The Lavrin & Lawrence Orthodontics Blog

What you may want to know

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:59:30 +0000

When you visit Lavrin & Lawrence Orthodontics for your orthodontic consultation, you’ll probably have a lot of questions. We want you to be prepared for your appointment and feel in charge of your orthodontic treatment decisions, so keep these questions in mind to ask when you come in for your appointment:
• How long will I have to wear braces?
• Will getting braces hurt?
• Will I have to wear additional appliances to correct jaw problems while I have braces?
• What can I eat when I have braces?
• Are there certain things, like playing sports or playing an instrument, which I won’t be able to do?
• How can I make sure my teeth stay clean and healthy while I have braces?
• How often will I need to come in for appointments?
• How much will my orthodontic treatment cost?
Drs. Lavrin and Lawrence, and team are here to answer all your questions and concerns, and we’re happy to explain all aspects of your treatment plan and expected outcome. We believe your orthodontic experience should be comfortable, hassle-free, and most importantly, leave you smiling!

“What Should I Expect During My Initial Consultation?”

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:18:11 +0000

Great question! When you first come in for your initial consultation we 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, we 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 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 orthodontic treatment 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!

May is “Get Caught Reading Month”! What’s on your reading list?

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:51:38 +0000

With the school year close to winding down for a lot of our patients at Lavrin & Lawrence Orthodontics, we wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading is a vital step in brain development and literacy. And if you needed any more reason to read, May marks “Get Caught Reading Month.”

Today, we thought we’d ask: What’s on YOUR reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our team would be happy to provide a few. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas on what to read next!

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your book picks or your all-time favorite novels or literature on our Facebook page!

Straight talk with Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:17 +0000

We’ve had patients ask us why Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence and our team work so hard to give our patients straight teeth using Invisalign. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth 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, Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence will tell you, 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, give us a call to set up a consultation for Invisalign.

See you soon!

“When should my child visit for an orthodontic consultation?”

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:00:17 +0000

Great question! 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, some argue it could be a good idea to start early. Experts in the field, 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 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 Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment or to schedule an initial consultation at our Melbourne or Templestowe office!

Oral Cancer Awareness, from Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:33:43 +0000

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment with Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. Oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease, is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Today, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us know if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment.

Take care of your teeth!

Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence want to know: Are there teeth grinders in your house?

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:26:03 +0000

Grind, grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, especially a night grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound. Other symptoms of teeth grinding (technically called “bruxism”) include:

•Sensitivity in the teeth
•Tightness or pain in the jaw
•Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
•Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

People frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, so taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. Here are some things you can try to stop grinding:

•Cut back on caffeine and alcohol
•Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
•Relax right before bedtime with a warm bath or shower
•Help your jaw learn to relax by quitting any chewing habits (pens, pencils, gum)
•When clenching or grinding happens during the day, place your tongue between your teeth to serve as a reminder to avoid the habit

If grinding goes untreated, it can lead to chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, make an appointment to see us by contacting us. Dr. Lavrin and Lawrence can help determine the cause of the problem and possibly even prescribe a custom mouthpiece to help break the habit.

Hope this helps. Have a great week!

“Am I Too Old for Braces?”

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:44:03 +0000

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 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!

You and rubber bands, from Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:18:31 +0000

Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence has prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. Drs. Lavrin & Lawrence will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful!

Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile.

Connect with Lavrin & Lawrence Orthodontics on Facebook!

mynetworks0827@sesamesearch.com — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:45:36 +0000

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon and would love for you to check it out! You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout.

When you connect with us on facebook you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!