods that stay in your mouth for longer than necessary are all guilty of worsening your oral health. From dissolving enamel and promoting negative bacteria growth to downright decay, there are some foods you should be sure to moderate or take out of your diet altogether. Keep reading to learn more from Read More

There are so many things to make sure you have in your bags when you travel. It can be easy to forget about your teeth in the process. When traveling with Invisalign, it’s important to plan for time away from home adequately. Especially since Invisalign isn’t attached to your teeth!  When you’re somewhere unfamiliar and Read More

To ensure your teeth and mouth are healthy, you should visit a dentist at least once every six months, just like you have a health check with your general practitioner every year. In most dental checkups, your dentist will do a thorough checkup on your teeth and gums, followed by a dental cleaning.   What Read More

Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, so they are much less noticeable when you wear them. Invisalign treatment is custom-designed for each patient, so the aligners are precisely engineered to move your teeth into the correct position. Invisalign Read More

The first week with new braces can be tough. You may experience some pain and discomfort as your teeth and mouth adjust to the new hardware. It’s important to take it easy and give yourself time to adjust. We want to make your journey to a beautiful smile easy and painless, so here are a Read More

So, you’ve finally gotten your braces off, finished your Invisalign, and you’re done with the orthodontist. Not so fast – after treatment, you’ll be fitted with a retainer to keep that smile perfect for years to come. Get the answers to frequently asked questions about retainers and maintaining a healthy smile after receiving orthodontic treatment Read More

Many of our patients are student athletes or have a sport they love. After getting braces, many of these sports-enthusiasts wonder if they’ll have to take a break from their games and practices. We’ve all heard horror stories of sports injuries, even worse witnessed one ourselves. Playing sports during orthodontic treatment is 100% possible! The Read More

For many children losing teeth is an exciting rite of passage. Another xciting rite of passage is starting orthodontic treatment. And, a question we get from parents bringing in children for s first evaluation is whether or not they can even get started with all of their missing teeth. It’s common to wonder if your Read More

Choosing your orthodontist, and by extension, what your options are for years of orthodontic treatment and appointments, is no small feat. One of the deciding factors in this decision is which types of tooth movement your orthodontist has available. Traditional braces, self-ligating braces, or even Invisalign are all options. With so much innovation in the Read More

At some point during your treatment, something will go wrong with your braces. At home, on vacation, or running on a sports field, it can spark fear to feel your braces start to break. These orthodontic “emergencies” are actually relatively minor, even if they don’t seem that way at the moment! Your orthodontist is well Read More

“How long do braces take?” is the most common question we’re asked by patients. People want to know how long they’ll have to make room in their life for their braces – it’s understandable. Braces are hard to brush and floss around, they come with food restrictions, and they can be a source of embarrassment Read More