Orchin Orthodontics at the 110th AAO Annual Session

To better serve our phenomenal patients with the highest quality orthodontic care possible, Dr. Orchin and our team at Orchin Orthodontics are committed to continuing education in the never-dull world of orthodontics.

One of the ways Dr. Orchin and our remarkable staff improve our service is by attending important conferences, meetings and seminars, and from today through next Tuesday, we will be attending the AAO Annual Session right here in Washington D.C. The AAO Annual Session is always an educational event and happens to be one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world - one that allows us to consult with orthodontists from around the country (and Canada) and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, in turn, allows Orchin Orthodontics to give you, our wonderful patients, the best treatment experience possible.

If you've got an appointment scheduled with Dr. Orchin soon, we invite you to ask us about our thoughts about the conference, including what we learned and how continuing education and acquisition of new technology helps us treat you more effectively.

Have a great weekend!

Talkin' elastics with Dr. Orchin

The purpose of elastics (rubber bands) is to apply a force on selected teeth to help them “fit” better and correct your bite. Elastics can move teeth in a way that cannot be done with braces alone. Failure to wear your elastics, as instructed, will result in treatment running
longer than expected. It may also affect the finished orthodontic treatment result.

When you first start wearing the elastics, they may make your teeth sore. If you continue wearing them as instructed, that discomfort will go away in a couple of days.

If you break or lose a rubber band, replace immediately. Always carry a spare pack of rubber bands in your pocket. You will be asked to wear your elastics either full-time or every night.

FULL-TIME WEAR

Rubber bands are to be worn 24-hours per day, except when brushing your teeth, unless stated otherwise by Dr. Orchin or your orthodontic assistant. Please wear your elastics all the time. Remove them only for brushing and flossing your teeth. Insert new elastics after brushing and flossing. Try to keep fresh elastics on your teeth
at all times (they lose their force after several hours).

NIGHT-TIME WEAR

Please wear your elastics every night (sleep in them). Now let’s go back and repeat that together – wear your elastics every night (not some nights).

If you lose your elastics or run out, just call our office or email us and we can send you more.

Why the big deal? Because these elastics are your ticket to the fastest, most ideal result you can get. Unfortunately, they just don’t work unless they are worn as prescribed.

By wearing your elastics as instructed, you will be doing your part in keeping your orthodontic treatment on schedule.

Common Elastic Patterns

Ask Dr. Orchin: What does it feel like to be scanned by the SureSmile Orascanner?

Have you heard about our new SureSmile offer? We thought we'd pass along some more information about what exactly happens during your visit to be scanned:

The first thing that will happen at your scanning visit is our staff will remove your wires and take new records, which include photographs and X-rays. We will ask you to rinse with Listerine prior to sitting down in the chair, and then it will be time for your scan. After you are seated in the chair, an assistant will place cheek retractors in your mouth (similar to the ones we use during your photographs but you do not have to hold these in place). We then use air to dry your teeth before painting SureWhite on your teeth. SureWhite has alcohol in it and will feel like Listerine in your mouth but just until it is dry and then you will not notice it. We then use the air to dry the SureWhite.

Now it is time to scan.

The wand for the OraScanner has a mirror on it and it flashes white light while making a “rat-tat-tat” noise. The noise lets us know it is taking pictures. The assistant maneuvers the scanner over your teeth carefully picking up every surface – it will take about 1,000 pictures for each the upper and lower arch. We work in sections so that the area stays dry and then apply SureWhite and use air as needed until the scan is complete.

After we finish both arches, we take a bite registration – we scan about 5 teeth while you have your upper and lower teeth contacting each other. The whole time you are being scanned you can see the image coming up on the computer monitor, which is interesting to watch. After you're done, you need to go and brush all of the SureWhite off then have your wires reinserted and you are finished.

We have successfully scanned adults with TMJ issues, as well as teenagers. The most challenging part of the scan is keeping your mouth open and keeping your tongue from licking off the SureWhite. The best part about your scan? Knowing you are on your way having to having your braces removed (generally 4-to-6 months after your scan) and enjoying a beautiful smile.

If you're thinking about upgrading to SureSmile technology, please give us a call at 202-684-9227! Dr. Orchin and team look forward to seeing you!!

Ask Dr. Orchin: When should my child come in for a visit?

At Orchin Orthodontics, knowing when to treat patients is just as important as knowing how to treat patients.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist by age seven. This allows the orthodontist to make an early assessment for possible skeletal problems such as a severe cross-bite (narrow jaw), overjet (protrusive upper teeth), underbite (upper front teeth are behind the lower front teeth), or any other problem that is best treated while the patient is growing. Dr. Orchin uses appliances that are designed to capture growth and correct the malocclusion. Dr. Orchin has the experience to know when it is best to start treatment and when to step back and allow Mother Nature to do her work.

If you or a family member is already in treatment with Dr. Orchin, we are able to schedule a no charge look-see appointment for a younger sibling. This is our way of introducing Dr. Orchin to the patient while he gets a baseline reading on the patient. Please call us at 202-684-9227 for an appointment!

Finances made simple at Orchin Orthodontics

Did you know that Orchin Orthodontics offers payment plans without adding any interest or billing fees? In fact, we have been told (by our patients and parents) that we offer the most flexible payment plans in the area.

We do not want the investment in orthodontics to be a barrier to treatment, so we work with our families to find a plan that will work. We will work with Flexible Spending Accounts as well to maximize the pre-tax dollars over more than one calendar year.

We will also reduce the down payment or spread out the monthly or quarterly payments to 30 months and still not charge any interest or finance fees.

Please call us today so we may find a payment plan that will fit your budget.

The importance of retainers, from Orchin Orthodontics

OK, you've completed your orthodontic work and you’ve revealed your new smile. You are proud and excited and then Dr. Orchin presents you with a retainer to wear.

What is the deal?

Every orthodontic treatment plan at Orchin Orthodontics includes a retention phase. Dr. Orchin’s years of experience has taught him that retention is one of the most important phases of orthodontic treatment. Orchin Orthodontics has learned that wearing your retainer(s) as directed is the most important factor in maintaining your orthodontic result. Dr. Orchin recommends that all of our patients keep their retainer (forever) and wear it once a week even after they are released from our care. If a removable retainer breaks or needs adjustments, simply give us a call at 202-684-9227.

Most of Dr. Orchin’s patients have a fixed lower lingual retainer (also called a permanent retainer) to maintain the lower teeth. Many patients ask us why we do not remove it. Here is the answer; it is the best insurance plan you can buy. Teeth remain mobile and do tend to drift forward as we age and the lower lingual is a great tool for preventing that. It is important to brush and floss as directed as well as maintain regular hygiene visits with the general dentist. The patient’s general dentist will monitor the lower lingual and advise if it needs to be removed or replaced.

As always, we welcome our patients back anytime to have their retainer(s) adjusted or require a visit for any reason. The best reason to return to Orchin Orthodontics? Simply to say “hello” and share your beautiful smile with us or bring a friend or family member here for treatment.

Ask Dr. Orchin: Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

Over the years I have heard many responses from adults when they find out that their orthodontic treatment plan includes braces. I have heard everything from “Wearing braces will make me look too young to be taken seriously in my career” to “There is no way I will wear braces.” More often than not adults are especially disappointed when they hear that we can not correct their alignment with Invisalign treatment. While Invisalign is a phenomenal product that we often use, it does have limitations and is not indicated for certain treatment plans.

Here is what I have discovered after over the last 9 years: the only regret I ever hear after orthodontic treatment is complete is “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” When we give the treatment plan which includes the length of time in braces, patients' initial response is “that long”? All our patients feel that way and what they have found is, the time goes by quickly and is a small price to pay for a beautiful smile that will last.

The best news is that we now offer SureSmile, which means that we can move teeth more efficiently in less time. In fact, most patients are able to subtract 1/3 of their treatment time when they are SureSmile patients. That means the average time in treatment for adults is only 10-14 months. I don’t know about you, but I would definitely spend a year in braces so that I could enjoy all of the benefits of a beautiful smile. A smile is the universal sign of happiness and confidence. It is something that most of us give willingly but many are too shy to share a smile due to crooked teeth.

As an orthodontic professional, I simply can not see any reason not to improve your smile if you are self-conscious about it. Yes, there are other reasons to have orthodontics, which include improving a malocclusion (bad bite) and having periodontal issues that are corrected by having the teeth in a more favorable position. These reasons should not be overlooked and are in fact, the most common reasons for an adult to be referred to us for orthodontic treatment. If you already have an underlying condition that would improve with orthodontics, there is no excuse not to give yourself the gift of improved health. A beautiful smile is just an additional bonus.

Ever wonder why we all love our jobs at Orchin Orthodontics? That is an easy answer: we help people smile every day. How many people can say that their job is to make people smile? What a wonderful job we all have. Let us give you a smile today. Call today for your consultation appointment and be sure to ask us about SureSmile.