Dental Blog | Wakefield, Dracut, & Billerica, MA

Is Invisalign Right For Your Smile Goals?

February 21, 2019 by futureofdentistry Leave a Comment

Our Invisalign® special offer is back by popular demand – patients can save up to $500 – so we thought it was a great time to share some information about this treatment.

Invisalign® is extremely popular because it has a transformational effect, straightening teeth and creating beautiful smiles. It’s especially favored by adults who have wanted to improve their smile for a long time but felt they were too old for braces. That’s why Invisalign is sometimes called invisible braces.

Future of Dentistry has been a certified provider of Invisalign for years, and we’ve seen great results with our patients!

Your dentist uses a special computer program to digitally map your smile and create a customized treatment plan for you. You can even preview your new smile.

Invisalign patients are fitted for aligners that reposition your teeth to achieve the smile you want. It’s painless and practically invisible. You receive updated aligners periodically, and each one moves you closer to a smile you’ll love.

Does it work? Yes, so well that some of our team are Invisalign patients too! You can see Dr. Strock and Katherine’s photos on this page.

Some of the things patients like about Invisalign:

“Barely there” effect is nearly invisible
No wires or brackets
Eat, drink, brush, and floss like normal

Some Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the cost and how can I pay it? It depends on each patient’s needs and smile goals. We can provide specifics after you come in for your free consultation. Patients make an initial payment and then pay in installments during the course of the treatment. Some patients are covered under their dental insurance or flex spending account (FSA). Others work with a financing program. We’re happy to help you explore your financial options. And of course, most patients are eligible for our special offer at the moment, to save $500 on Invisalign at Future of Dentistry!
How long does it take? Again, each patient is different, but it’s typical for a full case to take about a year. You’ll see progress as you go along.
How much do I wear them? Patients wear their aligners almost all the time. They’re hardly noticeable, and the more you wear them, the better the treatment works. You can remove them for eating, brushing your teeth, etc.
What age is Invisalign for? Invisalign is designed for adults as well as older teens who are mature enough to comply with the treatment. The aligners must be worn consistently for it to transform your smile, so teens need to be ready for it.

Local Preschoolers Brush Up On Dental Health

January 26, 2019 by futureofdentistry Leave a Comment

Kids are notorious for claiming to brush their teeth until confronted by a parent about their dry, unused toothbrush. The “wet toothbrush” ploy is also popular with kids, and although it does sometimes trick parents, it doesn’t fool the bacteria that causes tooth decay.

We laugh at these classic childhood antics, but it’s important to establish good dental health routines at an early age. That’s why our team regularly visits local schools and community events to talk about dental care. These smiles need to last a lifetime!

The latest edition of our “Clean Teeth Club” was led by Danielle, a Dental Hygienist in Future of Dentistry’s Billerica and Wakefield offices. She visited Great Futures Preschool, which is based at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica.

Assisted by Linda, Office Manager at the Billerica office, Danielle gave an interactive presentation to the preschool’s 4- and 5-year-olds.

Danielle covered topics like healthy eating and proper brushing technique — such as how to hold the brush correctly and how long to spend brushing.

The class learned that many of the same foods that are unhealthy for your body, like soda and candy, can also be bad for your teeth. Games, demonstrations and activities helped make the program engaging and impactful for the kids.

Danielle and Linda also passed out Future of Dentistry gift bags for the students and staff to take home. The children’s bags included practical items like toothbrush, toothpaste and a 2-minute sand timer to help them brush the right amount of time. Items like a “Tic Tac Tooth” game help kids develop a positive attitude about dental care.

We’d like to thank the students and staff at Great Futures Preschool for giving us a wonderful, warm welcome! They were a great group, and the Future Looks Bright!

If you’d like Future of Dentistry to visit your school or community group, or to learn more, please call 978-663-4303, send a message through www.futureofdentistry.com, or email lisa.futureofdentistry@gmail.com.

“Treats For Troops” Breaks Record at Future of Dentistry

December 3, 2018 by futureofdentistry Leave a Comment

Halloween candy troops Future of Dentistry

Thank you to our patients and community for helping Future of Dentistry break its record for “Treats For Troops!” This is our annual Halloween candy collection, which benefits U.S. troops and veterans. We collected an amazing 796 pounds this year!

Future of Dentistry began “Treats For Troops” several years ago. It’s a sweet way to show our troops and veterans we appreciate them. We hope it gives them something to smile about!

It’s also a great fit for us as a dental practice, since it reduces the amount of unhealthy snacks that kids consume. (At left is Roman Casazza, whose dad, Dr. Gerry Casazza, established the program at Future of Dentistry.)

The amount of candy collected for “Treats For Troops” has grown every year and local schools and youth groups are an essential part of why it is a success. Several hundred pounds of candy were collected this year by the Greenwood School of Wakefield; the Killam School of Reading in collaboration with Cub Scout Pack 735 of Reading; the Barrows School of Reading; and the Goddard School of Reading.

The Scouts played a major role in gathering, preparing and transporting the candy! (Some of the Pack participants are pictured below, right.) The rest of the candy was donated by numerous patients and families throughout the area. Cub Scout Pack 735 Treats for Troops

Thanks to all the kids and parents and teachers! With your help, we easily topped last year’s total of 625 pounds.

We’d also like to thank everyone who participated in our Facebook contest to guess how much candy we collected. Congratulations to the winners, Andrew D. (800 pounds) and Mark V. (783 pounds.) Those were the closest guesses to the real total of 796 pounds!

Many local students submitted letters or cards for our troops and veterans. Future of Dentistry offers a printable “Dear Hero” stationary option for families and schools. The children’s messages are enclosed with the candy donations, along with toothbrushes from Future of Dentistry, because of course we want our troops to keep their smiles in great shape! (Many of the letters came from the Greenwood School, whose candy collection was spearheaded by Jeanine Campbell’s fourth grade class, pictured below. You can also view a couple of the letters further below. They’re as sweet as the candy!) Greenwood School Treats for Troops

The candy collection lasts for about a week. Then the Future of Dentistry team focuses on sorting and organizing to ensure the treats meet the U.S. Military’s standards for donation. After weighing and boxing and labeling, our team ships the majority to Operation Gratitude for care packages for active-duty troops.

We also keep things locally-focused by donating some to local organizations that support our veterans and troops. Our final thank-you is for the veterans organizations and local volunteer groups who make our donations possible and work so hard for our veterans and troops year-round. These include Paula Berg of Wakefield, Helping Our Troops of Stoneham, Operation Troop Support of Danvers, the Melrose-Wakefield-Saugus Veteran Services District, and many more.

If you’re interested in participating in “Treats for Troops” with Future of Dentistry next year, please contact the Wakefield office by mid-October 2019. Please call 781-245-2299 or email us at info@futureofdentistry.com.

Use It Or Lose It: End-Of-Year Reminders

November 19, 2018 by futureofdentistry Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe that 2018 has flown by so quickly! Before the year ends, we have a few tips to help you maximize your dental care.

1) With many dental insurance plans, benefits can’t be rolled over. If your benefits expire at the end of the year, book now to avoid the holiday rush! If you’re due for treatment or a hygiene visit, give us a call now and we’ll do our best to accommodate you before 2018 ends. Our staff will also be happy to provide you with an up-to-date figure for your unused dental benefits. This is the last chance to “use it” before you “lose it,” and there’s nothing worse than losing out on funds you worked hard for.

2) If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), call your insurance provider. Do the funds roll over at the end of the year? Can they be used on products like electric toothbrushes, Waterpiks and prescription toothpaste? We’re happy to help you make the most of your FSA, in treatment or products.

3) We have many patients living out of state, who schedule their dental visits to coincide with holiday visits home. This includes college students who are home for winter break. November and December are extremely popular, so please call soon, and we’ll do our very best to accommodate your schedule.

4) If you’re heading into 2019 without dental insurance, there are other options to help you plan your care. Our in-house Membership Program is very popular with patients of all ages. It’s a great way to save and, at the same time, maintain preventive care to help you avoid costly, time-consuming problems later on.

Every patient is different, and we’re happy to help you determine the best care and coverage decisions for your needs. Please don’t hesitate to call us to start planning your care-year for 2019. Our team will work with you to develop a plan of action and ensure you make the most of your benefits.

We wish all of you a wonderful holiday season, from our family to yours!

Haiti Mission Puts The CARE In Dental Care

November 12, 2018 by futureofdentistry Leave a Comment

We are always proud of our team’s compassion, especially when they invest their time and resources in a good cause. Sara C. is the latest team member to take a hands-on approach to philanthropy. She’ll be part of a “mini mission” this month, helping provide dental care to disadvantaged communities in Haiti.

“When I heard about the Haiti trip, I was really excited to get involved and do something positive,” Sara says. “I love to travel. This mission is a great opportunity to experience the world, and at the same time, give something back to it.”

Sara’s trip takes place at a fitting time of year, Nov. 21-25, right during Thanksgiving. In the U.S., and perhaps especially in the Boston area, we are fortunate to have the best health care available. Haiti isn’t so lucky. The island nation suffers from extreme poverty and a shortage of trained dental professionals, especially outside of the capital city. As a Registered Dental Hygienist, Sara will be providing care to underserved Haitians in rural areas.

In addition to hands-on care, dental professionals like Sara work to raise public awareness about oral health. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are preventable, yet they can contribute to a variety of illnesses that affect the whole body.

The five-day mission is coordinated by International Medical Relief, a registered 501(c)(3) medical organization with NGO status.

Dedication is one of the cornerstones of Future of Dentistry’s philosophy. Dr. Casazza strives for a team that is committed to our patients, our fellow coworkers, and our community. Sara’s mission perfectly exemplifies her dedication to public health. Sara, we are proud of you, and wish you all the best on your trip!

To donate to Sara’s mission, or to learn more about International Medical Relief, visit www.internationalmedicalrelief.org/medical-relief-fundraising/sara-colvin_27103.