The Graber Orthodontics Blog

“Am I Too Old for Braces?”

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:40:52 +0000

Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

“What Should I Expect During My Initial Consultation?”

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:54:57 +0000

Great question! When you first come in for your initial consultation we will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.
Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. We will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help us when examining your diagnostic records).
At your second appointment, we will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that we can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.
If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand the doctor’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment.

Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

Graber Orthodontics at the AAO Annual Session in Honolulu

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:12 +0000

Patients at Graber Orthodontics can feel confident they are receiving the best in orthodontic health care. Our goal is to provide the most up-to-date technology and techniques using the best equipment possible. We are devoted to continuing education and further our learning through reading, attending conferences and continuing education courses. One of those conferences includes the 2012 AAO Annual Session, where we will head later this week.

The AAO Annual Session is an always-educational event that is also one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world. It’s also a time for us to consult with dental experts and orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, of course, allows our team at Graber Orthodontics to give you, our phenomenal patients, the best treatment experience possible.

Isn’t it nice to know you have a complete dental expert in Drs. Lee and Katie Graber taking care of your perfecting your smile?

Going Mobile with Graber Orthodontics!

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:11 +0000

Our team at Graber Orthodontics have some exciting news for you. We have a new mobile site for our patients on-the-go! No matter where you are…work, school, traveling or shopping at the mall, you will be able to access our website with speed and ease to request or change an appointment, make a payment, refer a patient or simply connect with us on social media. You will even be able to dial the office right from the site on your phone, all with a single touch.

The next time you are on-the-go, we don’t want you to feel disconnected. Access Graber Orthodontics with your iPhone, iPad, Droid, or the smart phone of your choice and see how we look, and most of all to stay connected!

Ask Drs. Lee and Katie: “When should my child visit for an orthodontic consultation?”

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:00:39 +0000

Great question! Our team at Graber Orthodontics, as well as Drs. Lee and Katie Graber, will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment at Graber Orthodontics begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Drs. Lee and Katie Graber to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps! Please give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment or ask us on Facebook!

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:00:28 +0000

Spring is in the air! We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

Thank you! Have a great week!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:44:05 +0000

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

Drs. Lee and Katie Graber, helping you save face this spring

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:20:59 +0000

With spring here, many of our patients at Graber Orthodontics will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! During this time, however, Drs. Lee and Katie Graber and our team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Graber Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

Drs. Lee and Katie Graber, on the importance of visiting your dentist

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:00:02 +0000

Drs. Lee and Katie Graber want to know: is your child brushing his or her teeth twice a day as recommended during their orthodontic treatment? If the answer is yes, we think that’s fantastic! But, it’s also important for your child to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day, flossing (and visiting Graber Orthodontics as recommended by Drs. Lee or Katie during your treatment). Our staff will tell you regular dental checkups are vital for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and signs of tooth decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth, even during their orthodontic treatment

During an exam, your dentist usually will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups also typically include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the past six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

If you don’t have a general dentist in Vernon Hills or nearby communities in Lake County or Chicago, please ask and we’ll be happy to provide a few names!

Connect with Graber Orthodontics on Facebook!

mynetworks0066@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:00:26 +0000

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon and would love for you to check it out! You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout.

When you connect with us on facebook you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!