Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Dr. Lach has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Lach Orthodontics? If not, give us a call!

What, exactly, is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what we call “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, treatment may be necessary to correct the issue.

Dr. Lach will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Lach Orthodontic Specialists, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Suresmile in Orlando, FL

John, a Basketball coach in Orlando, FL and a patient at Lach Orthodontic Specialists was kind enough to answer a few questions on camera about his experience with Dr. Lach and the SureSmile system. Dr. Lach was great and he explained every step of the way and was always there for me. It is pretty amazing to me to see just how far my teeth have come with the little discomfort that I have had. I know I have saved over a year of time with Dr. Lach's treatment over the regular braces. You just cant beat 13 months and 10 visits for my difficult case. I would recommend that to anyone!

Give us a call to learn more about how you can benefit from a shorter orthodontic treatment time with the SureSmile system!

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.

The advantage of SureSmile® in Orlando, FL

Does the thought of having braces bring you down? Lach Orthodontic Specialists understands that one of the biggest concerns for orthodontic patients with braces is the length of their treatment.

But you’re in luck, because Dr. Lach specializes in SureSmile, high-tech braces that are revolutionizing the orthodontic industry. SureSmile, which combines digital 3-D imaging, has computer-aided treatment planning and customized archwires to straighten teeth about 40 percent faster than traditional braces. The SureSmile program calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more precision than traditional braces.

There are three steps. First, we identify the initial tooth position with the patented OraScanner, a wand with a tiny camera attached. The OraScanner creates a precise 3-D digital model of your mouth, which is then uploaded into software that lets Dr. Lach view your mouth and teeth from any angle. Next, the SureSmile system allows us to create your entire treatment plan prior to treatment, using special computer software to analyze the 3-D model of your mouth and develop a custom archwire treatment. Finally, SureSmile’s robotic technology bends Shape Memory Alloy archwires, which can “remember” your prescription.

Results

With SureSmile’s specially programmed archwires, your teeth move more directly into their intended positions. The result for our patients is shortened treatment time and a more comfortable experience in braces.

Once the braces are on it’s only a matter of time before they are taken off revealing beautiful, straight, healthy teeth. With traditional braces a patient is expected to schedule 18 to 20 office visits over two years. With SureSmile, patients average seven to 10 visits and can have their braces off within half the time!

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment in the Orlando area, and braces are on the horizon, please contact us today!