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When it comes to the best possible orthodontic care in the Waukegan, Gurnee and Beach Park areas, staying on top of orthodontic trends is critical in the industry. The field is ever-changing because advancements in technology make orthodontic treatment options more efficient and comfortable.

After investing months and months into your orthodontic treatment through braces or Invisalign, it seems foolish to abandon all care for your teeth. But remembering to wear your retainer can be difficult, and knowing how to care for your retainer can be yet another obstacle.

Here at Kattner Orthodontics, one of the most common hang ups that we hear from patients before they make the choice to get started with braces is, “do they hurt?”. Knowing that treatment with braces can last anywhere between one and three years, imagining that you could be in pain that entire time is enough to make anyone hesitant. However, that image is very far from reality. Our patients tell us that while there is some minor discomfort at the beginning of treatment, and occasionally after that, those few days are very manageable. To learn more about what you can expect when you get braces, and what you can do to alleviate discomfort for a positive orthodontic experience, check out the information below.

There are lots of do-it-yourself or DIY projects you can do around your home to save yourself some time and money. In today’s technologically-driven world, it’s super easy to find instructions online that show you how to do just about anything at all. However, DIY braces are not something we recommend. In fact, Dr. Kattner and his staff would like to send out a warning that trying to straighten your teeth at home is something you should never try, regardless of how easy it may seem.

During the month of May, Kattner Orthodontics is showing our support for A Safe Place by collection donations for the organization!

With summer just around the corner, soon many of our patients will be going to summer camp, taking family vacations or just spending time outside having fun! Summer is also the time when there are some special foods being served at family reunions and barbecues with friends. To make sure those of you wearing braces can fully enjoy all the fun, Dr. Kattner and his team have put together this braces care guide for summertime. By following these tips, you should be able to enjoy your summer without running into any problems with your braces.

Here at Kattner Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer a variety of great orthodontic treatments that are capable of giving you the straighter and healthier smile that you’re looking for. No matter your orthodontic condition or your desires, we believe that you’ll find just the right type of braces or other orthodontics that’ll suit your needs perfectly. As we offer many different options, today we want to compare the two treatments that are perhaps our most popular – traditional metal braces and Invisalign.

If you’re in the process of getting yourself a new smile with Invisalign, the last thing you want to hear when you finish with that last set of aligners is that you have a bad case of tooth decay. Unfortunately, without taking proper care of your aligners throughout your orthodontic treatment, that possibility could become reality. At Kattner Orthodontics, it’s our goal to make sure that you finish your Invisalign treatment with a smile that’s nothing less than perfect, which is why we’ve put together this helpful guide on how to keep your Invisalign aligners clean and your smile healthy.

While orthodontic treatment is suitable for patients of all ages, there are a few differences between adult and kids orthodontic treatment.

While wearing braces there are some changes you’ll have to make to your regular routine - and this includes making some changes when playing sports. While there aren’t any problems with continuing to play sports, you’ll have to take an extra precaution before you start. As your trusted Gurnee, IL orthodontist and orthodontic team, we want to make sure that all of our patients are aware of how vital it is to wear a mouthguard.

As your trusted provider of orthodontics in the Gurnee, IL area we’re more than happy to offer our compassionate orthodontic care to patients of all ages – even the youngest ones in your family. Early detection of orthodontic problems is important because many conditions are more comfortably corrected in a young patient versus an older patient. For this reason we enthusiastically recommend that you bring your child in to see us at Kattner Orthodontics at an early age.

To provide your family with the quality orthodontic care you deserve, Dr. Kattner and his experienced team of orthodontic professionals utilize only the best in orthodontic technology and treatment methods. With state-of-the-art technology, we can provide quality care and a wider range of treatment options, allowing for a personalized treatment plan that fits the needs of you and your family. Below you can find more information about the advanced technology that we use right here in our local Waukegan office.

Kattner Orthodontics is proud and excited to announce we’re celebrating 25 years of providing top quality orthodontic care to patients of all ages in the Waukegan, Gurnee, Beach Park, and Zion, IL area. Our Waukegan-born and Gurnee-raised orthodontist, Dr. Paul Kattner, has gained invaluable experience over the past 25 years, treating patients with the latest in orthodontic technology, including ceramic braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and Invisalign Teen.

Your orthodontic treatment is an investment in your new smile. Therefore, you naturally want to take care of your metal or ceramic braces to achieve the best treatment results. Dr. Kattner and his team at Kattner Orthodontics want you to obtain the perfect smile, so we encourage you to eat foods that are good for your teeth and gums and won’t damage your braces. If you do develop a common dental problem like tooth decay or damage your appliances it could prolong your orthodontic treatment time, which is something nobody wants.

When many people see someone wearing orthodontic appliances on their teeth like braces or Invisalign they often think that the orthodontic treatment the person is undergoing is done solely to improve the appearance of their smile. But orthodontic treatment is far more than cosmetic in nature because crooked teeth can negatively impact your oral and overall health.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and with Halloween right around the corner, Dr. Kattner of Kattner Orthodontics wants you and your children to safely enjoy this treat-filled holiday season with a couple of helpful tips. We know many of our patients in the Gurnee, Beach Park, and Zion areas enjoy the tradition of trick-or-treating, and Dr. Kattner and his staff want you to take pleasure in the festivities all while protecting your orthodontic appliances. For those of you who wear braces, we recommend that you take a few precautions, as we want patients to avoid having a “spooky” smile filled with broken brackets and wires. But do not fear, Kattner Orthodontics is here! Your Gurnee, IL area orthodontist has put together this guide to help aid braces-wearers during their Halloween endeavors.

Kattner Orthodontics is proud to be your choice when you’re looking for an orthodontist in Waukegan, IL. As your provider of orthodontic treatment we realize that every patient will have different needs and interests. To make sure all of our patients are satisfied we offer many different types of braces and also the alternative to braces, Invisalign. While Invisalign is generally designed for adults, we’re excited to offer Invisalign Teen, a treatment that’s designed specifically for teenage patients.

Kattner Orthodontics is proud to be your local Waukegan orthodontist, providing comprehensive orthodontic care along with exceptional customer service. Our Waukegan, IL office offers a friendly and professional environment for personal and individualized patient care. We thank you for considering Kattner Orthodontics as your orthodontic specialist.