Ask Dr. Shields: Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr Shields will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile here at Shields Orthodontics. Go ahead, set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

Happy New Year from the entire team Shields Orthodontics!

Distinguishing the Myths and Facts about Orthodontics, from Dr. Timothy Shields

Dr. Shields and his team know there are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around these days. Before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Shields Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call.

Dr. Shields and team want to know: What do you love about the holidays?

The holiday season is upon us, and as Dr. Shields and his team at Shields Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask: What’s your favorite part about the holidays? Being with your loved ones? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Have a great weekend!

--The team at Shields Orthodontics

Patient reviews for Dr. Shields

Dr. Shields and his team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Shields Orthodontics, serving Everett and Snohomish County, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Happy Thursday!

"Dr Shields and his staff are knowledgeable and friendly ... I am impressed with how Dr Shields rewards his patients with "cool stuff" in order to get through the process of having braces as smooth as possible." ~ Galicia V.

"Lauren loves to go see him. She feels a special bond with Dr. Shields." ~ David N.

"Dr. Shields is friendly, approachable, professional, obviously competent. The office decor is great, and you have up-to-date magazines on hand. All the staff are nice, well-trained and seem to like their work. Your office also does a good job scheduling convenient times for both kids' appointments. Thanks!" ~ Terri G.

"First of all he is a Husky so I am confidant in his intelligence and skills. Our main contact time is with his staff who are all friendly and kind. My kids all love going to the office." ~ Catherine K.

"Everybody is friendly and they always welcome us into the office. After so many years they have truly become like old friends of the family. They are always joking around and make you feel very comfortable." ~ James D.

Invisalign®, is it for everyone? Dr. Shields explains

The short answer is, yes, Invisalign is for everyone, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Dr. Shields and his team do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Shields is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call!

Why Is It So Important To Have Straight Teeth? Dr. Shields Has the Answer

Some people wonder why Dr. Shields and his team work so hard to give their patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Shields and team can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Meet Dr. Shields

Dr. Timothy Shields enjoys working with both children and adult patients to help each individual achieve a fantastic smile. His orthodontic philosophy is to "Provide excellent orthodontic care in a considerate, fun atmosphere." Dr. Shields' favorite reminder to the team is "Remember... there is a person attached to those teeth!"

Dr. Shields earned his Master of Science in Dentistry in 1983 from the University of Washington Department of Orthodontics after graduating in 1981 from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry with honors. His original research into post-orthodontic treatment tooth movement was published in the "American Journal of Orthodontics" and continues to be cited in on going research.

Dr. Shields decided on a career in dentistry early on in high school back in Peoria, Illinois. He enjoyed playing football all through high school as well as other team sports while graduating as class valedictorian. Dr. Shields moved to the Northwest in order to study orthodontics at the top program in the country — the University of Washington! As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Dr. Shields quickly fell in love with the Northwest and began his practice at our current location in 1983. Through the many years, Dr. Shields has been privileged to provide quality orthodontic care to more of your family, friends and neighbors than any other orthodontist in Snohomish County.

Dr. Shields and his wife, Dr. Loree Bolin, live in Edmonds. Two of their three sons have started their own careers after college. Their third son will soon graduate from Western. Dr. Shields enjoys playing guitar, tennis, golf, water sports, cycling, skiing, and travel. Currently, he is the Chairman of the UW Orthodontic Clinic Fund. The goal is to secure a total of 2.5 million dollars in pledges from fellow UW orthodontists in order to fund a much needed renovation of the UW School of Dentistry Orthodontic Clinic. As of October 2009, Dr. Shields has personally raised over $1,200,000 in pledges!