The Amazing MARA

John’s mom was devastated when the first orthodontist they visited said they would need to wait until John’s growth was complete and then do braces along with orthognathic surgery to correct his severe overbite. Upset at the thought of waiting six years before treatment could begin, she sought a second opinion. She was elated to hear Dr. Jennifer Ludwig’s idea of using a MARA/Hyrax (an appliance for correcting overbites along with a palate expander) to get the job done while he was still growing.

It took three years but John just celebrated his 16th birthday with a perfect smile. Not only did John avoid surgery, his results were nothing short of phenomenal!

If you are considering orthodontic treatment in Toledo, Sylvania, Maumee (Ohio), Lambertville or Southfield (Michigan), give us a call!

The Go-To Mom Talks Invisalign

Our team at the office of Drs. Eugene Simon, André Haerian, and Jennifer Ludwig found a great video that discusses the advantages of Invisalign. In the video, Kimberley Clayton Blaine, "The Go-To Mom," discusses the Invisalign and Invisalign Teen treatment and her personal experience with Invisalign.

To determine if Invisalign is right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our orthodontists. Have a great week!

Straight Teeth and your Oral Health

Some people wonder why Dr. Jennifer Ludwig, Dr. André Haerian, Dr. Eugene Simon and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly-aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at the office of Drs. Simon, Haerian, and Ludwig can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. We can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

A Good Fit

At the orthodontic office of Drs. Simon, Haerian, & Ludwig, we’re all about a good fit. After all, having teeth lined up properly so they fit together perfectly is what we do best. Jennifer’s mom, however, mentioned at her daughter’s post ortho consult that it was our office that proved to be a good fit for her family. She had a consult originally scheduled at another orthodontic office, but after being treated rudely after a scheduling error, she decided to look elsewhere. She then gave our office a try, and we turned out to be a perfect fit for her and her children.

Having three children go through orthodontics gave mom ample time to get to know the staff and doctors. Her children were always treated in a pleasant and patient manner which she appreciated. She also gave our office kudos for doing something important for people by enhancing their sense of well-being.

Mom was concerned more with function of the teeth rather than aesthetics. She knew that the tight contact her daughter experienced before orthodontics could lead to jaw problems later on in life. To her, the beautiful smile that resulted after fixing the problem was just an added bonus. (That’s why our why our website is called “perfectbraces.com” and not “goodenoughbraces.com")

If you are considering orthodontic treatment, give our office a call to schedule your initial consultation.

Imagining your Life with Invisalign

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Drs. André Haerian, Jennifer Ludwig, Eugene Simon , and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at our office.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?
Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Are there any foods I shouldn’t eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How do I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit the office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. We will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

If you have additional questions about the Invisalign treatment, please give our office a call.

Reasons to Embrace Summer Treatment

Summertime . . . and the living is easy . . . which makes it the perfect time to go to perfectbraces.com to schedule an initial orthodontic exam with Drs. Eugene Simon, Andre Haerian, & Jennifer Ludwig.

What a perfect time to get started with orthodontic treatment while there’s less demand from school and sport commitments. It also allows the perfect time period to adjust to being braced before being immersed into a brand new school year. And as an added bonus, you can spend the rest of the summer shimmering instead of simmering!

Go to perfectbraces.com now to book the best vacation ever – the journey to a perfect smile . . .

Kids Getting Braces at a Younger Age

Drs. André Haerian, Eugene Simon, and Jennifer Ludwig will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at the AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for our doctors to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!