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!

Dr. Ouyang wants to know: What helps you relax at First Class Braces?

Dr. Ouyang understands not everyone is thrilled to see the orthodontist. But she wants you to know that her team strives to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. Our first priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in our family-oriented, high technology office. We’d like to know: What is it about First Class Braces that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Ouyang herself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

A few helpful webisodes about orthodontics, from Dr. Tracy Ouyang

Dr. Ouyang would like to point you to a few interesting webisodes about orthodontics, located on the YouTube page of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO.

There, they tend to post some very pertinent videos about orthodontic treatment, as well as state-of-the-art technology in orthodontia. These include "Orthodontic Treatment Basics," "Common Bite Problems Seen in Children" and "Does My Child Need Braces?"

The staff at First Class Braces think you may find these webisodes interesting, as well as enlightening. If you have any questions about the videos, or your treatment with Dr. Ouyang, please give us a call.

When should you call Dr. Ouyang and First Class Braces?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call First Class Braces. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with Dr. Ouyang:



1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call!

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays from Dr. Ouyang and team!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Ouyang and her team at First Class Braces reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our great patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2010? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

A great braces-friendly winter recipe! From First Class Braces

It’s chilly outside, and sometimes nothing satisfies Dr. Ouyang and her staff here at First Class Braces more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Best Baked Spaghetti

Ingredients
•1 lb. ground beef
•1 medium onion, chopped or 1 Tablespoon dried onion
•1 clove garlic, chopped
•3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
•½ cup Burgundy or merlot wine (Burgundy gives a deeper flavor)
•1 teaspoon dried oregano
•1 Tablespoon sugar
•½ teaspoon salt
•½ cup grated American cheese, about 4 slices, or ½ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
•½ lb. dry spaghetti, broken in half

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large no-stick frying pan or Dutch over, sauté meat, onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, wine, oregano, sugar and salt. Simmer, cover, 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (It really makes a difference if you can take this amount of time! Otherwise 20 minutes will serve to heat everything.) Cook spaghetti and drain. Put half the spaghetti in a greased 3-quart casserole, and then add half the sauce and ¼ cup of the grated cheese. Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce, and stir everything with a large spoon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Best if baked for 45 minutes at 350°. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great winter dish and happy Friday!
--From Dr. Ouyang and team