Orthodontics

Why is it so important to keep your teeth and gums healthy? Well, for starters, having a beautiful smile gives you confidence and smiling is a way to connect with others. From a health perspective, your teeth are essential for chewing and getting all the nutrients your body needs. Additionally, gum disease has been tied to a host of other conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Having a healthy smile really does impact so many areas of your life, which is why as a Papillion orthodontist, Dr. Hawley is dedicated to ensuring his patients have the healthiest (and most stunning!) smiles around. To help, we’re sharing some of our best tips for healthy teeth and gums. Read More

A dentist and an orthodontist are both dedicated to helping patients achieve healthy, bright smiles. Sometimes, people wonder why they still need to see their dentist during orthodontic treatment or why their dentist can’t give them braces. The reason is because there is a difference between an orthodontist and dentist, mainly when it comes to their focus and training. A dentist is a generalist and an orthodontist, like Papillion orthodontist Dr. Nathan Hawley, is a specialist. Think of it like how you see your general practitioner for your physicals or problems like a cold but if you have an issue with say your shoulder, your general practitioner refers you to a specialist. The same holds true in the world of dentistry. Here’s what you need to know about an orthodontist vs. dentist. Read More

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. Parents sometimes worry that early visits will automatically mean braces for young kids. However, that’s not usually the case. At age seven, most kids have their first permanent molars and incisors. Dr. Hawley is able to see how their bite is developing, so the initial visit is typically just a time to assess their smile. Our Papillion orthodontic office is kid-friendly and fun. Little ones come in, hang out and meet the Hawley Orthodontics team. Then, we take diagnostic records, Dr. Hawley examines their mouth and, if everything looks okay, they’ll come in once a year so he can keep an eye on their growth and development. These appointments are complimentary and when the time is right to start treatment – usually in their early teens – he’ll let you know. However, occasionally, if Dr. Hawley spots certain red flags, interceptive orthodontics, or two-phase orthodontic treatment, will be recommended. Today, we’ll be covering what early orthodontic treatment is, how it can help and what the process is like.
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Of course, having straight teeth looks amazing. However, the positive effects of braces and Invisalign go beyond the appearance of your smile. Why exactly does having straight teeth matter? It’s important because there are proven health, social and even psychological benefits. As a Papillion orthodontist, Dr. Hawley’s goal is to balance function and aesthetics to give you results that positively impact all areas of your life. Here are some of the reasons orthodontic treatment is so important: Read More

If you’re an athlete who is considering braces or already wearing braces, you might be wondering how it will impact your game. Well, as a Papillion, NE orthodontist and huge sports fan (especially football!), Dr. Hawley can assure you that orthodontic treatment won’t sideline you. In fact, there are plenty of professional athletes with braces. However, wearing a mouthguard is a must to protect your mouth and your appliance.

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Dental braces have been around for quite a while. In fact, early variations of the metal braces that are still used today were created in the 19th century. The reason they’ve stuck around for so long is they’re extremely effective at straightening the teeth and aligning the bite. However, there have been some serious innovations in orthodontics, so braces are smaller, sleeker and way more comfortable than they used to be. They’re also available in ceramic materials that blend in with the smile and there are self-ligating braces that don’t require elastics and have a whole host of benefits. Today, we’ll be discussing the different types of braces we offer at our office, as well tips for choosing the right braces for your smile.  

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Our second molars erupt when we’re 12 or 13 and then, once we’re finally settled into having all of our permanent teeth, the third molars, commonly called the wisdom teeth, suddenly make an appearance, typically between the ages of 17 and 21. Orthodontic treatment frequently falls in the middle of these two milestones and at Hawley Orthodontics, most of our teenage patients are finished with braces or Invisalign Teen a while before their wisdom teeth come in.

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One of the things Dr. Hawley loves most about being a Papillion orthodontist is witnessing the transformation his patients undergo throughout orthodontic treatment. Of course, part of the transformation is achieving a fantastic new smile and getting a huge boost in confidence. Yet, the benefits of treatment go beyond the cosmetic aspects and, believe it or not, another big perk of bringing the teeth and jaws into alignment is improving a patient’s speech. Certain types of malocclusions, which are issues with the alignment or position of the teeth and jaws, can play a role in speech disorders. Since orthodontists are specialists in diagnosing, preventing and treating malocclusions, it makes sense that there are common speech problems orthodontics can help alleviate.

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