The ARA Orthodontics Blog

“Am I Too Old for Braces?”

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:15:32 +0000

Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

“What Should I Expect During My Initial Consultation?”

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:55:56 +0000

Great question! When you first come in for your initial consultation we will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.
Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. We will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help us when examining your diagnostic records).
At your second appointment, we will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that we can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.
If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand the doctor’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment.

Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, from Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:12 +0000

At ARA Orthodontics, we know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a consultation with Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood?

We invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation or ask us on Facebook!

The Myths and Facts of Orthodontics, From Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:00:31 +0000

Trust us when we say that we are aware that there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) out there nowadays.

But before you buy into all those myths, we want you to get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, help set the record straight and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We definitely encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about braces or your orthodontic treatment at ARA Orthodontics, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams during your next visit!

“When should my child visit Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams for an orthodontic consultation?”

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:00:30 +0000

Thanks for the question! Dr. Alfredo Rodriguez-Abrams will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened at our convenient Fresno office no later than age seven for Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps! We invite you to give us a call at (559) 434-9999 if you have any questions about your child’s treatment and have yourself a great week!

You may also ask Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams on Facebook!

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:00:21 +0000

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed this spring!

Thank you! Have a great week!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:09:22 +0000

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

Patient question: “Why do I need a braces adjustment so often?”

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:06:22 +0000

When you have braces, your wires will need to be replaced with new ones regularly. It is the slow, steady pressure placed on your teeth that move them into their desired positions, so these adjustments are a vital aspect of your treatment. We have set out a specific treatment plan to achieve your optimal results, and keeping up with your appointments will allow your treatment to be completed in the predicted amount of time.

Scheduling your adjustments sooner than planned may result in more pain and discomfort, because your teeth haven’t been allowed to settle into their new positions properly. Skipping appointments or scheduling them farther apart will result in a much longer treatment time. Visiting our office regularly will also allow us to answer any questions you may have, check for damaged appliances, and monitor your progress.

Ask Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams: “Why are retainers so important?”

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:00:39 +0000

If you’ve recently completed treatment at ARA Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Rodriguez-Abrams is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.

* Take your retainers out when eating…and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)

* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.

* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Connect with ARA Orthodontics on Facebook!

mynetworks0747@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:46:21 +0000

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon and would love for you to check it out! You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout.

When you connect with us on facebook you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!