Trick-Or-Treat! October is National Orthodontic Health Month! In honor of October’s sweet and spooky holiday, Halloween, the American Association of Orthodontists has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips and treats for a ghoulishly good time!
BOO! Spooky recipes for a “braces friendly” Halloween
Frightfully Fabulous Cupcake Sandwiches
Ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup warm water
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup superfine sugar
2 cups cake flour, sifted
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 can of chocolate frosting or store-bought chocolate mousse
1 container of whipped topping
Assorted “braces-friendly” candy pieces such as chopped peanut butter cups, chocolate bars and melt-in-your-mouth candies.
Halloween Safety Tips
* Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
* Carry a flashlight
* Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
* Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
* Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Fill a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners and set aside.
Combine cocoa powder, water, and mix until smooth. Fold in mayonnaise. (Make sure cocoa mixture is not to hot to prevent breaking of mayonnaise). Add vanilla and whisk until smooth.
In mixer, combine sugar, cake flour, baking soda and salt and mix slowly until well incorporated. Add wet cocoa mixture, mix on medium-high until well blended. Scrape down the sides and blend for 30 seconds.
Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 way full of batter. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack.
Slice each cupcake in half, horizontally, and serve the halves with chocolate mousse or frosting, whipped topping, and assorted candy pieces. Kids build the sandwiches by spreading one-half of a cupcake with mousse/frosting or whipped topping, sprinkling on candy pieces and placing the other half of cupcake on top.
Makes 12 sandwiches.
CLICK HERE to visit our web site; and have a happy National Orthodontic Health Month!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
What’s so Special About an Orthodontist Anyway?
I often find our patients wondering about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Well, I started out in dental school and got a DDS (dental) degree, just like your dentist. But after dental school, I decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties in the dental field. So at that point I decided to stay in a school for a few more years to become an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems such as overbites and underbites.
Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontics (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontics (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontics (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).
Isn’t it nice to know there’s a dental expert to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?
Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontics (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontics (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontics (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).
Isn’t it nice to know there’s a dental expert to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Katherine Heigl Struggles with Crooked Teeth.
Everyone struggles with little imperfections. Making crooked teeth straight, stained teeth sparkling white and chipped teeth smooth is part of what I do as an orthodontist. The sense of renewed self confidence that comes to my patients after having some sort of reconstructive work is what makes my job worthwhile.
Consider Katherine Heigl, award winning actress, and considered by many the Grace Kelly of our day. She describes struggling with crooked teeth her whole life until finally there came a point when she said "enough is enough!" She decided to do something to straighten her teeth.
I think you will enjoy this clip. Please feel free to leave comments, tell me what you think! Have you ever struggled with this same problem? Have you felt the relief of smiling to reveal a straight, bright smile after hiding crooked ones for so long? Contact us so we can hear your story, or help you create a new beautiful smile and a story of your own! Please feel free to call us at 214-705-2602 in Frisco or 972-439-1391 in McKinney.
Consider Katherine Heigl, award winning actress, and considered by many the Grace Kelly of our day. She describes struggling with crooked teeth her whole life until finally there came a point when she said "enough is enough!" She decided to do something to straighten her teeth.
I think you will enjoy this clip. Please feel free to leave comments, tell me what you think! Have you ever struggled with this same problem? Have you felt the relief of smiling to reveal a straight, bright smile after hiding crooked ones for so long? Contact us so we can hear your story, or help you create a new beautiful smile and a story of your own! Please feel free to call us at 214-705-2602 in Frisco or 972-439-1391 in McKinney.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Regular Checkups are Important
Even with braces it's important to remember to still visit your dentist every six months for a regular checkup and teeth cleaning! At Wise Orthodontics and Stonebridge Orthodontics we will work closely with your dentist to make sure you get the brightest, healthiest smile possible. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Even during your orthodontic treatment, your dentist can examine your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue to check for problems you might not see or feel including cavities and tooth decay.
Before beginning any orthodontic treatment remember to schedule a dental checkup with your dentist for any neccessary dental work you may need. Then, once you begin your orthodontic treatment remember to continue scheduling reglar dental checkups every six months!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Clear Braces!
Clear Aesthetic Braces feature a comfortable, smooth, sculptured and translucent design. No more "tin grin." The natural beauty of your teeth will shine through with every smile.
INVISALIGN
Dr. Wise is an Certified Invisalign Provider.
Consider Invisalign to get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted - without braces. A complimentary consultation with Dr. Wise can determine if Invisalign is right for you.
What is it?
Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology, and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign.
Why would I want it?
Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.
How does it work?
You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position Your doctor has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Wise about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.
INVISALIGN
Dr. Wise is an Certified Invisalign Provider.
Consider Invisalign to get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted - without braces. A complimentary consultation with Dr. Wise can determine if Invisalign is right for you.
What is it?
Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology, and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign.
Why would I want it?
Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.
How does it work?
You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position Your doctor has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Wise about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Orthodontic Treatment needed?
Childhood Years (7 -12)
As our young children develop into kids, many things are happening with their smiles. The most obvious is the eruption of permanent teeth and the normal growth that is occurring.
Many times, the first few teeth are crowded out and can't come in properly. Or perhaps an overbite is developing. This is the time when orthodontics really becomes an art. Will the teeth have room? Do we need to expand the mouth? Will normal growth and development allow the teeth to come in straight with time? While many times the answers to these questions are obvious, sometimes a conservative approach, when the orthodontist becomes an observer, is the best solution.
We typically have a large window of opportunity during which we can begin treatment and still get the maximum benefit of modern orthodontics. Beginning the process too early can unnecessarily lengthen your child's treatment and make the orthodontic experience unpleasant and overly expensive. Should "early treatment" be required (expanders, functional appliances, partial braces, etc.) we are well equipped to proceed with a customized treatment plan for the child. Rest assured that at Wise Orthodontics and Stonebridge Orthodontics we will keep your child's best interests at heart.
As our young children develop into kids, many things are happening with their smiles. The most obvious is the eruption of permanent teeth and the normal growth that is occurring.Many times, the first few teeth are crowded out and can't come in properly. Or perhaps an overbite is developing. This is the time when orthodontics really becomes an art. Will the teeth have room? Do we need to expand the mouth? Will normal growth and development allow the teeth to come in straight with time? While many times the answers to these questions are obvious, sometimes a conservative approach, when the orthodontist becomes an observer, is the best solution.
We typically have a large window of opportunity during which we can begin treatment and still get the maximum benefit of modern orthodontics. Beginning the process too early can unnecessarily lengthen your child's treatment and make the orthodontic experience unpleasant and overly expensive. Should "early treatment" be required (expanders, functional appliances, partial braces, etc.) we are well equipped to proceed with a customized treatment plan for the child. Rest assured that at Wise Orthodontics and Stonebridge Orthodontics we will keep your child's best interests at heart.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Warning Signs in 7-year-olds
| Do the front teeth line up? | |
 | The spaces between the two upper front teeth and the two lower front teeth should line up with each other and both should line up with the bridge of the nose. When they do not, the probable cause is a drifted teeth or a shifted lower jaw, resulting in an improper bite. Seek Treatment Earlier Than Age Seven If Your Child Has:
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