Access your account—any day, any time—Really!

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds great and convenient, doesn’t it?

Our patients enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our web site. You may look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what a few of our patients are saying about this innovative service:

"It is very convenient to get a current balance of my account and appointment reminders online." ~ Jennifer C.

"I can easily access my appointment time and financial info at my fingertips." ~ Sharp M.

"With my busy schedule it was difficult for me to remember my appointments. With Sesame I am able to get online at anytime in any place and review my appointment. It also allows me to view my progress which acts as a positive reinforcement." ~ Cameron G.

"We love the ability to confirm appointments via internet rather than waiting for a call from the office. We can do this at our own convenience." ~ Natasha L.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Imagining your life with Invisalign® with Drs. Hickman and Erkis

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Drs. Erkis & Hickman and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. We will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Drs. Erkis and Hickman, reminding you to stay safe during the storm

With the intense snowy conditions here in Ohio the next few days, Drs. Erkis and Hickman thought it would be a good time to remind you, our dear patients (and parents) to be safe when out and about during the storm.

If you don't feel safe going out, you can always reschedule your appointment. At the office of Drs. Erkis and Hickman, our patients' well-being is our primary concern, and that includes staying safe on the roads during the storm! If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call!

Drs. Erkis and Hickman, helping tackle sports injuries

Drs. Erkis and Hickman know sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why the office of Drs. Erkis and Hickman is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards.

Ask us - Drs. Erkis and Hickman can recommend the best mouth guard for you. In addition, the AAO has four quick tips for keeping kids safe during sport activities.

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eyewear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment with Drs. Erkis or Hickman.