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There's something special about customizing the elastics on your braces to fit your unique personality. Once you embrace your braces (no pun intended) you'll realize how many color options and combinations there are to choose from. Although you'll have a fantastic smile afterward, you won't have this level of customizability once your braces come off, that's for sure!

Adding flair to your braces isn't what all patients are looking to do (like those opting for clear aligners or ceramic braces), but it's part of the fun of traditional metal braces! Many of our patients ask Dr. Gina Pinamonti to have their elastics match the colors of their favorite sports teams or their school, but how about changing your elastics to match holiday colors?

Here are some options to consider:

• Valentine’s Day – Red and pink
• Easter – Pink, blue, and violet
• Halloween – Orange and black
• Christmas – Red, green, and white
• Saint Patrick’s Day – Green and white

There are a few colors that some people choose to avoid. But if you’re trying to make your teeth stand out in a crowd, the following suggestions need not apply!

• Brown or Green – can be mistaken for food being stuck in your teeth
• Black – might look like a rotten tooth if someone isn't looking hard enough
• White – Some patients think it will make their teeth look whiter, but in fact it can make your teeth appear yellower than they actually are. White elastics can also stain easily.
• Yellow – accentuates the yellowness of your enamel

Since changing the color of your elastics has no effect on the actual orthodontic treatment process, the idea is to have fun and add a personal touch. So, next time you get your elastics changed at our Pittsburg, KS office, why not wear your braces boldly and opt for something festive?

July 2017 Employee Spotlight - Kelly Cumiskey

Kelly Cumiskey is an Orthodontic Assistant who has been on our Smile Out Loud team for 2 years now. Kelly’s favorite part of working at Pinamonti Orthodontics is seeing the patient transformations. She also enjoys working with her co-workers.

Outside of the office, Kelly enjoys hanging out with her daughters, doing photography, going hiking, camping and just being outside. A fun fact about her is that she loves sports, and she especially loves the Chicago Cubs and the Denver Broncos.

When asked what her favorite memory while working at Pinamonti Orthodontics is, Kelly said: “I love our annual Halloween celebration where we all wear our costumes to work and I also love the day that all wear ugly Christmas sweaters.”

Pictured: Kelly with her daughters, Annlynn (left) and Kersee (right).

The Fourth of July is a great time to get together with friends and family members for BBQ, games, fireworks, and other celebrations in honor of our country’s independence. While your fellow revelers eat hot dogs and wave flags, you can impress them by sharing these fascinating facts and historical tidbits about some of our country’s traditions and symbols from the team at Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics.

The Statue of Liberty

With a torch in one hand and a tablet in the other, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic and recognizable symbols of our country. However, as recognizable as certain parts of the statue are, not many people know that broken shackles, which represent oppression and tyranny, are lying at Lady Liberty’s feet. According to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, the copper-plated lady weighs in at a whopping 450,000 tons and has been holding her torch up for more than 125 years, which must make for some impressive arm muscles.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Since 1916, people have been flocking to Coney Island on the Fourth of July to witness what some people call the “superbowl of competitive eating.” Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest challenges competitors to devour as many hot dogs as they can in just ten minutes, with the current record holder swallowing a whopping 68 hot dogs! If you’d like to witness this bizarre and frenzied eating competition but you won’t be anywhere near Coney Island on the fourth, don’t worry. ESPN has been broadcasting this popular event for several years, so you can watch from the comfort of your couch while you eat a reasonably portioned meal.

The History Behind Fireworks

Viewing the nighttime fireworks display is exciting way to finish off the fourth. Many people know that these brilliant displays probably originated with the Chinese. However, many historians also believe that fireworks were stumbled upon when the Chinese roasted bamboo sticks over fires and watched them explode. After many years of roasting the sticks, a group of alchemists created an early form of gunpowder, which they stuffed into the bamboo sticks to create an even more powerful explosion, paving the way for the today’s modern fireworks.

Whether you’re planning on visiting the Statue of Liberty, watching fireworks in Pittsburg, KS, or even participating in a hot dog eating contest, Dr. Gina Pinamonti and our team hope you have a safe and fun-filled holiday. Happy Fourth of July!

The decision to move forward with braces or other orthodontic treatment comes with several other choices to make. Investing in your or your child’s smile won’t only deliver beautiful teeth, but it will also establish the foundation for higher levels of self-esteem and confidence.

Treatment may also alleviate future health concerns, such as cavities, gum disease and complications from overcrowding or misalignment that may create the need for more invasive treatments.

One of the most important considerations after choosing to engage in orthodontic care is financing the treatment plan.

Our “Smile Out Loud” team will be happy to help you determine the best option for you and your budget. From in-office financing terms to third-party lenders to help pay all of your bill or only your deductible, we will explain options to you and answer questions.

For now, though, learn more about financing orthodontic care by downloading our ebook, “Investment Options to Keep You AND Your Pocketbook Happy.”