The Future is Now

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Orthodontic technology has evolved considerably over the years.  Whether you need braces for medical reasons or aesthetic purposes, the latest breakthroughs in orthodontics will make it easier for you to achieve the smile you have been dreaming of. 

Innovative advances in the tools and techniques used in orthodontic treatment allow orthodontic professionals to deliver better results with greater comfort for the patient while improving the bite and smile in a shorter amount of time. 

Today’s orthodontic state–of-the-art treatment includes virtual models of teeth, self-ligating brackets, clear and ceramic brackets, indirect bonding and heat sensitive wires…all of which add up to shorter treatment times, fewer office visits and less discomfort. 

• Virtual Models - A digital scanner is used to allow the orthodontist to capture digital images of your teeth and bite rather than using uncomfortable, messy and sometimes inaccurate impressions. 
• Self-Ligating Brackets – These passive brackets eliminate the need for elastic or metal ties, instead using a permanently installed moveable component to hold the wire and apply steady pressure over time to move teeth into their ideal positions. 
• Clear and Ceramic Brackets - Ceramic braces are the same size and shape as metal braces, except that they are tooth-colored so that they blend better with your teeth.  Some clear or ceramic brackets use tooth-colored wires to be even less noticeable. 
• Indirect Bonding – A technique that offers more control over bracket placement, a higher level of precision and strength and reduced appointment times. 
• Heat Sensitive Wires – Nickel-titanium-alloy archwires that are temperature-sensitive allowing for continuous movement of the teeth over longer periods of time. These wires provide enhanced comfort, decreased treatment time and fewer appointments. 

 

There is no substitute for skill, experience and education. However, by remaining aware of the latest technologies, orthodontic specialists are better equipped to help guide their patients in choosing the most appropriate treatment options available to achieve their ultimate desired result.

Dad's Best Day Ever

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Let’s face it, most of the time Father’s Day ends up being an afterthought on the holiday calendar…did you know that Mother’s Day was officially recognized in 1914, while dads didn’t get an official day until 1972. Crazy when you think about it, cause dads are just as important as moms are. And when it comes to being a parent, just like moms, dads cherish their time with their families and want to know they're loved. 

Show dad how much you appreciate him for helping you with your homework, fixing the leaky faucet, changing the light bulbs, throwing out the trash and driving you to your sports practices. Think outside the box and make this the year that you redeem yourself for all the bad gifts you've ever given him. 

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Not sure what to get dad this year for Father's Day? Well…according to a new survey, you may want to take him out to eat. 999 dads were surveyed this last April and it was discovered that the majority of dads wanted dinner at a nice restaurant with their family. Interesting, considering when most of us think of gifts for dad we think barbecue tools and ties. 

Finding the perfect gift for dad isn’t as hard as you think it might be. As it turns out a good percentage of dads just want to spend time with the family. So the perfect gift for your dad might just be setting aside a few hours to spend with him and him alone. 

Dad deserves the same treatment as mom. And he deserves to get exactly what he wants this Father's Day. So if you were thinking about getting dad "No. 1 Dad" coffee mug…think again.

It's Snack Time

Keeping a bright, cavity-free smile once your braces are off is completely up to you. 

 

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We all know brushing your teeth after you eat is important, but practicing good eating habits and limiting the amount of sugary foods will help keep your smile looking its best. 

Make Good Choices 

Many people choose to snack throughout the day in order to keep their metabolism steady. But not all snacks are created equal and many processed food snacks are not only bad for your health…they can wreak havoc on your smile. 

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One of the best ways to make sure you are eating “smile approved” snacks is to only keep those snacks available. Admit it…you know that if you had cookies in one hand and celery sticks in the other…you’re eating the cookies. So make it easy on yourself and get rid of all the unhealthy snacks and only keep healthy snacks around. 

A good snack to keep around would be fibrous and crunchy fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables, like carrots and pears, scrub off some of the germs and bacteria that collect on your teeth while also increasing your flow of saliva. Protein rich foods are also great because they will give you the nutrients necessary for building strong teeth. 

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Looking for that perfect snack? You can never go wrong with a nice apple. Apples are full of the fiber that you need to keep both your teeth happy and your stomach full without all of the added sugars that come with most other snacks. Other great snacks options include cantaloupe, bananas, blueberries, cheese or yogurt.

The Best Kept Secret

Having straight teeth is important not only for children, but for adults as well. As we grow older, our teeth tend to grow inward, creating crowding - a common problem for many adults. As a result, it may be difficult to keep teeth clean and healthy. Straightening your teeth with the Invisalign system can treat the crowding and thereby help you maintain your dental health. It can also help you get the smile you've always wanted! 

  

Invisalign treatment is a technique that straightens your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth. The virtually invisible aligners gradually reposition your teeth into a smile of which you will be proud.

Effective for a wide range of smiles. The Invisalign system has been successful in giving amazing smiles to a lot of our adult patients. Our Orthodontists will create your individual treatment plan using Invisalign´s clear, custom-molded aligners to solve a range of issues, including: Overly crowded teeth, Widely spaced teeth, Overbites, Underbites, and Crossbites.

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Invisalign is Made to Fit Your Lifestyle 

Clear, virtually invisible aligners

  

Removable, will not get in the way of your activities

Graduate to a new set of aligners about every two weeks

Easy to monitor your progress with regular appointments

When choosing an option for straightening your teeth, it's important to consider what works best for not only your appearance, but your lifestyle as well.

Fact or Fiction

Isn’t it funny how rumors get started and if those rumors stick around long enough…

we start to believe them as truth? 

Like…we’re sure you’ve heard the one about how Walt Disney had his body frozen in hopes that future technology could bring him back to life. Maybe you believe it…but unfortunately, truth is…Walt was cremated in 1966. 

There are a lot of rumors out there that we take as truth on many different subjects, and Orthodontics is not excluded from those rumors. 

Fiction: Braces set off the metal detectors in airports. 

Fact: Braces can be made of a variety of materials; however, metal alloys are the most common material. Because the metal used is so light weight, they will not trigger any security systems in the airport or anywhere else. 

Fiction: A general dentist can take care of any orthodontic problem. 

Fact: While a general dentist is a talented and educated professional, when you have an issue that falls into the realm of orthodontics you should see an orthodontic specialist. After dental school, at least two to three years of advanced specialty education in an accredited orthodontic program are required to be an orthodontist. An orthodontist learns the complex skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development. This greater knowledge base allows for more efficient treatment times with more consistent treatment results. 

Fiction: Braces are unattractive and draw unwanted attention and cause embarrassment. 

Fact: Today's braces are nearly invisible. And there many esthetic options to choose from. Ceramic brackets, clear aligners and brackets places on the back side of your teeth are available for the cosmetically minded person. 

Fiction: Wearing braces will increase your chances of being struck by lightning. 

Fact: The chances of a person getting struck by are the same, with or without braces. In the U.S. in any one year, the chance you will be struck by lighting is 1 in 700,000 no matter what you are wearing. Braces are not lightning rods. So don’t believe the hype. 

Fact is…the practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application and control of corrective appliances to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment. It takes many years to become an orthodontist and the educational requirements are demanding. If you ever have a question about a rumor you have heard about orthodontics or braces, just ask us…we’ll let you know if it’s Fact or Fiction.

Relax Mom

Mother's Day is just around the corner. And what do you get the mom who has everything? Tell mom to "relax" this Mother's Day with an amazing gift basket filled with everything she will need to have a spa day right at home.

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Gift baskets of all kinds, styles and themes can be purchased online or in any cute downtown boutique, but why not put a little thought into it and make the basket yourself? A basket filled with everything you know your mom will love. Candles, Bubble Bath, Sugar Scrubs, Fancy Soaps, etc. Creating your own custom gift basket is very easy to do and most of the items can be found at any department store.

Now...while most items needed to create the most swanky of spa baskets are readily available, we think the best things in life are handmade. Don't you think mom would just die if she knew that, not only did you put together the basket, but a few of the items in the basket were handmade? Check out these great ideas...

Lemon Sugar Scrub

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Sugar Scrubs are a great way to exfoliate and wake up tired skin. This Lemon Sugar Scrub smells like spring-time and is just the thing mom needs to kick off her day of relaxation. To make this scrub all you need is a little sugar, coconut oil and a lemon...and in about 10 minutes you have a gift that can't be purchased at any store.

Milk and Tea Foot Soak

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Mom is on her feet a lot. Why not make her a foot soak that will make her sore feet feel like new again? This Foot Soak uses Sweet Dreams Tea, Powered Milk and Epsom Salt and can be mixed together in a matter of minutes. When mom is ready, she just adds about a half a cup to some warm water...and then you can just sit back and watch all of her cares soak away.

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Don't have time to put together an entire gift basket of goodies for mom? Try this idea...Spa In A Jar.

Get a Quart size Mason Jar and fill it full of things like nail clippers, nail polish, hand lotion, chap stick and foot soak...

mom will love it!