Featured patient review for Orchin Orthodontics!

At Orchin Orthodontics, we love hearing from current and past patients! And lately, we have been getting some pretty great patient testimonials on our Google Local page! We thought we'd share one with you today! Have a great rest of the week, and remember that our Redskins contest wraps up on Friday!

The Best Team Within 200 Miles‎‎

It gives me great pleasure to write about the Orchin practice. My son has been a patient for several years and has come out of the process of evaluation, monitoring, adjusting, and even more adjusting, with a beautiful smile that he is proud to flash at any girl who will notice. Unlike several other practioners, I never felt rushed despite the slow growth of my son's permanent teeth. I also was never pushed to pay and did not feel proceedures were done to increase revenue. I was especially impressed with how efficiently the office is managed. Wait times are minimal. Whatever schedule changes we required, sometimes with little notice, were cheerfully switched for a new time. I trust the care my son receives there and highly recommend the practice.

- S. Wilder

Connect with Dr. Orchin on Facebook!

At Orchin Orthodontics, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in Washington D.C. and nearby communities. Even if you only see us for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with Dr. Andrew Orchin and staff on our Facebook page?

We invite you to “like” us at Facebook.com/OrchinOrthodontics. We share office news, updates and announcements on our Fan Page, so we encourage you to check us out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook and have a great rest of the week,

- Dr. Orchin and team

Orchin Orthodontics, dispelling the myths about braces

At Orchin Orthodontics, we know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) circulating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, Dr. Orchin and our team think you should get the facts first! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of braces, and we encourage you to check them out today!

We hope everyone has a safe and scary Halloween!

October recipe of the month: Paula's famous cinnamon buns!

 

Check this out! Paula Shoyer makes her famous cinnamon buns - we are lucky enough to have this family as part of our practice. Paula has honored us with homemade treats as well. Absolute Heaven!

And here are some braces-friendly treats we think you'll enjoy this Halloween season.

- The Orchin Orthodontics staff

Ask Dr. Orchin: What, exactly, are wisdom teeth?

Dr. Andrew Orchin had the pleasure to be quoted in an e-book titled, "The Wise Guide to Wisdom Teeth Extraction" by Dr. H. Ryan Kazemi, a dental colleague of ours.

Here's what Dr. Orchin had to say about Dr. Kazemi's book:

"What a great contribution to the profession of dentistry. A comprehensive, yet clearly written and simple to understand resource for patients to read and learn all about all aspects of wisdom teeth and how to treat them. My patients and I will both benefit from having read this informative overview. Thank you!"

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth and are the last molars to develop. There are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. These teeth usually appear in late teens or early twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry. The removal of wisdom teeth has become so commonplace that it is almost a rite of passage for young adults.

Our team at Orchin Orthodontics encourage you to read Dr. Kazemi's book, or ask us if you have any questions!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

For our staff at Orchin Orthodontics, it's hard to believe October is already upon us! October marks National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

We know there are many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through treatment at Orchin Orthodontics, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends our patients avoid the following Halloween treats:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you damage your braces, please give Dr. Andrew Orchin and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved by giving us a call. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office, located at 5301 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 200.

Share your story with us! Why did you choose Orchin Orthodontics?

At Orchin Orthodontics, our patients always come first. During your first appointment, Drs. Andrew and Jerry Orchin will spend time discussing all of your options, and getting to know exactly what you expect from your orthodontic treatment. After all, your smile is often the first thing people notice about you, and at Orchin Orthodontics, we want to help you make a lasting first impression.

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation with Dr. Andrew Orchin or your family has been visiting our convenient Washington D.C. office for years, we’d love to know: What made you choose us for your orthodontic treatment? You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google listing!

Lastly, Dr. Andrew, Whitney and Ellen are in St. Louis this weekend for an annual meeting of orthodontists and their fabulous team members, and our very own Whitney gave a presentation this afternoon about social media. She did a great job, and we're lucky to have her!

"Hey, Dr. Orchin! Which foods should I avoid?"

There are a variety of foods Dr. Andrew Orchin wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid
• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why during your treatment at Orchin Orthodontics, we invite you to give us a call at (202) 686-5100 or ask our staff during your next visit! We also encourage you to check out this helpful article about eating with braces, courtesy of Parenthood.com.

Ask Dr. Orchin: What's sooooo cool about braces?

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as SureSmile, Invisalign and SPEED braces, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning and Serena Williams, to name a few—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Andrew Orchin, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Orchin Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us a call at (202) 686-5100 and let Dr. Orchin and our staff help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Win 2 Club Level Redskins tickets at Orchin Orthodontics!

Dr. Orchin wants to know: Are you ready for some football?

Starting tomorrow, September 1st, become a fan of Orchin Orthodontics on Facebook by November 12th and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win two Club Level tickets to the Redskins vs. Tampa Bay game at FedEx Field on Sunday, December 12th at 1 p.m. (the prize includes an orange parking pass).

BUT WAIT! There are more ways to qualify for the tickets!!

* Refer a friend to Orchin Orthodontics, and you'll get ONE ENTRY

* Write a short testimonial on our Facebook wall, and you'll get ONE ENTRY

* Post a VIDEO testimonial to our Facebook wall, and you'll get TWO ENTRIES

* Write a short review on our Google Local page, Yahoo page or Bing listing, and you'll get TWO ENTRIES

* Update your Facebook status when you visit our office, and you'll get ONE ENTRY

GOOD LUCK everyone! Let us know id you have any questions! Go Redskins!

Dr. Andrew Orchin, reminding you to wear your mouth guards

With the hot and sultry Dog Days summer here for another four weeks, our staff at Orchin Orthodontics would like to take this time to remind all our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this fall. After all, we know this is a busy time of year sports-wise, whether kids are playing soccer in the park or practicing for high school football.

Remember, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. All you have to do? Ask us. Dr. Orchin will provide one for you (at no additional charge). It is important that you do not use one of the fitted “boil at home” mouth guards while you are in orthodontic treatment. We are working hard to move your teeth, which means that any fitted mouth guard will work against us and slow down or halt your orthodontic progress.

Happy Wednesday and don't forget about our "Lost Retainer" contest! We are looking for the funniest/most unusual story about how your retainer was lost, and will award the person who gets the most votes "likes" on our Facebook page with a $50 Visa gift card!

Play the "Lost Retainer" Contest on our Facebook page!

Retainers come in pretty handy after you’re done with your orthodontic treatment. But we also know they aren’t hard to lose. With our new patient contest, we’re asking you to share your story with lost retainers!

We are looking for the funniest/most unusual story about how your retainer was lost, and will award the person who gets the most votes "likes" on our Facebook page with a $50 Visa gift card!

Head to Facebook.com/OrchinOrthodontics and share your story! Good luck!

What are our SureSmile patients saying?

Now that we are well underway with SureSmile treatment at Orchin Orthodontics, we have some additional information from our SureSmile patients that will be beneficial to our patients who are getting ready for their scans to start the SureSmile process.

All of our patients agree that they are very impressed with the movement created by their SureSmile wire. Most patients reported being fairly sore the first day or two after having their first wire inserted. The discomfort was soothed by taking Advil® or Tylenol® and keeping foods on the softer side (fish, meatloaf, pasta and shredded chicken are among the favorites).

Cold temperatures relax the wires, so SureSmile recommends eating cold food and beverages to ease the ache. The flip side is to eat hot food and beverages to speed up the movement of the wires to push through the ache faster.

We have had patients try both and they report each method works so you decide which you would like to try. All SureSmile patients agree that any discomfort was well-worth it to see great results in such a brief time period. A patient just left our office and is so excited to get his braces off three months early due to SureSmile! Most patients need two-to-three wires and have told us that the subsequent wire changes are similar to traditional wire changes here. It is the first wire that packs a punch!

For more information on SureSmile and to find out if you're a candidate, please give us a call at (202) 686-5100! Happy Monday!

Thanks to Invisalign at Orchin Orthodontics, parents can have a great smile, too!

Hey parents! Focusing on your children's teeth, bite and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking about having your own set of perfectly-aligned pearly whites, Dr. Andrew Orchin and our staff at Orchin Orthodontics can help! Dr. Orchin is specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign here in the greater Washington D.C. area.

Invisalign consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth, and are to be worn all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you! Please give us a call at 202-609-8948 to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

We hope you're having an amazing summer so far!

Orchin Orthodontics, encouraging you to join the Braces Brigade!

Calling all current and former Orchin Orthodontics patients! How would you like to get a $100 American Express gift card for blogging about your experience with braces? Thanks to our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, here's your chance! The AAO is proud to offer the Braces Brigade campaign, giving you the opportunity to share your orthodontic journey at Orchin Orthodontics with the world!

From now through August 31st, we're looking for patients, as well as parents of orthodontic patients, to join the Braces Brigade and blog about their unique experience in braces. Just head to the AAO's Braces Brigade page to sign up and get started blogging. If you happen to be under 18, your parents must fill out a consent form along with your official entry, giving you permission to enter the contest.

Dr. Andrew Orchin and our staff encourage you to apply for the Braces Brigade today! Have fun and GOOD LUCK!

Orthodontics: Part science and part artwork

Most people are unaware that orthodontics is a blend of science and art. That being said, it is very important to find an orthodontist that uses the best, most advanced mechanics available and also has an artistic eye. It is essential to communicate with your orthodontist and tell him or her what you would like your smile to look like after orthodontic treatment is complete.

Everyone has a unique face and style - we have had some very special requests over the years and do our best to honor your vision and give you the smile you dream of. Dr. Andrew Orchin listens to his patient’s wishes and concerns. He treats each patient as an individual. Orchin Orthodontics is not a volume business – we do not believe in “the more patients the better” philosophy. You will not be a number when you come to our office. In fact, our entire team takes the time to get to know you on a personal level. We love that our patients share their lives with us.

The biggest compliment we hear is that our patients love being here and are sad when their orthodontic work is complete because they will not be coming to our office as often. Dr. Orchin has also inspired many of his patients to follow in his footsteps to become an orthodontist – now that shows what an incredible impact he has on our patients' lives! Call us today at (202) 686-5100 for a consultation so you can meet Dr. Orchin and the incredible team here at Orchin Orthodontics.

Happy Monday!

What are patients saying about Orchin Orthodontics?

Dr. Andrew Orchin and our team love hearing from past and current patient who are delightfully happy about their new smile. And lately, Orchin Orthodontics, serving the greater Washington DC area, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Happy Monday!

"Professional, friendly environment. Honest opinion." ~ Jane C.

"The entire staff is truly warm and friendly. Also, I can be in an out in a very timely manner." ~ Sara H.

"The quality of orthodontic work performed on other patients that I know personally was excellent!" ~ Richard S.

"Professionalism, attention to detail, ease of getting in touch." ~ Lynne P.

"They are so friendly and the staff is soooo responsive and I feel like family when I come there :)" ~ Eliot B.

"Thorough. Personable. Extremely well-organized office." ~ Patricia R.

Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office! Dr. Orchin and team love getting patient testimonials!

Ask Dr. Orchin: What happens if I miss a visit due to summer plans?

Most of us take a vacation during summer and often it can delay a regular orthodontic visit. Please do not worry if your plans take you away from the DC area during summer and you are not able to make it to Dr. Orchin’s office. The worst case scenario is that it will extend your time in orthodontic treatment. Since we use the best wires available, this is minimized because our wires are active over a long period of time. If you will be gone for an extended period (more than 6 weeks), we recommend you come in for a visit prior to leaving and schedule another visit shortly after your return.

In most cases, a delay in one visit does not extend treatment. In fact, having loose/broken brackets and failure to wear elastics are far more likely to extend your time in braces. On that note, please remember not to indulge in hard, sticky and chewy treats while enjoying your vacation. We look forward to seeing you soon and hearing about your adventures!

Fourth of July safety tips from Orchin Orthodontics!

This Sunday - which happens to be Independence Day - Dr. Andrew Orchin and our staff will be busy celebrating our nation's 234th birthday. For most folks, the Fourth of July is a chance to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary of the signing of America's Declaration of Independence. It's also a time for people to pay homage to all our soldiers, past and present - who lost their lives in battle - and the brave servicemen - and women - who continue to place themselves in danger every day so that we may continue to enjoy our freedoms.

Whatever you might be doing over Independence Day weekend, our entire staff would like to offer these safety tips for your well-being.

*Only light one firework at a time, and never have any part of your body over fireworks.
*If you must be out in the heat, limit your activities to morning and evening hours and drink plenty of fluids, but only those that contain little to no sugar. Water is preferable.
*Planning on swimming? Never go into the water unless you know how deep it is.
*If you fall and hit your head and you begin to feel nauseous or lightheaded, seek medical attention immediately.
*Heading out? Remember to wear sunscreen: wearing SPF 15 helps, but you should reapply it every couple of hours, especially after swimming or sweating in the sun.
*Finally, remember to avoid ribs, corn on the cob and other hard or sticky foods that can damage your braces!

We hope these tips help, and we hope you have a great week and a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend! We encourage you to give us a call at (202) 686-5100 for more summer safety tips.

Orchin Orthodontics want to know: What do you love about summer?

With summer 2010 in full force, Dr. Andrew Orchin and our team at Orchin Orthodontics thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part of summer? Is it the warm weather? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard?

Dr. Orchin and team would like to know what makes your summer here in Washington D.C. truly special. Let us know by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!