North County Orthodontics hosts a private screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Do you love getting caught up in the magical adventures of Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the Hogwarts gang? Dr. Allen and our team at North County Orthodontics will be hosting a private 3D screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at Krikorian Theaters on Nov. 19, 2010 at 5:30pm. To enter to win two tickets to Dr. Allen's Annual Movie Night, just give us a call or stop by one of our offices by Nov. 10, 2010.

We will be giving away 450 tickets to Dr. Allen's Annual Movie Night, so don't hesitate to enter to win!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

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

If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. Allen and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

Celebrities get braces, too!

Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars must look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Allen.

In fact, many Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of famous faces with braces. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give North County Orthodontics a call!

Thanks to Invisalign® with Dr. Allen, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too!

Hey parents! Are you focusing on your kids' oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you're considering orthodontic treatment, our team at North County Orthodontics is pleased to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them 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 to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Hey, Dr. Allen! Why are retainers so important?

If you recently completed treatment at North County Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Allen will provide—or has provided you—with retainers.

How will retainers benefit my smile?
After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Allen is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Allen, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

Dr. Allen asks: What are you reading this summer?

Now that summer is here in Oceanside and Fallbrook, CA, some of us at North County Orthodontics want to remind our patients about the importance of reading. Summer reading is a vital step in brain development—and it's fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorite reads? Are you looking for a great book to take to the beach? Ask us for suggestions, and Dr. Allen and our staff would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

SureSmile® and North County Orthodontics

Our team at North County Orthodontics recently came across a very interesting New York Times article, which discusses the benefits of 3-D imaging technology. Dr. Allen and our office uses 3-D imaging technology through the SureSmile® treatment. SureSmile technology is revolutionizing the orthodontic industry because it orchestrates clearer patient diagnosis, allows doctors to specifically tailor appliances to a patient's individual needs, and it gives the patient the ability to see exactly what their mouth will look like post-treatment. The treatment is estimated to be almost 40% faster than conventional braces. This allows for overall fewer office visits, less discomfort, and higher quality results.

For more information on SureSmile technology, check out our website or give our office a call! Dr. Allen is a certified SureSmile provider and would be happy to meet with you to discuss treatment options.

The SureSmile Advantage at North County Orthodontics

Does the thought of having braces bring you down? The team at North County Orthodontics understands that one of the biggest concerns for orthodontic patients with braces is the length of their treatment.

But you’re in luck, because Dr. Allen specializes in SureSmile, high-tech braces that are revolutionizing the orthodontic industry. SureSmile, which combines digital 3-D imaging, has computer-aided treatment planning and customized archwires to straighten teeth about 40 percent faster than traditional braces. The SureSmile program calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more precision than traditional braces.

There are three steps. First, Dr. Allen identifies the initial tooth position with the patented OraScanner, a wand with a tiny camera attached. The OraScanner creates a precise 3-D digital model of your mouth, which is then uploaded into software that lets us view your mouth and teeth from any angle. Next, the SureSmile system allows us to create your entire treatment plan prior to treatment, using special computer software to analyze the 3-D model of your mouth and develop a custom archwire treatment. Finally, SureSmile’s robotic technology bends Shape Memory Alloy archwires, which can “remember” your prescription.

Results

With SureSmile’s specially programmed archwires, your teeth move more directly into their intended positions. The result for our patients is shortened treatment time and a more comfortable experience in braces.

Once the braces are on it’s only a matter of time before they are taken off revealing beautiful, straight, healthy teeth. With traditional braces a patient is expected to schedule 18 to 20 office visits over two years. With SureSmile, patients average seven to 10 visits and can have their braces off within half the time!

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us today!