The Melanie Parker Orthodontics Blog

What are your summer plans?

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:07:56 +0000

The dog days of summer are almost upon us, and what better time for us to ask our patients’ summer plans!

Whether you’re going camping, hitting America’s great open roads, visiting our nation’s capitol, or just staying in town and hanging out, we want to know how you’re all going to spending your summer! Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us below or on our Facebook page!

We look forward to reading all about your summer adventures!

Dr. Parker returns from the AAO Annual Session this week

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:39 +0000

As we mentioned in our blog two weeks ago, Dr. Parker flew to Honolulu last week for the AAO Annual Session. She will return later this week, and we invite you to ask her what she learned, as well as how her trip to one of the largest orthodontic conferences in the world benefits you, our valued patients!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, from Dr. Parker

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:36 +0000

At Melanie Parker Orthodontics, we know image is everything. Especially for today’s teenagers. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

Dr. Parker, as well as our team, will tell you one of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a complimentary consultation at our convenient San Diego office. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a consultation with Dr. Parker?

We proudly provide traditional braces and Invisalign Teen for today’s image-conscious teens, and invite you to give us a call to schedule your complimentary consultation or ask us on Facebook!

Dr. Parker visits the AAO Annual Session in Honolulu

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:00:50 +0000

Patients at Melanie Parker Orthodontics can feel confident they are receiving the best in orthodontic health care. Dr. Parker’s goal is to provide the most up-to-date technology and techniques using the best equipment possible. She is devoted to continuing education and furthers her learning through reading, attending conferences and continuing education courses. One of those conferences includes the 2012 AAO Annual Session, where Dr. Parker will head in a couple of weeks.

The AAO Annual Session is an always-educational event that is also one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world. It’s also a time for Dr. Parker to consult with dental experts and orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, of course, allows Dr. Parker to give you, our phenomenal patients, the best treatment experience possible.

Isn’t it nice to know you have a complete dental expert in Dr. Parker taking care of your perfecting your smile?

Ask Dr. Parker: “When should my child visit for an orthodontic consultation?”

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:00:26 +0000

Great question! 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 us to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps! Please give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment! See you soon!

Spring is here! Does Dr. Parker have your current contact info?

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:00:05 +0000

Spring is in the air! We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

Thank you! Have a great week!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:57:14 +0000

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

“Am I Too Old for Braces?”

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:35:44 +0000

Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

· Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease

· Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw

· A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

Love your or your child’s new smile? Tell us about it!

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:00:08 +0000

At Melanie Parker Orthodontics, we believe straight teeth and a fantastic smile are a gift – one you’ll want to give every day. Dr. Melanie Parker can help you achieve a smile worth sharing, and cherishing, for a lifetime.

Whether you’ve just come in for a complimentary initial consultation or your family has been visiting our convenient San Diego orthodontic office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Google Places page!

Your generous reviews help Dr. Parker and our team create more and more beautiful smiles!

Thank you in advance!

St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts!

mynetworks0808@sesamesearch.com — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:10:03 +0000

Our team at Melanie Parker Orthodontics wants to know: Will you be wearing your green this Saturday? Whether Irish or not, millions of people around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with toasts, parades and “the wearing of the green.” Here are some fun facts about St. Patty’s Day we know you will enjoy:

• St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.

• The name “lephrechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which simply means “shoemaker.”

• Some American towns have Irish names. They include: Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio and Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia

• Despite what you may have heard, St. Patrick never banished snakes from Ireland. In fact, no snakes exist or ever existed in Ireland. Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.

• St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. Approximately 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

If you have something special planned for St. Patrick’s Day, let us know by posting a comment on our Facebook page.