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!

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That’s why Dr. Brad Gottsegen and team at Gottsegen Orthodontics thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be a great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports.  Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Gottsegen Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

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.

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.

Happy Veteran's Day! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the veterans and those currently on active duty who have put their lives on the line for the freedoms we all enjoy.

Thanks to all of you who have given us so much.

- Gottsegen Orthodontics

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!

These days, Americans everywhere are putting greater emphasis on health, fitness and self-improvement, and more people are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile. September happens to be Self-Improvement Month, and our team at Gottsegen Orthodontics know that orthodontic treatment is an investment in self-improvement that will reap benefits for a lifetime. And, recent advances in orthodontia, such as Invisalign and more effective brackets and wires, now make orthodontic treatment more palatable for many interested in obtaining that beautiful smile.

Not only does orthodontic treatment give you that beautiful smile, it can also benefit your dental and general health. If teeth are poorly aligned, removing plaque and tartar by brushing and flossing alone may be difficult. A poor bite may result in fractured or excessively worn tooth surfaces, and the extra stress caused by a poor bite may even result in problems with your jaw joints.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Gottsegen would love to have you visit for a complimentary consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

See you soon!

We hope you’re having a great summer so far! If you are planning on traveling with family this summer or think you might not be able to make it to your scheduled adjustment appointment with Dr. Gottsegen, please let us know ahead of time so that we may be able to accommodate you, as well as schedule another patient at that appointment time.

Also, we ask that you give us a call and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed! Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your week!

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!

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s already springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it’s important that you consult Dr. Brad Gottsegen for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Gottsegen. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Gottsegen will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment with Dr. Gottsegen.

See you soon!

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!

Great 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 our our Metairie Office: 504-208-1263.

See you soon!

At Gottsegen Orthodontics, our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Our team at Gottsegen Orthodontics encourages you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call at our Tampa or Valrico office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Gottsegen!

Happy New Year!

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!

At Gottsegen Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that Dr. Gottsegen offers, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in New Orleans and Metairie.

Did you know that patients at our office 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, which is especially helpful during the holidays! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started or ask Dr. Gottsegen on Facebook!

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!

We get it. Many parents in New Orleans and Metairie are worried about their kids going overboard on candies this weekend, sugar and other sweets, and for them, Halloween is a dreaded annual event (no pun intended).

Dr. Brad Gottsegen and our team will tell you that all those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, call Gottsegen Orthodontics as soon as possible.

We hope everyone has a fun, safe and scary Halloween! See you next week!

Whether you have visited our New Orleans or Metairie office for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about Dr. Brad and Gottsegen Orthodontics! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us on our Google page. It only takes a moment!

You can review us here.

Thank you and have a great rest of the week!

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!

You can trust us when we say Dr. Brad Gottsegen is well-aware that there are many, many myths and half-truths flying around these days regarding braces and orthodontic treatment. But before you buy into those myths, Dr. Gottsegen and our entire team think you should get the facts first! Our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts about braces, and we would like you to check them out!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment at Gottsegen Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call at one of our two convenient locations in New Orleans and Metairie.

We hope you're enjoying your Memorial Day!