Orthodontic Associates welcomes the new school year with extended hours!

Here in Lima, Celina, and Ottawa, OH, kids and parents are beginning to stock up on pencils, spiral notebooks, and binders because it’s back to school time! To better accommodate the changing schedules of our patients, our team at Orthodontic Associates will be introducing extended hours at our office. Once a month, Drs. Ahman, Janowski, and Mayers will be hosting Saturday hours from 8am to 12pm this fall and winter. Because it is more challenging to work around school, sports, and after school activities, we want to remind our patients about how important it is to plan in advance for your orthodontic appointments!

Next time you're visiting our Lima, OH office, be sure to check out our new interior remodeling! If you take a look around you may notice the fresh coat of paint, new flooring, and decor changes. Let us know what you think! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule your next appointment.

All the cool kids do it! From Orthodontic Associates

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with our doctors, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Orthodontic Associates for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

What do you love about Orthodontic Associates?

From your very first visit to Orthodontic Associates our doctors and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Did Drs. Ahman, Mayers or Janowski and our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you've visited Orthodontic Associates for a week or months, we'd love to hear about your experience with our office! There are many ways you can share your thoughts about your experience with Drs. Ahman, Mayers or Janowski, but we encourage you to visit our Google Places pages to write a review. You can write a review for our Lima, OH office here, our Celina, OH office here, or for our Ottawa, OH office here. You may also connect with us on our Facebook page!

How to turn an expander in the mouth, from Dr. Janowski

Has your orthodontist said that it's time to turn your palatal expander? Watch this great video to see how Dr. Janowski instructs patients to turn their expander. The palatal expander "expands" (widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Please give us a call if you have any questions about your palatal expander. Or, ask Dr. Janowski, Dr. Ahman, or Dr. Mayers the next time you're in for an appointment!

Have a great week!

-Orthodontic Associates

Featured patient reviews for Orthodontic Associates!

Once in a while, our staff at Orthodontic Associates like to highlight patient reviews that make us really proud to do the work we do: creating beautiful smiles in Lima, Celina ane Ottawa. Here's what two of our patients had to say about their treatment:

"Dr. Joseph Janowski: Just starting the process with my daughter, but the office is great! Pleasant atmosphere; helpful staff; very relaxing environment overall. Really puts the patient (and parents) at ease." ~ Randi

"Scene & Service: So clean, decorated really nice, bright, spacious. Assistants are well at their jobs. Cheerful. Knowledgable. Dr.'s are great. My TMJ is getting resolved after so many years. They have monthly drawings. On time. Seats are facing out the windows which is really nice, you can watch whats going on outside instead of being bored inside.. It's great!!!" ~ Anonymous

Thanks for writing in! We're glad to have helped create such a beautiful smile for you both! We encourage all our patients to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

Orthodontic Associates want to know: Are you suffering from sleep disorders?

Sleep apnea, a condition in which folks repeatedly stop breathing at night, can occur as many as 20 to 30 times an hour. Drs. Ahman, Mayers and Janowski will tell you sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that, if left untreated, can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke.

There are two kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive apnea and central apnea, and the preferred method of treating the condition is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which includes a mask, tubes and a fan. A CPAP device uses air pressure to push your tongue forward and open your throat, allowing air to pass through your throat.

The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, give our team a call as soon as possible.

* Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
* Loud snoring at night
* Waking up at night short of breath
* Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
* Headaches upon waking in the morning
* Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
* Extreme drowsiness throughout the day

Have a great week everyone! We hope you had a GREAT Fourth of July weekend!

Smile Contest at Orthodontic Associates!

We are excited to tell you about (and invite you to enter) our “Smile Contest”!

Whether you are a current patient or a friend from the past, we would like you to post your most creative “smile” photo on the Orthodontic Associates Facebook Page. (In order to post, you will need to "Like" our page first.

Have fun and show us your beautiful smiles!

The grand prize winner will be determined by our office and will receive an iPad!

Visit our website at www.smilecreators.net and click on the Facebook icon to enter!

Contest ends December 20, 2010.

GOOD LUCK!

Share your summer plans and adventures with us!

It's almost summer here at Orthodontic Associates, a magical season full of adventures, vacations and great memories. Whether you're headed to a barbecue, an exotic destination, a camping trip, or just having fun in Lima, Celina or Ottawa this summer, we want to hear about it, and would like to encourage you to share your summer plans and experiences on our Facebook page!

Happy travels and have a great summer,

The entire team at Orthodontic Associates

Write a review of Orthodontic Associates!

At Orthodontic Associates, serving Lima, Celina, Ottawa and surrounding communities, we have been creating astounding smiles for more than 35 years, and We strive to provide the best orthodontic care for our patients, focusing our efforts on maintaining solid relationships with each of our patients. We want you to know you are family, and you can count on us for your orthodontic needs!

Whether you've visited Orthodontic Associates for a week or months, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our practice is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about your experience with Drs. Ahman, Mayers or Janowski with the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there. You may also, of course, post your thoughts on our Facebook page!

Thanks in advance and enjoy your week! We look forward to reading your reviews!

Orthodontic Associates present: Your Friend, fluoride

Our team at Orthodontic Associates will tell you there are many, many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment with either Drs. Janowski, Mayers or Ahman.

Think about it: You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and protect your mouth and appliances from being damaged. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment?

Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties, topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement. Dentists and orthodontists use in-office fluoride treatments to help protect the oral health of adults and children undergoing dental or orthodontic procedures.

Fluoride used in the dentist/orthodontists’ office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask Drs. Janowski, Mayers or Ahman how to purchase professional strength fluoride).

A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Your doctor may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Orthodontic Associates, wishing you a happy Mother's Day!

Our entire staff at Orthodontic Associates would like to take this time to thank all the wonderful moms out who - week after week - bring their kids to our office for treatment. We want to let you know we appreciate you all and would like to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

Whether it's driving their kids to our office or just "being there," all of you do a great job in supporting your kids' through their orthodontic treatment, and you all deserve more than just a day of recognition and praise!

And moms? It was also great seeing you all at the Open House last night! Enjoy your special day on Sunday!

"How Orthodontics Changed My Life" video contest!

Our staff at Orthodontic Associates wanted to direct your attention to an exciting contest that our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists are currently running. The contest, “How Orthodontics Changed My Life,” is all about you - tell the AAO your story about treatment at Orthodontic Associates. Contest entrants should tell their stories on video, answering questions such as:

* - What were you like before you had orthodontic treatment?
* - How have you changed How proud are you of your new smile?
* - When did you notice changes in yourself?
* - What kinds of changes have you noticed?
* - What does your new smile mean to you?
* - What would you say to others whose smiles make them self-conscious?

There will be two winners; each winner will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship. The contest is open to students who are age 18 who have completed active orthodontic treatment (braces must have been removed) and be in the active retention phase of treatment or have completed active retention.

Contest guidelines, available here, provide instructions to contestants on submitting their videos, which are to be submitted on DVDs or USB flash drives and accompanied by a signed release.

Drs. Mayers, Janowski and Ahman hope you'll find time to submit your video! GOOD LUCK!!

Play it safe this spring, from Drs. Mayers, Janowski and Ahman

You may remember our blog post a few weeks ago about the advantages of wearing a mouth guard. Today, we thought we'd follow-up on that post and remind you that April is National Facial Protection Month. 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. By simply protecting your face, these accidents could be fully prevented.

Above is a video from our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists that outlines five ways you can save face on the field this spring. If you have any further questions about any of the tips offered in the video, please contact our team at Orthodontic Associates. And remember to have fun and stay safe!

Sleep disorders and treatment options in Lima, Celina and Ottawa

Drs. Ahman, Janowski and Mayers know sleep disorders are fairly common, with around 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder, with some of these progressing to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms, and as it worsens it can lead to full airway blockage while you sleep, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.

Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that if left untreated can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. It can also take a toll on your overall energy level, as sleep apnea causes an ongoing state of fatigue.

There are several different approaches to sleep apnea treatment, including:

• Surgery to the jaws or airway tissue to open the airway. This is typically only used in the most severe cases.
• Continuous airway pressure therapy which involves a mask and machine (CPAP machine) to keep your throat muscles and tissue open while sleeping
• Oral appliance therapy, a less intrusive method involving a customized oral device that positions your jaw in a favorable position to keep your airway open while you sleep.

If you suspect that you may suffer from a sleep disorder or sleep apnea, give us a call. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that we can custom-create for you.

Happy Tuesday!

The importance of mouth guards, with Orthodontic Associates

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. That’s part of the reason why our team at Orthodontic Associates is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Drs. Ahman, Mayers and Janowski will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Drs. Ahman, Mayers and Janowski are trying to achieve.

Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Orthodontic Associates.

Ask Orthodontic Associates: Why are straight teeth so important?

Some people wonder why Drs. Mayers, Ahman and Janowski work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

A smile is very powerful, and Orthodontic Associates has been making smiles beautiful for over 35 years! Drs. Thomas Ahman, Joseph Janowski, and Matthew Mayers offer orthodontic treatment for both children and adults, making you look and feel better at any age! If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Drs. Ahman, Janowski and Mayers can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.