Phoenix Orthodontics

EASY CHEWING

admin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:28:39 +0000

Working for a Phoenix orthodontist, I frequently get asked “what can I make my daughter/son for dinner the day they get their braces on?” This macaroni dish is an old standby that almost everyone enjoys, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics braces recipes.

THREE CHEESE MACARONI SUPREME
Ingredients
•2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
•Water for boiling noodles
•(optional: 1 or 2 onions, chopped)
•(optional: 1 to 2 Tablespoons margarine for sautéing onions)
•½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (fresh is best, but the canned type works too)
•½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
•½ cup shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
•1½ cups milk
•½ cup bread crumbs or dry stove-top stuffing
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium pot, boil macaroni in water until you can just cut it with the side of a fork; drain and set aside. In a medium saucepan, sauté the onions in the margarine until they are clear and tender. In a 3-quart greased casserole, stir together the macaroni and milk. Sprinkle with the cheeses and onion, then stir it all together. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top. Cover and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Serves six to eight.

Gently, gently

editor — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:37:27 +0000

When you receive your first orthodontic appliance, a word to the wise–gentle. Chewing that is . . . After a few hours, no matter what appliance is used, usually your teeth will become tender. This is similar to the ache your muscles feel after an intense gym workout, or strenuous hike. The ligaments around the teeth respond just like your leg muscles, as the teeth begin moving from the pressure being put on them. So remember what shelf in the refrigerator you keep the ice cream on, where the applesauce, smoothie ingredients, and pudding might be. Oh, and always keep plenty of rice and pasta around, for the occasional “healthy” meal you may want to eat for the next couple of days. The tenderness doesn’t last for long, but hey, why not take advantage of it?!

Do Self-Ligating Brackets (like Damon) Reduce Treatment Time?

editor — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:29:25 +0000

Ah, a very controversial subject! The Journal of Clinical Orthodontics has long assessed the efficiency of self-ligating brackets compared to the traditional brackets that the “colored” ties are put on to hold the wire in the bracket. It seems that time and time again there is a lack of concrete data to support their claims of decreasing orthodontic treatment time. Studies continue to show that the “friction factor” that is supposed to be one of the key advantages in the shortened treatment time debate, doesn’t prove out. So it seems, if it’s colors junior wants, standard braces will work just as effectively as the Damon brackets. And if it’s inconspicuous you want, standard braces can address that issue too (with the silver or gray ties). So why not save yourself some money if the Damon Doctor is charging more for his/her “shorter treatment time” appliances, when standard brackets will provide the same result in the same amount of time?!

Do Two Phase Orthodontic Treatments Create Better Results?

editor — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:36:38 +0000

Being a North Phoenix orthodontist, some of our patients come in for second opinions regarding braces (or Invisalign) treatment. Especially if the patient is young, frequently an other orthodontist will have proposed a two phase treatment plan-inferring that it is in the best interest of the patient to do their treatment this way. (The first phase typically begins at about age 6-8 years of age, then another phase begins around 12 years old or so.) In April of 2008, the American Assoc. of Orthodontists reported on a study addressing this very issue. The bottom line? For one of the most common overbite problems, it was determined that was NO DIFFERENCE in the outcome of doing the treatment either way, but that one (1) phase treatments were “significantly shorter” than the two (2) phase treatment group’s. However, early intervention for some bite issues and any negative psychologically impacting situations are warranted at an earlier age.

Are Powered Toothbrushes more Effective than Manual Toothbrushes?

editor — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:10:00 +0000

Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical to attaining good orthodontic treatment results. The question often arrises “DO powered toothbrushes do a better job in reducing gum inflamation on orthodontic patients?” Based on a 2008 study, to our surprise, it was concluded that they really weren’t any better!! The evidence was said to be “insufficient” to support this. (Which is something most of us in the dental field would would have thought to be more beneficial. ) There IS the arguement however, that a poor brusher may be more inclined to brush (and do a better job of it) with the “gadget,” than with the old standby manual toothbrush–due to heightened interest and/or co-ordination issues.

Test Blog

admin — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:26:23 +0000

Mural

Good Afternoon!!

Hello world!

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:51:09 +0000

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Hello world!

admin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:06:04 +0000

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!