Kids getting braces at a younger age

Drs. Ahman, Janowski and Mayers 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 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 our doctors to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Congratulations, Ellie and Kara! They were the August Hygiene Card Contest winners at our Celina office.

Drs. Thomas Ahman, Joseph Janowski, and Matthew Mayers would like to congratulate Ellie and her hygienist, Kara, at Dr. Willmann's office. They were the winners of our August Hygiene Card Contest at our Celina, OH office! Thank you, Ellie, for seeing your family dentist for cleanings and check-ups! Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in your area. As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment at Orthodontic Associates. We would love to hear from you!

Don't forget about your oral health!

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment at Orthodontic Associates? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Ottawa, Lima, and Celina, OH areas!

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.

Six reasons to visit Orthodontic Associates this summer!

Our team at Orthodontic Associates knows that summer is a time when folks are putting off visiting the orthodontist due to the nice weather, vacations, and other obligations. However, our team has six good reasons why you should visit one of our Lima, Celina, or Ottawa, OH offices today! Here's why you shouldn't wait to give us a call today to schedule your summer orthodontic checkup:

1) Outstanding customer service is our top priority. We will communicate with you at every level of care.

2) Experienced, knowledgeable, friendly doctors. Drs. Ahman, Janowski, and Mayers have over 35 years of experience and all of them complete over 40 hours of continuing education every year.

3) Multiple office locations and convenient office hours. We have three convenient locations, in Lima, Celina, and Ottawa, OH and provide convenient office hours that work with your busy schedule, including limited Saturday hours!

4) Orthodontic Treatment for Adults. As an adult, you want the most aesthetic option to straighten your teeth and enhance your smile. We offer Invisalign and In-Ovation C clear braces for our adult patients.

5) Phase One Orthodontic Treatment for Children. Some orthodontic problems are best treated with early phase treatments, before the age of 10, and can't be treated later. You may be able to shorten your time in braces if these problems are taken care of early.

5) Flexible Financing options. We offer many convenient payment plans, including a low-down-payment option.

Have a great weekend,

-Orthodontic Associates

Drs. Ahman, Janowski, and Mayers, wishing you a happy Parents' Day!

Our team at Orthodontic Associates wants to know, do you and your family have any plans for this weekend? If you didn't know already, the third Sunday of every July is Parents' Day! According to the Congressional Resolution, this holiday is a time for recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children, similar to Mother's and Father's Day.

Our team at Orthodontic Associates would like to wish you a safe and happy Parents' Day! Thank you to all of the amazing parental role models in our community! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page.

Have a great weekend,

-Orthodontic Associates

Ask Orthodontic Associates: Am I too old for treatment?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Treatment at Orthodontic Associates can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Drs. Mayers, Ahman and Janowski would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!