Our Blog

Lakewood Park Orthodontics is now the proud owner of an iTero Intraoral Scanner. This new scanner puts the latest technology at our fingertips. Now, we can take impressions with a quick scan that usually only takes a few minutes. This means less goopy, sticky impressions for our patients. (We know you'll miss the old sticky impressions though). The scanner also allows us to do lots of cool things...We can show you your study models on the computer screen to show you the progress you've made. We can also simulate what results you can expect from an Invisalign treatment before you even start! Soon, we will even be able to use the scans to make appliances! We are super excited. Come in and get a scan to see what your teeth would look like after treatment!

Did you know the five most common causes of childhood injuries (in order of frequency) are basketball, football, bicycling, playgrounds and soccer? Painful facial injuries can take the fun out of any game. But the good news is that they can be avoided – mouth guards have been proven to significantly decrease the risk of oral injuries by holding the teeth in place in the event of trauma.

Athletes who participate in football, hockey and boxing are required to wear mouth guards. But, even if your sport does not require mouth guard use it is a smart choice to use one. We recommend using them for basketball, soccer, lacrosse and any other sport where there is a risk of injury to the face.

References:http://www.academyforsportsdentistry.org/facial-protection-month

Mouthguards Matter! The American Association of Orthodontics has teamed up with Shock Doctor to stress the importance of wearing mouthguards, especially during braces. Orofacial injury rates in non-mandated sports are as high as 38%, so help protect those teeth! If you wear braces, select a mouthguard specifically designed for braces. Choose an Insta-Fit style which requires no boiling or fitting and adapts as braces are adjusted and teeth move. Dr. Hughes now carries Shock Doctor mouthguards at the office. Make sure to ask about them at your next visit!

Dr. Hughes and the entire staff at Lakewood Park Orthodontics believe that creating a beautiful smile should be a fun and joyful experience! Our theme days are an exciting way we create a fun environment for our patients and their families.
Theme days are celebrated at our office every month. Many times the theme days are coordinated with holidays and current events. We encourage our patients to participate in the theme days by dressing up with us and taking silly pictures in exchange for ‘wooden nickels’. (Wooden nickels are tokens that patients earn during treatment that can be traded for cool prizes).

Recent themes have included St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Pajama Day, Ugly Sweater Day, Chicken Dance Day and Red Sox Opening Day (just to name a few). No matter what the theme we are always willing to dress a little wacky to encourage our patients to have fun and feel like a part of our family during their time at Lakewood Park Orthodontics.

Do you have a great idea for our next theme day? Comment below or let us know at your next appointment and we may use your suggestion for our next theme day!