Common Misconceptions....

 

There are several common misconceptions regarding the difference between the types of treatment handled by dentists and orthodontists. These misconceptions can create confusion about what the Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics team will do for our patients and exactly how our team can help them. Therefore, we would like to explain a couple of myths and misconceptions about orthodontics.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Dr. Sondhi and Dr. Biggs are just like your general dentist. The truth is that they are actually very different from your family dentist. It is true that both dentists and orthodontists care about helping you enjoy a lifetime of good dental and oral health, their methodology is very different.

While a dentist treats the overall health of the teeth, an orthodontist is seen due to very specific concerns regarding the positioning of the teeth. Most of the patients that we see are concerned with the alignment of their teeth/jaws. It is important for an orthodontist to see children as early as age 7. At that age, it is possible to detect problems that have not become too advanced to treat. Your family dentist may also refer your child when they feel appropriate.

Another common misconception about orthodontists, is that they only treat children. It is true that when you visit an orthodontic clinic, you will see a lot of young kids, but many teenagers and adults are in active treatment at any given time. Because the alignment of your teeth can change for several different reasons at any point in life, orthodontic treatment can be recommended at any age.

If you have any questions about what Dr. Sondhi and Dr. Biggs can do for you, feel free to ask any one of our team members. Just one more reason Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics is "Smiles Above the Rest".

Flexible Health Spending Accounts

In the past, the IRS had always insisted that any money set aside in Flexible Health Spending Accounts would have to be spent within that calendar year.  This always created a challenge for families, because if they did not save enough, they lost some of the tax advantages, and if they saved too much, it would be confiscated by the government. 

Fortunately, the Treasury Department appears to have come to their senses, and has now allowed employers to make an exception to the 30 year old "use it or lose it" policy.  The employers now have the discretion to allow individuals to carry over $500 from one year to the next.  However, this is not a universal rule, and is subject to adoption by individual employers, so you will need to check with your employer, or the HR department.

Take advantage of your Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts, and plan necessary orthodontic treatment accordingly. Please call any one of our team members at Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics if you have any questions about your options!

Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics Food Drive

From November 4th through December 23rd, Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics is having our annual non-perishable food drive. All donations will be made to Dayspring Center, which opened in 1981 to help families in Indianapolis during difficult times. You can help by bringing donations to our office. Items collected may include non-perishable foods such as jelly, peanut butter, canned fruits or vegetables, soups, crackers, beans, cereal, etc., as well as toiletry items (i.e. toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc.). Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics will match all donations made to our office. We would like to thank you in advance for your support.

Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics gives back!!

 

On Tuesday, October 29, 2013, Dr. Biggs, his wife Amy, and friends Phillip and Kristen Schaeffer attended the "SuperBOWL for Saturday's Kids" at Pinheads Entertainment Center.  This event was hosted by Jeff and Karen Saturday. The annual celebrity bowl helps to raise funds to benefit The People's Burn Foundation, which provides support for burn survivors and their families. Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics proudly supports the Saturday's for their efforts.

Halloween is almost here....

 

With the approaching holiday we just want to pass on a friendly reminder.... Don't forget to stay away from the hard, sticky and chewy candy. Remember to be safe and watch for goblins and ghouls. 

It's FSA and HSA time

In the next few weeks, some families will need information for their 2014 Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). New legislation limits the amount to $2500.00 per year. Please feel free to contact our office at (317) 846-1455, if you need assistance with planning for you or your family for 2014.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

We love October around Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics. Not only because it is time for our annual pumpkin decorating contest, but also because October is National Orthodontic Health Month.

Every year, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recognizes October as a time to raise awareness about the benefits of orthodontic treatment. The AAO has more than 16,000 members, and is the oldest professional association for orthodontist in North America.

October is a month full of hard, sticky, crunchy, and chewy treats, and Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics would like to encourage patients to be kind to their teeth during treatment. If you have braces, try to avoid carmel, taffy, bubble gum, and candy with nuts. If you can't keep yourself away from the sugar, opt for softer candy, such as peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth treats.

As always, remember to brush every time after you eat, especially after eating sugary snacks and treats. Exposing your teeth to sweets increases your risk of cavities by allowing the sugar to coat the teeth, and increases the possibility of decalcification (permanent white marks) on the teeth.

If you have any questions about what treats are acceptable while in orthodontic treatment, please feel free to contact any one of our Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics team members.