Our Blog

Virtual orthodontic appointments are nothing new, yet have become more common practice since the spread of COVID-19. As an alternative to meeting in-person, virtual orthodontic consultations are a great way to stay healthy while social distancing. If you or someone you know is considering braces or clear aligners, Dr. John A. Gerling and Dr. Joseph Ryan of the McAllen Orthodontic Group share 4 benefits of virtual orthodontic appointments to keep in mind:

1. No Need for Waiting Rooms

Virtual appointments remove the need to sit and wait while being exposed to others who may carry the virus. In many cases, your appointment will start with you entering a virtual waiting room until your appointment begins. Once ready, you will be taken out of the “waiting room” and into the main call to start the appointment. Read More

With the spread of COVID-19 rapidly changing our “new normal,” mail-order orthodontic is on the rise. From social media ads to TV commercials, the convenience of mail-order orthodontics becomes more appealing when you’re stuck at home. At McAllen Orthodontic Group, we understand that everyone wants a smile they can be proud of. For this reason, we will explain why mail-order orthodontics isn’t the way to achieve this goal.

Orthodontic Treatment Starts with an Appointment

We strongly suggest that orthodontic treatment start with an in-person appointment with a professional, not mail-order. While a virtual consultation can give a brief overview of what your oral issues may be, it is always best to be examined in-person. Starting treatment without this step could result in serious problems to your oral health and more money to fix the damage.Read More

Every patient has their own reasons for deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment. For teens, image has always been a key factor in social integration, and in today’s beauty-conscious society, a beautiful smile is high on their list of priorities.

The ever-popular selfie gives teens a confidence boost and social media is the ideal platform to broadcast themselves to the world. So much so, that:

• 65% of teenage girls reported that seeing their selfies on social media actually boosts their confidence.
• 40% of all teens say social media helps them present their best face to the world.
• At least 81 percent of teens, ages 12-17, use social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, according to recent findings from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, with Instagram especially popular among selfie-loving teenage girls.

Read More

Part of maintaining good oral hygiene is making sure to brush your teeth multiple times throughout the day. While most of us know to brush after eating, how soon is too soon? In order to answer that question, Dr. John A. Gerling and Dr. Joseph Ryan of the McAllen Orthodontic Group will first explain the science behind tooth structure. Understanding this will help better explain why brushing right after eating is bad for your teeth. Read More

It’s no secret that the spread of COVID-19 has drastically changed how we all live today. Now that many businesses are finally allowed to re-open, it’s time to attend your first orthodontic appointment. To help you prepare for the “new normal,” Dr. John A. Gerling and Dr. Joseph Ryan of the McAllen Orthodontic Group will explain a few changes you can expect at your next visit.

No More Waiting Room

Instead of waiting for your appointment in the waiting area, you may be asked to simply wait in your car and call the office once you arrive. You will be notified once it is time to enter the office. Friends and family will no longer be allowed to attend appointments with patients and must also wait in the car during the duration of the appointment unless absolutely necessary. Read More

At McAllen Orthodontic Group, we do our best to remain available for orthodontic emergencies. Please call our office if you think you are experiencing an orthodontic emergency. We don’t want you to feel like you’re on your own when it comes to your orthodontic treatment.

That being said, sometimes our patients run into problems or experience discomfort at a time when we can’t see them right away. We wanted to equip our orthodontic patients with some tricks and hacks that you can do at home, so you can ease discomfort and keep treatment on track until you are able to visit our office.Read More