Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week!

When you visit Gottsegen Orthodontics for your orthodontic consultation, you’ll probably have a lot of questions. We want you to be prepared for your appointment and feel in charge of your orthodontic treatment decisions, so keep these questions in mind to ask when you come in for your appointment with Dr. Gottsegen:

• How long will I have to wear braces?
• Will getting braces hurt?
• Will I have to wear additional appliances to correct jaw problems while I have braces?
• What can I eat when I have braces?
• Are there certain things, like playing sports or playing an instrument, which I won’t be able to do?
• How can I make sure my teeth stay clean and healthy while I have braces?
• How often will I need to come in for appointments?
• How much will my orthodontic treatment cost?

Dr. Gottsegen and team are here to answer all your questions and concerns, and we’re happy to explain all aspects of your treatment plan and expected outcome. We believe your orthodontic experience should be comfortable, hassle-free, and most importantly, leave you smiling! Schedule your first visit with Dr. Gottsegen at our New Orleans orthodontic office or our Metairie ortodontic office today, and let us help you find your most perfect smile!

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Brad Gottsegen started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Brad Gottsegen decided to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a complete dental expert here at Gottsegen Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Cold and flu season is here yet again. The folks at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Gottsegen Orthodontics, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

Great question!

If you are brushing and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Brad Gottsegen, we think that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Gottsegen Orthodontics), of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay because adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines, combined with regular dental visits, help keep tooth decay away.

If you have any questions, please be sure to ask Dr. Brad Gottsegen or our team during your next adjustment appointment, or ask us on Facebook!

Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our team know having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step—or two—as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re 14 or in your late forties. Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, doing it often can even help you live longer, according to previous studies!

If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment at Gottsegen Orthodontics. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile!

Don’t hide your smile any longer—give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s orthodontic consultation.

With winter sports under way for a lot of our patients, Gottsegen Orthodontics thought it would be a good time to remind our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this winter.

More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70 percent say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during games and practices.

Many people think a mouth guard is effective just to protect your teeth. But research has shown mouth guards can also reduce lower jaw impact that causes concussions. Our staff at Gottsegen Orthodontics encourage you to head over to the American Association of Orthodontists’ website for a quick primer on the importance of mouth guards and facial protection.

We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in winter sports! We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook!

The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2011 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2012? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from Gottsegen Orthodontics!

Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our team at Gottsegen Orthodontics want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know!

Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!

At Gottsegen Orthodontics, we are dedicated to using the most advanced orthodontic technology in order to provide comfortable, accurate, customized orthodontic treatments. Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our talented staff have been creating beautiful smiles in New Orleans and Metairie for years.

The bottom line is, we know having a beautiful smile is important to you. It’s important to us, too.

In fact, in a poll conducted by Glamour Magazine last spring, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there chose teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Give us a call to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Gottsegen!

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before before orthodontic treatment began.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our team recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; ask us for a recommendation.

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Our team at Gottsegen Orthodontics will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our New Orleans or Metairie office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting Dr. Gottsegen's office during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

At Gottsegen Orthodontics, we know true orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call our New Orleans office or our Metairie office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We'll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with Dr. Gottsegen. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan. Click here for instructions or give us a call to learn more! We hope you're off to a great Halloween weekend!

“Dentists, Orthodontists, they’re all the same right?” We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Brad Gottsegen started out in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Gottsegen decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn’t it nice to know there’s a dental expert here at Gottsegen Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Thank you for the question. Treatment time and length always depends on the severity of the situation, but the appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. You'll then see Dr. Gottsegen at regular intervals 4 to 8 weeks apart for an adjustment, which typically takes 15-20 minutes. Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.

At Gottsegen Orthodontics, our polite and helpful front office staff will make every conceivable attempt to schedule your visits in a way that comfortably fits into your busy lives.

Please understand, however, that no orthodontist can successfully see his or her entire practice each day outside of the hours from 8 A.M. until 3 P.M. Therefore (this relates primarily to patients of school-age), it is inevitable that, from time to time, some attempt will be made to schedule an appointment during a non-critical school hour so that treatment can proceed efficiently and without needless delays.

Obviously, some give-and-take is required on the part of both our staff and parents. We will be more than happy do our part. We invite you to schedule your first visit at our New Orleans Office at 504-266-0136 or our Metairie Office at 504-208-1263.

See you soon!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign and SmartClip, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

At Gottsegen Orthodontics, we take full advantage of the latest scientific advances to move teeth more rapidly, and, at the same time, more safely and painlessly than ever before. Our expert and friendly orthodontic staff are excited to meet you and treat your orthodontic needs.

Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our outgoing, dedicated team work extra hard every day to provide patients with top quality care in a comfortable, inviting, family-friendly environment.

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Gottsegen, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give us a call at one of our offices in New Orleans or Metairie.

See you soon!

- Dr. Brad and the team at Gottsegen Orthodontics

At Gottsegen Orthodontics, February is National Children's Dental Health Month, as well as National Dental Health Month, and Dr. Gottsegen and team thought we’d promote good oral hygiene among our patients with a few tips and tricks, courtesy of the American Dental Association.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.

• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and insert it between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.

• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits and vegetables and avoid crunchy, sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, be sure to brush after doing so.

• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these drinks create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. If you’re going to drink one of these beverages, don’t sip on it throughout the day. Rather, drink it and then brush your teeth.

• Regular dental visits: in addition to seeing our team at Gottsegen Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months.

National Dental Health Month aims to increase awareness about the importance of our patients' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Gottsegen Orthodontics, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

In the pursuit of the highest possible standards of orthodontic care, we utilize the most "state-of-the-art" appliances on the market today. Most excitingly, our staff at Gottsegen Orthodontics take full advantage of the latest scientific advances in metals research which permits us to move teeth more rapidly, and, at the same time, more safely and painlessly than ever before.

Whether you've visited our office for weeks or months, we'd love to hear your feedback about Dr. Gottsegen and our team on our Google Local page. It only takes a moment!

You may write a review here for our New Orleans office or here for our Metairie location.

Thank you in advance and have a great week! We look forward to reading your reviews!

2010 is almost over—and what a year it was! Dr. Gottsegen and our staff thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in New Orleans, Metairie and surrounding areas.

See you in 2011!

Dr. Gottsegen and our team understand not everyone is always thrilled to see their orthodontist. But we want you to know that at our convenient New Orleans and Metairie offices, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit.

So, we’d like to know: What is it about Gottsegen Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Gottsegen himself?

Let us know by posting on our Facebook page! Enjoy your weekend!

Good question. With fall season upon us, so is the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our professional staff at Gottsegen Orthodontics will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook.

Violette came to the office of Dr. Brad Gottsegen yesterday to have her braces put on. In this candid interview, Violette expresses her concerns prior to beginning her treatment, and tells us how it all went after it was over. Thanks, Violette, for sharing this with us!

In the pursuit of the highest possible standards of orthodontic care, Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our team utilize the most "state-of-the-art" appliances on the market today. Schedule your first visit by giving us a call today!

Dr. Brad Gottsegen wants to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If your answer happens to be yes, we think that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our New Orleans or Metairie offices, of course).

Yes, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. But did you know October is also National Dental Hygiene Month? It can be a great time for a checkup, which can help you maintain good oral health, especially while you're wearing braces.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not visited the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in New Orleans, Metairie or surrounding areas!

Enjoy your weekend!

It's almost fall, which means back to school time for most of our patients at Gottsegen Orthodontics. Today, we wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading.

In addition to textbooks, it's always great to pick up a great novel or a comic book. Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR fall reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites?

Out of ideas for great fall reads? Ask us for suggestions, and Dr. Gottsegen and staff would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian in New Orleans or Metairie for some ideas ...or check out these fall reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Borders.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your fall picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

We hope you're off to a good week! Our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Dr. Brad Gottsegen for an appointment. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, please give us a call as soon as possible!

Many parents in New Orleans, Metairie and surrounding communities believe they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Gottsegen Orthodontics, only to find that treatment would have been much simpler if started much earlier. It's important to know that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

"Ok," you're thinking, "what, exactly is soooo special about age seven?" Well, by then, enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Brad Gottsegen to make a determination about whether any problems are present. Also, by then, the first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what we call “bad bite.”

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For most kids, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, please give us a call to schedule an orthodontic consultation.

Hope you're enjoying the weekend!

For many of our patients at Gottsegen Orthodontics, the Fourth of July is a day of fireworks, picnics, playing at the lake or spending quality time with family. Most people recognize Independence Day as a time to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. It's also a time to honor all our soldiers - past and present - who continue to place themselves in danger every day around the world so that we may enjoy our freedoms.

What about you? What are your Fourth of July plans? Are you heading to a barbecue? Hitting the open road with family? Are you planning on using fireworks? (If you are, please be careful!).

Share your July 4th adventures with us on our Facebook page! We even encourage you to post your photos! Have a FANTASTIC weekend everyone!

Did you know all our patients at Gottsegen Orthodontics have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week - all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You may sign up for this convenient service known as Ortho Sesame on our website by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call at our convenient locations in New Orleans or Metairie if you have any questions about getting started with Ortho Sesame!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and Happy Father's Day to all the dads who come to our office!

With June - also known as National Smile Month - officially upon us, New Orleans and Metairie orthodontist Dr. Brad Gottsegen and team today this might be a good time to remind all of our amazing patients to practice good oral hygiene between your regular visits to our office.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many more years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss everyday to thoroughly clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Gottsegen.
* Visit your dentist regularly (usually every six months apart or as recommended).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at either of our two convenient locations. Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!

If you've recently completed treatment at Gottsegen Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you again! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Brad Gottsegen will provide—or has provided you—with retainers.

After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Our staff, however, will tell you that retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Gottsegen is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Gottsegen, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call at 504-895-4841!