Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:
• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Dr. Roy McAnnally has prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. We will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful!

Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile.

From your very first visit to Dr. Roy McAnnally our doctors and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you had a great experience at our office?

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Just select the “Write a Review” button to write a review on our Google Place Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you,

-Dr. McAnnally and team

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? Dr. Roy McAnnally believes the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2012!

-Happy New Year!

Dr. Roy D. McAnnally and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to post them to our Facebook page or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

Dr. Roy McAnnally and team would like to give those patients with flex dollars, health savings accounts, or insurance benefits a friendly beginning of the year reminder that it's high time to schedule your orthodontic visits so you optimize your 2011 benefit.

Give us a call today to get in for your complimentary, no-obligation dentofacial and orthodontic clinical examinations! Dr. McAnnally specializes in Invisalign, The Damon System, management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and sleep apnea.

Happy New Year!

-Your friends at the practice of Dr. McAnnally

At the practice of Dr. Roy D. McAnnally, our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take of their oral health and appliances.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast share the experiences with braces and discuss their path to attaining straight, beautiful and healthy smiles.

Our team at encourages 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 if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your orthodontic treatment with Dr. McAnnally!

Dr. Roy McAnnally, your Michigan Invisalign provider, specializes in teen and adult orthodontic treatment. The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our convenient Bloomfield Hills office. For more information about Invisalign, watch this short patient video.

Don't hesitate to give Dr. McAnnally a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation at our office.

Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of October’s sweet and spooky holiday, Halloween, Dr. McAnnally would like to remind all of our patients to be safe while celebrating with friends and family. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips for a ghoulishly good time.

A few Halloween safety guidelines:
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment. If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. McAnnally and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone.

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Dr. McAnnally than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.
Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. McAnnally the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

You may have once heard that braces were considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. McAnnally to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Dr. McAnnally's office can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Dr. McAnnally is a perennial member of Align Technology’s Century Club, an honorary membership bestowed annually upon the 100 largest Invisalign providers in the world. Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Today, braces are seen as “cool” and in many cases, “fun.” These were among the findings presented in a 2010 nationwide survey of mothers whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign and the Damon System, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities sporting braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s kids.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their child’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Has your child visited the office of Dr. Roy McAnnally for a FREE, no-obligation examination? If not, please give us a call at 248-282-7298 and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Enjoy your weekend!

With summer here, some of us at Dr. Roy McAnnally's office have been thinking increasingly about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development - and it's fun!

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

Happy reading!

This upcoming Sunday - which happens to be Independence Day - Dr. Roy McAnnally and our staff will celebrate our nation's 234th birthday. For most folks, the Fourth of July is a chance to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary of the signing of America's Declaration of Independence. It's also a time for people to pay homage to all our soldiers, past, present and future - who lost their lives in battle - and the brave servicemen (and women) who continue to place themselves in danger every day so that we may enjoy our freedoms.

Today, we thought we'd ask: what are your Fourth of July weekend plans? Are you heading to a barbecue? Picnic? Hitting the great American open roads with family? Having fun in the sun?

If you're planning on using fireworks, Dr. McAnnally and team want to stress that you be extra careful! We want you to exercise caution if you'll be out swimming, playing sports or lighting fireworks.

Whatever you might be doing over Independence Day weekend, our entire staff hope you have a great week and a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend! We encourage you to give us a call at 248-647-0696 for more summer safety tips.

"How does Invisalign treatment really work?" you may have asked yourself recently. To find out how Invisalign treatment at the office of Dr. Roy McAnnally manages to straighten teeth without using braces at all? The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our convenient Bloomfield Hills office. Dr. McAnnally is your Michigan provider, proudly offering Invisalign for teens and adults. We also have plenty of resources on our website to check out about Invisalign, or give our office a call at 248-647-0696 to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Dr. McAnnally is a perennial member of Align Technology’s Century Club, an honorary membership bestowed annually upon the 100 largest Invisalign providers in the world.

Happy Friday and have a GREAT weekend all!

Our entire team at the office of Roy D. McAnnally, serving Bloomfield Hills and surrounding communities, just LOVE getting patient testimonials! We've received a bunch lately and thought we'd share a few of them! Enjoy your weekend everybody!

"They treat you with care, they don't have you waiting for a long time and they are very organized. They also are very friendly and will have conversations with you to allow you to warm up to them." ~ Kendall O.

"Dr. McAnnally is very qualified and has a wonderful reputation for his superior work." ~ Phasefanie O.

"The entire staff - including Dr. McAnnally - are awesome." ~ Garbrielle K.

"What I like best about my orthodontist is when I ask a question, they answer in a way that I can understand." ~ Isaac R.

"Dr. McAnnally is very nice and always makes me feel comfortable when I go in for my appointments. He always explains the procedures that he will be doing and answers any questions that I may have." ~ Carolyn H.

For parents, today - National Clean Up Your Room Day - is a day of opposition. As kids pile up the amount of stuff in their room over the course of a year (or, sometimes, years), parents all around Bloomfield Hills are happy to see this day finally arrive (many even circle it on their calendars).

Today is a great day to grab those plastic bags and Febreze and clean those messy rooms! Our staff at the office of Dr. Roy McAnnally came across an interesting article on parents working together with their teens to maintain a clean living environment and think you'll enjoy it as well!

Happy Monday and happy cleaning!

Dr. McAnnally and our staff know our patients love fun facts. Hey, who doesn't? The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at the office of Dr. Roy McAnnally thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Would you believe it, it's almost May! This is a great time for Dr. McAnnally and staff to remind our parents about the various kids' health issues and how you can avoid them. In late 2009, KidsHealth.org published its annual list of “10 Kids’ Health Issues to Watch” this year and what they mean to you.

They include:

• Earliest Signs of Autism Identified in Babies

• Obesity and Kids: What Parents Should Understand

• Many Kids Missing Out on CHIP Benefits

• H1N1 Flu Pandemic Affecting Kids the Hardest

• Texting & Driving: Just Say No

• The Importance of Vitamin D

• The Toll of Constant Social Networking

• The Impact on Concussions

• Pregnancy, STDs Increasing Among U.S. Teens

and...

• Smoking: Good News and Bad News

Dr. McAnnally and our staff encourage you to read the entire article in its entirety! Have a fun and great weekend!