The Blog of Philip S. Badalamenti, DDS

What helps you or your child relax at Dr. B's office?

2012-01-23T06:28:00.000-08:00

Dr. Badalamenti and team understand not everyone is always thrilled to visit their orthodontist for a regular adjustment. But we want you to know we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. So, today we’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. B himself?

Let us know by posting below or on our Facebook page!

Dreaming of a dazzling smile? Dr. B and team can help!

2012-01-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

The fact is, most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And that’s where our team at Braces By White can help. Of course, orthodontic treatment help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But did you know you can get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces?

Dr. Badalamenti and our team are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at our office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you in for a visit. Please give us a call to set one up! A FREE initial exam with Dr. Badalamenti can determine if Invisalign is right for you. See you soon!

The benefits of a beautiful smile, from Dr. Badalamenti & team

2012-01-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

At the office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we 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 Dr. B's office. 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 FREE orthodontic consultation with Dr. B. See you soon!

Happy New Year from Dr. B & staff!

2012-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

At Dr. Badalamenti's orthodontic office, the New Year is a time to look back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year.

Our wish is that our patients continue to keep their teeth healthy and wear their rubber bands, headgear, and appliances as prescribed.

We look forward to those patients who are planning their orthodontic treatment this year - it is a great resolution.

Happy New Year from Dr. B and the staff! Have a great 2012!

"Hey Dr. B! What's the deal with retainers?"

2011-12-27T06:36:00.000-08:00

If you recently completed orthodontic treatment, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Badalamenti will provide 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 receiver your retainers from Dr. Badalamenti:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Badalamenti 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.

* Retainer replacement is expensive...with proper care they will last for years!

* 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.).

* Keep retainers away from hot water, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.

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

Season's greetings from Dr. Badalamenti & team!

2011-12-19T14:28:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays! Dr. Badalamenti and our entire team are looking forward to the holidays and hope our patients enjoy them also. We are looking forward to sharing 2012 with all our patients and helping with their orthodontic needs. We are planning some fun, and our office calendar has the dates for some activities we have planned - stay tuned!

Safe and happy holidays to our patients!!

2011-12-14T06:15:00.000-08:00

Recently, a 20 year Veteran Fireman who was considering orthodontics told me his smile was his best tool for communicating confidence and strength to victims during rescue. He sought to improve his smile not for himself, but for how he best served others....

What an awesome statement to hear, and I've been sharing his thoughts with people who I know will appreciate his inspiration.

- Dr. Badalamenti

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: “I’m 36 – am I too old for orthodontic treatment?”

2011-12-12T16:04:00.000-08:00

Great question, and you are absolutely not "too old" for braces! At the office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, nobody is “too old” for braces! In fact, we read a fascinating statistic recently: adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! Also, one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment nowadays is over the age of 21. Of course, braces help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But we’d like you to know orthodontic treatment with Dr. Badalamenti can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

In fact, we are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation at our office. Please give us a call to set one up!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Dr. Badalamenti's office!

Love your new smile? Tell the world about it!

2011-12-05T06:43:00.000-08:00

At the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we proudly work with children, teens, and adults to help create beautiful, one-of-a-kind smiles in a warm, friendly, family-friendly environment.

Whether you’ve just come in for a free consultation with Dr. Badalamenti or your family has been visiting our St. Clair Shores office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here on our blog or on our Google listing!

We look forward to reading your reviews!

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ at Dr. B's office

2011-12-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

Dr. Badalamenti and our team know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. But... not to worry! There is a clear alternative to traditional braces! Today, Dr. B and team thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen™ gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile!

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!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact our St. Clair Shores orthodontic office and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Giving thanks this holiday season

2011-11-21T06:25:00.001-08:00

With Thanksgiving almost upon us, it's a great time to ask ourselves what we're thankful for. With our friends and family around us, we celebrate the blessings given to us in the past year. Our staff at the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti thought we'd ask: What are you thankful for this holiday season? Do you have any Thanksgiving wishes you would like to share?

Dr. Badalamenti and our entire 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 photos to share with us, we’d encourage you to send them along or post them on our Facebook page!

"I'm 25 - am I too old for braces?"

2011-11-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

Of course not! At Dr. Badalamenti's office we treat quite a few adult patients. Once they make the decision to come in for an evaluation, they are ready to get going on treatment. Dr. Badalamenti gives them the best options for the correction they need, and they are receptive to his expertise. We have adult patients in braces (usually the clear brackets), some in lingual braces (on the inside of their teeth), and some in invisalign trays. We enjoy our adult patients, they are extremely cooperative with care.

Dr. B and team proudly offer FREE consultations!

2011-11-07T09:08:00.001-08:00

Since 1980, we have been working with children, teens and adults to help create beautiful, one-of-a-kind smiles in a warm, friendly, family-friendly environment

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer free consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Philip Badalamenti, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

Please contact our practice at (586) 293-5200, and receive a FREE initial orthodontic consultation. See you soon!

Ask Dr. B: What's the deal with Halloween candy?

2011-10-31T16:53:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween! For parents in St. Clair & St. Clair Shores worried about their kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event (no pun intended).

Dr. Philip Badalamenti and our staff will tell you all those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which can ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, call Dr. Badalamenti as soon as possible.

We hope that everyone has a safe and scary Halloween!

What's going on at Dr. B's office?

2011-10-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

We enjoy celebrating holidays and special events with our patients. We have “Theme Week” at the end of October, and patients that dress in Halloween attire can earn extra “Smile Rewards” and draw from the “OrthoBox”.

We have been sponsoring a pumpkin decorating contest for the past couple of weeks, see above photos, and head to our Facebook page to see more amazing decorations!!

Our patients are invited to share their candy from Halloween and have it sent to our troops. We have a flyer at our front desk that gives the information. Please be sure to stop by and pick up the flyer-it will explain about “Operation Gratitude”.

Remember to stay away from those hard and sticky candies-trade them for “brace friendly” candy.

Thanks to all our great patients who participate in our fun events.

Ask Dr. B: "What do you love about being an orthodontist?"

2011-10-17T16:31:00.000-07:00

Recently, Dr. Altherr was asked, "What does your job mean to you—and what makes it so special day after day?"

Here is his response!

An orthodontist enjoys creating beautiful smiles for great patients. But a little known plus that I treasure is that every day you get "The Happy Ending". Every day someone says "Thank-You". I tell my children "Do something that contributes to the well being of others, and you will achieve happiness as well as financial reward."

Year-end insurance reminder from Dr. Badalamenti

2011-10-10T18:44:00.000-07:00

Now that October is upon us, we wanted to send you a friendly reminder to take full advantage of any flex spend, health savings or insurance benefits that you may have before the end of the year. We realize enrollment deadlines are sometimes a concern. If so, please call our office.

And don't forget ... October marks National Orthodontic Health Month! Straight teeth are important because they are functional, letting you chew and digest food that your body can use. Straight teeth are easier to clean and floss, preventing bacteria from collecting in your mouth. Straight teeth look great in addition to these other positive qualities.

We recommend an initial evaluation of patients at age 7. Dr. Badalamenti can evaluate your child's dental growth and follow their development.

At Dr. B's office, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

2011-10-03T10:50:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday! October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our staff at the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti wanted to remind our patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this Halloween season. Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time!

Of course, Halloween doesn’t have to be completely treat-less. Check out these delicious braces-friendly recipes, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (623) 566-4800, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Philip Badalamenti during your next visit at our convenient St. Clair Shores office!

Frequently asked questions, from Dr. B

2011-09-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

This week, Dr. Badalamenti was asked, “What are some of the questions patients ask you the most? What important questions would you wish they had asked you? What is the most important question one should ask their orthodontist?”

At the initial appointment, we answer many questions, as well as anticipating others. A few frequent ones are "how long will treatment take," and "can treatment be done using Invisalign?"

The individual treatment plan is diagnosed for each patient, so times and treatment options are specific for each patient's orthodontic needs.

When patients start their orthodontic treatment, one of the first questions is: "will it hurt". We let them know it does not "hurt", but there is sometimes a feeling of pressure. They are always pleasantly surprised that there is no pain.

How has the Internet helped Dr. B's office?

2011-09-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

We hope you’re having a great week! At Dr. Badalamenti’s office, we use the internet for many aspects of the practice of orthodontics. We can share much information with our patients, in both professional and personal areas. We communicate with other dental professionals regarding patient care. We work with companies such as Invisalign and SureSmile to help evaluate progress of appliances. We order online, and can track items when needed. Recently we added Smile Rewards to our practice promotions, and our patients can track their progress and order rewards online!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: why is continuing education so important?

2011-09-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

We participate in continuing education as a regular part of our professional development. Most of us that work at Dr. Badalamenti's office have licenses that we update yearly with educational credits.

Our staff attended a SureSmile seminar this past winter. Continuing education is something we value and enjoy. We all highly value continuing education here at Dr. Badalamenti's. It helps us keep current on what is new and what is working well. When we attend continuing education opportunities, we usually network with other orthodontic or dental professionals and learn of successes along with acquiring information that will help us deliver the best orthodontic care to our patients.

The great success we have had with SureSmile treatment is something we can offer in many different types of appliances. Dr. Badalamenti is committed to the best treatment available for our patients!

Happy Friday!

Questions, questions...

2011-09-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

From the moment patients enter our St. Clair Shores office, they feel a sense of warmth, welcoming and individual care. Some ask a lot of questions about their orthodontic treatment, while others choose to just "go with the flow."

One of the most frequent questions Dr. Badalamenti hears is, "Is it going to hurt?" And our reply is that wearing braces usually does not hurt, although with wire change, there is some pressure felt.

Another popular question is, "How long until the braces come off?" And that usually depends on how the teeth move, patient cooperation, and care of appliances and appointments. The less breakage of both appliances and appointments guarantees speedier treatment.

Do you have a question you've been meaning to ask Dr. B and haven't quite found the time? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Back to school with Dr. B

2011-08-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

Now that many of the schools in our area are back in session, Dr. Badalamenti would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs, sports and family duties to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit Dr. B's office this fall. In order to accommodate all of our patients’ busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give us advanced notice if you’re unable to make your regularly-scheduled appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give Dr. B and team a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment.

We’ll see you soon and hope summer is winding down nicely for all our patients!

New Smiles at Dr. B’s office!

2011-08-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

Look at these beautiful smiles! There’s nothing more we love seeing than a patient getting their braces off! In fact, Dr. Badalamenti and team keep a running album of new patient smiles on our Facebook page, and we encourage you to check it out! While you’re there, we’d love it if you “Liked” our page! Happy Monday!

Also, it's Hawaiian theme week at Dr. B’s office! Catch a wave! Hula into your appointment in Hawaiian attire and draw from our Ortho Box!

Contest reminder from Dr. Badalamenti

2011-08-15T22:57:00.000-07:00

JUST A REMINDER!!! There are only 2 weeks left to enter our "Smile Through The Seasons Calendar Contest". Your art work will be displayed in our 2112 calendar. Mail it or drop it off.....any questions call (586) 293-5200.

Dr. B and our team hope you're all having a wonderful summer!

Show us how much you "Like" us!

2011-08-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce our new Facebook contest!

• Ask all of your friends and family to Like our facebook page.

• Once they have clicked the "Like" button on our page make sure to
have them type your full name on our facebook wall.

• The patient who gets the most friends and family to Like our page
and who’s name appears the most times on our facebook wall will be our grand prize winner.

Remember to let your friends and family know that each person you get to our page can only post your name one time on our wall.

Multiple posts of a patients name made by the same person only count as one!

What helps you relax at Dr. B's office?

2011-08-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

Dr. Badalamenti and our team offer our patients state of the art technology that makes orthodontic care more efficient and more comfortable. We offer the best treatment for the orthodontic care indicated after a thorough examination and http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifevaluation of orthodontic records we take on each patient. We are proud of our relationships with our patients' dentists. We strive to communicate and work together for the best care for our mutual patients.

We offer a few extras at the office here, such as wireless internet. We have juices, coffee, and cookies available to our patients and their families when they are in the office.

We have a great incentive for patients to take care of their teeth and their appliances. We give "ortho bucks" based on a scale of grading at each visit. Learn more about these incentives on our website.

The myths & facts about orthodontics

2011-07-26T16:09:00.001-07:00

Trust us when we say Dr. Phil Badalamenti knows there are a lot of myths and half-truths floating around these days when it comes to orthodontics (and orthodontists in general). But, before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts first! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts about braces, and we encourage you to check them out before settling for rumors about braces!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment with Dr. B, ask him during your next visit, feel free to give us a call at 586-439-5494 or ask us on Facebook!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: “I’m 32 – am I too old for orthodontic treatment?”

2011-07-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Does Dr. B have your current contact info?

2011-07-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

We hope you’re having a great week and a great summer so far! If you are planning on traveling with family this summer or think you might not be able to make it to your scheduled appointment with Dr. Badalamenti, please let us know ahead of time so that we may be able to accommodate you, as well as schedule another patient during that time.

Also, we ask that you give us a call and and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed! Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Happy Fourth from Dr. Badalamenti and team!

2011-07-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

America turns 235 years old today! It’s a day to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and also a time for every American to pay homage to our soldiers - past and present - who have placed themselves in harm’s way so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom.

Dr. Badalamenti and our entire team would like to know: what are your plans for the 4th of July? Are you out in the sun? Have you stocked up on fireworks? Are you going to grill up your favorite summer foods? If you have a 4th of July tradition, we would love to hear all about it.

We hope you have a fun and safe holiday! Feel free to upload your 4th of July photos to our Facebook page and let us know how your Independence Day turned out this year.

Lastly, we want to thank all our patients who participated in our Patient Appreciation Day at Mastros Ice Cream Parlour. We had a lot of fun visiting with you outside the office and enjoyed great ice cream that day. It was a great day for sitting outside at the picnic tables, which a lot of people took advantage of. We were glad to share the afternoon with all of you!

This summer, don't take a vacation from good oral health

2011-06-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

This summer, one of the most important things we remind our patients is to NOT take a vacation from brushing and eating the right things with their braces. The extra time they have on vacation from school is good to spend on brushing, making sure they wear their rubber bands and appliances, and making good food choices. That way, their vacation time is also spent as they would like, and not with us, except for their regularly scheduled appointments.

While you are away on vacation, it's best that you pack your toothbrush and aids used during treatment, like appliances and rubber bands. The most important thing is that you enjoy their vacation and return to share your great experiences with us!!

Dr. Badalamenti and team proudly offer FREE consultations!

2011-06-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

What's on your summer reading list?

2011-06-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

With a lot of our patients traveling this summer or grabbing some much-needed R&R, we thought we'd remind our wonderful patients that summer is a great time to read to keep your mind healthy, sharp and strong.

We are an office of readers, and have been known to share books with each other frequently. We enjoyed the popular Twilight Series of books. We consider these in the "FLUFF" category, meaning they are for pure enjoyment. We like a wide variety of topics from true crimes to romance, and anything that peaks our interest. Our patients recommend books to us, also.

Dr. Badalamenti likes to share his practice building and team building books with us, and has been known to buy books for us when it helps us become better orthodontic "care-givers."

Smile! June marks National Smile Month!

2011-06-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

Now that June is here, our team at the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our convenient St. Clair Shores office, as well as your general dentist to avoid cavities and gum disease, among other dental health issues.

That means you too, parents! After all, there's more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

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.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment
* Visit your dentist regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by your dentist)!

Our priority is to make our patients feel comfortable and at home when they are in our office for their orthodontic treatment. We like to interact with them and explain what procedures are going to be done at each appointment. Our goal is to provide the best orthodontic treatment using state of the art technology, the combination of which gives our patients a good experience here at Dr. Badalamenti's.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Badalamenti and team, wishing you a relaxing and memorable Memorial Day weekend

2011-05-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

The unofficial kickoff to summer—Memorial Day weekend—is a time Americans stop and remember those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom over the course of American history.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of the summer, and for many of our patients, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the office or in the classroom is sweet relief. At the office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we also know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s a season of vacations, adventures and great memories.

What about you? What are you and your family up to this Memorial Day weekend? Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or hitting the open roads of Michigan with family this weekend, we want to know all about it!

Dr. Badalamenti and our entire team hope our patients have a nice holiday, and we get a little sunshine by Monday here in St. Clair Shores for the big parade that the Parade Council puts on for the residents and their friends. One good thing about all the rain we have had is that it is really GREEN here!

Love your smile? Tell the world ALL ABOUT IT!

2011-05-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

New patient contest!

2011-05-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

Spring may have arrived in Michigan after all, and we are thrilled to announce our new contest for May! Simply come in and guess the number of baseballs in the jar in our reception area. Our patients seem to love those counting contests!

We would also like to thank our patients who entered their "Mom and Me" photos as part of our April contest ... some lucky moms received a dozen roses!

Remember that May 23-27 is our Theme Week. To prepare for celebrating Memorial Day, wear red, white and blue, or stars and stripes, or military to our office, and be eligible for a draw from the "Ortho Box."

And, lastly, don't forget Patient Appreciation Day on June 17th!!!

Dr. Badalamenti at the 111th AAO Annual Session

2011-05-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Patients at Dr. Badalamenti's orthodontic office can feel confident they are receiving the best in orthodontic health care. Dr. Badalamenti’s goal is to provide the most up-to-date technology and techniques using the best equipment possible. He is devoted to continuing education and furthers his learning through reading, attending conferences and continuing education courses. One of those conferences includes the 2011 AAO Annual Session in Chicago, where Dr. Badalamenti will head this weekend.

The AAO Annual Session is an always-educational event that is also one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world. It’s also a time for Dr. Badalamenti to consult with dental experts and orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, of course, allows Dr. Badalamenti and our team to give you, our phenomenal patients, the best treatment experience possible.

If you’ve got an appointment for an adjustment or consultation scheduled with us soon, we invite you to ask Dr. Badalamenti about his Chicago trip, including what he learned and how continuing education and acquisition of new technology helps us treat you more effectively!

What puts you or your child at ease at Dr. B's office?

2011-05-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

Dr. Badalamenti and team understand not everyone always enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we always strive to make our patients feel at ease while they are here.

We like to share any information that we can to make our patients feel more involved in their treatment. We stress that they ask questions if they feel they might like more detail regarding a procedure. From the conversations during the day around the office, our patients seem comfortable asking questions and discussing treatment goals.

In addition to feeling comfortable with treatment and our entire staff, the extras we offer our patients include coffee, teas, and juices that are available in our reception room. We have wireless Internet access throughout our office. Check out our website, Facebook page and blog for updates on other incentives we offer!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: Which foods should I avoid while in braces?

2011-04-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the question! There are a variety of foods Dr. Philip Badalamenti 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 http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifyour 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 Dr. Badalamenti and our team a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Happy Earth from Dr. B and team!

2011-04-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

At the orthodontic office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we have been doing more and more to reduce our carbon imprint on the world, and we can proudly say our office has been "green" for some time now. We have been recycling plastic for a long time (at least 15 years). We are a digital X-ray office, so that eliminates chemicals in the air. We are also paperless with our treatment cards and files.

In addition, digital radiographs are produced without the use of chemicals, helping to keep our water supply free of pollutants. Most xrays can be transmitted digitally instead of being printed and mailed.

This past year we have been scanning documents into the computer, so we are just about paperless. After the documents have been scanned, we shred the paper and donate it to the collections at the schools in our area.

We recycle all plastics, cardboard and other papers. We have gotten used to depositing the different items into their containers, so recycling is easier, and our community reaps some benefit!

In addition, we use rechargeable batteries and try to eliminate spray cleaners, so there is no aerosol spray lingering in the air - our cleaning is done with wipes. Lastly, we give our patients some supplies in reusable grocery-type bags in our effort to help others be "green" !

Happy Earth Day!

Dr. Badalamenti & the AAO Annual Session in Chicago

2011-04-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Dr Badalamenti will be at the American Association of Orthodontists with other Orthodontists from around the world to attend meetings and network. A nice thing about the meeting is that Dr. B comes back to the office with ideas for always finding ways to improve our orthodontic care to our patients. It may be with new technology, or professional and personal enhancements to provide the best for everyone we interact with during each day. We strive for improvements in patient care, phone calls, or just communication among all of us here.

A great highlight to this meeting is that Dr. Badalamenti will be accompanied by his eldest daughter, who is a dentist, and has been accepted to the Orthodontic program at Boston University. He will be introducing her to his orthodontic colleagues, and she will be introducing him to her dental colleagues! Enjoy!

PS, be sure to ask Dr. B what he learned from his trip to the AAO upon his return!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: What's the deal with retainers?

2011-04-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day contest!

2011-04-01T11:21:00.001-07:00

We want to remind our patients about our April contest....."MOM AND ME" ...Bring in a picture of you and your mom and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a dozen roses to give her this Mother's Day! Get your cameras ready and bring us some great photos!

Dr. B's patients perform in "Oliver"

2011-03-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

We would like to congratulate our many patients who participated in the production of "Oliver" last weekend.

We are especially proud of Nick Spatafora, who had the lead! Awesome job, everyone!! "We Want More!!"

Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Badalamenti

2011-03-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

Dr. B and our team have discussed the importance of mouth guards before, and thought today would be a great day to remind all of young athletes to play it safe this spring and summer.

Using a mouth guard is the best protection against chipped or broken teeth while participating in sports and summertime activities. The great thing is you can wear a mouth guard with braces! You should remove any retainers or Invisalign appliances and replace them with a mouth guard during sports as it gives more protection for your pearly whites.

If a tooth gets knocked out during sports or other physical activities, it's very important that you not clean the tooth. Put it in milk in a container or glass. If no milk is available, keep the tooth in your mouth. Then, contact your dentist immediately.

As far as hydration? Sports drinks contain a lot of sugar and salt. But, as with anything, you should use them in moderation. Water is still the best hydrator, but sports drinks are a good change once in awhile.

Got any more questions about mouth guards or facial protection? Please give us a call at (586) 439-5494, and we'll be happy to answer any question you may have!

Adults & braces, from Dr. Badalamenti

2011-03-10T16:43:00.000-08:00

At Dr. Badalamenti's office, we know it’s not easy for adults to admit they need braces. Some don’t like to think about it, others put off treatment as long as they can, many just say they can’t afford braces, while others embrace getting treatment (pardon the pun).

We have many adult patients in treatment. With our SureSmile treatment, time in braces may be reduced by 40 percent. We enjoy their treatment progress almost as much as they do because they are very excited with the changes they encounter throughout their time in braces.

All our adults are positive about the experience and we are fortunate to share in that. Adults are extremely cooperative in their brushing habits, and wearing of auxillary appliances like rubber bands. The motivation of adults to wear retainers is a great benefit.

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: When should my child come in for a check-up?

2011-03-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

Typically, patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth. But in some cases Dr. Philip Badalamenti has to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. Our staff at Dr. B's office call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in. Phase two often does involve braces and sometimes headgear.

In order to catch early problems, Dr. Badalamenti recommends that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit an orthodontist even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a FREE consultation at our convenient St. Clair Shores office, please give us a call.

Have a GREAT weekend!

At Dr. B's office, access to your account any day, any time

2011-02-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at the orthodontic office of Philip S. Badalamenti enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started! Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Braces tips from Dr. Badalamenti & team

2011-02-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

With February being National Children's Dental Health Month, we try to stress the importance of these "regular care and good techniques," such as brushing, flossing, and staying away from the "unfriendly" foods in regard to braces.

One thing we do mention is that our patients brush with water first, then they can see if any plaque remains on their teeth or braces. THEN go over the cleaned teeth with toothpaste on their brush to freshen their mouth up.

At Dr. B's office, we make disclosing tablets available to our patients if they would like that extra help with areas to be sure to brush.

Our "ortho bucks" reward program seems to help encourage our patients to keep up with proper brushing habits.

Let us know if you have any questions by giving us a call, asking Dr. Badalamenti during your next visit or asking us on Facebook!

Valentine's Theme Week!

2011-02-11T11:06:00.001-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, we would like our patients to wear something red, pink or with hearts when they come for their appointment next week. You are then eligible to draw from our "Ortho Box" for a prize. If they would just like to stop by during that week (if they do not have a scheduled appointment), wearing s...omething red, pink, or with hearts, that's fine, too! You'll also be eligible to also draw from the Ortho Box.

Brushing with braces

2011-02-07T15:52:00.000-08:00

There are so many things Dr. Badalamenti's patients do to keep their teeth sparkling clean between appointments. From brushing and flossing, to using mouth wash and keeping on top of their oral hygiene.

We would like to congratulate all our patients for their efforts at brushing. The extra time that it takes to keep those teeth sparkling is something we have found that our patients are proud of as much as we appreciate. Everyone wins with a healthy Smile!

February marks National Children's Dental Health Month

2011-02-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

At the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and we thought we’d promote good oral hygiene among our patients with a few tips and tricks, courtesy of the American Dental Association.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.

• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and insert it between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.

• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits and vegetables and avoid crunchy, sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, be sure to brush after doing so.

• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these drinks create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. If you’re going to drink one of these beverages, don’t sip on it throughout the day. Rather, drink it and then brush your teeth.

• Regular dental visits: in addition to seeing Dr. B our team during your orthodontic treatment, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months.

National Dental Health Month aims to increase awareness about the importance of our patients' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Dr. Badalamenti, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Questions, questions...

2011-01-26T14:06:00.000-08:00

Show your Super Bowl spirit next week!

2011-01-20T16:15:00.001-08:00

Dr. Badalamenti and our team want to remind our patients that this next week, starting January 24th, is our "Theme Week" for January. We would like our patients to show their Super Bowl Spirit and wear their favorite football team t-shirt, jersey, hoodie, or hat to their appointments. Anyone who comes showing their "Super Bowl Spirit" will get to draw from our "Ortho Box" for a fun prize.

What's our "TOP" treatment?

2011-01-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

Recently, Dr. Badalamenti and our team were asked, "Out of all the treatments you offer, what is the one treatment that you consider your "top" treatment, and why?"

The top treatment we offer here at Dr. Badalamenti's office would have to be our SureSmile technique. Shorter treatment times, less discomfort, and more precise movement are some of the major benefits with SureSmile.

This state of the art technology is designed to improve the major consideration of most patients and orthodontists: "Treatment just takes too long". The shorter treatment time is a great bonus, along with the better smiles that are created. It has been a nice new technology to work with and only positive benefits for our patients.

Learn more about SureSmile on our website. Please contact our office at (586) 293-5200, and receive a FREE initial orthodontic consultation at our St. Clair Shores office.

Here comes the Braces Brigade!

2011-01-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

Last summer, you may remember, Dr. Badalamenti and staff blogged about the AAO's Braces Brigade. Well, now the blog is up-and-running, and boy do they have stories to tell!

If you'd like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience, the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their orthodontic journeys, is a great place to start.

Dr. B and our staff encourage you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call at our St. Clair Shores office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Badalamenti!

Have a great rest of the week!

Share your New Year's resolution in our office, and you can a super prize!

2011-01-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

We want to wish everyone a happy new year!

Dr. Badalamenti and our team are starting out the year with a New Year's Resolution Board that we have put up in our reception room. We are inviting our patients to share one of their New Year's resolutions with us and writing it on the board. You will then be entered into a drawing for a super prize to start the New Year!

2011!

2011-01-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

At Dr. Badalamenti's orthodontic office, the New Year is a time to look back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year.

Our wish is that our patients continue to keep their teeth healthy and wear their rubber bands, headgear, and appliances as prescribed.

We look forward to those patients who are planning their orthodontic treatment this year, it is a great resolution.

Happy New Year from Dr. B and the staff!

What's your New Year's resolution?

2010-12-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

The year is almost over, so Dr. Badalamenti and our team thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most 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, to all our patients, friends, family, and all our dental and medical colleagues.

Season's greetings from Dr. Badalamenti & team!

2010-12-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

Dr. Badalamenti and our entire team are looking forward to the holidays and hope our patients enjoy them also. We are looking forward to sharing 2011 with all our patients and helping with their orthodontic needs. We are planning some fun, and our office calendar has the dates for some activities we have planned - stay tuned!

Safe and happy holidays to our patients!!

What are Dr. B and team up to lately? (part two)

2010-12-13T15:25:00.000-08:00

Last week, we shared with you a little bit about the goings-on at our office. Another activity we recently participated in was a holiday lighting "contest." The city and a civic group gave awards for holiday decorations and lighting along the main street our office is located on. We won 2nd place in our area!! We went to the city tree lighting ceremony to receive our plaque, and then were presented with our commendation at the city council meeting. Both events were televised locally. We've been enjoying the fun.

We've been busy with outside activities, as well as keeping busy during the day taking care of our great patients. We get nice comments from them, when they see us out and about, having fun both in and outside the office.

We hope you're having a great holiday season! Keep us updated on your activities through winter break on our Facebook page!

What are Dr. B and team up to lately?

2010-12-09T11:38:00.000-08:00

We at Dr. Badalamenti's office pride ourselves in our involvement in community activities. As we mentioned in last week's blog, we recently collected Toys for Tots among the staff here - it was fun. Those of us with grown children got some good tips from the moms with young children, and the staff who have young neices and nephews. We collected quite a few toys to donate.

We also participated in the "Frozen Flashback" recently - it was a fundraiser for a young man who was paralyzed in a snowmobile accident. Two rival high school hockey teams from St. Clair Shores met for a rematch. The fun part was that the participants were graduates in the 1980's era!!! We at Dr. Badalamenti's participated by taking tickets, and helping with raffles, and selling programs. It was a great evening ... lots of people attended, which helped make the ice arena feel warm!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Badalamenti Orthodontics partners with Toys for Tots ‎

2010-12-02T08:21:00.000-08:00

Instead of exchanging gifts with each other here at the office to celebrate the holidays, our staff at Badalamenti Orthodontics has been doing something for the community for the past several years. We have adopted families in the past, and this year we decided to donate to the Toys for Tots program.

Nothing is more rewarding than helping an unfortunate child experience the joy of the holidays. All toys will be given to less fortunate children in our area.

Giving thanks this holiday season

2010-11-24T08:32:00.000-08:00

Does Dr. B have your current contact info?

2010-11-18T13:31:00.000-08:00

Are you having a great week so far? Well, if you've seen the news, you probably know there is nasty weather ahead this fall and winter in Michigan and across the Midwest.

Please help Dr. Badalamenti and our staff get prepared by calling us and letting us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

At times of power outages and inclement weather, we need to be able to get a hold of you. Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you and Happy Holidays from Dr. B and our entire staff!

How do we reward our patients?

2010-11-11T15:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Veteran's Day! Recently, Dr. Badalamenti and our team were asked, "Are you giving your patients a reason to smile by offering holiday promotions?"

Yes, in fact!

We offer promotions throughout the year, and our most recent was during the beginning of the school year. It encouraged our patients to schedule during a time when they were in the mode of school schedules. We appreciated the extra efforts our patients made to keep their orthodontic treatment on track!

One thing we just finished was our Halloween candy buy back. We gave our patients $2.00 per pound of candy, and then $1.00 per pound was also donated to charity. The candy was distributed locally to county agencies to give to those who would appreciate it. We thank everyone who participated, and we had 61 pounds of candy brought to us for the buy back!

Another way we reward our patients is through a grading system in our office for brushing, as well as offering incentives for great brushing and taking good care of the appliances. This is our "ORTHO BUCKS" program. Patients can then trade in their earned ortho bucks for various gift cards.

We also encourage our patients to continue regular visits to their general dentist. This is our "CLEANING SPECTACULAR" program. Every 3 months we do a drawing for a prize for both our patient, and their hygienist.

Encouraging great oral hygiene is a priority in our office. We want those newly straightened teeth to be "sparkly, bright"!

And the winners are...

2010-11-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

Here are the results of our Pumpkin Contest! We had 11 categories: best dressed, best eyes, best hair, best lips, best smile, class clown, cutest couple, most artistic, most athletic, most likely to fly away and scariest. Great job, everyone!

(Best dressed)

(Best eyes)

(Best hair)

(Best lips)

(Best smile)

(Class clown)

(Cutest couple)

(Most artistic)

(Most athletic)

(Most likely to fly away)

(Scariest)

Dr. Badalamenti's Halloween Candy Buy Back

2010-11-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

We are now offering to buy back your unwanted and "non-ortho friendly" candy! During office hours Monday, November 1st through Friday, November 5th, you and your friends can stop by with your wrapped candy!

For every pound of candy you turn in, we will give you $2.00, and donate another $1.00 to a charity!

You can still enjoy some of the candy you receive from Trick or Treating. Plain chocolate, Reeses cups and regular potato chips (crunched carefully, of course), are all okay for you to snack on.

As always, it is very important to brush your teeth thoroughly after you indulge ... this goes for everyone, not just brace-wearers!! Happy Monday!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: What's the deal with Halloween candies & treats?

2010-10-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

For parents in St. Clair & St. Clair Shores worried about their kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event (no pun intended).

Dr. Philip Badalamenti and our staff will tell you all those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which can ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, call Dr. Badalamenti as soon as possible.

We hope that everyone has a safe and scary Halloween!

How do we reward our patients?

2010-10-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

Dr. Badalamenti and team know how difficult it can be to take good care of your teeth between visits during your orthodontic treatment.

The day braces are placed, we go over daily oral hygiene and care for braces. We give them orthodontic toothbrushes, floss threaders, and proxy brushes to help make their part of treatment easier.

We have a grading system in our office for brushing, and offer incentives for great brushing and taking good care of the appliances. This is our "ORTHO BUCKS" program. Patients can then trade in their earned ortho bucks for various gift cards.

We also encourage our patients to continue regular visits to their general dentist. This is our "CLEANING SPECTACULAR" program. Every 3 months we do a drawing for a prize for both our patient, and their hygienist.

Encouraging great oral hygiene is a priority in our office. We want those newly straightened teeth to be "sparkly, bright"!

Dr. Badalamenti & team, dispelling the myths about orthodontics

2010-10-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Trust us when we say Dr. Phil Badalamenti knows there are a lot of myths and half-truths floating around these days when it comes to orthodontics (and orthodontists in general). But, before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts first! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts about braces, and we encourage you to check them out before settling for rumors about braces!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment with Dr. B, feel free to give us a call at 586-439-5494 or ask us on Facebook!

We hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

Spartans vs. Wolverines this weekend!

2010-10-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

Football rivalry weekend! Who will be celebrating on Monday morning? The Michigan State Spartans or University of Michigan Wolverines?

Pumpkin decorations at Dr. B's office!

2010-10-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

We're in the midst of a pumpkin decorating contest at our office. We are giving our patients a pumpkin to decorate. We are "decorating" the office with their creations, and will be giving a prize to the best decorated. The contest runs through October 31st!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

2010-10-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: why is continuing education so important?

2010-09-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

We participate in continuing education as a regular part of our professional development. Most of us that work at Dr. Badalamenti's office have licenses that we update yearly with educational credits. Continuing education is something we value and enjoy.

Dr. Badalamenti recently attended a course in Dallas to improve lingual (inside) braces with computerized SureSmile treatment. The great success we have had with SureSmile treatment is something we can offer in many different types of appliances. Dr. Badalamenti is committed to the best treatment available for our patients.

What do Dr. B and our staff love about St. Clair?

2010-09-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

Recently, Dr. Badalamenti and our team were asked: "What's the greatest thing about our town? What do you love about St. Clair?"

And here's our answer:

Lucky us......living so near the water. Lake St. Clair is not one of the Great Lakes, but it helps to connect a couple of them. We have a few main roads that go near the shoreline, so you can get a nice view now and then as you travel in this area. That is one of the perks of living here. We still have public access for boats and fishing, as well as winter sports like ice fishing and skating. Many outdoor activities take place all year long-the winter does not put a damper on outdoor activities available. One of the tried and true sayings we grow up with in Michigan is: "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change!!!"

Maybe some of you could fill in the blanks about favorite eating spots? We have many in this area. Lots of diverse food choices. Post your answer on our Facebook page and have a wonderful weekend!

What's happening at our office?

2010-09-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday! We have just finished our calendar contest for our 2011 calendar. We had a lot of entries this year. Our patients are very talented and creative. If any patients missed this year's deadline, and would like to enter for 2012 calendar - we are now taking entries.

We hope all our patients of school age have a great school year. We have many patients involved in school activities, and would like them to share any news with us regarding their achievements or school activities on our interactive Facebook page! We hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: Who benefits from braces?

2010-08-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Philip Badalamenti will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment at our St. Clair Shores office, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, not to worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a FREE initial orthodontic consultation by calling 586-439-5494 and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Dr. Philip Badalamenti, reminding you to wear your mouth guards

2010-08-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

With the Dog Days summer here for just another four weeks, Dr. Philip Badalamenti and our staff would like to take this time to remind all our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this fall. After all, we know this is a busy time of year sports-wise, whether people are playing a friendly game of soccer in the park or practicing for high school football.

Remember, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. All you have to do? Just ask us. Dr. B will provide one for you!

Happy Wednesday!

Why start orthodontic treatment before school begins in September?

2010-08-18T11:38:00.001-07:00

We can't tell you how many times Dr. Philip Badalamenti and our team have been asked:

What are the benefits of starting orthodontic treatment before school starts?

What are the inconveniences of getting braces during the school year, as opposed to the summer?

What advantages do kids have – if any – when starting in the summer?

The advantages of starting treatment before school starts are scheduling, comfort, and not missing any school.

Our schedule is pretty flexible during the summer, and we try to accommodate any patients that would like to start treatment during that time. Our patients have more time options to choose from for those long appointments, and that makes it easier for them and their schedules.

Starting treatment during the summer also allows our patients to get used to the braces or appliances easier. They don't have to go back to school right away, and can toughen up to the appliances without too much discomfort. They can practice talking and eating comfortably for a few days.

Once school starts, many of our patients not only have school schedules to consider, but they are active in after school activities as well. That creates a more narrow window of opportunity in which to schedule orthodontic appointments. Starting treatment in the summer helps alleviate many of these schedule conflicts.

We invite you to give us a call at 586-439-5494 to schedule an appointment!

Dr. Badalamenti and the "Super Cool Kids Club"

2010-08-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

Dr. Badalamenti and our staff understand the choices our patients and their parents are faced with each day. We have found that our patients place a high priority on good oral health, including the orthodontic aspect of care in regard to that.

We are fortunate that the people living in our area regard orthodontic care as one of their top priorities in the care of their children and themselves.

Most of the time, when people contact our office, they are aware of the time and money investments they will be making. They are ready to make a commitment, and we do the best we can to make their orthodontic experience a great one-even if it is a shorter time investment due to our SureSmile technology! Sometimes they are ready for orthodontic treatment, and sometimes, they are still in the developmental stage, and seen as one of our "Super Cool Kids Club" members.

One of the nice aspects of our "Super Cool Kids Club" is that Dr. Badalamenti regularly charts the progress of each patients’ dental growth and development. He discusses his concerns and treatment evaluations and whether the patient will be a candidate for orthodontics in the future. With this aspect of our office the parents have an opportunity to be aware of future plans for orthodontic treatment.

We appreciate that our patients and their relatives and friends realize the importance of the investment they make in their oral health, and that they choose our office to help in that care.

Happy Monday!

What’s going on at Dr. B’s office?

2010-08-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

Although we are still enjoying the summer weather around here, our scheduling has started to include time when school will be back in session. With the fall, we are planning on the continued success we have had with the SureSmile wires we are using on our patients. The shorter treatment time is a great bonus, along with the better smiles that are created. It has been a nice new technology to work with and only positive benefits for our patients.

We are hoping all our patients are having a fun, relaxing summer!

If you could be ...

2010-07-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

This past week, Dr. Badalamenti and our staff were asked, "What would be your ideal job, other than making your patients' teeth straight and healthy?"

We had fun with this during the past couple of days ... many of us are truly happy doing what we do. But, just daydreaming about something else as a profession ... here were some of our ideas ...

... an opthamologist
...fashion consultant
...marine biologist
...avid vacationer
...nurse
...park ranger
...Caribbean tour guide

Most of these other professions fit the people who mentioned them, but there were a couple of surprises. Can you guess who said what? We invite you to guess on our Facebook page!

Who would YOU be? What is YOUR dream job?

Dr. B wants to know: Will you join the AAO's Braces Brigade?

2010-07-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

Attention current and former patients of Dr. Badalamenti: Have you ever thought about sharing your experience in braces in writing? If so, we've got the perfect opportunity for you to do so! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists are proud to offer the Braces Brigade campaign, where you can blog away about your experience in orthodontic treatment with millions of people and come away with a $100 American Express gift card!

To complete your Braces Brigade application, you'll need to provide:

* Name
* Age – Must be 14 years of age or older
* E-mail
* Phone number
* Stage of orthodontic treatment
* A photo of your braces/smile
* A sample blog post – picture yourself as a member of Braces Brigade and show off those blogging skills! (100-word minimum)

In your blog/vlog, you may answer questions such as:

• Why did you decide to get orthodontic treatment with Dr. Badalamenti?
• What advice would you share with other orthodontic patients?
• What does it feel like to get braces on?
• What foods do you miss the most?
• What new foods have you discovered?
• Do your friends have braces or retainers?
• Where is the first place you’re going to show off your new, beautiful smile?
• How has your new smile changed your life?

All applicants must either be an orthodontic patient at our office or the parent of a patient. If you happen to be under 18, your parents must fill out a consent form along with your official entry, giving you permission to enter the contest.

We encourage you to apply for the Braces Brigade today! GOOD LUCK!

Testimonials really say it best!

2010-07-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

We receive many nice testimonials regarding our office, Dr. Badalamenti, and the staff. Many of our referrals are from patient recommendations and appear on our Facebook page. Their confidence in Dr. Badalamenti is a great compliment, and we sincerely appreciate that confidence.

When we receive compliments throughout the day, we remember them to share during our daily morning meeting. It's nice to focus on the positive that we encounter each day. One of our main testimonials is the continuing education and technological updates we strive to share with our patients. And along with that, is our commitment to the personal aspect of treatment. Those are the two main areas of focus we receive compliments on from our patients. It's nice that they appreciate our efforts.

The importance of flossing, from Dr. Badalamenti and team

2010-07-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Dr. Badalamenti and team understand some of our patients consider flossing to be a nuisance during their treatment, and it is often hard for patients to develop a good habit. Flossing is one of the time consuming aspects of having braces. Most patients have had trouble flossing even before having braces because their teeth are so out of alignment and may have tight contacts. Then adding braces to the flossing equation sometimes frustrates the patients. We always encourage our patients to floss, we provide floss threaders, and we will re-instruct them at any time to help make flossing easier. We show them how to use the threaders with the floss-necessary with braces. We also provide proxy brushes, but they are to be used in addition to flossing.

The best thing, though, is once they have the habit of flossing regularly, it is not as time consuming as they thought. Once the teeth are aligned, and the braces are off, flossing is a breeze for them!

Dr. Badalamenti wants to know: What's on your summer reading list?

2010-06-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

With a lot of our patients traveling this summer or grabbing some much-needed R&R, we thought we'd remind our wonderful patients that summer is a great time to read to keep your mind healthy, sharp and strong.

We are an office of readers, and have been known to share books with each other frequently. We enjoyed the popular Twilight Series of books. We consider these in the "FLUFF" category....meaning they are for pure enjoyment. We like a wide variety of topics from true crimes to romance, and anything that peaks our interest. Our patients recommend books to us, also.

St. Clair Shores orthodontist Dr. Badalamenti likes to share his practice building and team building books with us, and has been known to buy books for us when it helps us become better orthodontic "care-givers."

One of our patients (Jeni), happens to be reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting," and we are sharing in her journey for the next nine months!

Dr. Badalamenti and team, supporting the Give Kids A Smile program

2010-06-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

We are proud of our contribution to Give Kids A Smile, a nonprofit organization that provides free dental care and education for underserved children. We have participated at the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School, where it is held annually. Dr. Badalamenti helped during the past year.

A few of the assistants here go to some local schools annually to participate in Children's Dental Health month-which is held in February. We usually visit a 2nd grade class and demonstrate toothbrushing techniques. We actually learn a lot as those young children love to share their "teeth" experiences....like the tooth fairy visits, how they lost their teeth, and fillings they have. It's a great experience for everyone involved. In February's session, a record number of children were able to be helped thanks to the contributions of many.

Happy Monday!

Featured patient review for Dr. Badalamenti!

2010-06-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

Once in a while, St. Clair orthodontist Dr. Philip Badalamenti and team get patient reviews that make us really proud to do the work we do: creating beautiful smiles. Recently, we received a testimonial from Michael, whose daughters are former patients of ours. Here's what Michael wrote:

My kids feel very comfortable with Dr B. as well as myself. The girls in the office are patient and kind. I never had a uncomfortable experience with Dr B's office. I feel Dr. B is very experienced and has the latest technology. We are very pleased with the end results of my oldest daughters teeth. I would not think of going to another orthodontist. I have recommended him to another family member and they are pleased as well.

Thanks for writing in, Michael! We're glad to have helped create such beautiful smiles for your kids!

Don't take a vacation from good oral hygiene this summer!

2010-06-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

What sets our office apart?

2010-06-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

We've mentioned in the past a little bit about what sets Dr. Badalamenti apart from the rest, but it's the way that we do it that makes patients happy with us. From offering wireless Internet access, snacks,incentive programs to help our patients stay motivated about good oral health, we do it all to make sure our patients are more than satisfied.

Not only that, but we keep in contact with the general dentists every 6 months on each patient, updating them on their progress. We partner with the dentists in making sure our patients see them for regular general dental procedures. Dr. Badalamenti has used video teleconferencing between general dentists, periodontists, and oral surgeons for certain procedures.

We feel our SureSmile technology sets us apart from other orthodontists in the area, as we can offer shorter treatment time, along with the excellent orthodontic treatment Dr. Badalamenti is known for.

Our staff hopes you had a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend! It's great to be back in the office creating beautiful smiles!

Dr. Badalamenti, helping you save face on the field

2010-05-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

We've discussed the importance of mouth guards before, and thought today would be a great day to remind all of young athletes to play it safe this spring and summer.

Using a mouth guard is the best protection against chipped or broken teeth while participating in sports and summertime activities. The great thing is you can wear a mouth guard with braces! You should remove any retainers or Invisalign appliances and replace them with a mouth guard during sports as it gives more protection for your pearly whites.

If a tooth gets knocked out during sports or other physical activities, it's very important that you not clean the tooth. Put it in milk in a container or glass. If no milk is available, keep the tooth in your mouth. Then, contact your dentist immediately.

As far as hydration? Sports drinks contain a lot of sugar and salt. But, as with anything, you should use them in moderation. Water is still the best hydrator, but sports drinks are a good change once in awhile.

Got any more questions about mouth guards or facial protection? Please give us a call at (586) 439-5494, and we'll be happy to answer any question you may have!

How do Dr. Badalamenti and team 'Go Green'?

2010-05-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

At the office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we can proudly say our office has been "green" for some time now. We have been recycling plastic for a long time(at least 15 years). We are a digital X-ray office, so that eliminates chemicals in the air. We are also paperless with our treatment cards and files.

When mail is received, the paper is shredded after it has been scanned. We also donate the shredded paper to schools in the area that have recycling bins, so our community reaps some benefit!

In addition, we use rechargeable batteries and try to eliminate spray cleaners, so there is no aerosol spray lingering in the air - our cleaning is done with wipes. Lastly, we give our patients some supplies in reusable grocery-type bags in our effort to help others be "green" !

Dr. Badalamenti's commitment to continuing education

2010-05-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Our patients can feel confident they are receiving the best in orthodontic health care. Dr. Badalamenti's goal is to provide the most up-to-date technology and techniques using the best materials possible. He is devoted to life-long learning and furthers his education through reading, attending conferences, continuing education courses and study clubs. One of those conferences includes the 23rd Biennial NewConn Growth Seminar in White Plains, New York, where Dr. B headed two weekends ago.

The NewConn Orthdontic Foundation is dedicated to promoting the art and science of orthodontics and allied dental fields, to encourage and fund dental research, to promote among its members a profound knowledge in the field of orthodontics, to provide support to post-graduate orthodontic training programs and to disseminate information about the advances in orthodontic care to the public and profession through a biennial seminar.

In addition to being a proud of the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. B is also a member of the Michigan Society of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, the Macomb County Dental Society, and the Lakeshore Chapter of the Seattle Study Club. He has frequently lectured to dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and local school groups.

Isn't it nice to know you have a complete dental expert in Dr. Badalamenti taking care of your perfecting your smile?

At Philip S. Badalamenti DDS, we love our patients!

2010-05-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

There are lots of great reasons to get your braces at the office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, but what separates us - among many things - is our appreciation for our patients. We always have an ongoing counting or guessing contest. This quarter we are counting "spring items" that are in a jar. We have plastic eggs, jelly beans, buttons of butterflies and bees. The patients are always trying to find out the answer while they are here for their appointment. Stop by our office and take a guess!

Another favorite is our calendar contest, where patients draw and color pictures for our office calendar. We select 12 for the year (one for each month), and the others that have not been chosen for a month are put on a collage page that we add to the calendar. We get a nice artistic variety for our calendars and invite you to join in on the fun!

Patients with special needs at Philip S. Badalamenti DDS

2010-04-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

Some of the ways our office handles special needs patients is to schedule their appointments before or after other patients-it helps remove distractions for everyone. We will take "baby steps" for each appointment, even if it means the first appointment is just having them come in and sit in the chair. We encourage them to get familiar with the doctor and one assistant who will be working exclusively with that patient. We encourage any questions and will work to try and make their visits positive experiences.

Which three words best describe our practice?

2010-04-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

Dr. B and our staff were recently asked, "What are the three words you would you to describe your office?" The three things that we think patients would say about our office, and what impressions we would like to convey are:

1) friendly
2) efficient
3) high tech.

Since 1980, the orthodontic practice of Dr. B has been working with children, teens, and adults to help create beautiful, one-of-a-kind smiles in a warm, friendly, family-friendly environment. Our entire team is passionate about developing and maintaining your smile, and creating a positive orthodontic experience for the whole family!

PS have you visited our Facebook fan page yet?

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: Are mouth guards really necessary?

2010-04-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

At the office of Dr. Philip S. Badalamenti, we encourage the wearing of a mouth guard for sports. After all, April is National Facial Protection Month, and it’s a good time to remind our young athletes about staying safe on the field this spring.

We provide a mouth guard made to accommodate braces for our patients. We will also make a custom mouth guard for our patients who request them. There are some types that you can buy at the sporting goods store. Just make sure they are the ones you can use with braces-like the boil and bite type.

The braces themselves have been instrumental in keeping teeth from being knocked out in some cases! Mouth guards protect the lips and cheeks as well as the teeth. We have seen the result of accidental injuries from sports, and mouthguards do provide good protection. Dr. B and our entire team encourage our patients to use them.