Staff of Orthodontic Partners supports the UNR Wolf Pack

Many people would credit the skill and talent of the UNR Wolf Pack players for winning the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl but we would like to think that the amazing cheering of Amy (our very own staff member) also had something to do with it. Amy must have made an impression... her photo appeared on both ESPN and RGJ. By the way, those beautiful teeth she's showing off were straightened by Dr. Lohse, Dr Corbridge & Dr. Bruntz.

Orthodontic Trivia

When were Braces invented?

• Mummies have been discovered by archaeologists with crude metal bands wrapped around individual teeth. It has been surmised that catgut was used to close the gaps.
• Pierre Fouchard first constructed braces in 1728. They were made of a flat metal strip connected to the teeth by pieces of thread.
• Delabarre introduced the wire crib in 1819 which marked the birth of contemporary orthodontics.
• In 1841 Schange invented the 1st bands which consisted of metal strips with screws to adjust the size.
• Maynard was the first to use gum elastics in 1843.
• In 1850 Tucker started cutting rubber bands from rubber tubing.
• Eugene Solomon Talbot was the first person to use x-rays for orthodontic diagnosis in the late 1800's.
• Edward Angle invented brackets in 1915. The Brackets were attached to the bands that went around the teeth. Today brackets are bonded directly to the teeth.
• Tooth colored brackets were invented in 1976.
• SureSmile technology was made available in 2004.

Where does the term Orthodontics dome from?

• The term orthodontia was coined by Joachim Lafoulon in 1841.
• According to Wikipedia, Orthodontics is derived from the Greek work orthos "straight or proper" and odus "tooth". Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites).

What is the difference between an Orthodontist and a Dentist?

• An orthodontist needs four years of college, four years of dental school, and two years of postgraduate study in orthodontics before they can practice orthodontics.
• All orthodontists are also board certified dentists.

At what age should Orthodontic Treatment begin?

• Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age however the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child see an orthodontist by age seven. Many Orthodontic problems are easier to correct before the jaw growth has slowed.

What is SureSmile?

• SureSmile is an advanced technology that makes it possible for the orthodontist to use 3D computer images to create customized archwires. The customized archwires are bent by a robot using heat-activated shape-memory wires. In order to bend these wires the robot has to heat the wire to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The SureSmile technology enables the orthodontist to achieve better orthodontic results. And because teeth are moved more efficiently, treatment time is reduced by about 40%.
• Orthodontic Partners is the world's most experienced provider of SureSmile.

What do retainers do and how long should they be worn?

• Retainers are worn to keep the teeth from moving after braces are removed.
• Retainers should be work 24 hours a day for the first month after braces are removed and nightly there after.

Snow Shoeing at Lake Tahoe

This weekend two of our staff members, Debra and Ann spent the day snow shoeing at the meadows overlooking Lake Tahoe. If you go, be sure to take a little bird seed. The chickadees will love you. It's a trip that will definately make you smile.

Orthodontic Partners on the Today Show

Two of our staff members, Amy & Jeanette, recently visited New York and surprised us by holding up a sign with Orthodontic Partners' name on it at the Today show on November 30th. You guys are the best... We loved it!

By the way, the 30th just happened to be Amy's 30th birthday. Please join us in wishing her a Happy Birthday.

OP is Cooking

You already know we make beautiful smiles but did you know Orthodontic Partners can cook? You've got to check out our cooking video at http://www.youtube.com/user/OrthodonticPartners. It's great to work and play with such an amazing team.

Bennett Wallace Wins iPod

All of us at Orthodontic Partners take great pride in providing the very best orthodontic care, so it means a lot to us when our patients recommend our office to their friends and family. That's why we are so excited to announce that Bennett Wallace is our most recent winner of an iPod Shuffle. Bennett recommended our office to a friend. When Bennett's friend came in for an orthodontic evaluation, we sent Bennett two movie tickets and entered his name into our drawing for an iPod. This is our way of saying "Thank You!"


We hope you are our next iPod winner.

Orthodontic Partners visits Double Diamond to teach 2nd Graders good Oral Hygiene Habits

Orthodontic Partners and their bear O.P. recently visited 5 of the 2nd grade classes at Double Diamond Elementary to teach the students good brushing and flossing habits. This is a fun presentation where students can interact with O.P. the bear (whose voice is done by Katherine hidden behind the bear). The students also share their knowledge of which foods are good and bad for their teeth and learn a little dental trivia. Did you know there are 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth? The reason we like to visit the 2nd grade is because the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist by the age of 7 and this gives us a chance to address any concerns the students may have about braces. We were fortunate that one of the students in this class, Connor, is a patient of ours and not only helped us with the flossing demonstration but also shared his orthodontic experience.

If you would like us to do presentation for your classroom, please call Ann at 823-5200 x106 or if you would like to schedule a complimentary orthodontic evaluation, please call our office at 825-4804.