Dr. Milena Bulic from MPowered Smiles Orthodontics
137 Vine Ave. in Park Ridge
(847) 823-5010
ParkRidgeBraces.com

My background in orthodontics: After four years of dental school, I completed a three-year orthodontic specialty program. I then worked with two excellent orthodontists, who each have over 20 years of experience and specialize in treating both kids and adults. I didn’t want to buy or open a new practice out of school, but instead wanted to learn from the best first. As a board-certified orthodontist, I continue my investment in self development and am proud to say that I have had cases/results that have been shared in recent national conferences.

I live in Park Ridge and love running into families that share feedback with me about how our smile transformations have impacted their lives or their kids’ lives. — Milena Bulic

Explain your passion for “MPowering your patients to be the best version of themselves.” 
As a kid, I struggled with self confidence due to having teeth that were crooked and misaligned. Kids made fun of me, and that made it a ton worse, to a point where I would never smile without covering my mouth with my hand first. Thankfully, my parents recognized what was happening and took me to an orthodontist who truly changed my confidence by changing my smile.

I’ve always felt that I have to pay it forward by becoming an exceptional orthodontist who listens to each patient’s individual needs and delivers the best possible results. At MPowered, every treatment has to be fully personalized, and there is always 100-percent honesty and transparency from the initial free consultation through the end of the treatment.

How has the world of orthodontics evolved over the last decade? 
**Lots of advancement in materials and technology.
**Gooey impressions are a thing of the past. With an in-house digital scanner and 3D printing, we make it a lot more comfortable experience for the patient while creating custom-fit retainers and appliances.
**Lots of different options to fit the lifestyle of kids, teens and adults. This is why we ask a lot of questions, especially about personal motivations for orthodontic needs. We now offer traditional self-lighting braces, clear self-lighting braces, Invisalign clear aligners and, behind the teeth, smart wire/braces InBrace.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child sees an orthodontist at age of 7 to evaluate facial and jaw growth, as well as spaces for permanent teeth to come in. … There is zero cost to families for the monitoring and follow-up consultations.

What’s a good age for kids to come in for an initial consultation?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child sees an orthodontist at age of 7. Orthodontic screening is done at this age to evaluate facial and jaw growth, as well as spaces for permanent teeth to come in. You do not need a referral from your primary-care dentist to take your child to an orthodontist for screening.

Some of the common reasons kids need early orthodontic treatment are to properly guide growth and development of jaws in kids with narrow jaws, crossbite, underbite and overbite. Additionally, orthodontic treatment could be recommended to properly guide eruption of permanent teeth due to crowding or early loss of baby teeth. By starting treatment early, we can avoid more complex and expensive treatment that could occur during teenage years or in adulthood.

The truth is, even though you child should see an orthodontist around age 7 for an evaluation, this does not mean that every child will need early treatment. If your child is not ready for a treatment at an early age, we will continue to monitor teeth and jaw development and will only start the treatment when they are truly ready — which, in many cases, might be when they are 12-13 years old. There is zero cost to families for the monitoring and follow-up consultations.

What advice would you give adults who may be considering improving their smile?
You are not alone! According to American Association of Orthodontics, one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Adult treatment has become more popular, as we are able to offer more esthetic options for achieving beautiful smiles. Whether you had braces as a child and have experienced a recent teeth shift or you never had orthodontic treatment before, now is a great time to seek a consultation. With fantastic advancements in the field of orthodontics, you can have a beautiful smile with a modality that best fits your lifestyle.

If traditional or clear braces are not your thing, Invisalign or in-house clear aligners can provide a more aesthetically-pleasing solution. And if you cannot imagine yourself taking Invisalign trays in and out every time you eat, then smart wire behind your teeth, such as InBrace, could be the best fit for you. The bottom line is, we not only focus on choosing a modality that will achieve a beautiful smile, but also a treatment that will best fit your lifestyle.

I take pride in providing my clients with… truly personalized care utilizing the latest technology and most sophisticated treatment plans. I don’t simply just straighten teeth. My focus is to share what is possible with every patient, and then deliver beautiful, wide smiles that will encourage everyone to smile more and live in their power.

There truly is a big difference between straight teeth and a beautiful, wide smile. I live in Park Ridge and love running into families that continue to share feedback with me about how our smile transformations have impacted their lives or their kids’ lives.