Stevie Shares Her Experience at Lach Orthodontics

We asked Stevie to share her SureSmile story at Lach Orthodontic Specialists, check out the video above! Stevie also had the following comment to share

Thanks to Dr Lach I will have a perfect smile for my wedding day. If not for the Sure Smile process cutting down the time I need to be in braces I would not have gone forward with braces...thank you Dr Lach for my Sure Smile

SureSmile is a technologically driven orthodontic treatment applied to a tried-and-true system for moving teeth — the same bracket-and-wire configuration orthodontists have used successfully for more than 30 years.

SureSmile is the first and only orthodontic treatment process to combine:
* Digital imaging, with the handheld OraScanner, to map the exact position of every tooth in your mouth
* Computer simulation, allowing the orthodontist to precisely plan every step of your treatment and custom design your archwire
* Robotics to precision-bend the archwire in exact accordance with the prescription * Shape Memory Alloy, a high-tech wire material that works with your own body heat to make treatment more effective

Each component is important on its own, but the real value of SureSmile is the way they work together as a single system to revolutionize orthodontic treatment.

SureSmile brings the future of orthodontics to patients today.

So you can see, SureSmile is more than a single advance in orthodontic technology.

Its an end-to-end treatment process that combines several powerful leading-edge technologies to: * Shorten treatment time * Reduce the number of adjustments * Reduce the number of office visits * Reduce discomfort

In that sense, SureSmile technology offers the best of old and new: conventional bracket-and-wire braces plus technology that minimizes their inefficiencies and limitations.

Lach Orthodontic Specialists Reminding You To Enter the AAO Video Contest

We have some exciting news to share with all of our patients this Thursday. The American Association of Orthodontists, which Dr. Lach is a member of, is offering a $2,500 academic scholarship to two lucky winners of their "How Orthodontics Changed My Life" video contest.

All patients at Lach Orthodontic Specialists 18 years of age or younger are eligible to enter, and entries must be postmarked by July 15th! You can learn more about the contest on the AAO's web site, but here are a few subjects to think about while making your video:

• What were you like before you had orthodontic treatment? How have you changed?
• How proud are you of your new smile?
• When did you notice changes in yourself? What kinds of changes have you noticed?
• What does your new smile mean to you?
• What would you say to others whose smiles make them self-conscious?

This is a great opportunity and we encourage you to enter. GOOD LUCK!

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? In 1983, President Ronald Reagan encouraged Americans to incorporate more activity into their lives, and the reminder is even more significant in this day and age, as kids everywhere are distracted more and more by television, social networking and video games. Kids living an active lifestyle can improve their health, productivity and overall well-being, and best of all? It doesn’t have to take a lot of time!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these public health guidelines for your convenience. The guidelines call for children and teens to exercise for at least one hour each day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, dancing and jumping rope).

At Lach Orthodontic Specialists, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, we recommend you check out this series of helpful articles about kids and exercise, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.org.

Invisalign® Tips, from Lach Orthodontic Specialists

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Lach wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Lach Orthodontic Specialists, give us a call!