Clear In-Ovation and Invisalign as Clear Alternatives for Image-Conscious Teens

We know that our teens are super conscious of their image. Just note the number of selfies they take, and how much time they spend liking, commenting and sharing their friends’ photos on Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. That’s why when teens come to me for orthodontic treatment, I want to be sure we have options for them, to ensure their confidence stays high while their smile improves.

One of the most significant innovations in orthodontics is Invisalign Teen®. Geared towards teens and young adults, Invisalign Teen works for patients who have all their permanent teeth. The brilliance of the Invisalign system is that it allows me to treat my patients using custom, almost invisible aligners. Here’s how it works: a series of clear, removable aligners move teeth into the right position. Patients wear each aligner for one to two weeks, which moves the teeth enough so that the next set of aligners can fit over the teeth. In no time, patients can see results in their teeth, and their overall appearance.

Also designed to create an aesthetic appearance for teens, the In-Ovation® C (clear) brackets system uses high translucency technology that makes braces less noticeable. With this system, we often see decreased plaque development, fewer office visits and shorter treatment time.

To determine if Invisalign Teen or In-Ovation is the right choice for you, make an appointment with Dr. Arleen Azar-Mehr by calling (818) 886-6666 or clicking here to request a complimentary consultation for a free initial visit. 

The Give & Get Sweepstakes

Our team believes that giving is caring. That's why we invite patients, parents, friends, and the entire community to enter the Dr. Arleen Azar-Mehr’s Give & Get Sweepstakes!

Everyone’s invited to have the chance of winning a.. 

$500 shopping spree &

 $500 donation to your favorite charity!

Entering is easy. Simply CLICK HERE and fill out the entry form for your chance to win.

The Connection Between a Beautiful Smile and Teen Self Esteem

Does your teen avoid smiling because they don’t like their teeth? An adolescent’s smile can actually have a profound effect on their self esteem and even impact their social skills. Further, according to a research study out of Webster University, a confident smile can be even more attractive than traditional good looks.

Through orthodontic treatment (either with traditional braces or Invisalign Teen) I can correct genetic issues from crowding and spaced teeth to protruding upper teeth. Or, I can address improper bites due to thumb-sucking as a child, periodontal disease, poor dental hygiene, early or late loss of primary teeth or trauma to the teeth from a sporting injury, for example.

The good news is that adolescence is the optimal time to rectify orthodontic problems as teens haven’t yet finished growing. Early correction of orthodontic problems frequently takes less time in treatment and is less costly when compared to correction of dental problems that have been allowed to progress into adulthood.

We offer comprehensive orthodontics for teens to help them have a healthy, attractive, confident smile!

At our practice we strive to provide the highest quality orthodontic treatment but also ensure Incredible customer service and make you feel like you’re at home while you’re visiting us. We’re the friendliest, most fun orthodontic office around. Come by and meet Dr. Azar-Mehr and the entire staff to see what we mean, call us at (818) 886-6666 to make an appointment or learn more on our website at www.losangelesorthodontist.com.

3 WAYS TO KNOW IF INVISALIGN® IS RIGHT FOR YOUR TEEN

By Dr. Arleen Azar-Mehr

At my orthodontic practice, offering clear aligners is an important treatment option for patients, especially teenagers. When indicated by a trained orthodontist, Invisalign®, the leading clear aligner brand, can provide teens with the beautiful straight teeth they’ve always wanted as alternative to braces.

A consultation with an orthodontist is the only way to know for sure whether it’s the appropriate treatment option, but understanding the benefits of Invisalign can help you make a decision as to whether it could be the right fit for your teen:

1. They’re Completely Clear: Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. No closed-lipped selfies here! If your teen is self-conscious about his or her appearance in photos, Invisalign could be the right choice.

2. They’re a Confidence Booster: A recent study found that teens wearing Invisalign are twice as likely to experience a boost in self-esteem while in treatment than teens treated with metal braces.
   
3. They’re Removable: Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing your teen to eat and drink whatever they'd like while in treatment- and play certain sports more easily.

And here’s a benefit for parents: With Invisalign there won’t be any brackets to become loose or broken, so there are potentially fewer emergency visits to the orthodontist, and therefore fewer interruptions to your busy schedule!

At our practice we strive to provide the highest quality orthodontic treatment but also ensure Incredible customer service and make you feel like you’re at home while you’re visiting us. We’re the friendliest, most fun orthodontic office around. Come by and meet Dr. Azar-Mehr and the entire staff to see what we mean or call us at (818) 886-6666 to make an appointment.

Maintaining your Smile!!

Maintaining Your Smile

There are several things to remember when caring for your new smile.

1. Regular visits to your Dentist and Dental Hygienist are crucial for maintaining the health of the cosmetic restorations. If the gum tissue is healthy with regular periodontal (gum disease) screenings, the life of the restoration will increase and the beauty will be maintained as well. Getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis helps to promote gum tissue health. Proper techniques for home care will be given by a licensed dental hygienist. Any concerns or questions that you may have can be addressed at this visit. If any problems occur, they will usually be very small if found early.

* IT IS VITAL THAT CARING FOR YOUR COSMETIC RESTORATIONS BE DONE BY A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIZING IN COSMETIC DENTISTRY. IF PROPER POLISHES, INSTRUMENTS, AND PRODUCTS ARE NOT USED, IT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR INVESTMENT IN YOUR NEW SMILE.

2. Flossing is a key adjunct to massage the gum tissue and again reduce food, debris and formation of plaque in between the teeth. This is a crucial part of ensuring a lifelong beautiful smile. It will also increase the life of the restoration.

3. Brushing 2-3x daily helps to keep the gum tissue healthy. It also removes surface plaque and stain to help maintain a beautiful smile.

4. NEVER use your teeth as a tool! Biting or chewing on things such as pens, ice or holding things between your teeth may cause damage to your cosmetic restorations.

5. Toothpicks should be avoided unless they are used very gently and with caution, as gum tissue damage can sometimes occur.

6. Choose a toothpaste that is non-abrasive. If problems with staining occur, brushing after drinking coffee, teas, or colas may be necessary. Quitting smoking is also encouraged to help eliminate staining and overall oral health.

Content provided courtesy of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, www.AACD.com. 

April is National Facial Protection Month

Nearly 60,000 people injure their faces annually while playing baseball and more than 100,000 people suffer facial injuries from bicycle accidents. This month enhances public awareness of facial protection and specialized treatment for facial injuries, at least half of which are in children. Pediatric dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists—which are all ADA- recognized dental specialists—are sponsoring "April is National Facial Protection Month." Their message is clear: Avoid sports injuries by wearing protective equipment. TheAmerican Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) encourage active people—children, parents, weekend warriors, professional athletes—to play it safe when getting outside this spring (or playing indoor sports). According to the National Institute of Health, childhood sports injuries may be inevitable but prevention does matter. For instance, football players can protect their faces with mouth guards and helmets. Likewise, basketball players should wear mouth guards and eye protection. A study published in the February 2003 Journal of the American Medical Association showed that players who used faceguards—devices made of plastic or metal that attached to baseball helmets—were 35 percent less likely to suffer facial injuries than non-users. Further, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that universal helmet use could save one life each day and prevent one head injury every four minutes. The Marshfield (Wisconsin) Clinic states that wearing protective eyewear can prevent 90 percent of eye injuries in the U.S. It seems the first step to facial protection is just putting on the gear. From skateboarding to rollerblading, baseball to volleyball, karate to gymnastics, downhill skiing to bicycling, all sports are contact sports. From mouth guards, to face shields, to eye shields, dental specialists advocate wearing protective gear to save face. 

Top 10 Ways to Save Face

1. Wear a mouth guard for any contact sport (soccer, yes; chess, probably not). Mouth guards can help prevent jaw, mouth and teeth injuries and are less costly than recovering from the injury.
2. Wear a helmet and it will protect your head by absorbing the energy of an impact. You don't have to lose your head because you take a spill when cycling, snowboarding, rollerblading or horseback riding.
3. Wear protective eyewear so your mom won't have to say, "You'll poke your eye out." More importantly, you'll be able to keep your eye on the tennis ball, baseball, football, etc.
4. Wear a face shield to keep your skin free from scratches and bruises. Hockey pucks, basketballs, and racquetballs can do severe damage.
5. Be aware of family pets. Each year roughly 44,000 people incur facial injuries from dog bites. Children should be supervised when playing with family pets (cats and rabbits too).
6. Buckle up and use appropriate child safety seats. Passengers who don't buckle up are more likely to have a brain injury in a crash than the buckled driver.
7. Keep babies and toddlers safe. They crawl and climb, so pad sharp corners of tables, use safety locks on cabinets, install stairwell safety gates, and secure windows. They also teethe, so hide the sharp pencils.
8. Be alert. Alert spectators can avoid foul baseballs and flying hockey pucks. Watch your step when climbing up bleachers.
9. Use common sense. If an activity carries risk of dental or facial injury, wear the right protective gear. Without it, even a pickup basketball game could result in a trip to the emergency room.
10. Ask the experts. To learn more, visit www.aaoms.org, www.braces.org and www.aapd.org.

"April is National Facial Protection Month" is listed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Ask us about Invisalign!

The clear alternative to braces

Ask us about orthodontic treatment with Invisalign! We can straighten your teeth with a series of custom made, removable, nearly invisible, clear Aligners. You'll still have no excuse not to floss! Consultations are complimentary and the Doctor's gift to YOU!

For more information visit www.invisalign.com or our website www.losangelesorthodontist.com