*ORTHODONTIC FACTS*

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States.
• The American Association of Orthodontist is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 9 to 35 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 16,00 dentist in the United States and Canada 8,000 are practicing Orthodontist.
• Braces aren't just for children. The percentage of adults seeking orthodontic treatment increased from 17 percent in 1979 to 23 percent in 1992. Today adult patients makeup almost 40 percent of most orthodontic cases. 
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• If left untreated, orthodontic problems can lead to tooth decay, gum disease or bone destruction. 
• Famous Orthodontist patients include: Dr.Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes, Tom Cruise, Faith Hill, Gwen Stefani and Brandi. 

     

Before & After.....

Brace Friendly Christmas Cookie Recipes

While we all Love our Christmas cookies and treats but Kids & Adults who have braces should avoid hard cookies, nuts and other holiday foods that can damage/break braces or Orthodontic Appliances.


But just because you wear braces, it doesn’t mean you have to avoid Christmas cookies altogether this holiday season.

At Azizi Orthodontics we want our patients to enjoy the holidays and all the food and fun they offer. But we want to make sure your braces aren’t damaged, and you emerge from the holidays on course to the great smile you want

Here is a Brace Friendly recipe..... Ginger Bread Cookies

Here’s what you will need:

• One half cup of sugar.
• A half cup shortening.
• Half cup of molasses.
• One quarter cup of water.
• Three-quarter teaspoon of salt.
• One half teaspoon of baking soda.
• Three-quarter teaspoon of ginger.
• One quarter teaspoon of nutmeg.
• Two and half cups of all-purpose flour.
• An extra 1/4 cup of flour for cutting and rolling.
• A rolling pin and some cookie cutters.

Next, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. You will bake cookies for eight to 10 minutes.

In a big bowl, mix sugar, molasses, shortening and water. Use an electric mixer and beat until creamy.

Mix in salt, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg and flour. The dough will feel stiff.

Divide dough into two mounds and wrap each one in wax paper or in a sealed container. Chill them for a minimum of one hour.

Use your counter or cutting board, and dust them with flour. Place one of the chilled mounds of dough in the center. Sprinkle it with additional flour.

Use your rolling pin and roll out dough until it is about a quarter inch thick. Use the cookie cutters to cut out shapes.

Roll out and use scraps until dough has been shaped.

Place cookies on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake them for seven minutes, at 375 degrees.

Enjoy & Happy Holidays from Azizi Orthodontics! :) 

Can Orthodontic Treatment Treat Sleep Apnea??

A straight smile and properly aligned teeth really are keys to having great overall health. Correction of malocclusion an bite problems can lead to better overall wellness. You may have heard about braces having the potential to treat Sleep Apnea. When you meet with Dr.Azizi you could go over this is much greater detail but for now here is an overview of Sleep Apnea and its treatment so you know what to expect.

What is Sleep Apnea? 
Sleep Apnea is more then violent snoring. Its a sleep disorder that involves cessation or interruption of normal at rest breathing. The stoppage of breathing is known as "Apnea" and can last between a few seconds and a few minutes. The number of Apneas per hour can vary from patient to patient. 

Causes of Sleep Apnea?
The cause of a persons sleep Apnea really depends on the kind of sleep Apnea that they suffer from. 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea- The most common form. It refers to physical or psychological causes of Sleep Apnea like obesity, low muscle tone or blockage in airways.

Central Sleep Apnea- CSA refers to problems with the brain and central nervous system that affect the body's ability to regulate breathing during sleep. 

Mixed Sleep Apnea- Combinations or OSA and CSA.

Can braces really help treat Sleep Apnea?
in some ways yes, Tooth alignment, Jaw Alignment, and spacing of the dental arch can all affect the breathing passages in subtle ways. Braces and orthodontic care are preventative methods to addressing Sleep Apnea, improving the airflow helping make the structure of the mouth more ideal. 

Its not common that use of braces alone can treat Sleep Apnea. Many Dentist and Orthodontist will usually help patients through the use of an appliance. These are custom mouth guards that are worn during sleep and help adjust the position of the lower jaw that will help open up a better breathing passage.

 We look forward to meeting you and look forward to helping you make the best decision regrading your dental health and total wellness. 
Call us to set up a consultation with  Dr. Azizi at Azizi Orthodontic care 215-646-9514 or 215-576-6414