Happy Thanksgiving!

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, our entire team at the office of Drs. Simon, Haerian, & Ludwig wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

Open Bite? Case Closed!

Jacob started treatment at the orthodontic office of Drs. Simon, Haerian, and Ludwig when he was 15 years old. He had a Class III Open Bite and needed a palate expander to widen the upper palate and also a face mask to bring it forward. Because he was nearing the completion of growth, we weren’t sure if orthodontic treatment alone would get the job done. If it didn’t, the only other option to get his jaws into a Class I occlusion would be jaw surgery after he was done growing.

Jacob was 100% on board with his treatment plan and faithfully wore his face mask at night and turned the screw mechanism on his palate expander until it was the correct width. When it came time to “fine tune” his occlusion by wearing elastic bands, he never forgot to put them on the upper and lower hooks of his braces. His diligence paid off and he finished one month early AND had his braces removed in time to show off his perfect smile for his senior pictures!

Side Effects of Orthodontic Treatment

When an adult decides to have orthodontic treatment there is usually more to the story than the desire to have straight teeth. In Pamela’s case, it was medically necessary to provide a functional bite. She had undergone orthognathic surgery ten years prior to address the problem but now she could not chew on the left side because the teeth no longer touched.

After her initial exam, our doctors met with Dr. Lark, her dentist, to discuss possible ways to correct her occlusion. Since getting the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) in a comfortable position was crucial to the case, it was imperative that Pamela, her husband, her orthodontists, and her dentist who specializes in TMJ treatment be all on the same page. Our orthodontists worked closely with Dr. Lark to achieve the best occlusion possible for Pam. She wore upper and lower braces for three years as we re-evaluated and repositioned brackets for two years until everyone concerned with her case was satisfied with the result.

Pam’s teeth now come together in a comfortable occlusion on both sides. She can once again chew her food easily and effortlessly. And she is quite pleased with the known side effects of the orthodontic treatment she experienced – a perfect smile!

What was your favorite part of Summer 2011?

The end of Summer and then subsequently the beginning of Fall are just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and we’re sure that you’ll be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans.

But wait! First, we want to know: What were your favorite parts of the Summer of 2011? Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

-Drs. André Haerian, Jennifer Ludwig, Eugene Simon, and team

LATEST FALL FASHION!

Jenny came in for her orthodontic appointment this week at the office of Drs. Simon, Haerian, & Ludwig and we just had to take her photo.

Her black “Bling” t-shirt looked perfect with her black skirt, black pumps, and cream colored blazer. It made our day to see someone stepping out in style on their journey to a great smile!

Colten is welcomed into our "Ortho Family"

Colten is one of many children these days that are emotionally sensitive and socially delayed. Doctor visits can be very trying for both him, the doctor, and of course mom! Mom asked that Dr. Jennifer Ludwig do his initial consult because he is less fearful of women. Things went very smoothly because Dr. Ludwig just happens to have a very pleasant, soothing type of personality.

On a subsequent recheck, however, Dr. Ludwig was not available and instead Dr. Haerian came into the room. Dr. Haerian is the direct opposite of Dr. Ludwig. A naturally high energy personality with a great sense of humor, he tends to dominate a space. When he found out that Colten was 11, he patted him on the shoulder and reassured him that he had been 11 once, too. After he had examined his teeth, he explained to mom and Colten what he was checking and why he was waiting before taking action. After Dr. Haerian left the room, Anja, the orthodontic assistant, reiterated what was happening until she was satisfied that Colten was up to speed, too.

Mom told me that after this visit, Colten commented with delight on Dr. Haerian’s bright pink shirt with his name on it and how he must have liked him because he had patted his shoulder. She was happy that Colten felt so comfortable in our office, and we’re just as happy, because having kids feel a part of our “ortho family” is something we all can appreciate.

You're Never Too Old to Treat Yourself to a New Smile!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Drs. Simon, Haerian, & Ludwig.

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Drs. Eugene Simon, Jennifer Ludwig, and André Haerian. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give the office of Drs. Simon, Haerian, & Ludwig a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.