Ask Dr. Chung: “What Should I expect During My Initial Consultation?”

Great question! When you first come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Chung will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.

Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. We will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help us when examining your diagnostic records).

At your second appointment, Dr. Chung will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that we can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment at The Smile Solutions. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.

If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand the doctor’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment. Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

Smile with Invisalign Teen™ at Smile Solutions!

There’s more good news for teenagers at Smile Solutions! We are proud to offer Invisalign Teen, a popular choice for straightening teeth without traditional wires and brackets.

Much like Invisalign for adults, Invisalign Teen is an alternative to metallic braces and is undetectable when worn. Invisalign moves teeth at a pace that is faster than traditional braces and are:

-Clear
-Removable
-Super comfortable
-Customized just for you

Invisalign aligners are really comfortable and very durable. They fit in with any of your extracurricular activities. So whether you’re swimming the 50 meter race, out on the field kicking the ball around, or playing the clarinet with the school’s band, you don’t have to worry about your braces getting in the way!

Conveniently located in Edison and Union, our team at Smile Solutions invite you to give us a call today!

Happy Thanksgiving, from Smile Solutions

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, our entire team at Smile Solutions wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

Post your Halloween Costumes on our Facebook page!

Once again it’s that spooky time of year where our wonderful patients decide what they’ll wear for Halloween. Our team at Smile Solutions would love to see what you’ve come up with. Share your Halloween costumes with us by posting a photo of you in your costume on the wall of our Facebook page!

We can wait to see what great costumes you've come up with!

At Smile Solutions, October means National Orthodontic Health Month!

Happy October! For those who don't know, it’s National Orthodontic Health Month. This month-long event is organized by our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Dr. Christopher Chung and our team realize that this is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. National Orthodontic Health Month also aims to recognize the dedicated work of orthodontists like Dr. Chung and other dental professionals in the Union and Edison area.

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
• Ice

If you have any questions, please feel free to give our Edison or Union office a call, ask us on Facebook, or ask Dr. Chung during your visit this month!

What was your favorite part of Summer 2011?

The end of Summer and then subsequently the beginning of Fall are just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and we’re sure that you’ll be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans.

But wait! First, we want to know: What were your favorite parts of the Summer of 2011? Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

-Dr. Christopher Chung and team

The Great Social Media Adventure

Isn’t social media great? Dr. Christopher Chung and team love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page. For social media to work, conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social media is hugely popular these days, we know it is unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we’re taking time to research and decide 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 or Facebook page?

Send us your thoughts by posting a comment below, on our Facebook page, or give us a call!

-The team at Smile Solutions

When should you call Dr. Chung?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Dr. Christopher Chung.

Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible!

Hope this helps,

-Dr. Chung and team

Breaking Bad Habits

At Smile Solutions, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes a day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your adjustment visits with Dr. Christopher Chung.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health during your orthodontic treatment, as well as preventing gum disease. More care and time are needed to adequately brush your teeth when you are wearing braces. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Dr. Chung if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. The use of a mechanical toothbrush such as a Sonicare or Oral B can aid in removing plaque around braces. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Smile Solutions or ask your general dentist during your next scheduled visit! Or, ask us on Facebook!

Ask Dr. Chung: Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

You just got braces at Smile Solutions and Dr. Christopher Chung has informed you that during your orthodontic treatment you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that will allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care!

Recipes include main dishes, side dishes and even yummy desserts! After all, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps the patient achieve the best possible results from orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about the recipes listed or about the foods you should be avoiding during your orthodontic treatment, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Enjoy!

You're Never Too Old to Treat Yourself to a New Smile!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Smile Solutions!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Dr. Christopher Chung. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give Smile Solutions a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

A Beautiful Smile is Fast and Easy with In-Ovation Braces!

At Smile Solutions, we are proud to offer our patients a variety of orthodontic treatments. Today, we’d like to discuss with you the advantages of treatment using In-Ovation System Braces.

What are In-Ovation system braces?

In-Ovation braces use free-sliding technology to provide a more comfortable braces experience while achieving that beautiful smile that you have always wanted faster than traditional braces.

What’s the difference between In-Ovation braces and traditional braces?

Traditional braces use elastics and ties to hold wires into place and need to be tightened periodically. This causes slower movement of the teeth and discomfort due to friction and pressure. In-Ovation braces do not use elastics or ties and do not require tightening. They instead use free-sliding technology which results in little or no pressure while your teeth are gently moved into place.

If you are considering orthodontic treatment in the Edison or Union area, give our office a call to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Chung where he’ll be able to answer any questions you have about In-Ovation braces or any other orthodontic treatment we have available at Smiles Solutions.

Patient Referral Rewards at Smile Solutions

The highest compliment you can give our practice is to share your experience with others by referring them to Smile Solutions and Dr. Chung for their orthodontic treatment. To thank you for this courtesy, we would like to return the favor to those patients who invite their friends to join our practice. Just refer a friend and have that person mention that you sent them at their exam. Once that person begins active treatment we would like to present you with a gift of appreciation.

Here’s how it works:

• You’ll receive 15 tokens when your referral comes in for a consultation.
• When your 1st referral starts treatment, you will get an additional 15 tokens + 2 AMC Movie Tickets. And at this point your name will ALSO be entered into a raffle to WIN an iPad!! A winner is drawn every 3 months.
• 2nd referral begins treatment; you will receive a Gift Card.
• 3rd referral begins treatment, you receive an iPod Shuffle.
• 4th referral begins treatment; you get a Sonic Care toothbrush.
• 5th referral begins treatment; you’ll be the proud owner an iPod Touch!

Rules and Guidelines:

- Referral must start recommended treatment
- Outside of immediate family
- New referrals only
- Must bring in the referral form signed from the patient
- Referral must be a current or former patient

If you have any additional questions about the Smile Solutions Patient Referral Rewards program, please give our office a call or ask Dr. Chung or any member or our team during your next visit.

Why the Damon® System?

Something big is happening in the orthodontics world, and it’s no other than Damon braces, which allow your teeth to move more comfortably and easily than traditional braces. With the Damon System, achieving that perfect smile will be faster and easier than you ever thought possible.

Here’s why Damon® is better:

With the new Damon braces, we can achieve terrific results and finish your treatment faster. Depending on your case, this may mean saving many months of treatment! After analyzing your specific needs, we will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that will have you smiling soon! Because Damon braces are very precise and effective, we can reduce the need for many of the time-consuming and complicated procedures that are used with traditional braces. Because Damon braces work more efficiently, fewer adjustments are required. As a result, your appointments will be faster and fewer in number. Due to the unique design of this new braces system, we can move your teeth into their correct positions with much less discomfort than traditional braces. Also, Damon braces are small, very comfortable, and easy to keep clean.

Dr. Christopher Chung is a certified Damon System provider. To learn more about the Damon System or your treatment here at Smile Solutions, please give us a call.