Beginning orthodontic treatment is a big decision for any family, and understanding what to expect can ease nerves and build confidence. At Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics in Ballston Lake, we believe that every patient deserves clear information about their journey to a healthier, more confident smile.

Whether you’re a parent exploring options for your child or an adult seeking discreet solutions like Invisalign, your personalized treatment plan will follow a carefully designed process with specific goals, customized to your needs every step of the way.

What Are the Phases of an Orthodontic Treatment Plan?

Orthodontic care typically unfolds over three main phases. Each phase plays a critical role in transforming your smile while ensuring long-term comfort, function, and stability:

• Initial Evaluation & Diagnostic Phase: This phase begins with a complimentary consultation at our office. During this visit, one of our orthodontists will conduct a comprehensive screening and growth tracking to assess jaw development, tooth alignment, and identify the best timing for treatment.
• Active Treatment Phase: Once treatment begins, you’ll receive custom appliances, such as braces or Invisalign aligners, designed to guide your teeth into healthier positions. This phase includes regular check-ins to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments.
• Retention Phase: After the desired results are achieved, retention is key. We’ll provide you with a customized retainer plan to maintain your new smile and protect your investment.

Each phase is carefully timed and monitored, ensuring optimal results tailored specifically for children, teens, or adults.

Why Timing Matters in Orthodontics

The timing of orthodontic care can make a significant difference, especially for younger patients. With early evaluations, families can identify issues before they require more complex interventions. At Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics, we offer a no-cost growth and development tracking program that allows families to:

• Monitor dental and jaw growth through regular screenings
• Prevent or intercept problems while the jaw is still developing
• Begin treatment at the most effective and affordable time

Even if treatment isn’t immediately necessary, this proactive approach provides peace of mind and helps families plan confidently for the future.

Setting Clear Goals for Every Smile Journey

A successful orthodontic plan starts with clear goals. Our team works with you to define the outcomes you desire, whether that’s improved function, aesthetics, or both. Every treatment plan is personalized and designed with the following objectives in mind:

• Achieve proper bite alignment for long-term oral health
• Create space or resolve crowding as necessary
• Enhance your facial profile and smile aesthetics
• Address lifestyle needs, such as removable options for busy teens or working professionals

We prioritize comfort and discretion, especially for adult patients who prefer less noticeable options such as Invisalign. As a top-rated Invisalign provider in the Capital Region, we offer expertly guided treatment with proven results, ideal for patients seeking a more subtle path to a straighter smile.

Ongoing Support and Communication You Can Count On

Throughout your orthodontic journey, communication and comfort are key. At Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics, you’re never left wondering what comes next. We foster a family-friendly, supportive environment where patients of all ages feel informed, comfortable, and confident. You can expect:

• Consistent progress updates from Dr. Cooney, Dr. Tyner, and our experienced clinical team
• Flexible scheduling at one of our Troy, Ballston Lake, or Saratoga Springs locations
• Friendly, personalized care reflecting our strong ties to the local community

From your first visit to final results, we’re here to guide you through every phase of care with compassion and expertise.

Start Your Orthodontic Journey Today

Ready to take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile? Contact Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics in Ballston Lake today at (518) 400-1200 to schedule your complimentary consultation. Our team is here to answer any questions and help you or your child feel welcome and supported from the very beginning.

When considering orthodontic care, most people picture a straighter smile. While that’s certainly one goal, timely and efficient treatment delivers benefits far beyond aesthetics. At Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics in Saratoga Springs, Dr. Cooney, Dr. Tyner and their experienced team know that both the timing and selection of the right treatment approach can make all the difference in comfort, duration, and success for both kids and adults.

Why Timing Matters More Than You Think

Orthodontic treatment isn’t just about moving teeth, it’s about creating a healthy, functional bite that supports lifelong oral health. At Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics, early evaluation allows for proactive planning.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children receive their first screening by age 7, and for good reason. Benefits of early orthodontic evaluation include:

• Identifying and addressing issues before they worsen
• Guiding jaw development to reduce future complications
• Improving facial symmetry and oral function
• Creating space for incoming adult teeth to minimize crowding

Dr. Cooney and Dr. Tyner offer complimentary orthodontic screenings in Saratoga Springs, making it simple for families to gain valuable insights without a financial obligation. Whether it leads to early intervention or simply peace of mind, timing truly is everything.

Efficient Treatment that Prioritizes Your Time

Orthodontic care has evolved, and efficiency is now central to the patient experience. Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics leverages advanced technology and decades of expertise to reduce treatment times while ensuring excellent outcomes. 

From digital impressions to strategic treatment planning, every step is optimized for convenience and effectiveness. Here’s how treatment at our Saratoga Springs office supports efficiency:

• Custom treatment plans tailored specifically to each patient’s needs
• Options like Invisalign that fit into busy lifestyles without dietary restrictions or discomfort
• Fewer in-office visits due to modern tracking tools and predictable movement
• On-time treatment finishes rooted in experience and precision

It’s not about rushing the process. Rather, our approach is all about smart, responsive care that adapts to each patient’s timeline.

Choosing the Right Time as an Adult

Orthodontics isn’t just for children and teens. Many adults in Saratoga Springs are choosing to address long-standing dental concerns or enhance their smile with discreet, flexible options like Invisalign.

At Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics, adults can expect an experience rooted in respect, privacy, and efficiency. Here’s why adults consider orthodontics with Dr. Cooney, Dr. Tyner and their orthodontic team:

• Invisible aligner systems that fit seamlessly into professional environments
• Fewer appointments necessary even with complex cases
• Long-term oral health benefits, including reduced wear and easier hygiene routine

It’s never too late to invest in your smile, and with trusted care from Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics, results are closer than you think.

How Long Does Treatment Really Take?

Every patient’s treatment time is different, but when managed effectively, the journey is faster and more comfortable than many expect. At Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics, the emphasis is on realistic timelines backed by decades of local experience.

Whether you seek minor adjustments or more advanced correction, transparency is key from the start. Wondering what influences treatment time? Here are a few factors:

• Age and the complexity of the dental issue
• Consistency in appointments and appliance wear
• The type of treatment used (traditional braces vs. Invisalign)

The team at our Saratoga Springs office will walk you through every detail during your complimentary consultation, so you understand exactly what to expect, no surprises, just personalized care that works.

Your Healthier Smile Starts in Saratoga Springs

If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to begin orthodontic treatment, Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics is here to help. With a 60+ year legacy in the Capital Region and a dedicated team in Saratoga Springs, Dr. Cooney and Dr. Tyner offer trusted guidance, flexible treatment options like Invisalign, and care you can count on. Call (518) 400-1200 today to request your free consultation and take the first step towards a confident, healthy smile that lasts.

For any child or teen, fitting in can be challenging, especially when you’re going through orthodontic treatment. Thankfully, Invisalign is a discreet and more comfortable alternative to metal-bracket braces. There are a few specific things that can worry your teen when going back to school with Invisalign, so here are a few tips and tricks to make sure your child is set up for success. 

• How to maintain good oral hygiene during the school day

It’s always important for your child to have good oral hygiene, but during any orthodontic treatment, oral hygiene is of higher importance. At a minimum, it is recommended your child brushes their teeth after every meal. Be sure to pack them a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, and encourage them to brush their teeth in the bathroom after lunch, or send a school excuse that they need a trip to the nurse’s office after eating. We understand this may be challenging to implement in their busy schedules, so we recommend in a pinch, swish really well with water or chew a piece of sugar-free gum for a few minutes to remove large food debris. They can then do a thorough brush when they get home. 

As it is important to keep up with good brushing, flossing is just as important to clean the contacts in between the teeth. It is recommended to floss each night. To help encourage your child to regularly floss, we recommend getting floss picks. The handles tend to make flossing easier for kids and it will limit the amount of contact between fingers and mouth. 

Oral hygiene not only applies to your teeth, but to the clear aligners as well. It is vital that your child continuously cleans their Invisalign aligners. Good practices include rinsing the aligners each time they are taken out before putting them into the case. Aligners should be brushed with a toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste each night. Aligners can also be soaked in retainer cleaning crystals a few times a week to keep them fresh. 

• Eating during the school with Invisalign 

Wearing aligners is a lifestyle change, especially when it comes to eating while at school. It might be challenging to encourage your child to take the aligners out at the lunch or snack times. If your child does not feel comfortable taking them out at the table, we encourage them to go into the bathroom to remove their aligners on the way to the cafeteria, place them in their case, and place their case in a safe location.

• Meeting the recommended wear time

Invisalign aligners simply won’t work if they are not worn for the recommended hours per day. This ensures the teeth are moving to the correct places in a specific amount of time. It may be helpful to remind your child that your orthodontist will know if your child is not wearing the aligners for the specific amount of time, since your teeth will not be adjusted as much as they expect. It is important for your child to know that if they are not wearing the aligners for the minimum amount each day, the longer the treatment process will take. We recommend batching snacks and meals rather than grazing throughout the day to minimize taking the aligners in and out. Since you can keep the aligners in while drinking plain water, we recommend sticking with water as your preferred drink throughout the day, saving other types of drinks for during meal times when the aligners are out.

Many parents understandably get nervous their child will not be compliant throughout treatment with Invisalign. Since Cooney Orthodontics is the top VIP Diamond Invisalign provider we have worked with thousands of Invisalign cases from age 7-80. We see great compliance with Invisalign throughout all age groups, and more importantly some amazing results with this more comfortable, lower maintenance, and predictable treatment process.

If you are seriously considering Invisalign, hear a first hand account about the experience as told by Rich from Albany, NY. He recently finished up his active treatment at our Troy office where he saw both Dr. Tyner & Dr. Cooney.

Why is a smile important to you?

I was fortunate to have a really nice natural smile without braces growing up, but I let it deteriorate over time. Now with social media and zoom meetings your smile is on display more than ever. This is especially true as “masks optional” starts to become increasingly a healthy norm again in our area (Albany, NY).
At all times of day your smile and overall oral health is going to be on your mind. It plays a major role in your health and happiness, so it was the right time to make the investment in myself with the right Invisalign provider!

Why did you choose Invisalign?

If only presented with the option of traditional braces I don’t believe I ever would have had orthodontic treatment done. The ease of treatment, and knowing Cooney Orthodontics was the most experienced provider in the area, made it a really easy choice.

My bite wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t something that bothered me and I didn’t think it was too bad. Upon completing active treatment I finally could appreciate how far it was off previously and how now I could more effortlessly smile in a way I loved each time.

How long did you have Invisalign?

I was in active treatment for about 14 months, and my treatment was accelerated using AcceleDent. I didn’t have all that many appointments, and the ones I did were always enjoyable. To make sure I could complete treatment on time I had to make sure I wore my clear aligners for as close to 22 hours per day as I could. The treatment time really flew by and I consistently saw improvement and knew I was on the right path with each aligner swap.

Did you have any fears or concerns prior to your appointment?

Prior to getting my smile back in order with the help of my amazing general dentist (shoutout Dr. Maestro & his team at Maestro Dental Wellness), I really hated the thought of sitting in any dental chair ever again. When I was ready to start Invisalign I tried to get over any fears by imagining the first day that someone would tell me I had a great smile. With my smile needing some fixing I knew I had a pretty complex road ahead to help fix my bite, but my dentist & Cooney Orthodontics worked hand-in-hand to ensure any fears were mitigated and questions were answered. Most importantly that the process was simple because I had a real guide in the process.

Describe your experience at your first appointment.

My appointment was interesting because it was Halloween. So, I showed up with a bit of a funky smile that threw off the docs a bit. It’s wonderful that there are two Board Certified Orthodontic Specialists with Dr. Cooney & Dr. Tyner. The appointment was great though, and after getting my attachments put on, I was on my way to a healthier smile.

What was the hardest part of having Invisalign?

I have a pretty bad gag reflex and was never able to wear sports mouthguards growing up. I was quite worried that I wouldn’t be able to wear my Invisalign retainers for the appropriate amount of time and after awhile I really started to forget they were there.

The rubber-bands were hard to get on at first, but you really become a pro once you practice a few times.

Is Invisalign painful?

It’s only painful if you let it be. In the beginning I’d forget to take the steps like slightly wearing down any edges with an emery board or using orthodontic wax. I talk a whole lot, so after a day of this I’d have a cut up mouth. I soon learned my lessons and the pain went away.

What is your advice to those thinking about choosing Invisalign?

Find an orthodontist that feels like a true partner on your smile journey. They should also be someone who will work well with your general dentist. It’s so important that they are collaborating because there are decisions that need to be made together. Look for someone with iTero Scanning machines – they’re great for your consultation as you don’t have to take messy impressions.

Would you recommend Invisalign to someone?

I recommend it to anyone who can make that commitment to themselves or their family member. Your smile is an investment you get to use only while you’re living so the sooner the better. It didn’t take long to hear that first, “You have a great smile”, and it felt as great as expected.