The Loew Orthodontics Blog http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog The orthodontic blog of Drs. Darren Loew & Carla Banduci - Orthodontists serving Flemington & Annandale, New Jersey (NJ) Fri, 18 May 2012 22:11:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 “Am I Too Old for Braces?” http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/am-i-too-old-for-braces/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/am-i-too-old-for-braces/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 22:11:45 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=457 Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

  • Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
  • Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
  • A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/am-i-too-old-for-braces/feed/ 0 Ask your Doctor: What should I expect during my initial consultation? http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/ask-your-doctor-what-should-i-expect-during-my-initial-consultation/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/ask-your-doctor-what-should-i-expect-during-my-initial-consultation/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 19:06:47 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=455 Great question! When you first come in for your initial consultation your doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.
Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. We will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help us when examining your diagnostic records).
At your second appointment, the doctor will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that we can more thoroughly prepare for your orthodontic treatment. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.
If you are seeking orthodontics for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand the doctor’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment.
Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/ask-your-doctor-what-should-i-expect-during-my-initial-consultation/feed/ 0 May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month! http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/may-is-national-teen-self-esteem-month/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/may-is-national-teen-self-esteem-month/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 17:58:13 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=453
At our office, we know image can be everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a consultation at our office. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a consultation?

We invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation or ask us on Facebook!

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/05/may-is-national-teen-self-esteem-month/feed/ 0 Dr. Loew gets a strike at our Bowling for Autism event! http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/dr-loew-gets-a-strike/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/dr-loew-gets-a-strike/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:22:52 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=450

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/dr-loew-gets-a-strike/feed/ 0 Top ten tips for keeping your BRACES sparklin’ clean http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/top-ten-tips-for-keeping-your-braces-sparklin%e2%80%99-clean/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/top-ten-tips-for-keeping-your-braces-sparklin%e2%80%99-clean/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:17:26 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=447
Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you’ll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office – we’d love to help!

Hope this helps!

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/top-ten-tips-for-keeping-your-braces-sparklin%e2%80%99-clean/feed/ 0 Loew Orthodontics is Bowling for Autism! http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/loew-orthodontics-is-bowling-for-autism-2/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/loew-orthodontics-is-bowling-for-autism-2/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:53:01 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=443

April is Autism Awareness Month & Loew Orthodontics is an official Autism NJ Ambassador! Come join your favorite Orthodontists and Team Loew in a bowling fundraiser where all monies raised will go directly to Autism NJ.

WHEN: Sunday, April 22nd from 12p to 2pm
WHERE: Oakwood Lanes 234 Route 31, Washington, NJ 07882-1550. (908) 689-0310 – Click Here for directions.
COST: $20 per person (includes shoes & bowling for 2 hours)

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Please download, complete, and print out the BOWLING REGISTRATION FORM (Registering to bowl cannot be done online).
2. Mail or bring the registration sheet and payment to: Loew Orthodontics, 4 Walter Foran Blvd, Flemington, NJ 08822. Cash or check made payable to: Loew Orthodontics. (Pre-Registration & payment are required to ensure lane availability).
3. If you are unable to join us, please consider making an on-line donation by clicking the Autism NJ link here: http://autismnj.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=1004125&u=1004125-351528741&e=5454793966

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

If you any questions, please give us at call at our Flemington or Annandale office.

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/04/loew-orthodontics-is-bowling-for-autism-2/feed/ 0 “Am I Too Old for Braces?” http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/%e2%80%9cam-i-too-old-for-braces%e2%80%9d/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/%e2%80%9cam-i-too-old-for-braces%e2%80%9d/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:02:35 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=439 Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/%e2%80%9cam-i-too-old-for-braces%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Loew Orthodontics receives a letter from Governor Chris Christie! http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/st-patrick%e2%80%99s-day-fun-facts/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/st-patrick%e2%80%99s-day-fun-facts/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:58:22 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=431 In response to our “Halloween Candy Buy Back” last October, we got a very nice letter from New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie. Our entire team was very excited to receive this!

(Click photo to Enlarge)

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/st-patrick%e2%80%99s-day-fun-facts/feed/ 0 How much do Dr. Loew and his children weigh? http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/how-much-do-dr-loew-and-his-children-weigh/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/how-much-do-dr-loew-and-his-children-weigh/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:56:09 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=426

In February, the team at Loew Orthodontics asked our patients to guess how many total pounds Dr. Loew and his children weigh. The results are in and…..congratulations to our patient Michael Cannizzaro! He guessed the exact number of pounds, 435!

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/how-much-do-dr-loew-and-his-children-weigh/feed/ 0 Loew Orthodontics is Bowling for Autism! http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/loew-orthodontics-is-bowling-for-autism/ http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/loew-orthodontics-is-bowling-for-autism/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:08:57 +0000 mynetworks0716@sesamecommunications.com http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/?p=398

April is Autism Awareness Month & Loew Orthodontics is an official Autism NJ Ambassador! Come join your favorite Orthodontists and Team Loew in a bowling fundraiser where all monies raised will go directly to Autism NJ.

WHEN: Sunday, April 22nd from 12p to 2pm
WHERE: Oakwood Lanes 234 Route 31, Washington, NJ 07882-1550. (908) 689-0310 – Click Here for directions.
COST: $20 per person (includes shoes & bowling for 2 hours)

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Please download, complete, and print out the BOWLING REGISTRATION FORM (Registering to bowl cannot be done online).
2. Mail or bring the registration sheet and payment to: Loew Orthodontics, 4 Walter Foran Blvd, Flemington, NJ 08822. Cash or check made payable to: Loew Orthodontics. (Pre-Registration & payment are required to ensure lane availability).
3. If you are unable to join us, please consider making an on-line donation by clicking the Autism NJ link here: http://autismnj.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=1004125&u=1004125-351528741&e=5454793966

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

If you any questions, please give us at call at our Flemington or Annandale office.

]]> http://www.loeworthodontics.com/blog/2012/03/loew-orthodontics-is-bowling-for-autism/feed/ 0