Tuesday, February 17, 2026

New Year- New benefits.....but what does that mean for Orthodontics?

All set! ✅

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

Monday, December 9, 2024

“Do I REALLY have to wear my retainers for life?”

“Do I REALLY have to wear my retainers for life?”

By Amy--Treatment Coordinator

As a treatment coordinator at Barnett Orthodontics in Akron, Ohio, I am asked this question many times a day, and not just by preteens/teens. Each time the answer is “YES!” There is no shortcut to keeping your smile perfect after you’ve spent (on average) 18-24 months in braces or aligners. Dr. Barnett does use built-in retainers on the bottom (and sometimes on the top) but those are only holding the 6 (and/or 4 on top) teeth in a perfect position. The retainer I am talking about is a clear removable retainer to wear at nighttime. That one will keep ALL your teeth in perfect alignment.

So, you DO have to wear your clear removable retainers forever, and here’s why:

Right after treatment, your teeth are not permanently fixed in their new positions. The bone and tissue around your teeth take time to stabilize. Even after time has passed, without retainers, your teeth will gradually shift back to their original position.

If you’ve had braces or Invisalign for months or years, the pressure on your teeth will still be at play after treatment. Retainers keep your teeth aligned like the day you finished treatment.

Orthodontic treatment is expensive (average $6000-$8000 in Barberton, OH)- period. Wear your retainer so you don’t undo the work you’ve put into straightening your teeth, saving you from having to repeat treatment and incur additional fees.

Over time, slight movement of your teeth can impact not only the look of your smile but the bite too, and overall health of your teeth. Wearing a retainer helps maintain your beautiful, functional smile and ensures the health of your gums and teeth.
Misalignment or “crooked teeth” can often cause issues like trouble keeping your teeth clean, bite problems, or jaw pain. Retainers help keep this from happening as your teeth stay exactly where they were the day your braces (or aligners) came off.

I know it isn’t what you want to hear but if you don’t want to do the whole braces/aligners process again, it’s simple, just put in your retainers. Make it part of your nightly routine and you won’t be visiting Barnett Orthodontics again- except for retainer checks. 😉

By the way, if you're a past patient at our office, we replace worn-out retainers at NO CHARGE!

Give us a call today to be seen at our Akron/Barberton location 330-745-4497.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Mail-Order Orthodontics. Is it a Mail-Order Mistake?

My social media feeds (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Yahoo) have been bombarded lately with advertisements about a direct to consumer (mail-order) orthodontic treatment option with Invisible aligners that is 3x faster and 60% cheaper than traditional braces. In fact, from what the advertisement says, you do it yourself, without even having to see an orthodontist or dentist.

Say what?!?!

Cheaper, faster and more convenient? There must be a catch, right? RIGHT.

I'd like to unbox this looking more closely at the three different selling points of DIY aligners:

1) Time
2) Price
3) Convenience, no Doctor Visits

TIME
It is totally misleading that mail-order aligners work “faster" than seeing an orthodontist. This marketing ploy is founded on the principal that their treatment takes 6 months, while traditional orthodontic treatment usually takes 18 months. In reality, if a patient ONLY wants their front teeth aligned, an orthodontist can do it in 6 months with invisible aligners or braces—the same amount of time as DIY aligners. There is more to orthodontics however than just straightening the front teeth. That’s why a typical orthodontic case can take around 18 months.

With a traditional case, the first 6 months are usually the initial straightening stage and the following 12 months are usually the bite correction stage. Mail order aligners on average take only 6 months because they DO NOT correct your bite. Therefore, when these direct to consumer companies say they are 3x faster than traditional braces, they are not comparing apples to apples. They are comparing a limited treatment option to only align the front teeth (6 months), to a comprehensive orthodontic case where your bite is being fixed (18 months). That’s where they get the 3x faster statement, 6 months versus 18 months.

Check out this case.

I straightened these teeth after only 2 months. It took ONE appointment. By this reasoning, I can straighten teeth 9x faster than traditional braces and 3x faster than mail order aligners. I win.

Mail-order aligners are not faster than seeing an orthodontist. If a patient wants limited orthodontic treatment with clear aligners or braces, it can be done in approximately 6 months by an orthodontist. Discuss this with an orthodontist so you can understand the pros and cons of limited treatment. Don’t try and do it yourself thinking it will be faster and better.

PRICE
The cost of orthodontic treatment is usually determined by the total treatment time. Shorter cases typically cost less, while longer cases typically cost more.

As I stated above, the average direct to consumer aligner product takes approximately 6 months. Therefore, they have priced their product around $2000. This is significantly cheaper than a traditional orthodontic case (both regular braces or aligners) that takes almost 18 months ($4000-$6000). With that said, using the same logic as we used to destroy the speed argument above, these mail-order aligners are not truly cheaper. They are just selling you a limited 6 month option.

If a patient is interested in a limited 6-month orthodontic treatment option, just ask you orthodontist to weigh the pros and cons of a 6 month plan. Many orthodontists would entertain the idea of doing limited treatment (at a lower cost than full treatment) if the patient understands the risks and rewards. Chances are good the cost would be similar to a mail-order aligner.

Thus, the mail order argument that it is 60% less expensive is again, misleading and false.

CONVIENENCE, NO DOCTOR VISITS
The lack of doctor supervision is the BIGGEST concern someone should have about the mail-order aligner business model.

Orthodontic treatment is an on-going medical procedure which requires an initial diagnosis and on-going supervision throughout treatment. As aligners are changed, the teeth are moving and changing. While the mail-order companies have a doctor “review” the treatment plan, without seeing the patient, they do not have enough information to make a proper plan. Also, there is no guarantee it is an orthodontist reviewing your case. It could just be a general dentist with no formal training in orthodontics. If orthodontic tooth movement is not done correctly, it can lead to bone issues, tooth loss, gum disease or bad-bite changes. Look at the on-line reviews and you will quickly see a trend regarding failures with mail-order aligners. While there have been successes, without a doctor’s supervision, treatment cannot be altered, improved and changed as needed.

Also, most orthodontists utilize specific techniques such as attachments (resin buttons on the teeth) to assist with clear aligner treatment. With the mail-order products, these essential buttons cannot be utilized.

To put it simply, there is too much risk involved with orthodontic treatment that is not supervised on an on-going basis.

CONCLUSION

To summarize, DIY Mail Order Aligners are not cheaper, not faster and not as safe as seeing a trained orthodontist.

If you live in/around the Akron area, we treat both children and adults with braces or invisible aligners. Our practice is in Barberton but we promise you it will be worth the drive if you are 20-30 minutes away. Give Barnett Orthodontics a call at 330-745-4497 or contact us through our website or Facebook page to learn more.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Better Late than Never? Not with Braces—Better Early than Late!

When people think of braces, they picture themselves as that awkward kid in middle school. While it’s true, 80% of what is done with braces or Invisalign in done once all the baby teeth are gone, what about when you see an elementary school child with braces? This is called interceptive treatment. Interceptive treatment, also known as phase I, is a very common and necessary part of early orthodontic treatment and dental development.

When should my child see an Orthodontist and what is Interceptive treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists suggests that patients be seen for a consultation as early as age 7 to be considered for orthodontic treatment, particularly interceptive treatment. Interceptive treatment is the use of specific procedures, techniques, and appliances in young patients, as early as age 7 and before age 12, that help facilitate dental growth and development to either eliminate the need for a comprehensive, full set of braces (known as phase II) or make getting braces later, around age 12, easier.

What appliances and techniques are used in Interceptive Treatment?

There are a variety of appliances that may be used during this first phase of treatment, however, there are some that are most common. For example, the use of an upper palatal expander is very commonly used and helps to create more room for the adult teeth to come in by widening the upper arch of the mouth. It is generally in the mouth for approximately 6 months.

Upper Expander

An expander can also be used on the lower teeth to reach the same result, and sometimes both upper and lower are used at the same time. Both the upper and lower expanders fit around the back molars of the respective arch with rings and are turned with a key to widen the arch.

Lower Expander Expand

er Key

The use of braces is also another technique used during this phase. Braces are used to straighten the adult teeth and are adhered most often to the front teeth only, either just on top, or both top and bottom.

Phase I Braces

When the braces and expander are removed at the end of this phase, a permanent bonded retainer may be used on the backside of the front teeth to hold them in place along with the use of what is called a lingual arch. A lingual arch fits around the back teeth with rings just as the expander does, and a small wire runs around the inside of all the teeth on top (and/or on bottom) to also help hold the treatment that has been done during this phase while waiting for phase II to begin around age 12.

Upper Bonded Retainer Upper Lingual Arch

Always remember that every child is different. Not everyone is going to need all of the appliances that have been mentioned here, and some may require something that is not mentioned here. Overall, the important thing is to make sure you are visiting an orthodontist that you trust and feel comfortable with when your child is around age 7, and then, on a regular basis even for observation purposes. As your child grows and develops they may require interceptive treatment that was not necessary at the first consultation.

If you live or work in the Akron Ohio area, give us a call to schedule a complimentary consultation. Let’s make sure to be early, rather than late!

Amanda Spies--Orthodontic Assistant

Barnett Orthodontics

Barberton, Ohio 44203

330-745-4497