Phase 1 Braces Treatment Steps

Patients beginning their first braces treatment means that they are on the path to receiving a perfect smile! Read about the Phase 1 Braces treatment steps you can expect from our board certified orthodontists at Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics:

Step 1: 3D digital imaging of your teeth.

Orthodontic Treatment Step: 3D Imagining

Step 2: Top braces are placed. You will then be seen every few months for braces adjustments until the desired tooth and bite position is acquired.

Placement of Top Braces

Step 3: Removal of all brackets and placement of upper clear plastic retainer.

placement of upper clear plastic retainer

Step 4: The patient is then placed on our tracking program where we will evaluate every few months the progress of tooth eruption. Once all the permanent teeth have erupted, the patient will be evaluated for their second phase of treatment.

Patient Placement on Tracking Program

Have questions about the best orthodontic treatment for you? Contact our experienced orthodontic team via phone / email or schedule a complimentary consultation today!

Class 3 Carriere Invisalign Treatment Steps

If you are an orthodontic patient requiring the Class 3 Carriere Appliance for your Invisalign treatment, learn what our board certified orthodontists have planned for you. Here are the four Class 3 Carriere treatment steps:

Step 1: 3D digital imaging of your teeth.

Orthodontic Treatment Step: 3D Imagining

Step 2: Placement of Carriere Distalizer appliances on the lower arch with Invisalign Aligners and attachments on the upper arch. To begin correcting bite issues, elastics are generally worn for 6-9 months depending on compliance.

Placement of Carriere Distalizer appliances

Step 3: Removal of Carriere Distalizer appliances and placement of lower Invisalign Aligners and attachments. Begin rotating aligners to facilitate movements for the duration of treatment. You will have updated scans and multiple batches of aligners throughout treatment to progress movement as needed.

placement of lower Invisalign Aligners and attachments

Step 4: Removal of all attachments and placement of upper and lower clear plastic retainers. Retainers will be worn full time for a few weeks, then 12hrs a day for a year, then night time for a lifetime to stabilize and maintain your hard work.

Orthodontic Treatment Step: Placement of Clear Retainers

Have questions about the best orthodontic treatment for you? Contact our experienced orthodontic team via phone / email or schedule a complimentary consultation today!

Where in the World Are Our Doctors?! – Summer Contest

Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics is thrilled to bring back our “Where in the World” Summer Contest!

Entry is simple; grab a Dr. Cooney, and/or Dr. Tyner, head on a stick at the front desk at either of our locations in Ballston Lake or Troy. Next, take a creative photo with Dr. Cooney or Dr. Tyner while you’re having fun this summer.

Your submission enters you to win a $100 Visa Gift Card! Two winners will be chosen. The doctor that goes on the most vacations also gets to pick a charity for the losing doctor to donate to, who do you think will win?

Submit your photos by email to shansen@cooneyorthodontics.com

You may also submit your photos by tagging @cooneyortho on your Instagram story or @CooneyOrthodontics on Facebook. You can also add a head sticker gif on your story as well by searching “Cooney” on Instagram.

See some of the past “Where in the World” submissions here. This video has examples featuring Dr. Cooney, before Dr. Tyner was a part of the practice, but it still features inspiration for your submissions, so check it out!

The contest is open until September 6th. Make sure to grab your Dr. Cooney and Dr. Tyner heads during your next visit or just stop by either Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics locations during normal business hours! If you can’t make it to the office, you can download the pdf below.

Remembering Dr. Michael E. Fleming

Thoughts and Reflections from Dr. Cooney

Dr. Cooney and Dr. Fleming

Dear Family and Friends of Cooney Orthodontics –

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. Michael Fleming. A native Trojan, Dr. Fleming started our practice in downtown Troy in 1960 after completing his specialty training at Columbia University. Over the years, he built a thriving and successful orthodontic practice and positively impacted the lives of thousands of patients. It was while he was creating beautiful smiles for my older siblings that I got my first exposure to orthodontics. As a young kid tagging along, it was always apparent to me that he was a joyful and happy person who loved what he did and was genuinely interested in each and every patient he treated. 

I began my orthodontic career at 15, when Dr. Fleming offered me the job of building superintendent at the office. In the nearly 50 years since, he was a role model, mentor, colleague, and friend and played an outsized role in my professional and personal development over the course of these many years. To me, he was an aspirational figure, one who’s easy laugh and approachable manner were always on display. He was welcoming and generous with everyone and was an exemplar of what a true professional should be. He gave of his time, talent, and resources to many civic, charitable, and educational organizations throughout his life. Dr. Fleming was always so very welcoming, supportive, and encouraging to young dentists just starting out.

Dr. Fleming, Dr. Cooney, Dr. Tyner, and Mrs. Fleming

For me, it was the realization of a lifelong dream to join him in practice in 1988 after completing my own orthodontic specialty training. I was blessed with the opportunity and privilege of working with him for 11 years before he retired in 1999. In his retirement years, Dr. Fleming took a special pride in watching the ongoing evolution and growth of the practice – from the move to our current Troy location on Federal Street in 1999, to the opening of our Ballston Lake office in 2012 and, most recently, with Dr. Canaan Tyner joining me in providing care for our patients 

Dr. Tyner and I have been tasked with the responsibility and obligation to carry his professional legacy into the future; a responsibility we accept and fully embrace. We will do so in a manner that continues to reflect the fundamental principles that Dr. Fleming established at the outset all those years ago.  For now, however, we mourn the loss of a very special man – a terrific orthodontist, certainly.  But more than that, a fundamentally good and decent person who contributed so much to so many for so long and who did so happily, joyfully, and unconditionally.  With his passing, the world has become a somewhat poorer place, but in the aggregate, it is a much better place for the life he lived while he was with us.

Thank you, Mike, for the many kindnesses you bestowed upon me.  It has been the great privilege of my life to have your mentorship, guidance, and friendship these many years.  God Bless you!

RPE Braces Treatment Steps

At Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics, we want you to know what to expect from our board certified orthodontists. Here are the five treatment steps our patients should be aware of if they require RPE braces:

Step 1: 3D digital imaging of your teeth.

Orthodontic Treatment Step: 3D Imagining

Step 2: Placement of Separators (Spacers) in between the back teeth approximately one week prior to placing the expander to maintain space for the appliance to fit comfortably.

Orthodontic Treatment Step: Placing of Seperators

Step 3: Removal of Separators and placement of the Palate Expander. This is when the winding will begin, which generally lasts a few months but can vary depending on the patient’s biological response. The expander itself stays in place for 9-12 months after placement – like putting a cast on a broken arm. After winding, the palate needs time to heal into place.

Orthodontic Treatment Step: Placement of Palate Expander

Step 4: Top braces are placed. The bottom braces are generally placed a few months after the top. For most patients, the expander is removed before the bottom braces go on. Many times rubber bands will be necessary to settle the bite into a correct and healthy position. You will then be seen every few months for braces adjustments until the desired tooth and bite position is acquired.

Orthodontic Treatment Step: Placement of Braces

Step 5: Removal of all brackets and placement of upper and lower clear plastic retainers. Retainers will be worn full time for a few days, then 12hrs a day for a year, then night time for a lifetime to stabilize and maintain your hard work.

Orthodontic Treatment Step: Placement of Clear Retainers

Have questions about the best orthodontic treatment for you? Contact our experienced orthodontic team via phone / email or schedule a complimentary consultation today!

Herbst Braces Appliance Treatment Steps

Both of our board certified orthodontists at Cooney & Tyner Orthodontics want patients to know the important steps of any orthodontic treatment they may receive at our practice. Patients who require a Herbst Appliance to correct bite discrepancies can familiarize themselves with the five necessary treatment steps here:

Step 1: 3D digital imaging of your teeth.

Herbst Braces Treatment Step 1: Digital Imaging

Step 2: Placement of Separators (Spacers) in between the back teeth approximately one week prior to placing the Herbst to maintain space for the appliance to fit comfortably.

Herbst Braces Treatment Step 2: Placement of Separators

Step 3: Removal of Separators and placement of the Herbst Appliance. The appliance itself stays in place for 9-12 months because once we adjust the bite, it needs time to settle into place.

Herbst Braces Treatment Step 3: Placement of Herbst Appliance

Step 4: Top braces are placed. The bottom braces are generally placed a few months after the top. For most patients the Herbst Appliance is removed before the bottom braces start. Many times rubber bands will be necessary to settle the bite into a correct and healthy position. You will then be seen every few months for braces adjustments until the desired tooth and bite position is acquired.

Herbst Braces Treatment Step 4: Placement of Braces

Step 5: Removal of all brackets and placement of upper and lower clear plastic retainers. Retainers will be worn full time for a few days, then 12hrs a day for a year, then night time for a lifetime to stabilize and maintain your hard work.

Herbst Braces Treatment Step 5: Removal of brackets and placement of clear retainers

Download Herbst Braces Treatment Plan


Have questions about the best orthodontic treatment for you? Contact our experienced orthodontic team via phone / email or schedule a complimentary consultation today!

See what Dr. Tyner accomplished in record time!

While you don’t need to be ABO Board Certified to work at a private practice, Dr. Tyner wanted to make sure he took his training to the absolute highest level to provide the best orthodontic care to our patients. 

Read more about Dr. Tyner’s Board Certification journey!


Happy Mother’s Day from Cooney Orthodontics!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! Congrats to all of our new moms here at Cooney Orthodontics (we have a lot)!

Jen, welcomed her baby girl one year ago, Katie’s son was born in July, Jocelyn welcomed her baby girl in December, and Amber’s twin boys arrived 3 weeks ago!


Did you know?

Did you know your Invisalign treatment is completely customized to your individual case? While every dental situation is different, with the use of the newest technologies, we can ensure that each of our patients have the best possible outcome tailored to their specific oral health needs.

Schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation today to see if Invisalign or braces could be right for you!

Celebrating 4 Years!

Katie, our RDH, is celebrating 4 years at Cooney Orthodontics on May 21st! Congratulations! 


Celebrating 3 Years!

Katie, our RDH is celebrating 3 years at Cooney Orthodontics on May 24th! Congratulations! 

Happy Easter From Cooney Orthodontics!


Welcome to the Cooney Family!

Welcome to our newest Registered Dental Hygienists, Jen Q and Rachel! We’re excited to have them join our team and can’t wait for all of our patients to meet them!


Dental Hygienist Week!

April 4th marks the beginning of Dental Hygienist Week! 

At Cooney Orthodontics, our Registered Dental Hygienists are an essential part of our team, helping create healthy smiles from Albany to Saratoga! 


Did you know?

Did you know that only 10% of orthodontists have completed their Board Certification with the ABO? At Cooney Orthodontics, both Dr. Cooney and Dr. Tyner have passed their comprehensive board exam administered by the American Board of Orthodontics meaning they’re Board Certified Orthodontic Specialists.

Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Tyner or Dr. Cooney to begin your orthodontic journey! 

Celebrating 19 Years!

Donna is celebrating 19 years at Cooney Orthodontics on April 21st! Congratulations! 

Celebrating 7 Years!

Jen is celebrating 7 years at Cooney Orthodontics on April 27th! Congratulations! 

Vote for us in the Times Union’s Best of the Capital Region!

Thank you to all those who nominated us for the Times Union’s annual Best of the Capital Region competition! We’re excited to once again be among the top in this contest and invite you to show your support by voting for us as “Best Orthodontist”! 

You can vote daily until March 4th with each vote counting toward a drawing for a $1,000 sweepstakes.

Thank you for continuing to support our practice! 

Fall in love with your smile!

Happy Valentine’s Day! Are you swooning over the dream of having a straight and healthy smile that lasts a lifetime?

Learn how Invisalign could help you fall in love with your smile this Valentine’s Day by scheduling your consultation right online


February is children’s dental health month!

The health of a child’s baby teeth is the foundation for a lifetime of smiles as they play a key role of saving space for their permanent teeth. Make sure to brush at least twice a day and incorporate sugar free snacks into your child’s diet! 

Did you know it is suggested that children should have an orthodontic screening at age 7? At this age they may not be ready for treatment, though many orthodontic issues can be caught early leading to less time and more straight forward treatment in the future.


A beautiful smile without wires and brackets!

We want you to be confident and proud of your smile while maintaining good oral health that lasts a lifetime! Oral health is a window into your overall health. Orthodontic treatment helps ensure proper function of teeth and create healthy smiles. A good bite makes it easier for you to eat and speak. Teeth that are misaligned are harder to clean and can cause abnormal wearing of tooth enamel which can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures.

Start your journey to loving your smile! Schedule your complimentary Invisalign screening today at either our Troy or Ballston Lake office!


Take your smile into the end zone!

Did you know Invisalign is an official sponsor of the NFL? Go the extra yard and get that touchdown smile this Super Bowl Sunday! 

Happy Anniversary, Ansley!

Ansley, our New Patient Coordinator, celebrates 9 years at Cooney Orthodontics this month! 🎉We are so grateful to have you as a member of our team!⁠

 Happy Birthday, Donna!

Happy Birthday to Donna, our Lab Technician & Inventory Coordinator! 🎉 May your birthday be the start of a year filled with plenty of smiles! 😄

Happy Birthday, Katie!

 Happy Birthday, Katie!

Happy Birthday to Katie, our Registered Dental Hygienist 🎉 May your birthday be the start of a year filled with plenty of smiles! 😄

Happy Birthday, Amber!

Happy Birthday to Amber, our Registered Dental Hygienist 🎉 May your birthday be the start of a year filled with plenty of smiles! 😄