Alborzi Orthodontics - January/February 2020

235 N. SanMateo Drive, Suite 300 SanMateo, CA 94401-2672 Tel: (650) 342-4171

705 Purissima Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1934 Tel: (650) 726-6321

The Alborzi Standard

January/February 2020

GROWING THROUGH THE DECADE

I believe everything you set out to do starts with a decision. The first step to anything is to acknowledge it, and whether it’s a conscious or subconscious move, just making the decision to do something moves you forward in that goal. As we celebrate the start of a new decade, I can’t help but think about the decision I made 10 years ago that led to a sweeping change in my practice. I’ve been offering Invisalign services since 2001, but in 2010, I made the decision to improve my skills and knowledge about this technology. Like many of my peers, I wasn’t confident enough to propose Invisalign to my patients. I knew it was a revolutionary treatment that could change the lives of my patients, but I wasn’t confident enough to offer it as a primary option. Instead, it became an alternative. Yet, I was realizing that because Invisalign can offer everything braces can — if not more, in some instances — patients deserve to have it as an option. In 2010, I shifted my focus. I decided to engage in a significant amount of continuing education on Invisalign. I had to learn how clear, plastic aligners could shift and nudge teeth into healthy positions much like braces could, but with much less intrusion on my patients’ lives. I had to transform my vision of treatment, but more importantly, I had to gain confidence in myself to make this vision a reality.

At the beginning of this past decade, I made a

because you were willing to grow with me. That’s all anyone in this profession could

commitment to join the elite group of orthodontists who were experienced and efficient enough to regularly recommend this technology to their patients.

hope for, and I am truly grateful for you all.

And here’s the best part: It worked! I saw the future, envisioned how I could get there, and set out to do it. By 2011, I decided I had enough confidence in the treatment that it could become our primary mode of helping patients with their smiles. Since then, I’ve continued my education and training. Today, 80% of my patients use Invisalign as their primary mode of treatment. I have even helped children as young as 7 years old correct their smiles through Invisalign. I could not have done this without the trust and support of my staff and patients. As I developed my craft and continued to learn more about Invisalign, my staff supported

However, there’s a reason 100% of my patients aren’t using Invisalign for their treatment. It’s simple: We’re not going to stop you from reaching your goals in a pursuit to reach our own. We will never stop a patient from choosing braces over Invisalign. We will always do what’s best for each patient, and if that means getting braces, we will do that. As we begin 2020, I’m looking forward to helping more patients and continuing to see my team grow. I can’t wait to incorporate more ways for patients to have fun during their appointments on this journey we take with them. We would love to work with you this year. Please do not hesitate to ask us any questions you have about Invisalign or traditional braces.

the endeavor and shifted right along with me. They help me deliver each treatment with an excellent outcome, and I could not do what I do today without them. As for my patients, your trust in me makes this all possible. I’ve been able to grow in the past decade

Happy New Year’s!

–Dr. Alexa Alborzi

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Achieve Predictable Tooth Movement With Invisalign INVISALIGN’S SMART ADVANTAGE

Since Invisalign came out, there has been a boom in clear aligners. But only Invisalign uses the SmartTrack material and SmartForce attachments specifically designed to integrate into the Invisalign system and achieve complex tooth movements. When paired, these two tools work together to apply a gentle, constant force that can treat even the trickiest of orthodontic problems. Not everybody who requires orthodontic treatment will require SmartForce attachments. These small, tooth-colored attachments allow Invisalign to put the right amount of pressure in the right places. When paired with SmartTrack material, SmartForce attachments enable Invisalign to deliver on one of orthodontic treatment’s primary goals: predictability of movement. In a study measuring orthodontic

success in 1,000-plus patients, predictability of movement came in at 99.9% even when taking into account notoriously difficult movements like tooth rotation and extrusion. This predictability of movement is due, in part, to the fact that SmartTrack comes with greater elasticity than standard aligners. This extra elasticity not only enables Invisalign SmartTrack aligners to retain more energy than a standard aligner, but it also improves ease and comfort when inserting and removing aligners. Finally, extra elasticity also enhances contact with teeth for an extra snug fit. SmartTrack material has been through over eight years of intensive research and development. We believe SmartTrack material paired with SmartForce attachments make Invisalign the best

clear aligner on the market. That said, not everybody desires clear aligners. At Alborzi Orthodontics, we offer a full range of orthodontic services, including traditional braces, and look forward to serving you in all of your orthodontic needs.

WE OUR WINNERS AT ALBORZI ORTHODONTICS

REFER A FRIEND, AND YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED TO WIN! Here’s how to enter! 1. Think of a friend who needs braces or Invisalign and who you think would be a good fit for Alborzi Orthodontics. 2. Invite your friend to schedule a free smile evaluation by calling (650) 342-4171 or by visiting GotToSmile.com and clicking Schedule An Appointment Now.

3. You’ll be entered in our raffle for a chance to win tickets to Six Flags.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? SHOW THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS!

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JUST SAY NO TO VAPING

For the first time in decades, nicotine abuse is on the rise. In America, e-cigarettes command a booming $2.6-billion industry. Alarmingly, the fastest-growing segment of that market is also one of the most vulnerable: teens. A September 2019 study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that 1 out of every 4 teenagers reported vaping in the month preceding the study. Those numbers raise a lot of concerns. First, there is an alarming lack of long-term studies on the health effects of vaping. What doctors do know, however, is there have been over 1,000 illnesses and multiple deaths associated with vaping. And while 80% of those cases have been related to

As if that weren’t bad enough, nicotine has also been shown to reduce saliva, leading to dry mouth, tooth decay, and bruxism (teeth grinding). While there is still a lot left to understand about vaping, one thing that is certain is vaping is bad for your health, particularly your oral health. Don’t be fooled by the fruity flavors and the shiny advertisements. Vaping has poorly understood health implications and a disturbing appeal to young people. It should be avoided by anyone concerned about their health and the health of their community.

off-market products that contain THC, 20% of people who fell ill did not report consuming THC.

Additionally, just one Juul pod contains roughly the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Consider the implications for oral health alone: One of the side effects of nicotine is reduced blood flow, which effectively cuts your gums off from their supply of nutrients and oxygen. With a decreased supply of blood and oxygen, your gums recede, leading to increased tooth sensitivity and ultimately, if left untreated, loose teeth.

Laugh Out

LOUD!

VEGAN FRIED RICE

Ingredients • 2/3 cup brown rice • 1 cup water • 2/3 cup chives • 1 block tofu, extra firm • 2 tsp vegetable oil • 1 tsp mirin, optional • 2 tsp soy sauce • Salt, to taste

Directions 1. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Cook rice as instructed on package with 1 cup water. 2. While rice is cooking, chop chives. Set aside. 3. Also while rice cooks, crumble tofu over a fine strainer. As you crumble tofu, press it into the strainer to release as much water as possible. Let drain. Press and drain again. 4. Once rice is cooked, set aside. In a nonstick pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

5. Crumble tofu into the hot pan, cooking until brown. 6. Add chives and cook for 1 minute longer. 7. Add cooked rice and mirin, cooking until rice is dry. (You can make rice one day in advance to dry it out even more.) 8. Turn off the heat and add soy sauce, tossing until fully incorporated. 9. Add salt to taste and serve.

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Give us a call! TEL: (650) 342-4171 FAX (650) 342-8748

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

235 N. SAN MATEO DRIVE, SUITE 300 SAN MATEO, CA 94401-2672

Dr. Alborzi Reflects on the Past 10 Years PAGE 1 Invisalign’s Smart Advantage Winning at Alborzi Orthodontics PAGE 2 The Disturbing Health Implications of Vaping Vegan Fried Rice PAGE 3 Real Winter Wonderlands PAGE 4 Issue INSIDE THIS

ESCAPE TO A WINTER WONDERLAND

The Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy If you want the feel of a ski trip to the Alps without the packed slopes and ritzy resorts, the Dolomites are just for you. Located in northeastern Italy, this stunning mountain range is home to some of the best skiing in Europe, as well as many historical sites. The secluded villages that dot the mountain valleys are an attraction in their own right, especially for the rustic cuisine you’ll find there. Don’t expect pasta though. This region is a melting pot of flavors from Austria, northern Italy, and the local Ladin people. Ricotta and sauerkraut pancakes, anyone? The Antarctic This is the one entry on this list that is best enjoyed during the summer months, which is December–February in the Southern Hemisphere, because that’s when the freezing temperatures of the southernmost continent

Snow is magical and gorgeous — unless you have to commute in it. If you want to enjoy all the wonder that winter has to offer without the hassle, why not turn it into a vacation? Here are a few breathtaking, snow-covered destinations that any winter lover can enjoy. Bulguksa Temple, South Korea Above the city of Gyeongju, this ancient Buddhist temple has stood on the slopes of Tohamsan Mountain since the eighth century. Bulguksa, or “Temple of the Buddha Land,” is South Korea’s No. 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a popular attraction for domestic and international tourism. The crowds and school tours die down during the winter, however, which also happens to be when Bulguksa is at its most pristine. The iced-over lotus ponds and snow-dusted pagodas add to the sense of tranquility this site naturally exudes.

are at their most hospitable. The Antarctic has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, with cruises taking adventure seekers through the vast, untouched beauty of this far-flung destination. Some tourists even enjoy kayaking or cross-country skiing through this icy paradise.

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