Hey, Dr. Dougherty! What is Invisalign, and is it right for me? [Video]

We've discussed Invisalign in previous posts, but today thought we'd share a helpful video for those who are intrigued by the idea of straightening their teeth without using traditional metal braces. The Invisalign system at the office of Dr. Harry Dougherty is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer to adults and teens at our convenient Sherman Oaks, California office. We have plenty of resources on our website to check out about Invisalign, or give our office a call at 818-986-6223 for a consultation to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

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 in our office getting adjustments. Dr. Dougherty is a Certified Invisalign® Provider in Sherman Oaks.

Connect with Dr. Dougherty and team on Facebook!

At the office of Dr. Harry L. Dougherty Jr, we value the relationships we’ve developed with our patients in Sherman Oaks and greater San Fernando Valley over the years. Even if you visit our office on a regular basis, did you know you can always connect with us on Facebook?

By “Liking” us at Facebook.com/DoughertyOrtho, you will receive regular updates and contest announcements from our office – all through your news feed!

See you on Facebook, and have a wonderful rest of the week!

- Dr. Dougherty and team

Don't skip on those regular checkups, especially in October!

Dr. Dougherty wants to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your treatment? If the answer is yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Dr. Dougherty's office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

It's the perfect time for a visit to the dentist. Why? Because not only is October National Orthodontic Health Month, it's also National Dental Hygiene Month!

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in Sherman Oaks or surrounding areas!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists - or AAO- have provided a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly Halloween recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while wearing braces.

Dr. Harry Dougherty and our staff recommend you check out the AAO's website. If you have any follow-up questions about keeping your braces in tip-top shape, please feel free to give us a call at 818-602-4782, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Dougherty during your visit!

Have a great weekend and stay safe this Halloween season!

Ask Dr. Dougherty: Why are straight teeth so important?

Some people wonder why Dr. Harry Dougherty and our staff work so tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at Dr. Dougherty's office can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Dougherty can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment at our convenient Sherman Oaks office.

Happy Friday!!

Talking retainers with Dr. Harry Dougherty

If you have recently completed treatment at Dr. Harry Dougherty's office, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Dougherty will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Dougherty is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Dougherty, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call at our convenient Sherman Oaks office!

Ask Dr. Dougherty: When should my child come in for a consultation?

Many parents here in Sherman Oaks assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. Harry Dougherty for a complimentary consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Dougherty to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what Dr. Dougherty calls “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, please give us a call at 818-602-4782 to schedule a complimentary exam.