Kissing winter goodbye with Allen Orthodontics

Now that it's finally spring, Dr. Michael Allen and our team are ready to give winter a final kiss goodbye. We invite patients to join us by participating in the Allen Orthodontics "Kiss Winter Goodbye" contest.


To enter, simply guess how many chocolate kisses are in the jar. The winner will welcome spring with a gift card to Surfride!

Patient Question: Can I benefit from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Allen will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

The 25th anniversary of MLK Day, from Dr. Allen and team

The activism of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was integral to the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950s and ‘60s. As the social justice leader once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” There are many ways that you may answer this question, whether it is by participating in a environmental impact project, volunteering through an education program, or serving veterans and military families. Are you in search of a Day of Service project? You can always ask Dr. Allen, or visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service website.

All of us here at Allen Orthodontics would love to hear what you’re doing for others in the Oceanside, CA and Fallbrook, CA areas. We encourage you to share any pictures, videos, or information about your Day of Service project on our Facebook page. Happy MLK Day!

Happy New Year from Dr. Allen and team

The 2010 holiday season is upon us. Dr. Allen and the team at Allen Orthodontics and our team would like to wish all our patients and their families the merriest of holidays and best wishes for the New Year.

We thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from all of us at Allen Orthodontics!

What puts you at ease at Allen Orthodontics?

Dr. Allen and team understand not everyone enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Allen Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Allen?

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

Happy Holidays,

-Dr. Allen and team

With Allen Orthodontics, 24/7 access to your account

At Allen Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Oceanside and Fallbrook.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Happy Thanksgiving, from Allen Orthodontics

Dr. Allen and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! We encourage patients to post any holiday photos, or stories that they would like to share on our Facebook page.

Gobble Gobble!

Braces can be fun, too!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as SureSmile and Invisalign, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Allen, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Ask Dr. Allen: What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with North County Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Allen the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

A Win-Win Situation! From North County Orthodontics

Oceanside and Fallbrook, CA orthodontist Dr. Allen knows that regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health. Are you visiting your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, then North County Orthodontics wants to hear about it!

Each month, North County Orthodontics hosts a "Win-Win Contest," asking our patients to take a coupon with them when they visit a family dentist for regular hygiene appointments. When your dentist fills out the coupon, both you and your dentist will be entered into the contest for a great prize.

If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Oceanside and Fallbrook areas!

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!

Tackling kids' sport safety with North County Orthodontics

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why North County Orthodontics is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Allen will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe while on the field. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Allen is trying to achieve.

Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at North County Orthodontics.

Show Dr. Allen your sea shell knowledge and win SeaWorld tickets!

This summer, our team at North County Orthodontics is hosting a special summer contest, with seashells! Guess how many seashells are in the jar at our office for your chance to win tickets to SeaWorld.

How do I enter?
Next time you're in for an appointment, make your guess at how many seashells are in the jar. You will need to include your contact information with your entry. This contest will only be running through Labor Day, so don't hesitate to come visit our office and participate in the fun!

Good luck,

North County Orthodontics

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.

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics, from North County Orthodontics

Trust us when we say Dr. W. Michael Allen and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at North County Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call.

SureSmile makes the rounds on ABC’s “The Doctors”

On a recent episode of ABC's "The Doctors," Dr. Thomas Lee of Oxnard, California, was interviewed in front of a live audience and demonstrated SureSmile technology and discussed treatment benefits for orthodontists and their patients. Dr. Lee's 14-year-old patient, Nina, who had just completed SureSmile treatment, was part of the segment as well, and spoke positively about her SureSmile treatment experience.

SureSmile is a software program that facilitates the precise positioning of a patient’s teeth placement for orthodontic braces. Did you know Dr. Allen is a certified SureSmile provider? Give us a call and ask for more information!

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!