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Can Clear Aligners Replace Metal Braces Entirely?
10/11/2024
If you're ready to take the steps necessary to improve your smile and achieve your best self, Huls Orthodontics is here to help. We are a family orthodontic office with locations in Champaign and Monticello, IL that offers several cosmetic dentistry options, including the use of clear aligners and traditional metal braces.
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How To Floss With Braces - The Right Way
09/10/2024
At Huls Orthodontics, Dr. Mark B. Huls helps patients get the dental treatments they need and feel comfortable with their choices. He gives you all the information you need when choosing braces or any other oral appliances whether you visit our Champaign or Monticello offices. When you get braces from us, learn how you can floss with them and keep your teeth in good shape.
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Is It Necessary To Remove Teeth For Braces?
08/13/2024
Dr. Mark B. Huls offers orthodontic braces in Monticello and Champaign for patients in need. The doctor welcomes patients of all ages and makes you feel comfortable as soon as you take a seat. You don't need to worry about hiding your smile or worrying about what people think when you have broken teeth or a crowded mouth. We can handle any questions you have, including whether we need to remove teeth before you can get braces.
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Teeth Shaving for Clear Aligners - Is it needed?
07/10/2024

Our goal at Huls Orthodontics is to provide you with the best treatment possible. Whether you or your child needs teeth straightening, we want you to look and feel your best. If your teen needs treatment to improve their teeth and feels self-conscious, clear aligners are a top option. You might want to know if teeth shaving is needed to accommodate this treatment.

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Debunking Common Myths about Clear Aligners
06/10/2024
While you've likely heard of clear aligners being an option for straightening teeth from your family orthodontist, you may not know a whole lot about how they work. Unfortunately, if you listen to the many myths that are going around, you can get the wrong idea. To help you gain a better understanding of what clear aligners may be able to do for you, we're going to address some of the most common myths below.
 
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Debunking Common Myths About Braces
05/10/2024
At Huls Orthodontics, we aim to help patients address common issues like crooked or crowded teeth. Braces are one of the best options for correcting those problems. However, there are several myths about this treatment that cause people to avoid it. These are the most common, debunked.
 
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Preparing for Your Child's First Dental Visit
04/10/2024

Children should begin seeing a dentist very early in life. Once your child enters kindergarten, you have already missed out on several opportunities to manage your child's oral hygiene and health. At Huls Orthodontics, we examine the impact of early dental visits and preparing your child for that first visit. We also understand that early dental visits make it so much easier to transition to a family orthodontist in Champaign and Monticello if and when a child needs orthodontic treatment.

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Wearing and caring for your Essix Retainer
03/10/2024

When your Monticello orthodontic treatment calls for an Essix retainer, you might be puzzled as to what that means. A retainer is a retainer, right? Well, no, seeing as the Essix retainer is a fairly new invention. Thirty years ago, your only options for retainers were fixed and Hawley. Now you can choose an Essix retainer if your orthodontist at Huls Orthodontics says it is a viable option for you.

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Dental Hygiene with Braces
01/10/2024

At Huls Orthodontics in Monticello or Champaign, we understand the issue of crooked or crowded teeth. You have plenty of options available to fix the problem to achieve the beautiful smile of your dreams. If you have chosen traditional, lingual, or clear braces, you can look forward to a future with straight teeth. Practice good dental hygiene with your new braces by following these crucial steps.

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Clear Aligners: Your New Year's Resolution
12/10/2023

If your New Year's resolution is to improve your smile by having beautifully straight, even teeth, then your family orthodontist, Dr. Mark B. Huls at Huls Orthodontics, can help you keep that resolution. With convenient locations in both Monticello and Champaign, the dedicated staff at Huls Orthodontics can help you keep your New Year's resolution while improving your health. Dr. Mark B. Huls is one of the best in the area, and we're sure you'll be happy with your new smile.

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How often do I change my clear aligners?
11/10/2023

Clear aligners are the modern equivalent of metal braces. These customized trays may straighten your teeth in almost half the time as traditional methods. Our Champaign and Monticello orthodontist, Dr. Mark B. Huls, welcomes all questions about your clear aligners. Knowing when to change clear aligners helps patients move forward with their treatment plans.

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Tips for Taking Care of Your Clear Aligners
10/10/2023

At Huls Orthodontics, we want to help you get the brilliant smile you've always wanted. One way to do that is to address any issue with your teeth such as misalignment or crowding. If you aren't open to traditional braces, clear aligners might be a treatment option available to you. These are tips for taking care of them.

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How Often Do Braces Need to Be Tightened?
09/10/2023

When you visit our family orthodontist, you might be embarking on a new journey with metal braces. This time-tested orthodontic device moves your teeth into a straight position for years of beautiful smiles. At Huls Orthodontics, Dr. Mark B. Huls is here to answer all of your questions. Learn all about metal braces and how often they must be tightened right now.

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Can braces change your face shape?
08/10/2023

At Huls Orthodontics, we provide braces and clear aligners to correct oral health issues and straighten teeth. We welcome children, teens, and adults into our family orthodontist Monticello facility so we can improve their smiles. During the correcting phase, you may notice that your face is different. If your face shape changes, it may not be an aging issue but an issue with wearing braces and aligners.

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Give Yourself The Gift Of Clear Aligners
07/10/2023

Dr. Mark B. Huls and his team of professionals at Huls Orthodontics provide personalized and professional orthodontic care for children, teenagers, and adults. One effective way to have a healthy smile is with a set of clear aligners. These aligners provide an effective, non-invasive way to correct the alignment of your teeth. Here are a few reasons why clear aligners are the perfect way to give yourself an incredible gift.

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How Long Does It Take for Braces to Straighten Teeth?
06/10/2023

People of all ages can correct their smiles with metal braces. Before you decide to get braces, it's understandable to have questions. We often have patients ask us how long they'll have to wear braces. On average, the range to straighten most people's teeth is nine months to a few years. A few factors can shorten or lengthen how long you wear braces.

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How to Clean Stained Invisalign Trays
05/10/2023

Invisalign is an alternative to those heavy braces that people wore so often in the past. You receive clear aligners that slowly move your teeth to straighten them. The biggest problem you might have is that the trays develop some stains. While those stains won't affect your teeth, you should still learn how to get rid of them to make your aligners last until you're ready for your next set.

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When Can Children Get Invisalign Treatment?
04/07/2023

Whether your child's teeth cause discomfort or prevent regular speech, seeing an orthodontist is a step in the right direction. Although some parents often consider how their child's appearance may be linked to self-esteem, there's more to consider in the long run. If your child is over the age of 7, it's not too early for them to see an orthodontist.

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How Long Does It Take to Put on Ceramic Braces?
03/05/2023

Understanding what ceramic braces are and how they are applied are the first steps toward deciding if these are the right braces for you. Ceramic braces are made of ceramic, of course. They are typically clear or tooth-colored and are far less noticeable than the traditional metal brackets. These braces, or more accurately the brackets, are installed in much the same way as the metal brackets. Adult orthodontic treatment in Champaign often utilizes ceramic braces because ceramic is stronger, lasts longer, and doesn't draw attention to your orthodontic treatment. Dr. Mark Huls of Huls Orthodontics is the best clinic in Champaign for adult braces of this kind.

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Is it Time to Replace Your Retainer? 5 Signs!
02/06/2023

A retainer protects your straight teeth from moving out of place. At Huls Orthodontics, Dr. Mark B. Huls will fit you with a retainer after braces so that you can get the most out of your orthodontic investment. If you've had your retainer for a while, you might wonder if there's ever a time to replace it. Get to know the top five signs of a failing retainer.

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How to Practice Good Oral Hygiene with Braces
01/30/2023

At Huls Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on becoming your family orthodontist in Champaign and on our ability to improve your smile once and for all. From crooked smiles to crowding, our team custom-tailors each treatment plan for our patient's needs. More specifically, our leader, Dr. Mark B. Huls, works with each patient to instill productive habits and routines into their lives that facilitate optimal oral health. However, one question crops up time and time again: how do I clean my mouth once I have braces? If you're battling your braces or think orthodontic braces are in your future, here's how to maintain a healthy smile while navigating braces

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Crowded teeth: What is it and how is it corrected?
12/29/2022

Here at Huls Orthodontics, Dr. Mark B. Huls has seen his share of dental issues. One of those issues that most frequently plagues people is crowded teeth. Dental crowding is a type of malocclusion - a fancy way of saying "bad bite" - that happens as the upper and lower mandibles develop. That's why we see this problem so often in children and young adults.

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Essix Retainer: Pros and Cons
07/04/2022

When it comes to correcting your smile, retention is an important step. When orthodontic braces are just about ready to be removed, it's a good time to get prepared for transitioning to a retainer. One of the three common retainers is the Essix Retainer. But is the Essix retainer the right retainer for you? Read on to learn more.

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5 Tips for Making it Through Your First Week with Braces
06/27/2022

Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting time. Not only are you beginning the journey to a great new smile, but you're also making positive changes for better oral health. As your trusted family orthodontist, we are proud to help guide you through your orthodontic braces treatment with quality, individualized treatment plans. Adjusting to your new braces at first can take some getting used to, but luckily you can follow these 5 tips from Huls Orthodontics for making it through your first week with braces.

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Invisalign vs. Braces: Which is Better?
05/09/2022

Choices, choices! Gone are the days when there was only a singular option for correcting your teeth. Today, there are multiple options available when it comes to orthodontic treatments. After determining a course of action, Dr. Mark Huls at Huls Orthodontics will help you choose which avenue best suits your needs, preferences, and lifestyle.

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The difference between metal and ceramic braces?
04/26/2022

At Huls Orthodontics, we offer multiple types of treatment to combat any issues with your teeth. If the time has come that orthodontic braces are being discussed, you might find yourself overwhelmed with the options. We would love to help you narrow down the options by talking about what the difference is between metal braces and ceramic braces.

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6 Things to Know About Adolescent Braces
03/29/2022

Orthodontic braces are the most commonly known orthodontic treatment and play a vital role in maintaining a clean, healthy smile. Many patients first get braces during their adolescence, which at that age can sometimes seem intimidating or even scary. It's important for both a child and their adult to be as informed as possible before beginning treatment, not only to help put the patient at ease, but so they can also be prepared to take proper care of their braces and teeth during the treatment period. Here are 6 things we think you should know before getting started.

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Differences Between Child and Adult Orthodontic Treatment
03/28/2022

As an adult, would you go to a pediatrician? Not necessarily, because treatment is different for children and adults. The same could be said for orthodontics. At Huls Orthodontics, while Dr. Mark B. Huls provides orthodontics for both children and adults, we approach it differently. There are different factors to consider when treating different patients. Learn the difference between Child and adult orthodontics, and how treatment can help you at any age.

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What to Expect When Getting Your Braces Removed
03/04/2022

The long wait is finally over, you've done your time, given up those sticky, crunchy, chewy foods for such a long time and now the day has come when your braces are coming off. However, this moment is not the end of the journey, and today Dr. Huls of Huls Orthodontics in Champaign and Monticello, IL would like to provide patients with a list of things to expect when they get their braces removed.

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What candy you should avoid while wearing braces or Invisalign?
12/20/2021

Whether you have braces or Invisalign, some foods pose a real threat to your teeth and the success of your orthodontic treatment. The last thing you want is to finally get your braces off and have unsightly stains on your newly straightened teeth or finish your Invisalign treatment only to need fillings in your beautiful new smile. Here at Huls Orthodontics, your provider of orthodontic braces in Champaign, IL, we believe that each one of our patients should be happy with the results of their orthodontic treatment which is why we encourage our patients to be aware of certain foods while wearing braces or Invisalign. Find out which foods and candies are the most damaging to orthodontic treatments so you can make sure your braces or Invisalign give you the results you want!

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How to Take Care of Retainers for Teeth
11/30/2021

Congratulations! You finally finished wearing braces! However, treatment is still not done. To make sure that your teeth remain straight for a lifetime, you must wear a retainer. Retainers are little devices that hold your teeth in their new positions while bone tissue stabilizes. At Huls Orthodontics, we provide retainers to patients after they have completed their main orthodontic treatment. If you're about to receive your first pair of retainers, here's what you need to know about taking care of them, and why they're important to wear.

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How to Maintain a Proper Diet With Braces
10/20/2021

When wearing braces, a healthy diet becomes important to maintain your oral health. Certain foods can damage your braces and your teeth. However, there are a lot of other foods to enjoy, and with healthy habits, you can have a balanced diet without giving up most foods you love. At Huls Orthodontics, we aim to educate all of our patients on what to do before, during, and after orthodontic treatment. If you're struggling with what to eat while wearing braces, here's what we recommend.

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Staying Cool with Braces-Friendly Treats
09/27/2021

Summer is finally here, and so are tasty treats! We know summertime is all about vacationing, swimming, barbecues, and getting together with friends and family. And with the hot summer sun, everyone grabs a cool treat to cool off. However, most treats are unhealthy, and not friendly to braces. That's why at Huls Orthodontics, we have come up with a list of what treats you can enjoy while wearing braces this summer.

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Invisalign in Champaign and Monticello, IL
09/27/2021

Invisalign is the most popular way to straighten teeth, helping patients achieve predictable, visible, and beautiful results. Huls Orthodontics is proud to provide our patients with this convenient and effective treatment by offering Invisalign in Monticello and Champaign, IL. Huls is a family orthodontist, providing comprehensive care and support from childhood to adulthood to guarantee results that last a lifetime. If you're considering straightening your teeth with Invisalign, that's very exciting! Here are five pointers for adjusting to life with Invisalign.

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What Causes a Gummy Smile and How Can We Help You Fix it?
06/30/2021

When most people think about the benefits of orthodontics they think about straightening out their teeth and achieving a beautiful, clean-looking smile—but what many forget is that your gums are as much a part of your smile as your teeth are. This fact is usually apparent to people who suffer from gummy smiles, in which an excess of gum has grown over part of the teeth and can make teeth look stubby or truncated. Here at Huls Orthodontics, your local Monticello Orthodontist, we believe that everyone should be able to be proud of their smile, which is why we offer an array of solutions for overly gummy smiles (also known as gingival hyperplasia). Check out our quick guide to gummy smile causes and learn about how your local Champaign dentist can help you find a solution!

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Top 5 Tips To Get Your Kids To Brush Their Teeth
03/15/2021

When you're young, caring about the integrity of your teeth 40 years down the line might be the furthest thing from your mind—but those of us who neglected our teeth as kids have since learned why oral hygiene should start early.

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What is a Dental Emergency?
01/11/2021

We all know that life gets in the way, and sometimes not for the best. At Huls Orthodontics, we want all of our patients to be healthy and happy, but we also know that accidents or serious ailments can occur unexpectedly. While one may get a serious dental emergency, there are very few cases involving orthodontic emergencies.

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6 Things You Didn't Know About Invisalign
12/09/2020

If you have been considering orthodontic treatment but have avoided it because you don't want to wear braces, you most likely have another option - Invisalign. Invisalign is a series of clear aligners that move your teeth into the desired position.

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Benefits Of An Orthodontist vs. DIY At-Home Treatments
09/01/2020

Huls Orthodontics delivers high-quality orthodontic care in Champaign and Monticello, Illinois, as well as the surrounding communities. Using the latest orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic technologies, Dr. Mark Huls and our staff work with you to create a customized treatment plan based on your individual needs.

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Why Do Braces Take so Long
12/11/2019

Whether you have metal braces, ceramic braces, or clear braces, you may get restless during treatment. Our advanced orthodontic treatment in Champaign takes time to work for good reason.

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What to Avoid with Braces
10/16/2019

Life with braces can take some getting used to. Learn the most important things to avoid while wearing braces, then schedule a consultation online today!

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How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
06/18/2019

If you've ever dreamed of having a straighter smile, you've probably considered Invisalign treatment. At Huls Orthodontics, we've helped countless patients achieve a smile they're proud to show off with Invisalign Champaign.The amount of time it takes Invisalign treatment to produce the desired result will vary based on the complexity of the case, and each patient's personal smile goals.

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How Long Should I Wear My Retainer After Treatment?
04/19/2019

There is nothing so exciting for our Monticello and Champaign area patients than the day they get their metal or clear braces removed or ceremoniously discard their last set of Invisalign clear aligners! Seeing your new, beautiful smile for the first time is a moment of joy for teens and adults alike, as well as Dr. Huls and the staff at Huls Orthodontics. However, amidst all the excitement it's important to remember that this is not the end of your orthodontic treatment. All braces and Invisalign patients enter the next phase of treatment - the retention phase.

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Invisalign or Clear Braces
02/21/2019

Everyone deserves a smile they're truly proud of, and thanks to the convenience of modern orthodontics, it's never been easier to achieve one. For patients seeking a more discreet option for orthodontic treatment, both clear braces and Invisalign offer low-profile, discreet ways to achieve a new smile - but how do you know which is best for you? As your Monticello & Champaign orthodontist, we at Huls Orthodontics are here to shed some light on these two orthodontic treatments and help you determine the best option for your new smile

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Tips & Tricks For Flossing With Braces
08/06/2018

Flossing your teeth becomes a whole new ballgame when you add braces to the mix! Huls Orthodontics, in Monticello and Champaign, is here to help you through the adjustment period and teach you tricks and tips to continue flossing effectively, even with braces.

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What Are The Benefits Of Invisalign?
05/15/2018

With so many orthodontic treatment choices it can be tough deciding what treatment option is right for you. While many of our patients choose to improve their smiles with standard braces, a growing number of adults and teens are choosing our Champaign & Monticello Invisalign treatment. To help you decide if Invisalign is the right treatment for you, we've put together some of the main benefits offered by Invisalign.

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