This Year, Make a New Year’s Resolution to Smile About!

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Berky Orthodontics believe 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 and floss daily. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health, especially with braces! 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 2011!

-Happy New Year!

Season’s Greetings from Berky Orthodontics!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as the team at Berky Orthodontics
reflects on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love
about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2011? Opening
presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to
getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays.

--The team at Berky Orthodontics

“If you want the best…..It’s Dr. Berky and his staff!”

“I was first a patient with Dr. Berky about 10 years ago. I wore braces for four years and in that amount of time you get to know the people quite well. I’ve always recommended Dr. Berky and only Dr. Berky. Wearing braces that long you tend to notice teeth a lot and as conversations go you ask with Orthodontist they went to or are going to. It was worth every single one thousand, four hundred and sixty or so days of wearing them. I have received many compliments over the years about how beautiful my teeth are. I always say thanks to Dr. Berky, and of course tell them where the office is located. So, naturally being as happy with Dr. Berky as I have been, and the staff being as friendly and professional as they are, I wouldn’t choose another doctor to put braces on my daughter and neice. Just the last visit for the girls, on the way home they were both talking about how sweet the staff and how kind every one treats them. For me and my family: Thumbs way up for Dr. Berky and staff!”

Want to leave a review of your own? Head to our Google Places Page to get started!

The Latest Fun at Berky Orthodontics

Our Harry Potter Drawing winner, Becca B. Congratulations Becca, enjoy your Visa gift card!
Congratulations to Brody for being our excellent oral hygiene featured patient. Keep up that brushing and flossing!
This quarter's featured family is the Sutphin family. All the children have been patients of Dr. Berky. Photo courtesy of Bob Henderson with Henderson Photography.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Berky and 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 pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to send them along or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

Greensboro United -LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!

Can you spot Dr. Berky in this picture?

A Few Patient Testimonials for Dr. Berky & Team

Berky Orthodontics, serving Greensboro, High Point and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Berky and team!

“We started going to Dr. Berky in High Point 10 years ago. When we moved to Summerfield we were excited to learn he had an office in Greensboro.

His office staff is wonderful and efficient. We never have to wait and everyone has a smile and is very friendly. My son is now a senior in high school and has a handsome smile; my daughter is a freshman in high school with a beautiful soon to be braceless smile. I have a third grader that will need braces soon. I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else.” ~ Kristin G.

“Everyone at Dr. Berky’s office was always very pleasant and professional. Dr. Berky is excellent!” ~ Sheila S.

“I am very satisfied with the great job Dr. Berky did. When visiting his office, the staff was always kind.” ~ Adiam T

“I could not be anymore pleased with the overall experience. I have and will continue to refer people to Dr. Berky.” ~ Ashley S.

“I have never encountered such great customer service as I have with Dr. Berky and his staff. When I called for a consultation, the experience was so amazing. I was greeted with wonderful and useful information. Dr. Berky himself called me the evening before my appointment to see if I had any questions before my first visit. I was amazed! Within 5 minutes of arriving to my appointment Dr. Berky came out and introduced himself personally. Thank you Dr. Berky and staff for welcoming me as a new patient.” ~ LaToya H.

Access your account—any day, any time

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

Patients at our offices 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!

A few Halloween safety tips

Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of October’s sweet and spooky holiday, Halloween, Dr. Berky & team 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 our doctors and staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone.

A Great Braces Friendly Halloween Recipe

Our team know how tempting this time of the year can be on our sweet tooth. With all of the caramel, candy corn, and lollipops that are often passed around to trick-or-treaters, we realize that it can sometimes be hard to find hard, chewy, sticky, and crunchy candy alternatives.

However, there is good news! Today, we would like to share a great braces-friendly Halloween recipe with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, and “The Braces Cookbook” by Pamela Waterman. This Spider Bites recipe is delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, this is a cookie that won’t bite back!

Spider Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp. water
• 1 Tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa
• 1 Tsp. salt
• ½ Tsp. baking powder
• 1 package black rope licorice, cut into 1-inch pieces**
• 1 small tube of white (or color of choice) frosting
• Toothpicks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine shortening, sugar, water, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Add eggs into the mixture and blend. Slowly mix in flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder using low-medium speed. Drop tablespoon helpings of mixture onto ungreased cookie sheets and roll each helping into a ball.

Bake 9 minutes at 375 degrees. The batch should produce around three dozen cookies.

Let cookies cool for about 10 minutes. Then using a toothpick, create four small holes in either side of the cookie. Still using the toothpick, push one end of a piece of the cut licorice into each hole, creating the “legs” of the spider. Once all eight pieces are in place, create eyes or decorate at will using the white frosting. Then eat and enjoy!

**Licorice can sometimes stick to braces; parents should monitor

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If 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 our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

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 the greater High Point and Greensboro areas!

Orthodontic fun facts, from Berky Orthodontics

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Berky Orthodontics 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.

October Marks the National Orthodontic Health Month!

October symbolizes the transition into the Fall season and of course, Halloween! For our team at Berky Orthodontics, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and orthodontic patients around the country, October also marks the National Orthodontic Health Month. This month is a great time to remind patients of the importance of strong oral hygiene and a braces-friendly diet, especially since many of the sticky and sweet Halloween treats can be harmful to braces and other orthodontic appliances.

Candy remains a huge part of Halloween for tens of millions of American kids each year. The National Confectioners Association says 93 percent of children in the United States go trick-or-treating, and estimates candy sales will be higher this year than ever. Candy is not all bad in moderation, but can lead to big problems in excess! It can lead to tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth, and delayed orthodontic treatment time due to broken or loose appliances and braces. Get the facts about Halloween candy and orthodontics by asking us! You can also learn more on the AAO’s National Orthodontic Health Month website. We also appreciate your help in spreading the word!

August Back to School Giveaway

For the month of August, Dr. Berky & Team gave away four $50.00 Back to School gift cards. The lucky recipients were Denise B, Crystal C, Haley T, and Crystal P. Congratulations! Check out all their photos on our Facebook page!

Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, 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, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

All the cool kids do it!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as SureSmile, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

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 children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Berky, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Berky Orthodontics in Greensboro & High Point, NC for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Congratulations to our July Winners!

Congratulations to Anthony Miller, Joshua Ashworth, Jasmine Hill and Sara Steinbach, the High Point and Greensboro winners of the Berky Orthodontics July drawing, and each recipients of a 1-year North Carolina Zoo Family Membership! We've also shared a few photos on our Facebook page, check them out!

The Berky Family's Horse Riding Endeavors

Dr. Berky's two daughters, Maggie and Hannah, are competitive horse riders, and we wanted to share a bit of news about their recent accomplishements. Maggie, who rides Rollingwoods Meant To Be ("BB") in the Hunter Jumper category, recently qualified for the USEF National Pony Finals in Lexington, KY. She placed 49th out of 89th in her division, competing against people from all around the country.


Hannah competes in the Western All-Around, and rides her prize Pop's Prize ("Pretty Boy"). She competes competitively, and actually shows in the APHA Western All-Around Division. We've included two photos here on the blog, but check out our Facebook for the rest!

Am I too old for braces?

Recently, our staff at Berky Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Berky can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

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

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics, from Berky Orthodontics

Trust us when we say Dr. Berky and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Berky Orthodontics of High Point and Greensboro, NC, feel free to give us a call.

The advantage of SureSmile®

Does the thought of having braces bring you down? The team at Berky Orthodontics understands that one of the biggest concerns for orthodontic patients with braces is the length of their treatment.

But you’re in luck, because Dr. Berky specializes in SureSmile, high-tech braces that are revolutionizing the orthodontic industry. SureSmile, which combines digital 3-D imaging, has computer-aided treatment planning and customized archwires to straighten teeth about 40 percent faster than traditional braces. The SureSmile program calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more precision than traditional braces.

The SureSmile system allows us to create your entire treatment plan prior to treatment, using special computer software to analyze the 3-D model of your mouth and develop a custom archwire treatment. SureSmile’s robotic technology bends Shape Memory Alloy archwires, which can “remember” your prescription.

Results

With SureSmile’s specially programmed archwires, your teeth move more directly into their intended positions. The result for our patients is shortened treatment time and a more comfortable experience in braces.

Once the braces are on it’s only a matter of time before they are taken off revealing beautiful, straight, healthy teeth. With traditional braces a patient is expected to schedule 18 to 20 office visits over two years. With SureSmile, patients average seven to 10 visits and can have their braces off within half the time!

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, please contact Dr. Berky today!

Age 7 is the magic number for an orthodontic check-up

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Berky for a 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. Berky to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “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, give us a call at our Greensboro or High Point offices to schedule an appointment.

3D Imaging and Orthodontics in Greensboro & High Point, NC

At Berky Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality, most technologically advanced treatment to our patients. One such innovation that we have incorporated into our practice is the use of 3 dimensional imaging with the i-CAT system. 3D imaging with i-CAT provides numerous benefits to our practice and our patients, and we are one of the only offices in the area to have this technology!

An article on the benefits of 3-D imaging and orthodontics was published just this week in the New York Times, and it is a great example of how technology has completely revolutionized the field of orthodontics. We do our best to be early adopters of technology if it benefits our patients, such as the i-CAT the high tech SureSmile system! With i-CAT, we are able to approach orthodontic cases from a more complete perspective- 3 dimensional imaging allows our treatment to be far more precise. Learn more about i-CAT, SureSmile, and other orthodontic innovations Dr. Berky & Team utilize by giving us a call!

Ask Dr. Berky: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Greensboro & High Point, NC orthodontist Dr. Zoltan Berky and our team work 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 Berky Orthodontics 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. Berky can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Upcoming and Past Events at Berky Orthodontics

Part of our goal here at Berky Orthodontics is to ensure your treatment with us is enjoyable and fun! Each month, we like to hold some sort of contest or drawing for our patients, and we are excited to announce some of our plans for this summer!

In May, we awarded four patients with Wet & Wild Water Park season passes. Just this past month, We had a drawing for Dr. Berky's referring general dentist's offices and their staff in Greensboro & High Point. We gave out four beach bags filled with summer-time goodies. Congratulations to the following winners:

Dr. Claire Wilson - Lynette Whitt
Drs. McGhee & Brandyberry - Renee White
Drs. Goldenberg, Applebaum, & Pierce - Melissa Victorelli
Drs. Hanna & Weston - Nikki Price

The winners of our June Win-Win Drawing were Ben, a patient at Dr. Berky's office, and Tonia from Dr. Beshears' office. In July, we plan to give four lucky patients family NC Zoo memberships.

To stay up to date with the latest events and contests at Berky Orthodontics, continue to check back on this blog, or better yet, "Like Us" on Facebook. This will enable you to receive automatic updates from us!

The Berky Orthodontics Wet & Wild Season Pass Contest Winners

This past month, Dr. Berky held a drawing for four lucky winners to receive a Wet & Wild water park season pass. For each winner, we took a short video of them being presented with their season pass from Dr. Berky. Congratulations to all four of our winners from the Greensboro and High Point offices: Caroline, Luke, Rosa & Austin!

Stay tuned for new contests and events at Berky Orthodontics by "liking" us on Facebook. You will receive regular updates automatically to your profile!

Berky Orthodontics Reminding you to Smile! Its National Smile Month!

It’s June already! Where does the time go?

Dr. Berky and team are excited to tell you June marks National Smile Month, a great time to remind our patients to brush, floss, practice good nutrition at home (and over the summer) to avoid cavities and gum disease, among other dental health issues.

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 easy steps you can improve your oral health at home:

* 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 orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your general dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of the tips here, we encourage you to give us a call! We hope you had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

–Berky Orthodontics of Greensboro & High Point, SC

SureSmile makes the rounds on ABC’s “The Doctors”

On a recent episode of ABC's "The Doctors," Dr. Thomas Lee of Oxnard, California, was interviewed in front of a live audience and demonstrated SureSmile technology and discussed treatment benefits for orthodontists and their patients. Dr. Lee's 14-year-old patient, Nina, who had just completed SureSmile treatment, was part of the segment as well, and spoke positively about her SureSmile treatment experience.

SureSmile is a software program that facilitates the precise positioning of a patient’s teeth placement for orthodontic braces. Did you know Dr. Berky is a certified SureSmile provider? Give us a call or check out our web site to learn more about SureSmile at Berky Orthodontics!

Meet Our Orthodontist

Doctor Zoltan Berky earned his undergraduate and dental degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following Dental School, he served as an officer in the United States Army Dental Corp for 13 years. During that time, he received his Certificate of Orthodontics and his Master's Degree in Oral Biology from the University of Louisville. He also served in the North Carolina National Guard for 9 years and retired at the rank of Colonel in 2005.

Dr. Berky is a Board Certified Orthodontist, a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists. He is also a member of the American Dental Association, North Carolina Dental Society, Guilford County Dental Society and the High Point Dental Society.

Dr. Berky is a Christian and he and his wife, Debby, have been blessed with a large family. He played soccer competitively at UNC-CH and maintains his passion for the sport by playing in the Greensboro Adult Soccer League. In addition to spending time with his family, he also enjoys horseback riding.