What are patients saying about Dr. Tracy Ouyang?

Dr. Ouyang and our dedicated team at First Class Braces deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment, serving Portland, Clackamas and surrounding communities. Dr. Ouyang makes orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say!

"Very easy to work with." ~ Lloyd C.

"The customer service was great ... every employee was very kind and the office seemed to run very smoothly. Everyone knew what their tasks were and thing seemed to run on time, which is important to me." ~ Eric T.

"The ease of appointments is great." ~ Jay H.

"She is very nice and makes me feel comfortable." ~ Christy M.

Dr. Ouyang and team want to know: What are you up to in February?

It may still be a bit chilly out there, but can you believe we’re only a month away from springtime? Today, Dr. Ouyang and staff want to know: What have you done with yourself in February? What have you accomplished so far this year? Are you keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Do you have exciting spring break plans?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call one of our offices and ask how! Have a great rest of the week and enjoy your weekend!

The importance of wearing mouth guards while playing sports, from Dr. Ouyang

Believe it or not, dear patients, but it’s almost springtime! Dr. Ouyang knows, however, that spring months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Ouyang for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as soccer and baseball. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Ouyang is trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with First Class Braces. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Ouyang will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment at no additional charge.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment with Dr. Ouyang.

Orthodontic fun facts, from First Class Braces

Everyone loves facts. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that Dr. Ouyang and our team at First Class Braces thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.
• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Access your account anytime at First Class Braces

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds nice and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients of Dr. Ouyang enjoy access to their account, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of our patients are saying about Ortho Sesame:

"I prefer online usage because it is more convenient." ~ Tami K.

"It's another way to keep track of my schedule, payments, and potentially future plans." ~ Eric T.

"Much more convenient." ~ Deloris R.

"No one else I know has done this yet." ~ Karla B.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please call the team at First Class Braces if you have any questions!

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ with Dr. Tracy Ouyang

Image is everything. Dr. Ouyang knows that.

At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. The team at First Class Braces thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen™ offers a trouble-free, clear alternative to traditional braces; and not only that, but it offers them the chance to have straight teeth without losing self-confidence!

So how does Invisalign Teen work? Much in the same fashion as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

With Dr. Ouyang, the treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Happy Tuesday!

First Class Braces with a few helpful Invisalign® tips!

Happy Friday! We've blogged about our Invisalign treatment in the past, and today thought we'd pass along a few Invisalign tips. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Tracy Ouyang wants you to ask yourself the following three questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at First Class Braces, please feel free to give us a call!