Facebook

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Embracing Your Braces


Crest and Oral B have created a contest called “Life Opens Up” where people submit videos about how their mouth has helped them open up to the world, and how the world has opened up to them in return. Crest and Oral B created several videos to show people the types stories they are looking for, and our patient, Ruby, was selected to shoot one of these videos because of her story about having braces as an adult. I wasn't able to embed her video in this blog, but check it out here.

Ruby has really conquered the fears and apprehensions about having braces as an adult and exudes the kind of contagious self-confidence that draws people in. We joke about braces being magnetic, but in Ruby’s case, hers really are. Ruby not only found her boyfriend during treatment, she embraced her social life and increased her self-confidence. Since the video was made, Ruby has gotten her braces off and loves her new smile. She is a great example of how patients can make the most of their orthodontic treatment.

If you are worried about having braces, try to take Ruby’s advice: Put yourself out there! Post a couple of pictures of you with your braces. Remember that you are only temporarily in treatment. Thousands of people have braces, and the people who truly care about you will be supportive of your treatment. Braces are becoming trendy as more and more adults are choosing to start orthodontic treatment. Focus on the changes that you see as your treatment progresses, and look forward to the end result. Enjoy your braces while they last and always embrace your smile.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Making Smiles Affordable



Waiting for Guffman has been showing on cable lately, and when I saw this clip, it really got me wondering what goes through my patients' heads when we discuss treatment plans. Choosing to have orthodontic treatment yourself or to provide it for a child is a financial commitment, and in this economy, people are being more selective with expenditures. I truly believe that everyone deserves to have the smile of their dreams, and because of that, we offer fair prices and a number of different payment options to make it easier on my patients and their families.

In addition to honoring several insurance policies and working with our Medi-Cal patients, at Aesthetic Orthodontics, we provide different financing opportunities including a no-interest in-house program. My team and I do everything we can to create a comfortable financial situation for our patients so that we can then do what we do best – give them a perfect smile!

Every once in awhile, I get into a situation where I feel like Corky. Someone comes in desiring orthodontic treatment. An evaluation is made, a number is thrown out, and the patient is unprepared for the overall cost of treatment. Of course, Corky was being completely unreasonable, whereas I propose a price that fits under the bell curve. It isn’t typical when a patient looks at me like I’m an alien, but it can happen because of a few reasons. Either the patient didn’t do any research and imagined that orthodontic treatment would be priced differently, the number was expected but isn’t one that the patient feels financially secure enough to pay, or the patient had self-assessed the issue to be one that is more easily resolved than the exam would then reveal to me. By the end of the conversation, we’ve both explained our positions and come to an agreement on the most comfortable treatment program.

Discussing money and payment is not easy for anyone, but even in an economic downturn, we strive to make orthodontic treatment attainable by creating a financial plan within your means and by offering a large selection of braces products and appliances. If you are considering treatment for yourself or your family, give us a call, schedule a consultation, and at least find out what your options are. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities available to you.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Hermione's Magical Teeth


This week will mark the beginning of the end of an era as the world sits in anticipation for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I must warn you that I have never read the Harry Potter books, but my patients, especially my younger ones, have been counting down the days until July 15th - the movie's scheduled release - for months.

To pay homage to the successful series and world trend, the topic of this post will be one of everyone's favorite characters, Hermione Granger. Actually, Hermione Granger's teeth. For those of you who haven't read the Harry Potter series, Hermione Granger is the daughter of two muggles (people who are not witches), who were very accepting of their daughter's identity as a witch. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were both dentists who worked along side each other at their Australian practice. Hermione was extremely clever, always at the top of the class; she was that girl in school that always raised her hand for everything and read the entire book before the class got through the first chapter.

Hermione was also given the gift of unusually large front teeth and a crooked smile.

So, just how did Hermione manage to straighten her teeth? Fortunately for Hermione, she lives in a magical world. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Hermione's classmate Malfoy put a spell on her, giving her large fangs.

"Hermione" Ron said, looking sideways at her, suddenly frowning, "Your teeth..."
"What about them?" she said.
"Well, they're different... I've just noticed...."
"Of course they are-- did you expect me to keep those fangs Malfoy gave me?"
"No, I mean, they're different to how they were before he put that hex on you.... They're all... straight and-- and normal-sized."
Hermione suddenly smiled very mischievously, and Harry noticed it too: It was a very different smile from the one he remembered.
"Well... when I went up to Madam Pomfrey to get them shrunk, she held up a mirror and told me to stop her when they were back to how they normally were," she said. "And I just... let her carry on a bit," she smiled even more widely. Mum and Dad won't be too pleased. I've been trying to persuade them to let me shrink them for ages, but they wanted me to carry on with my braces. You know, they're dentists, they just don't think teeth and magic should-- look! Pigwidgeon's back!"


In the real world, Hermione's parents would have been right. Teeth and magic just don't mix for the majority of us muggles. Actress Emma Watson, who plays Hermione, ended up having conventional orthodontic treatment to straighten her pearly whites. Emma Watson is all grown up now, and with or without sorcery, it seems her braces have magically disappeared.

To all you Harry Potter fans, all of us at Aesthetic Orthodontics hope you enjoy the bittersweet ending to magical world of Harry Potter. Wear your Gryffindor scarves proudly and immerse yourself in the final battle where Harry, Ron, Hermione, and their allies defend Hogwarts and the magical world civilization against the Dark Lord.

And, if, perchance, your enemy happens to cast a spell on you and you grow fangs or your teeth suddenly get crooked, give us a call. We may not have magical powers, but we surely can help.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Orthodontic Art Gallery

Have you had a chance to visit Aesthetic Orthodontics' Los Angeles office? If you have not, then you are missing out on one of the largest collections of orthodontic art in the country. I know that the idea of having a dental and orthodontic art collection may sound a little loony, but the greatest thing is...it is! Most of the pieces are Looney Tunes
themed and they keep our office fun and lively. Your favorite characters are on display acting as orthodontists, adorning braces, wearing head gear, and even experimenting with rubberbands. When you are in for your next appointment or just driving by the office, come on in and view our impressive art gallery. We'd love to show you around!