At our office, we know image can be everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.
One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a consultation at our office. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a consultation?
We invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation or ask us on Facebook!
We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Last Sunday marked Earth Day, so today we thought we would discuss some of the things we do to conserve our natural resources and the environment.
Our office is digitalized, which means we can operate without the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials. The information in our office can be sent and processed digitally, which is also more efficient. We take all of the steps possible to be a 'green' office, making us better for the planet and more convenient for our patients.
We would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or post on our Facebook page!
Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.
We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!
Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!
Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Nirenblatt.
In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of famous faces with braces. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give Nirenblatt Orthodontics a call.
Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Dr. Nirenblatt has prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. We will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.
If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful!
Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile.
We’ve rolled out our new Facebook Timeline page and would love for you to check it out! You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout. When you connect with us on Facebook, you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!
In fact, you will get all of the updates about our current contests at Nirenblatt Orthodontics! We have different monthly contests in our offices, and for the month of March the contest is: How many gold coins are in the jar? The winner will receive 4 tickets to Magnolia Gardens and 5 smile tokens! Stop by the office and make a guess.
Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt and the team at Nirenblatt Orthodontics strive to provide our patients with only the best in orthodontic care in a friendly and fun environment. Our patients can expect to be treated courteously, be seen on time, complete treatment as promised, and have all their questions and concerns addressed. Today we wanted to answer a couple of commonly asked questions that we receive at the office:
What do we expect out of our patients?
• Cooperation
• Being on time for their appointments
• Communicate with us and let us know if there are any questions or concerns that you are having
How can patients improve the way they approach treatment?
• For patients to be well informed and to visit our website, which includes a lot of information on all the different options for treatment.
How can Doctor-Patient relationships improve?
Just getting to know us better and communicating with us more so that we can really learn about the patient and get to know each other.
What qualities make for a great patient?
• Responsibility
• Cooperation
• A positive attitude
• Patience
Have another question? Just ask! You can contact us at the office or visit us on Facebook.
Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt and our team know having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step—or two—as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re 14 or in your late forties. Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, doing it often can even help you live longer, according to previous studies!
If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment at Nirenblatt Orthodontics. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile! Dr. Nirenblatt offers a variety of orthodontic treatments, all customized to create the best results possible. As an Invisalign® Preferred Provider, he has worked with hundreds of patients to help them achieve a straight smile without sacrificing aesthetics and convenience. In addition to Invisalign and Invisalign Teen™, Dr. Nirenblatt also offers traditional clear braces, In-Ovation® Lingual Braces, temporary anchorage devices, and Tip-Edge Plus System of braces.
Don’t hide your smile any longer—give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s orthodontic consultation.
Nirenblatt Orthodontics, serving North Charleston and the surrounding areas, strives to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?
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Many folks consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2012? Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!
It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.
Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health—we want to hear from you! After all, we know your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.
The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2011 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2012? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?
At Nirenblatt Orthodontics, we know maintaining a healthy diet over the holiday season can prove a difficult task. After all, who can resist the tasty treats of Christmas? With grandma and everybody else offering you candy, chocolate logs or Christmas pudding, you just can’t say “I’ll pass” each time. But trouble lurks: every time you chow down on that chocolate or candy, the bacteria in your mouth have a feast on the sugar—at your expense. The sugar turns into acid, and the acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth and between your braces. Then, you start getting cavities.
Instead, try fudgy cocoa bites, marvelous molasses cookies, wonderful waffles or other braces-friendly recipes, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, and “The Braces Cookbook” by Pamela Waterman.
If you must indulge in chocolaty goodness this Christmas or holiday season, remember to brush your teeth after eating sugary treats. Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!
At Nirenblatt Orthodontics, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth during orthodontic treatment, courtesy of WebMD.
Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.
Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.
Also, evading a trip to the dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by your dentist, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth while wearing braces.
You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.
Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!
Whether you just began your orthodontic treatment at Nirenblatt Orthodontics and have a follow-up question for Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt or team, or if you’d simply like to drop us a quick line, we’d love to hear from you! We love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook page.
Please visit Dr. Nirenblatt and our team on the following networks:
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt and our entire staff at Nirenblatt Orthodontics wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.
We also want to extend a special "Thank You" to all of our military families and to those who are serving in our armed forces overseas and at home. We are so thankful for your service. Our office wishes you a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.
There are a variety of foods Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt 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 the brackets on your braces. 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 Nirenblatt Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit.
Nirenblatt Orthodontics is excited to announce that we will be participating in the Warm Feet Happy Hearts donation program. It is a ministry dedicated to providing socks to children so that their feet are warm and their hearts are happy this winter. We will have a donation box available at our North Charleston office, but we will be accepting sock donations for those in need at either location.
Donations of packages of new socks (all sizes) are gladly accepted and appreciated. To learn more about Warm Feet Happy Hearts, visit their website. Last year the program collected 5,184 pairs of socks!
Thank you in advance for helping us support this wonderful cause!
Some people ask why Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt and our team work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly-aligned teeth, but did you know that having straight teeth can also keep them healthier? In fact, straight teeth collect less plaque which make them less prone to decay and easier to keep clean! Flossing and other good dental health habits are also much easier when teeth are straight. With straight teeth leading to better oral hygiene, you are increasing your odds of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!
If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give Nirenblatt Orthodontics a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Nirenblatt can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt was recently named an Invisalign Premier Preferred Provider, one of the few in South Carolina! He is also one of the few Invisalign Teen experienced orthodontists.
So how does Invisalign Teen work, you ask? Much in the same fashion as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!
Also, Invisalign Teen and Radio Disney have teamed up for the Straight Up Celebration Sweepstakes! The Grand Prize is a trip for 4 to the Radio Disney Holiday Concert in Celebration, FL December 8-11. The winner will receive: Four roundtrip flights, four VIP tickets, first class hotel accommodations, and ground transportation! To enter and see the other prizes, visit the Invisalign website. Enter for your chance to win by November 6th!
If you have been considering the Invisalign or Invisalign Teen treatments, give our office a call!
"Today’s orthodontists have numerous types of brackets and prescriptions from which to choose. Our choice depends on what product we feel works best in our hands and will give us the best results for our patients. On the business side of our practices, we want a bracket that is reasonably priced, made of high quality materials, efficient in that it requires fewer appointments and is easy to finish cases with.
I was first exposed to Tip Edge brackets during my residency at Columbia University in 1990 and for more than 10 years, I have chosen the Tip Edge Plus bracket to meet these stringent requirements. Because of its small, single-wing design the Plus Bracket System has plenty of inter-bracket width, allowing engagement of crowded teeth early on and easily in treatment.
Because of its unique propeller design, the Plus Brackets allow me to begin correction of my patients’ malocclusion using light, two-ounce elastics from the day my patients get banded. Whether patients present with a Class II, Class III, deep bite, or open bite I begin correcting from day one when they are in the most motivated to see change happen. Rapid and early correction occurs because the Plus Bracket allows the tooth to tip in the direction I want, giving me greater control over the final outcome.
One of the nicest things about using the Plus Bracket is the elimination of most bite jumpers, use of strong Class II elastics and headgear to correct Class II malocclusions. From a patient’s standpoint, this is one less bulky and awkward device they need to keep in their mouths or keep up with. Proper dental hygiene is also much easier to achieve without bulky appliances and hygienists from referring offices are much happier when they see my patients maintaining proper oral hygiene. The elimination of these appliances reduces overhead, is more comfortable for the patient and simplifies day-to-day practice operations allowing us to see more patients with fewer appointments. Also, emergency visits are reduced when fewer appliances are used. It’s a win-win situation for both patient and doctor as we see lower overhead and they spend less time in the chair."
To learn more about Tip-Edge Brackets, contact us at Nirenblatt Orthodontics, or ask Dr. Nirenblatt during your next appointment! Take a look at the Tip-Edge Brackets before and after photos from our office below:
Date: October 15, 2011 Where: Park Circle in North Charleston Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
This year there will be a fun walk, games, food, live music and activities for pets and their families. The event will also feature local animal experts and veterinarians who will be on hand to answer questions related to animal health. Be sure to check out the variety of educational exhibits with many different animals, vendors from all around the Lowcountry, and lots of treats for animals and their owners.
"This one day festival will raise money to save countless animals lives, help feed and provide medical care for hundreds of animals, provide a day for education and family togetherness, and bring the community together toward a common cause."
To learn more about the event and how you can donate, visit the website of the Charleston Animal Society. We look forward to seeing you there!
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 Nirenblatt Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.
• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.
• 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.
There are so many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment at Nirenblatt Orthodontics. You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and protect your mouth and appliances from being damaged. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment? Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement.
Fluoride used in the dentist and orthodontist's office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask your doctor how to purchase professional strength fluoride). A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Your doctor may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.
When choosing your own fluoride product, be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!
Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Nirenblatt. 
Many folks consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2012? 
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Some people ask why Dr. Bradley Nirenblatt and our team work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly-aligned teeth, but did you know that having straight teeth can also keep them healthier? In fact, straight teeth collect less plaque which make them less prone to decay and easier to keep clean! Flossing and other good dental health habits are also much easier when teeth are straight. With straight teeth leading to better oral hygiene, you are increasing your odds of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!
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 
There are so many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment at 