Alborzi Orthodontics - January/February 2022

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

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

January/February 2022

INNOVATIONS IN ORTHODONTICS Making Treatment Easier Than Ever Before

Way back on Jan. 17, 1706, a man named Benjamin Franklin was born who would go on to revolutionize countless industries with his inventions and innovations. Thanks to Franklin, we have public libraries, fire departments, a better understanding of electricity, and so much more. While Franklin added valuable innovations to many important industries that are still relevant today, dentistry and orthodontics were not his areas of expertise. Edward Hartley Angle, Pierre Fauchard, and Christophe-Francois Delabarre are credited as the fathers of modern-day dentistry and orthodontics. Angle, Fauchard, and Delabarre made their discoveries and shared their knowledge of dentistry and orthodontics back in the 18th century. Since then, we have seen countless technological advancements that have completely changed how dentists and other specialists operate. Over the last 25 years, new innovations and technology have changed and improved orthodontic procedures and treatment. While there have been many advancements, I would love to share a few that have had a positive impact on orthodontics. One of the most important inventions in orthodontics was developed in the 1990s and started to gain mainstream popularity in the early 2000s. Invisalign has made orthodontic treatment easier for so many people. Oddly enough, Invisalign was invented by a computer science and economics graduate who was undergoing orthodontic treatment while in college. He envisioned an alternative treatment that used clear aligners instead of braces.

I absolutely love treating patients who want Invisalign. Many don’t realize the outcome is exactly the same as braces, if not better. Invisalign can also accommodate and change lower jaw growth, which makes it a great option for even more patients. Oftentimes, patients will come to me saying they were told they were not a good candidate for Invisalign. I’ve found that this is not normally true, and nearly everyone is a candidate for Invisalign when they work with me. If you’ve been contemplating getting Invisalign, come in for a consultation. COVID-19 has caused more than a few issues in our lives, but it also opened the door to new technologies that allow us to make treatment even easier if our patients are unable to come into the office. Zoom allowed us to perform remote consultations and follow-ups. While it made communication more convenient, it was still rather difficult to visualize what is actually going on. A company called Grin was able to take remote orthodontics to the next level. Through the Get-Grin app, you can get a device that you can attach to your phone. The device scans your teeth and can take video with braces or Invisalign. Without even driving to the office, we can now assess your progress remotely and we can capture anything that may be causing your

scanners. This intraoral scanner

produces colorized

images that we use to create a mold of each patient’s teeth. With iTero

scanners, you no longer have to sit with a mouth full of

goo for minutes on end. It ends up being a much more comfortable experience, and the scanners are a hundred times more accurate than the old methods. The last invention that I want to highlight is the VPro. The VPro is a high-frequency vibration device that accelerates orthodontic teeth movement. It can speed up treatment time by up to 50%, reduce discomfort, and increase bone density during the retention stage. You only have to use it for five minutes a day to feel a difference. Over the last three decades, we have seen tremendous growth in the world of dentistry and orthodontics. With new innovations and inventions being introduced frequently, there’s no telling what the future holds for orthodontics. I am constantly researching the newest and best technologies to incorporate into our office so you can have the most enjoyable experience possible.

teeth to deviate from good progress in treatment. It only takes 30 seconds of your time and could even help speed up your treatment.

Another invaluable tool in our office is our iTero

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Make SureYouVisitYour Dentist Regularly!

IT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY AND DISCOMFORT Having a healthy mouth and smile is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. Without proper dental say you have your appointment and your doctor says you need a filling, which would

treatment is too expensive, ask your dentist what options are available.

be a rather inexpensive treatment. You decide to wait and don’t make it back to the dentist for over a year. By this time, your tooth may need a crown instead of a filling, which will cost 10 times more. This price can increase even more if you need to see a specialist for a root canal or oral surgery. Catching problems early will save you money and pain. If you still don’t believe that you can afford to visit a dental office or have any treatment done, many offices offer financing plans that might fit your budget. Some dentists will allow you to work out a payment plan in which you pay for your total treatment over six months or less. Most offices also offer CareCredit or other financing options that allow you to budget for treatment. If

hygiene, you can experience negative consequences that wreak havoc on your heart, respiratory, and mental health. Even with this knowledge, many people forgo their annual or biannual dentist visits. Most people cite financial reasons for not going to the dentist. This often comes down to the person not having insurance or having poor insurance coverage. Even if you don’t have insurance, you should still be getting your check-up and cleaning once or twice a year, and it will cost less than purchasing an insurance plan. One thing that many people fail to realize is that dental procedures usually get more extensive and expensive with time. Let’s

Seeing a dentist on a regular basis is important for your dental and overall health. You do not want to wait until your situation worsens. There are options available to make dentistry more affordable. You just need to check with your provider.

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE:

This Holiday, We Are Most Thankful for You! A smile is a gift that lasts a lifetime! Give your friends & family a FREE gift today! Scan the QR code or go to alborzismiles.com/patient to be entered into winning one of our awesome monthly prizes!

(650) 850-5371 (650) 342-4171 A L B O R Z I S M I L E S . C O M

O r t h o d o n t i c s

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Using VPro to Improve Your Orthodontic Experience

At Alborzi Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on providing our patients with the best possible experience and service. While our amazing team is a big component of that, another key factor is our technology. We are consistently bringing in new and updated technology to make your treatment as convenient and easy as possible. That’s why we recommend the Propel VPro high-frequency device to our patients. The device uses high-frequency vibrational technology that speeds up the movement of teeth and reduces the time it normally would take to achieve proper tooth alignment during your orthodontic treatment. The Propel VPro gives our patients the opportunity to properly care for their teeth from their homes. The FDA-approved device only requires five minutes of use each day and has its own app to help track your progress.

The device works with any existing orthodontics, so if you have braces or Invisalign, you can enhance your treatment with the VPro. It helps your

existing orthodontics achieve preferred seating, which will reduce the time you need to wear your retainer. It also means fewer refinements and adjustments, which can mean fewer office visits if treatment is progressing in the right direction. The VPro is fairly easy to use. When you remove it from its box, it will need 4–6 hours to fully charge. Once it’s charged, you’ll connect the mouthpiece to the vibration device. From there, you’ll bite down on the mouthpiece and turn the device on. It really is that easy. After you’ve used your VPro, rinse it with warm water and let it dry before storing it in its charging case.

By using your Propel VPro for five minutes a day, you may experience:

• • • •

Quicker treatment time by up to 50%

Accelerated teeth movement

Reduced discomfort from your orthodontics

If you have any questions about VPro or are interested in adding it to your orthodontic treatment, give our office a call.

Improved aligner tracking

• Increased bone density during the retention stage • Improved aligner seating

SPINACH AND GARLIC PIZZA Dr. Alborzi’s Recipe Faves

Laugh Out

LOUD!

Ingredients • 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions 1. Mix olive oil and garlic in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. 2. Place pizza crust on cookie sheet. Brush entire surface with oil mixture. 3. Top with spinach, mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, and feta crumbles. 4. Sprinkle pizza with rosemary and Parmesan cheese. 5. Bake 10–12 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden. Let stand 5 minutes. Slice and eat!

• 1 clove garlic, minced • 1 prepared pizza crust (12-inch, such as Boboli) • 1 10-oz package frozen, chopped spinach, thawed, well drained • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced • 1 4-oz package crumbled garlic and herb feta cheese • 1 tsp chopped, fresh rosemary • Parmesan cheese, grated

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Call or text us! (650) 342-4171

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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

Scan the QR code to schedule your complimentary new patient assessment!

Innovations in Orthodontics PAGE 1 Issue INSIDE THIS Make Sure You Visit Your Dentist Regularly! Referral Contest Winning at Alborzi Orthodontics PAGE 2

Airplane Ears Why Do Your Ears Pop on Flights? PAGE 4 Using VPro to Improve Your Orthodontic Experience Spinach and Garlic Pizza PAGE 3

THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR EARS POPPING ON FLIGHTS

When it comes to flying on an airplane, you can avoid cramped legs by upgrading to first class or catch a view by picking the window seat. However, there’s no getting around your ears popping during takeoff and landing. Believe it or not, there is a scientific explanation behind this common annoyance. As you read this, you’re likely not on an airplane, and the air pressure on either side of your eardrums is equal. Air is currently passing right on through your eustachian tube, a narrow passage that leads from your middle ear cavity to your pharynx and allows for pressure to be equalized on each side of your eardrums. When you’re in flight on an airplane, air pressure is not equal. During both ascent and descent, your eardrums stretch to try to adapt to the changes. In order to equalize the pressure, your eustachian tube needs to open and close. When it does, your ears pop! Usually, the ear popping is irritating but nothing more. However, in rare cases, the pressure can lead to ear pain and even loss in hearing, especially if your ears don’t pop. In this case, you may need to make an effort to get your eustachian tube to open by yawning, talking, or swallowing. Sucking on a piece of candy, swallowing some water, or chewing gum may also help! One

of the best things you can do is make sure you are not sleeping as the airplane takes off or lands because your eustachian tube isn’t able to open and close normally. If you commonly struggle with congestion or sore ears on flights, taking a nasal decongestant before you board may ensure that your eustachian tube is not blocked. If your hearing and ears do not return to normal shortly after the flight, be sure to schedule an appointment to see your health care professional as soon as possible.

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