When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – but in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in. Phase two often does involve braces and sometimes headgear.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit an orthodontist even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation with Orthodontic Partners please call 775-624-5476 and visit our web site.

Reading Counts Challenge Sponsored by Orthodontic Partners!

Congratulations to all of the bright students at Anderson Elementary School for their enthusiastic participation in the Reading Counts Challenge sponsored by Orthodontic Partners. Students earned anywhere from one to 25 points for each book they read during the month of November. At the end of the month the combined total of all the points from each student was 7,257 - WOW!

All of the students who participated received a button and had the chance to win other great prizes like an ice cream cone or even a “pizza party” with Dr. Lohse. Orthodontic Partners has been a Partner in Education with Anderson Elementary School since 1991 and is pleased to have sponsored such a wonderful, educational event.

Keep Your Smile Healthy for the Holidays

The Holidays are a wonderful time filled with friends, family, and, of course, delicious treats! We hope you enjoy all three but want to remind you to brush more frequently when eating sugary foods. This is especially important when you have braces because there are more places for food to get trapped. Each time you eat something with sugar, bacteria forms and produces cavity causing acid for 20 minutes. Brushing and flossing is always the best way to keep your teeth clean but if you’re some place where you just can’t, try swishing some water around in your mouth to help clear away some of the food particles. After all, Santa loves a beautiful white smile!

Orthodontic Partners' Gift to You!

Great news for the Holidays and for getting straight teeth! We have TWO special holiday gifts this year - your choice of a $200 gift certificate good at The Summit Shopping Center, or $250 off your total treatment fee for anyone getting braces in our office in the month of December!! Please call us right away so that we can help you find the most convenient time for your next appointment. If you are already scheduled to get your braces on in the month of December, please be sure to call us so we can make sure you get your gift too. Happy Holidays!

Orthodontic Partners is your SureSmile Orthodontics Provider

In 2004 Orthodontic Partners became the first practice to use SureSmile technology. Today we have completed over 1,000 SureSmile cases, making Orthodontic Partners the most experienced SureSmile orthodontic provider.

Our patients who are treated with SureSmile enjoy being treated in a shorter amount of time and with fewer office visits than with traditional braces. Here’s what a couple of our patients had to say about their experience being treated with SureSmile:

“It was so important to me to have a beautiful smile in time for my wedding. Orthodontic Partners made that dream come true with SureSmile…” – S.M.

“Being a working mom with a teenager in braces, I really appreciated how quickly Orthodontic Partners was able to complete my son’s treatment using the SureSmile technology. As a result I missed less work and my son missed less school…” – J.D.

$1,000 for Our Thousandth Patient!

SureSmile has recently become a popular treatment used by many orthodontists from coast to coast. At Orthodontic Partners we are proud to announce that we are now the most experienced SureSmile practice in the nation! So how did we snag this most prestigious title? Our practice has served over 1,000 SureSmile cases, giving us the most experience of any orthodontic practice. In celebration of our great achievement, our practice held a drawing for our patients. Alex Howe, the winner of our drawing, won a whopping 1,000 dollars! Congratulations Alex, we hope you enjoy spending, or saving, your winnings.

Dr. Brent Corbridge Reno, NV - Orthodontic Partners

Brent R. Corbridge, DMD, MSD is a native of Sparks and his wife, Andrea, is a native of Reno. Dr. Corbridge graduated from Sparks High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. In 1993 he earned his dental degree from Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, OR and later completed his orthodontic training in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Corbridge is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, the Northern Nevada Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry. To stay abreast of the most current orthodontic procedures, Dr. Corbridge attends national and local study clubs and attends ongoing continuing education conferences.

Dr. Corbridge and his wife have four beautiful daughters who they love spending time with. Dr. Corbridge is also an avid golfer when time permits.

Let's Talk About Insurance

One of the most frequently asked questions before any patient begins orthodontic treatment: what type of insurance do you accept? How much of my treatment will my insurance cover?

In an effort to help keep your orthodontic fees to a minimum but still receive the best possible care; we have developed our own convenient financial policy:

- If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we provide a fee discount. If you have insurance, we will discount your portion of the fee that is not covered by insurance if payment is made at the time of service.

- To fit the needs of our patients, a financial arrangement can be made to extend your payments over a period of months following an appropriate down payment.

- For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Our office staff is happy to verify with your insurance how much of your orthodontic treatment is covered. If your insurance will make direct payments to our office, we will bill your insurance company for you and work that into your financial arrangements with our practice!

To find out more about our financial policy, insurance options and what to expect at your first visit, please check out our web site or call 775-624-5476!

There's No Need to Fear - Your Orthodontist Is Here!

Afraid of having work done to your teeth? Feel nervous about visiting the orthodontist for checkups? We understand that patients sometimes feel a sense of anxiety when faced with orthodontic treatment. At Orthodontic Partners, our goal is to have our patients looking forward to their orthodontic visits – not dreading them!

We have three wonderful doctors and an amazing staff that work hard to keep patients comfortable, happy and looking forward to their next visit! While it is true, you will experience some soreness at different times throughout your treatment, we want to reassure you that getting braces is not a painful procedure; and with our SureSmile technology you will be in and out of your braces faster than you ever imagined!

Still nervous? Don’t worry; all it takes is one visit and you will see that orthodontic treatment is nothing to fear!

A Healthy Mouth Means a Healthy Body

Your whole body works together to keep you healthy, and when we say “whole body” we mean EVERY part of you! So how exactly does your mouth contribute to your body’s overall health? Well, let’s start with the fact that diseased teeth and gums can significantly affect your body’s overall health – period!

A disease can easily spread throughout your body affecting everything from head to toe. Teeth that are not taken care of attract plaque which over time can buildup and become disease causing bacteria. Properly aligned teeth are easier to maintain with flossing and brushing; they have less cavities and less chance of decay and disease. A good bite allows teeth to come together properly making it easier to chew food which makes it easier for your body to digest what you eat! And as we all know, a beautiful smile can dramatically boost one’s self-esteem and confidence!

Next time you floss and brush your teeth, remember you’re not only maintaining a healthy mouth, but also a healthy body. If your teeth aren’t as straight as you would like, making it harder to maintain a bright, clean smile, contact our office at 775-624-5476 and schedule a consultation.

SureSmile® is a Sure-Thing for your Teeth

ABC News Video: SureSmile

Does the thought of having braces bring you down? Ever shudder at the thought of having to wear braces for years before your teeth are straight? Braces are a very real part of many teens and adults’ lives – a part that many wish would be over sooner rather than later! If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, and braces are on the horizon, don’t fret, you’re in luck!

New state-of-the-art software, SureSmile®, is sure to make patients smile! With SureSmile braces are no longer fitted by an orthodontist, but cut and bent by a robot. The orthodontist is able to use the SureSmile software to create a 3-D image of the patient’s mouth giving orthodontists a clearer view of the patient’s teeth and jaw structure. On the computer the orthodontist is able to rearrange the teeth and assemble them in the correct position. 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.

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 interested in learning more about SureSmile technology please contact our office!

SureSmile Video by Dell - Reno, NV - Orthodontic Partners

Thanks to Dell Computers, Orthodontic Partners have been able to stay on the cutting edge in the orthodontic industry with the latest technology. Dell has been our greatest support in helping us run our Cone Beam Scanners, SureSmile® technology and our 3D X-ray machines.




Be sure to check out our website to learn more about our practice!

Dr. John Lohse Reno NV, Orthodontic Partners

Dr. John F. Lohse

John F. Lohse, DDS is a native of Reno, having attended the original Huffaker Elementary School and graduated from Reno High School. Dr. Lohse furthered his education while attending the University of Nevada, Reno and Northwestern University for his undergraduate studies. He earned his dental degree from the University of Washington after which he served five years as a captain in the Army Dental Corp. Following his Army duty he attended the University of Oregon where he completed his orthodontic training.

Dr. Lohse has two grown daughters. He and his wife, Melody, enjoy boating, traveling, tennis and most important, spoiling their only granddaughter, Miranda. Dr. Lohse has always had a commitment to giving back to the community and to this end he became a Partner in Education with Anderson School in 1991. Orthodontic Partners continues to participate with the Partners in Education program and Anderson School contributing to a variety of projects throughout the year.

$1000 Drawing - SureSmile Technology - Orthodontic Partners

We've completed 1000 beautiful smiles using the advanced SureSmile technology. That makes us the most experienced SureSmile practice in the nation. We are finishing cases 40% faster, many in 12 months or less, and some in as little as 4 months. The results have been fantastic and now with 1000 spectacular smiles, Orthodontic Partners has confirmed SureSmile as a proven, revolutionary technique in orthodontic care. Patients enjoy less time in braces which equates to less time away from school and work, faster results and less dental hygiene problems.

The best part is we want to you help us celebrate. In honor of completing 1000 SureSmile Patients we are having a drawing for $1000 and we want you to enter. To be eligible you just need to be an existing patient or come in for an exam before the end of October. Stop by any of our offices during business hours to fill out your entry form.

Office Hours - Orthdontic Partners

Orthodontic Partners offers three convenient locations, in Reno and Sparks to better serve their patients. The office is normally open Monday through Friday and the hours vary so that we may offer a wider range of appointment times for the convenience of our patients. We open as early as 7:00 am and close as late as 6:00 pm.


Please call our office at 775-624-5476 for available times.

How to make your next orthodontic appointment at Orthodontic Partners!

Orthodontic Partners patients are seen by appointment only. Please call our office at 775-624-5476 in advance so that we may reserve a time for you. We make every effort to be on time for our patients and ask that you extend the same courtesy. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. If possible please give us 48 hours notice. This courtesy on your part makes it possible for us to give your appointment to another patient.

Once you have an appointment with Orthodontic Partners, you can verify the time and location online.

SureSmile Reno, NV - Dr. Corbridge, Dr. Lohse, Dr. Bruntz

Orthodontic Partners is pleased to offer SureSmile. While you're excited about having that great smile, you may be nervous about how long you'll be wearing wires and brackets. Well, this brochure is full of good news about a new orthodontic system that makes straightening your teeth with braces a lot faster and easier compared to conventional orthodontic treatment. It's called SureSmile, and it's changing the way people feel about their braces.

What is SureSmile?

SureSmile is the first start-to-finish solution for fixed appliances that allows the orthodontist to apply 3-D diagnostic imaging and computer-aided treatment planning to unlock the power of shape memory allow archwires through robotic customization. This results in greater control and efficiency for orthodontic care and can shorten orthodontic treatment up to 40%.

Why SureSmile?

Shorter Treatment Times
You've probably heard from friends or family members that wearing braces is a long-term commitment, taking two years on average. While that maybe true of traditional orthodontic treatment, it's not true for SureSmile. Through the use of SureSmile's sophisticated 3-D imaging, computerized treatment planning, and customized shape memory allow archwires, the doctors at Orthodontic Partners can reduce treatment time over that of conventional braces.

Fewer Office Visits
In addition to shortening treatment times, the SureSmile system also helps reduce the number of wire changes and adjustments you'll need and that means fewer trips to the orthodontist. SureSmile's 3-D treatment planning software lets the doctors analyze how to effectively and efficiently align your teeth. Through this software, personalized archwires are designed to move your teeth into proper alignment smoothly and directly, reducing the number of office visits.

Less Overall Discomfort
Anyone who has worn braces will probably tell you that wire adjustments and changes were the least favorite part of the process because they usually cause discomfort. Fortunately, the SureSmile system is engineered to maximize therapeutic efficiency of each wire, significantly reducing the number of adjustments needed, which means fewer episodes of discomfort over the course of your treatment.

Using the SureSmile system in the Practice

With SureSmile, the doctor drives the prescription archwire design with 3-D diagnostic tools and computer aided treatment planning. At the beginning of treatment, 3-D images of the patient's teeth are captured from the initial model. OraMetrix's Digital Lab produces individual tooth models from these images that can be measured and manipulated by the doctor to formulate the treatment strategy. During treatment, an intraoral scan captures the patient's progress and bracket locations. The doctor uses this model to finalize a therapeutic setup where planned teeth positions can be compared to the current misalignment. Finally the doctor orders robotically-customized archwires to move the teeth directly as planned.

Learn more about SureSmile on their web site: www.suresmile.com

Dr. Corbridge, Dr. Lohse, and Dr. Bruntz are qualified to prescribe SureSmile to their patients.

Please contact our office to learn more about SureSmile

Meet Drs. Lohse, Corbridge and Bruntz

Dr. John Lohse, Dr. Brent Corbridge and Dr. Lance Bruntz have provided the Reno/Sparks area with quality orthodontic care for over 30 years. All 3 doctors share the commitment to the quality of care their patients receive. As such, Orthodontic Partners utilizes cutting edge technology to provide unparalleled service while also creating a fun and enjoyable environment. The end result is better orthodontic care and a better experience for our patients.

Othodontic Appointment Reminders by Text Message

You already enjoy the convenience of receiving appointment reminders from us via e-mail...

Our new Text Messaging feature provides another convenient way to get reminders from us.

Sign up for Text messaging is simple!
1. Make sure you have your cell phone with you.
2. Go to our Website:
www.orthodonticpartners.net
3. Click on "Patient Login"
4. Enter the patients name and password
5. Click on "update info"
6. Click on "Add Cell Phone Number"
7. Enter your cell phone number.
8. Wait for an invitation code via Text Message on your cell phone.
9.Enter your invitation code.
Voila! You're all set up!

Once you’ve signed up, you will receive appointment reminders by email and on your cell phone, via Text Message.

Because patients may be charged by their cell phone provider for text messaging, only patients are given the ability to enter their cell phone numbers to receive text reminders.