Happy New Year from Smile Solutions!

The 2010 holiday season is upon us, and our team at Smile Solutions would like to wish all our patients and their families the merriest of holidays and best wishes for the New Year.

We thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from all of us at Smile Solutions!

A great braces-friendly winter recipe! From Dr. Chung

It’s chilly outside, and sometimes nothing satisfies the staff here at Smile Solutions more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Best Baked Spaghetti

Ingredients
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped or 1 Tablespoon dried onion
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
• ½ cup Burgundy or merlot wine (Burgundy gives a deeper flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup grated American cheese, about 4 slices, or ½ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
• ½ lb. dry spaghetti, broken in half

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large no-stick frying pan or Dutch over, sauté meat, onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, wine, oregano, sugar and salt. Simmer, cover, 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (It really makes a difference if you can take this amount of time! Otherwise 20 minutes will serve to heat everything.) Cook spaghetti and drain. Put half the spaghetti in a greased 3-quart casserole, and then add half the sauce and ¼ cup of the grated cheese. Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce, and stir everything with a large spoon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Best if baked for 45 minutes at 350°. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great winter dish and Happy Holidays!!
--From Dr. Chung and staff

We have selected the Winners for our Halloween Costume Contest 2010!!

Drumroll please..........

Coming in 2nd place is Kevin with his awesome pirate costume!



And 1st place goes to..... Katelyn and her beautiful dress!



Smile Solutions would like to thank all of the patients that entered the contest and all of their friends and family for voting. Stay tuned for our future contests! Check out all of our entries here, www.wowbraces.strutta.com

Staying connected with Smile Solutions

At Smile Solutions, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page.

For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Chung and our staff take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog?

Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

Dr. Chung Discusses SureSmile in Recent TV Interview

Dr. Chung was recently interviewed on TV to discuss the revolutionary robotic braces technology, SureSmile. SureSmile uses wires that move teeth in a much more precise manner than ordinary wires. We are able to accomplish this precision using 3D imaging. Using a handheld oral scanner, we capture a three dimensional image of the teeth, which allows Dr. Chung to manipulate the model of the teeth into the desired end result. The wires are then manufactured by a robot, bending the wire to the exact specifications needed. This unique method allows us to provide a more proactive orthodontic treatment, leading to significantly shorter treatment time- 10-12 months on average.

Call us today to set up a consultation with Dr. Chung at our Edison or Union, NJ offices to learn more about the SureSmile system.

Dr. Chung voted as one of New Jersey's Favorite Kids' Docs

Dr. Chung is pleased to share that he was recently named one of New Jersey's Favorite Kid's Docs in New Jersey Family Magazine. From February to June 2010, New Jersey Family Magazine asked readers to vote online for their favorite pediatric healthcare professionals. Our team at Smile Solutions is very proud of Dr. Chung's achievements and high standards in orthodontic care. We would like to thank all of our patients for their votes and support!

To learn more about Dr. Chung, and why he was voted as a New Jersey favorite doctor, give us a call today!

"Hey Dr. Chung! What's the deal with retainers?"

If you recently completed treatment at Smile Solutions, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Chung will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Chung is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.

* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)

* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.

* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact us if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook!

What do you love about Dr. Chung & Team?

From your very first visit to Smile Solutions, we strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Chung's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you!

Thanksgiving Drawing

In honor of Thanksgiving and National Family Week, Dr. Chung and team are pleased to present a drawing the whole family will be thankful for! Enter in the office today to win!

Need Wax?

Have you ever run out of wax? Most of our patients do at one point or another. As you know orthodontic wax helps prevent and relieve any irritation between braces and your lips, gums, and cheeks.

We want to make it easier for you, our patient to get the wax you need, when you need it! In September and October, the Smile Solutions staff will be delivered wax to our patient's schools. We gave your school nurses a "goodie bag" of orthodontic supplies, including: wax, disposable toothbrushes and floss. That way, they'll be ready to handle some orthodontic emergencies. As always, you can feel free to call our office with your questions or to schedule an appointment.

Would you like us to bring a "goodie bag" to your school? Let us know which school you go to so that we can make sure to visit your school nurse. You can email your information to contact@wowbraces.com

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. Chung and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

Submit Your Photo, Win a Wii!

Check out our Halloween Contest- Simply submit a photo of you in your Halloween costume for a chance to win a Nintendo Wii! We will then be holding a voting period at the beginning of November to chose the winner! Click here to get started!

Check out Dr. Chung on Channel 12 Discussing SureSmile

We're excited to announce that Dr. Chung is going to be on News 12 this Saturday, October 12th at 9:30am and 1:30pm. Please tune in to see Dr. Chung discuss SureSmile, a new treatment option in our office. Afterwords, feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you thought!

Dr. Chung specializes in SureSmile, high-tech braces that are revolutionizing the orthodontic industry. SureSmile, which combines digital 3-D imaging, has computer-aided treatment planning and customized archwires to straighten teeth about 40 percent faster than traditional braces. The SureSmile program calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more precision than traditional braces. You can learn more about SureSmile on our website, and we hope you get a chance to tune in to the news program featuring Dr. Chung!

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-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 Edison and Union, NJ areas!

Earn Prizes with the New Smile Solutions Prize Wheel!

On your next visit to Smile Solutions, be sure to check out our new prize wheel. You can spin the wheel when you get your braces on, the day you get them off, and your birthday too! You may even be lucky enough to be surprised by Dr. Chung on any given day with a bonus spin of the wheel!

You can win tokens, tshirts, and even movie and rollerskating tickets. We can't wait for you to give it a spin!

Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Union and Edison, NJ orthodontist Dr. Christopher Chung and our team 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 at Smile Solutions 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!

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. Dr. Chung can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Enhancing Treatment Planning and Patient Care with 3D Imaging

One of the most exciting innovations in orthodontics is the role 3D imaging plays in creating more precise treatment plans for orthodontic patients. We are pleased to announce that we have recently installed an i-CAT 3D imaging system, allowing us to provide all our Edison and Union, NJ patients with some of the most accurate treatment possible in the field of orthodontics.

The system works by collecting high resolution images of the patient's teeth, and surrounding bone and joints. The i-CAT is also lower radiation than a medical "cat scan". Finally, the system is much more environmentally friendly because it doesn't use chemicals to process the x-rays. The bottom line? 3-D diagnostic records are invaluable to develop a complete, accurate diagnosis, the most effective treatment result for our patients. We are so excited to bring this innovative new technology to all our patients, give us a call or visit our i-CAT page to learn more!

Also, for a little fun, we are holding a contest to see who can guess which Smile Solutions staff member is featured in this 3D image. Submit your entry in the office for a chance to win a Best Buy Gift Card!

Ask Smile Solutions: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Union and Edison, NJ Orthodontist Dr. Christopher Chung and our team 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!

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. Dr. Chung can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Tackling kids' sport safety with Smile Solutions

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. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why Dr. Chung is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. 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 Dr. Chung is trying to achieve.

Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Smile Solutions of Edison & Union, NJ.

What’s so special about an orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Chung started out in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Chung decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?
 

Gas Card Drawing at Smile Solutions

This August, don't forget about the Smile Solutions Gas Gift Card Drawing. All our patients are encouraged to enter to win a gift card courtesy of Dr. Christopher Chung for their parents! Fill out your entry form next time you are in the office for a chance to win!

Dr. Chung's trip to Paraguay

Many of you wondered where Dr. Chung was the first week of July. The mystery is solved! Dr. Chung was in Paraguay doing his annual volunteer dental work. This was Dr. Chung's 12th trip and he had a great time! He saw up to 60 patients a day, working hard to give them great smiles! Dr. Chung even got to practice his... Spanish! Check out the great photos from the trip on our Facebook page, and while you are there, be sure to click "Like" at the top, to get all the latest news from Smile Solutions!

Dr. Chung Featured in New Jersey Monthly

Dr. Chung was featured in this year's edition of New Jersey Monthly, which ranked Smile Solutions among the best dentists and orthodontists in the state. The list represents the Top Dentists out of more than 2,700 New Jersey dentists nominated by their peers in nine dental specialties.

You'll be able to find the article in the New Jersey Monthly 2010 July issue. We are so excited to be recognized by the magazine!

Meet Our Orthodontist

Dr. Christopher Chung specializes in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics for children and adults. He is a specialist in orthodontics, certified by the American Board of Orthodontists and a member of American Association of Orthodontists.

Dr. Chung earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1997. He then completed 3 years of postdoctoral orthodontic specialty training at Univeristy of Medicine and Dentistry at NJ in 2000, where he also received Master of Science degree in Oral Biology.

Dr. Chung remains on the cutting edge of modern orthodontics. He has been trained in many modern techniques, including Invisalign, ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, lingual braces, indirect bonding, and many other contemporary methods. Dr. Chung is one of the very first orthodontists to offer SureSmile in NJ. With SureSmile, patients experience less discomfort than with traditional braces, and have shorter treatment times. Dr. Chung is also pleased to offer digital I-CAT Cone Beam 3-D digital imaging which provides the precise 3-D images, allowing the most precise treatment diagnosis.

Committed to excellence in care with an emphasis on continuing education, Dr. Chung regularly attends dental seminars on important and changing areas of orthodontics. He is active in the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, and numerous state and local dental societies. Dr. Chung has been voted by peer dentists as a Top Orthodontist in NJ as published in NJ Monthly.

Dr. Chung is married and has two children, Katie and Lauren. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, jogging, photography, and traveling with his family.