Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Are aligners right for you?

Clear Aligners vs Braces: Which Is Right for You?

(Your Friendly Guide from Barnett Orthodontics – Barberton, Ohio)

Clear aligners like Invisalign® are everywhere these days — your friends probably have them, TikTok is buzzing about them, and they’re a fantastic option for many smiles.

But here’s the truth: aligners aren’t perfect for every smile or lifestyle — and that’s totally okay!

If you’re searching for a Barberton or Akron orthodontist to help you choose between braces or clear aligners, this guide will help you figure out what really matters — your teeth, your bite, and your day‑to‑day life.

1. Some Smiles Need More “Power” Than Aligners

Clear aligners work great for mild-to-moderate cases, but some smiles need bigger adjustments or more precision.

Braces are often the better choice when you have:

Deep bites
Severe crowding
Major bite corrections
Stubborn tooth rotations

Think of aligners as gentle nudges and braces as the “let’s really get this done” option.

Deep Bite

Severe Crowding

Difficult Rotation of a Bicuspid

2. Aligners Only Work If You Wear Them Most of the Day

Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day to be effective. That means:

Removing them for every meal
Brushing before putting them back in
Avoiding frequent snacking
Following a consistent routine

If you tend to forget things, snack often, or don’t want to think about your teeth constantly, braces may be the easier, low-maintenance option — they work all the time without you having to remember.

3. Lost or Damaged Aligners Can Delay Treatment

Stories we hear all the time:

“I accidentally threw them away at a restaurant.”
“My dog chewed them.”
“I lost them while traveling.”

When aligners go missing, your treatment slows down while you wait for replacements. Braces don’t have this issue.

Rambo LOVES to chew aligners

4. Some Bites Need Hands-On Adjustments

Aligners are made ahead of time based on a digital plan. If something shifts unexpectedly, you’ll need new trays.

Braces let Dr. Barnett make precise in-office adjustments, which is helpful for complex cases.

5. Healthy Teeth & Gums Are a Must

Since aligners cover your teeth almost completely, they can trap bacteria if you have:

Gum inflammation
Untreated cavities
Plaque buildup

Sometimes these issues need attention first. In some cases, braces are the safer, healthier choice.

6. Mail-Order Aligners Can Be Risky

Direct-to-consumer aligners may seem convenient, but many patients come to us after using them and end up with bite issues.

Real orthodontic treatment affects:

Bite alignment
Jaw function
Bone structure
Long-term smile stability

That’s why seeing an experienced orthodontist matters.

7. Your Lifestyle Really Matters

Even though aligners look simple, they require daily effort. Braces may be a better fit if you:

Snack throughout the day
Sip coffee, tea, or soda often
Don’t want to brush after every meal
Lose things easily
Want a “set it and forget it” type of treatment

Families from Barberton, Norton, Akron, Wadsworth, and Portage Lakes often find braces fit their busy lives better than aligners.

8. Invisalign vs. 3M Clarity Aligners (we offer both)

Both Invisalign and 3M Clarity Aligners are clear, removable options that straighten teeth comfortably and discreetly.

Invisalign: Gentle on teeth, widely used, effective for most alignment issues.
3M Clarity: Made with two types of plastic for precise tooth movement, very clear, comfortable to wear.

Both are excellent options for anyone looking for clear aligners in Barberton or Akron.

Which Treatment Is Right for You?

Short answer: Clear aligners are amazing for the right smile. Braces are amazing for the right smile.

The best treatment is the one that fits your teeth, your bite, and your lifestyle.

Here at Barnett Orthodontics in Barberton, Dr. Todd Barnett will evaluate your smile, chat about your goals, and recommend the treatment—whether braces, Invisalign, or 3M Clarity Aligners—that will give you the healthiest, most beautiful, lasting results.

📞 Contact Us
Phone: (330) 745‑4497
Website: www.barnettortho.com
Email: Use our contact form at barnettortho.com
Address: 86 Conservatory Dr., Suite A, Barberton, OH 44203

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Halloween Candy- what to eat and what NOT to eat

🎃 Halloween Candy & Braces: What’s a Trick & What’s a Treat? 🍬

Essential Tips from Barnett Orthodontics in Barberton, Ohio
Halloween is creeping up fast — and at Barnett Orthodontics in Barberton, Ohio, we know this spooky season is one of the most fun (and sugary) times of the year! Whether you’re trick-or-treating around Akron, Norton, Wadsworth, Green, Copley, or other surrounding areas, it’s important to know which candies are safe for your braces — and which ones could lead to a 👀👀 SCARY 😈trip back to the orthodontist.

Here’s your ultimate guide to surviving Halloween with braces, brought to you by the smile experts at Barnett Orthodontics.
🚫 Candies to Avoid (A.K.A. The Real Villains):
Some treats are deliciously evil when it comes to braces. These are the ones that could send you straight to the orthodontist's chair:

💀 Hard candies (Jolly Ranchers, Life Savers, Blow Pops)

🕸️ Sticky stuff (caramels, taffy, toffee — they’re basically glue!)

🧟‍♂️ Chewing gum (even sugar-free can be risky)

🥜 Nuts & nutty candies (Snickers, PayDay — so good, so bad)

🍿 Popcorn kernels & hulls (Popcorn is okay… if you're super careful)

These candies can crack brackets, bend wires, and haunt your orthodontic progress. Don’t let a treat turn into a trick!

✅ Braces-Safe Treats (AKA Sweet Heroes):
Don’t worry — you can still have a fang-tastic 😁 Halloween without wrecking your braces. Here are some dentist-approved goodies:

🍫 Plain chocolate (think Hershey’s bars, M&Ms – without nuts!)

🐻 Soft gummies (in moderation — avoid anything super sticky)

🍭 Cotton candy (melts in your mouth, not in your wires!)

😋 Non-sticky sour candies (bonus points if they’re freeze-dried)

🍪 Brownies, cupcakes & soft cookies (homemade wins the night!)

Just remember: moderation is key, and brushing afterward is a must!

🦷 Halloween Survival Tips for Braces Wearers:

🪥 Brush and floss right after indulging — sugar loves to stick around!

💦 Rinse with water or mouthwash to keep things fresh.

🛡️ Keep some orthodontic wax handy in case wires get spooky 👻.

💥And remember: moderation keeps cavities and orthodontic setbacks away.

👻 Don’t Let Candy Haunt Your Smile!

With just a little planning, you can enjoy Halloween treats without turning your orthodontic progress into a horror story. At Barnett Orthodontics, we’re here to help patients across Barberton, Akron, Norton, Wadsworth, Green, Copley, and nearby communities keep their smiles safe — and stylish.

If something goes wrong with your braces during Halloween festivities, or you just need a check-up, we’re ready to help!
📍 Barnett Orthodontics
86 Conservatory Dr. Ste. A
Barberton, OH 44203

📞 Call us: 330-745-4497
🌐 Visit us: www.barnettortho.com

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

When should your child come to the Orthodontist for the first time and why do they need to continue to be monitored?

Treatment Coordinator- Amy

One big myth I constantly hear is that kids do not need to see the orthodontist until all their baby teeth are gone, around age 12.

Well, we are here to tell you that Dr. Barnett wants to see kids around age 7, no matter what! There is no cost to have an orthodontic consultation at our office and if no treatment is needed at age 7 (most likely the situation), your child will return annually for a complimentary check-up until they are ready for braces.

When people don’t come in, or even come in at age 7 but do not return until all baby teeth are gone, sometimes the opportunity to correct certain problems is far too late.

Check out this example we saw last month, we had a child come in at age 11 and he was told that he didn’t need treatment immediately, but Dr. Barnett wanted to continue to monitor him every 6 months, he would likely start braces in at some point but it was too early at the time and observation checkups were recommended.

Fast-forward 8 years (we haven’t seen him since he was 11), and he shows up at 19 wanting to fix his smile. Dr. Barnett told him he could be treated but now needs surgery to bring in his impacted canine and remove a baby tooth. If they had continued to see us regularly, that situation could’ve been avoided.

2016- crowded but Dr. Barnett will continue to monitor every 6 months and consider intervention in the future

2024- Now the canine is stuck/impacted. Surgery is needed to remove the baby tooth and bring the tooth into the smile

At age 7, kids have a mixture of baby and adult teeth. Having an exam then, allows Dr. Barnett to identify potential problems with alignment, spacing, and the bite.

One of the advantages of visiting an orthodontist around age 7 is their ability to monitor and guide the development of the jaw and teeth. Orthodontic appliances, like expanders, can widen the jaw to create more space for teeth, which can help prevent overcrowding and other issues.

Addressing these problems early can save money in the long run. Early intervention typically requires less extensive treatment compared to waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in. This can lead to shorter treatment times, fewer visits, and lower overall costs. Since certain orthodontic issues are easier to correct when detected early, problems like crossbites and open bites can often be fixed more efficiently before the jaw is fully developed. Waiting too long may require more complex treatments, including surgery.

So, scheduling a consultation with Dr. Barnett around age 7 will pave the way for early intervention if needed. The earlier you act, the better the outcome will be. Remember, our consultations are always complimentary, and you are never charged until your child begins treatment with us. Consider making the drive to Barberton, OH soon. Whether you are in Akron, Copley, Wadsworth, Medina, Canal Fulton, Manchester, or Green, we look forward to meeting you and your family soon!

Give us a call: 330-745-4497