Ongoing Professional Development at Surrideo Orthodontics

At Surrideo, we pride ourselves on staying current with the latest developments in the field of orthodontics. This March, our Doctors and staff will take part in two professional development conferences; the Alberta Society of Orthodontists conference as well as the 3M Incognito conference.

The Alberta Society of Orthodontists - Banff, AB March 9-10, 2012

Smile Design-
Aside from straightening teeth, smile analysis and smile design have become key elements of orthodontic treatment planning. Achieving a ‘balanced smile’ requires understanding the elements of smile design such as size of teeth, the relationship between the teeth and the soft tissue, and appropriate gingival display.
At the ASO conference, Dr. Mark Berkman, past-President of the Michigan Association of Orthodontists and nationally recognized educator on craniofacial growth will present an informative session on understanding the balance and aesthetics of smile design.

Class II Correction –
When Orthodontists talk about Class II correction, they are referring to what we all call “overbite”. This usually occurs when the upper teeth sit too far ahead of the lower teeth, causing a bad bite or “malocclusion”. Elastics can be used to correct this problem, but sometimes an appliance is required to adequately correct an excessive Class II bite.
At the ASO conference, Dr. Lisa Alvetro a nationally recognized orthodontist from Sidney, Ohio, will present on Forsus Class II correctors. Dr. Alvetro specializes in the use of Class II correction through the use of fixed appliances like the Forsus appliance. Her session promises to give an in-depth review of every aspect of the Forsus appliance from clinical examples to practice efficiency tips.


3M Advanced Incognito Course – Calgary, AB March 30, 2012

At Surrideo we offer the most aesthetic orthodontic options including Invisible Incognito Orthodontic Braces. These completely aesthetic custom made appliances are placed behind the teeth so that no one will know you are wearing braces.

At the Advanced Incognito Appliance System course, Dr. Adam Schulhof, an Incognito specialist, will draw from his experience to present a variety of clinical case examples. This session will focus on how to treat patients with special situations and will include valuable discussion on treatment strategies and alternatives.

When is the Best Time for Children to Start Orthodontic Treatment?

At Surrideo Orthodontics, we take a conservative approach to the timing of orthodontic treatment. While the American and Canadian Associations of Orthodontists recommend that the initial evaluation by an orthodontist should occur around the age of 7, we are often happy to see children for their first visit at about 8-9 years of age. Evaluation at this early age allows us to start treatment if necessary, or to set up an appropriate recall schedule to monitor growth and development, allowing us to choose the most advantageous time to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at the right time ensures the greatest result.

Drs. Cohen and Yue spend a great deal of time discussing timing of orthodontic referrals with their general and pediatric dental colleagues. This dialogue allows your child's dentist to know which issues require early intervention, and which ones can wait until your child is a little bit older. However, if they are unsure, they will likely send you early so as not to miss an important opportunity.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?

Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, the doctors can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.

What are some of the reasons for early treatment?
Waiting until children have all of their permanent teeth allows for the shortest, most efficient treatment - and that is our preferred treatment philosophy. However, there are instances when early intervention can provide huge benefits. Some of these situations can include:
 Creating room for teeth that are so crowded, they will be completely blocked from erupting into the mouth
 Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
 Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
 Preserving space for unerupted teeth
 Reducing the need for tooth removal
 Reducing treatment time with braces

Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics is not merely for improving the aesthetics of the smile; orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment. Malocclusions affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth or feel about your smile.

Why should malocclusions be treated?
According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusions can result in a variety of problems:
 Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease.
 Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping.
 Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear.
 Openbites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments.
Ultimately, orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile—it creates a healthier you.

Braces Friendly Recipe

Macaroni Lasagne
from Cooking for the Rushed: The Healthy Family by meal planning expert, Sandi Richard


1 lb or 450 g extra lean ground beef
1 Tbsp onion flakes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp crushed chilies (optional)
2 1/2 cups whole wheat macaroni
1 jar of your favorite pasta sause (24-28 oz or approx 700ml)
2 cups grated low-fat cheddar cheese

-Preheat oven to 375F.
-Brown meat in a larger nonstick fry pan at med-high until meat is no longer pink.
-Add onion flakes and spices while meat is browning.
-Place macaroni in boiling water. Cook for 5 minutes. You want the pasta very firm.

-Layer the following ingredients into a large cake or lasagne pan in this order: 1/2 of the fully cooked beef, 1/2 of the cooked macaroni, 1/2 pasta souce and 1/2 cheese. Repeat again.

-Bake uncovered in preheated oven. Set timer for 20 minutes or until top layer of cheese is bubbly.

Set the table...and dinner is served!

7 Tips to Avoid Holiday Eating Disasters

For adults with braces, holiday social functions with munchies and appetizers can be tricky to navigate.

Most resign themselves to saying "I'll pass" to the spinach dip for fear of it getting lodged in their teeth for the whole evening!

This holiday season, the authors of "The Braces Cookbook 2: Comfort food with a Gourmet Touch" are offering seven tips to help ensure a carefree smile for those with braces at any holiday gathering:

-Go for the cauliflower in the veggie tray. It's softer than brocolli and won't show up as much on braces if tidbits go astray.
-Try potato chips and pita bread as less crunchy alternatives to tortilla chips and hard crackers.
-In general, think "white" when you choose food. It's okay for once to skip the healthier greens.
-Take extra-small bites and nibble food from the side of your mouth. Strong molars can usually handle tougher work, and your front teeth will still gleam.
-If you're contributing baked goods, include a slice of fresh bread along with them in a tightly lidded container - the moisture will transfer to cookies and bars, softening them up; this even works a bit on store baked goods.
-Carry a tiny spiral self-covered brush in a pocket or purse. This item is a lifesaver for freeing stuck bits from between brackets during a quick trip to the restroom.

Clean Teeth, Healthy Smile

With braces, oral hygiene is more important than ever. That's because braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped and insufficient cleaning can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands.

At Surrideo, we help our patients maintain excellent oral hygiene habits during orthodontic treatment through the Ortho Care at Home Plan by Crest OralB. The program provides patients with a comprehensive, personalized plan, both in-office and at home, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to adopt an oral hygiene routine to help achieve a greater level of success in this difficult area.

It is based on a simple 5 level oral hygiene rating system that lets patients know how they’re doing at each visit: 1-poor, 2-needs improvement, 3-average, 4-good, 5-excellent. Each new starting patient will take home:

· Ortho care home booklet and healthy mouth assessment card with pictures to visually monitor the results of daily oral hygiene
· Oral B Triumph electric toothbrush (studies have shown this toothbrush to be the most effective brush in the industry)
· Crest Pro Health Toothpaste
· Crest Pro Health mouth rinse

At every appointment we also assess our patients oral hygiene and indicate where improvement is needed. Following the guidelines below, our patients can enjoy a new, beautiful, healthy-looking smile sooner.

-Floss before you brush - at least once a day. To make this easier, use a floss threader or SuperFloss, a special type of floss for cleaning around appliances such as braces.
-Brush, at minimum, twice a day for two minutes at a time.
-Rinse twice a day for 30 seconds each time.
-Make wise food choices and avoid actions that could damage your braces.

Invisible Incognito Braces

One of the major concerns we hear from adults about straightening their teeth is that they don't like the look of braces. Even though there are some highly aesthetic and clear options available, they would rather live with crooked teeth than wear braces.

At Surrideo Orthodontics, we have the solution to this problem with invisible Incognito Braces. With Incognito, the braces are placed on the back side of teeth and completely hidden from sight so that we can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing you are wearing braces.

Incognito Orthodontic Braces are 100% customized to follow the contours of your teeth for comfort as well as precise and efficient treatment. Customized wires that don't require adjustments often mean fewer appointments and quick results.

Ask us about Incognito Orthodontic Braces and start improving your smile with confidence!

Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush This Holiday Season

Everyone here at Surrideo Orthodontics understands that with holiday goodies everywhere you look, keeping your braces clean is exceptionally difficult this time of year. But keep in mind, making sure you properly clean your teeth is even more important when you have braces and should not take a back-seat in the run up to the New Year. Here are some tips to keep in mind when brushing up your holiday grooming routine:

1. Don’t forget your toothbrush. Even though it is a busy time of year don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. This is the most effective way to keep your teeth healthy. Whether is be an all day shopping spree or a week-long trip to a sunny destination, make sure to pack your toothbrush. Designate a special container for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

2. Floss that turkey away. Flossing helps prevent plaque and tartar build up, both of which can cause gum disease. Regular floss works for some patients but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

3. Leave the Cookies and Candy Canes for Santa. Try to avoid over-indulging in sugary and starchy foods which generate plaque acid and can cause tooth decay and promote gum disease. Stay away from sticky, chewy sweets like caramel and candy canes which can cause wire damage and break off brackets.

4. Hold the fizz. Try to avoid too many fizzy drinks this holiday season. The real danger of fizzy drinks is the acid, it dissolves the enamel of your teeth making them sensitive, prone to decay and can even make them more yellow.

5. Get thee to a dentist! It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Make sure to check out our Oral Hygiene tips and Patient Information page on our website at www.calgarybraces.com