Plano TX orthodontist

The number one goal of orthodontic treatment is to give you or your child a good bite, meaning straight teeth that work well with the teeth in the opposite jaw. A good bite makes it easier for you to eat, chew, and speak. It can enhance your dental health and your overall health, and may well improve your self-esteem. As a part of your comprehensive dental health care plan, orthodontic treatment can help you retain you teeth—and your smile—for a lifetime.

Let your smile express yourself! Nothing can show the world how happy you are quite like a beautiful smile. In fact, it’s one of the first things others notice about you, too. With orthodontics, you can be proud to flash your smile, because you’ll know that your smile truly represents your positive attitude.

Make your mouth healthy! Straight teeth aren’t just pretty, they’re healthy as well. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean, reducing the amount of plaque buildup and risk for gingivitis. The cleaner you keep your teeth, the longer they’ll last!

Feel free to live your life! Orthodontics is easier today than ever before, with treatment options that fit your lifestyle and schedule. From clear braces to removable aligners and totally invisible lingual (behind the teeth) braces, we can personalize your treatment to suit all your needs.

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon 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 Like 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!

See you on Facebook!

Drs. Mark Geller and Glenn Cohen 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 Geller and Cohen Orthodontics. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile!

Don’t hide your smile any longer—give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s orthodontic consultation.

Trust us when we say Drs. Mark Geller and Glenn Cohen and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call or find us on Facebook!

If you recently completed treatment at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Drs. Mark Geller and Glenn Cohen will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers 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 Drs. Geller and Cohen is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

If you ever sustain damage to your braces and need to call Geller and Cohen 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!

With summer in full swing, some of us at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development and warding off the dreaded “summer slide.” Plus, it's fun!

Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff and Drs. Mark Geller and Glenn Cohen would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

According to the American Dental Association, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, which is why it's important for our team at Geller & Cohen Orthodontics to support National Smile Month this June.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss every day to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen.
* Visit your dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call.

How are you spending your summer? Whether you're road tripping near Plano and Dallas, or flying overseas, we want to hear about it! That's why our office will be hosting our "Where in the World is Geller & Cohen Orthodontics?" summer contest.To enter, simply share a photo of you on vacation wearing your GCO t-shirt. You can email photos to kelly@gellerandcohenortho.com or share them with us on Facebook. We will be selecting our contest winner on August 16, 2011, so don't delay in submitting your photos. Safe travels!

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Earth Day is this Friday, April 22nd, and we thought this would a great time to discuss the things that Geller and Cohen Orthodontics does to conserve our natural resources and the environment. Did you know that we offer patients account access 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Our office has convenient and secure online services with Sesame 24-7™. Patients can also receive appointment reminders through email or text messages. Since this information is submitted electronically, we eliminate the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials. Dr. Geller, Dr. Cohen and our team would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or you can also visit our Facebook page and post something on our wall.Happy Earth Day!

There are a variety of foods Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen want 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, carrotsAlso, 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 Geller and Cohen Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

When you first come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen when examining your diagnostic records).At your second appointment, Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment.Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

If you recently completed treatment at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Geller and Cohen Orthodontics 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 Drs. Geller and Cohen 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 Drs. Geller and Cohen, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

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. Geller, Dr. Cohen and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics.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 Geller and Cohen Orthodontics during treatment?For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Drs. Geller and Cohen will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That why Dr. Geller, Dr. Cohen and team at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be a great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports. Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.2. Wear a helmet3. Wear protective eyewear4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin5. Be alert, even as a spectatorWe hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Geller and Cohen Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?Have a safe and happy New Year, from Geller and Cohen Orthodontics!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as the team at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics reflects on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2011? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays on our Facebook page. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Hey mom and dad! 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 Geller and Cohen 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.

Do you love trivia? Do you love winning prizes? Our doctors and team at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics are pleased to announce something that you should find enjoyable, Winter Wonderland Trivia! During your next appointment, answer trivia questions and you just might become the proud owner of a brand new iPod touch. The contest runs until February 28, 2011, so make sure and schedule your next visit right away!

If you have any additional questions feel free to contact our office, or you can always comment on the Geller and Cohen Orthodontics Facebook page.

Drs. Geller and Cohen and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to post them on our Facebook page or give us a call!

Gobble Gobble!

Have you had a chance to enter the Geller Orthodontics Super Bowl Trivia Contest? Drs. Geller and Cohen, serving Plano and Dallas, Texas, strive to provide each and every one of our patients with the very highest level of orthodontic and personal care in a communicative and enjoyable environment. Our team works together with you and your family to help you achieve that beautiful smile you deserve. To keep that team spirit alive at our office, we are currently hosting a Super Bowl Triva Contest. The winner will receive four tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game! To enter, visit our Geller Orthodontics contest board for Super Bowl trivia questions.

The Dallas Cowboys game is Sunday, Nov. 12, 2010, so don't miss your chance to win tickets! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule your appointment at Geller Orthodontics.

With summer already in full swing, our staff at Geller Orthodontics wanted to remind our patients about the importance of reading. We know it’s easy to keep putting off reading during the summer, especially with the nice weather and all those family events! But reading during the summer is a vital step in our brain development and warding off that dreaded “summer slide”— plus, reading is fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and Drs. Geller & Cohen - and our staff - would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a librarian here in Plano for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across this week, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Happy Thursday!

Our staff at Geller Orthodontics will tell you that keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you're in orthodontic treatment. 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. You can keep plaque at bay this summer 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. 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 proxy 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!

Hope this helps! We hope you had an AMAZING Fourth of July weekend!

Dr. Geller and Team

One week from today, our staff at Geller Orthodontics - like most Americans - will celebrate America's 234th birthday. For most folks, Independence Day is a time of celebration, and a time to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. It's also a time to pay homage to past, present and future soldiers - brave men and women who continue to place themselves in danger around the world every day so that Americans may celebrate our freedom.

Tell us: what are your Fourth of July plans? Are you heading to a barbecue? Hitting the great open roads of Texas with family? Are you planning on using fireworks to light up the night sky?

Whatever you and your family end up doing over Independence Day weekend, we hope you have a phenomenal upcoming week and a safe (and happy) Fourth of July weekend!

Did you know that patients at Geller Orthodontics have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our helpful website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just take a look at what our patients are saying about this service!

"I most appeciate seeing our account without having to telephone the office and wait to have the information mailed." ~ Robert C.

"Saved time and assured me I had correct appointment times." ~ David C.

"I am able to view my appointment, my pictures and treatment sequence." ~ Ahmad T.

"Paid my bill at my convenience with no check to write, no stamp to buy, etc." ~ Jonathan S.

"I work in information systems at work and use the computer frequently throughout the day. The OS service allows me to check on information without having to make a phone call. This is much quicker and more convenient." ~ Cathy P.

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call at (972)596-4502 if you have any questions about getting started!

Happy Monday!

Geller Orthodontics, located in Plano and serving surrounding communities around Dallas, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each community is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our amazing patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Mark Geller and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Plano? What do you love most about Dallas? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite Texas summer getaway?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods” on our Facebook page!

As summer 2010 quickly approaches, our staff at Geller Orthodontics strives to continue blogging about topics related to braces and your treatment with Plano orthodontists Drs. Geller and Cohen.

To help us continue blogging through the course of the long, hot Texas summer, however, we're very interested in your opinion: What would you like us to focus on our blog this summer? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Geller for a while about your treatment and just haven't found the right time or opportunity? This is your chance! Give us your ideas by posting here on our blog or on our interactive Facebook page!

Our entire staff would also like to wish Dr. Geller a happy, happy birthday!

It is with great pleasure that our team at Geller Orthodontics introduce our new associate, Dr. Glenn T. Cohen.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Dr. Cohen is Dr. Geller's former student at the Orthodontic Residency Program at Baylor College of Dentistry. He has lived in the Dallas area since 2007 with his wife of three years, Staci and their two dogs, Murdoc & Samson.

A proud member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Cohen is also a member of the Southwestern Association of Orthodontists, Texas Association of Orthodontists, the Texas Orthodontic Study Club, Greater Dallas Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, North Texas Dental Society, Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity, Psi Omega and the Dallas Study Club.

Dr. Cohen is an avid sports fan, and also enjoys fitness, cooking and eating.

And now, a word from Dr. Geller:

"For some time, I have been searching for just the right person to join me in practice. I had the the privilege to teach Dr. Cohen in the Orthodontic Residency Program at Baylor College of Dentistry. Dr. Cohen posseses qualities I find extremely important in providing the highest level of orthodontic care. He is extremely conscientious and hard working with superior intellect and excellent clinical skills. He posseses great communication skills and truly cares about his patients' overall health and well being. I look forward to working with Dr. Cohen for many years to come." Dr. Mark Geller

Our team at Geller Orthodontics will tell you there are many, many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment. 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. Dentists and orthodontists use in-office fluoride treatments to help protect the oral health of adults and children undergoing dental/orthodontic procedures.

Fluoride used in the dentist/orthodontists’ office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask Drs. Geller or Cohen 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!

If you know Dr. Geller and our team at Geller Orthodontics, you know we embrace continuing education and adding innovative treatments to our repertoire. That includes reading and being up-to-date on all the latest treatment options and attending important seminars and conferences. One of those important conferences was this weekend's AAO Annual Session in Washington D.C.

Dr. Geller attended this all-important conference, meeting with orthodontists and dental experts across North America and discussing effective treatment options. After all, Geller Orthodontics strives with each and every patient to be the orthodontic team that provides the highest level of orthodontic and personal care in Plano and Dallas.

In addition to being a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, Dr. Geller is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and has served as president of Southwestern Society of Orthodontists, Texas Association of Orthodontists, Greater Dallas Association of Orthodontists and the Plano Dental Society. Dr. Geller is also an active member of the Texas Orthodontic Study Club, Dallas County Dental Society, Baylor College of Dentistry, Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity and is a Fellow at the International College of Dentists.

Isn't it comforting to know you have a complete dental expert taking care of your perfecting your smile? Happy Monday!

By now, you're probably familiar with how our blog process works. Week after week, Dr. Mark Geller and our creative team write about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being, including the innovative orthodontic techniques offered at Geller Orthodontics.

This week, however, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Geller for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our interactive Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

What a great question! When you come in for your consultation at Geller Orthodontics, we will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you. Then, at your next appointment, Dr. Geller will discuss your orthodontic options with you.

Our staff feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that Dr. Geller and our team can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment. If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, we ask that both you and your child attend the consultation. Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you and have a great weekend!!

You may not know it, but eight years ago, Tom Cruise - yes, THE Tom Cruise - had braces. At the time, Cruise was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Just check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise dazzling smile in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, people need to look their best, and it wouldn't be possible without people like Plano orthodontist Dr. Mark Geller.

In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of Hollywood names. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give Geller Orthodontics a call at (972) 596-4502.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!!

Dr. Geller wants to know: is your child brushing his or her pearly whites twice a day? If yes, that’s fantastic! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for your child to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day (and visiting Dr. Geller of course).

If your child will be visiting the dentist for the first time, it’s important to bring them in after their first tooth comes through, and no later than their first birthday. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

If you have any questions about your little ones' dental health, or about your treatment at Geller Orthodontics, please give us a call at (972) 596-4502.

If you recently completed treatment at Geller Orthodontics, our entire team would like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Mark Geller will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers 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 is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Geller instructs otherwise.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practicing speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to them quicker is a good idea.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Try to remember to bring your retainers to your appointments.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team by calling (972) 596-4502 if you have any questions!

Our new spring patient contest is up-and-running! Here's how it works: come into our office, match the nose to the employee and you win an iPod Nano. This contest will run for three months. Feel free to study each nose and try your hardest to guess right. If you have any questions, please give us a call!

GOOD LUCK!

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it's National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Mark Geller and thousands of dentists and orthodontists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, Dr. Geller and our entire team at Geller Orthodontics want you to think obesity and periodontal disease, diabetes and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

We at Geller Orthodontics know small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet:

• Focus on fruits and veggies: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Make calories count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• Think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods here in Plano and surrounding communities.

• Trick yourself with treats: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new health favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!

Social media great, and our team at Geller Orthodontics recognizes that. In fact, Dr. Geller and our entire team love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page.

For social media to work, conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social media is hugely popular these days, we know it is unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Geller and our team take a little time to research and decide 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? Send us your thoughts or give us a call!

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s almost springtime! The spring and summer months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Geller for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball and soccer. Be sure 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 Geller Orthodontics. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Geller will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active 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 at Geller Orthodontics.

Dr. Geller and our team understand not everyone enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Geller Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our professional and amiable staff? Dr. Geller himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

Dr. Geller knows there are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around these days. Before you buy into those myths, you should get the facts! Dr. Geller and our team came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Geller Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call.

It is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment at Geller Orthodontics, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next, Dr. Geller uses special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Geller is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at (972) 596-4502.

Dr. Geller and our team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Mark S. Geller DDS, serving Plano and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! Part of it is because we asked you last week what you most liked about our office. We thought we'd share a few with you today!

"I love the personal caring and individual attention I receive. I am always impressed how welcome everyone in Dr. Geller's team make me feel. I have no pain and very comfortable." ~ Ahmad T.

"He is a perfectionist. You can see it in the way he works on you and in his organized office." ~ Rick G.

"The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Very seldom have to wait, usually appointment time is right on schedule. Dr. Geller's expertise, professionalism and caring attitude is very much appreciated." ~ Jeri C.

"Dr. Geller explains everything to us so that we understand. The staff is very polite and helpful. I will always refer anyone to Dr. Geller. You're the best...." ~ Susan B.

"Everyone is so incredibly kind!!!!" ~ Kathie E.

Some people wonder why Dr. Geller 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 straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Geller can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from treatment at Geller Orthodontics.